Securities Act Registration No. 333-178833

Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-22655

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 6, 2019

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ý

¨ Pre-Effective Amendment No.
ý Post-Effective Amendment No. 426

 

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ý

ý Amendment No. 429

 

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (402) 895-1600

The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, DE 19801

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

With copy to:

JoAnn M. Strasser, Esq.

Thompson Hine LLP

41 South High Street, Suite 1700

Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-469-3265 (phone)

614-469-3361 (fax)

Richard Malinowski

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110

Hauppauge, New York 11788

(631) 470-2600

 

Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

ý Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:

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

 
 

 

 

 

HCM Defender 100 Index ETF

 

QQH

 

HCM Defender 500 Index ETF

 

LGH

 

 

PROSPECTUS

September 6, 2019

 

Adviser:

 

1145 Hembree Road,

Roswell, Georgia 30076

 

www.howardcmfunds.com 1-770-642-4902

 

 

 

 

This Prospectus provides important information about each Fund that you should know before investing. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.

 

These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Shares of each Fund are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”).

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website www.howardcmfunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds electronically by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by following the instructions included with paper Fund documents that have been mailed to you. You may also elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge.

 

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FUND SUMMARY- HCM DEFENDER 100 INDEX ETF 1
FUND SUMMARY- HCM DEFENDER 500 INDEX ETF 6

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

11
Investment Objective 11
Principal Investment Strategies 11
Principal Investment Risks 12
Temporary Investments 16
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure 16
Cybersecurity 16
MANAGEMENT 17
Investment Adviser 17
Portfolio Managers 17
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED 18
HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES 19
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES 20
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN 21
DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 21
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS 23
OTHER INFORMATION 23
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 25
PRIVACY NOTICE 26

 

 
 

FUND SUMMARY – HCM DEFENDER 100 INDEX ETF

 

Investment Objective: The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond, before fees and expenses, generally to the performance of the HCM Defender 100 Index (the “HCM 100 Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund: This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing or selling shares of the Fund in the secondary market may be subject to costs (including customary brokerage commissions) charged by their broker. These costs are not included in the expense example below.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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

 
Management Fees 0.77%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.00%
Other Expenses(1) 0.41%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(1) 0.18%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.36%

 

(1) Estimated for the current fiscal year.

 

Example: This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year 3 Years
$138 $431

 

Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.

 

Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, including borrowings for investment purposes but exclusive of collateral held from securities lending, in securities included in the HCM 100 Index. The HCM 100 Index seeks to outperform the Nasdaq 100® Index using a proprietary methodology. The Nasdaq 100® Index is comprised of the largest domestic and international non-financial securities listed on the Nasdaq. The HCM 100 Index alternates exposure between a full equity position of securities issued by 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq, a 50/50 equity/3-month Treasury instruments (including ETFs, mutual funds or derivatives) or a full 3-month Treasury instruments position. The Fund may gain exposure to securities included in the HCM 100 Index indirectly through investments in derivatives and other investment companies. The HCM 100 Index is an index sponsored, created, compiled, and maintained by the adviser and uses a representative sampling strategy.

The HCM 100 Index uses the HCM BuyLine® (“BuyLine”), a proprietary quantitative investment model, to determine when the HCM 100 Index should be in or out of the market. The BuyLine uses

1
 

trend analysis to help identify the broad trend in the equity market. When the trend is down, the HCM 100 Index reduces exposure to equities, and when the trend is up, the HCM 100 Index increases exposure to equities. When the S&P 500® Index’s closing price drops to 3.5% below the BuyLine, the HCM 100 Index will assume a 50/50 position in equities and 3-month Treasury bills. If the S&P 500® Index drops to 6.5% below the BuyLine, the HCM 100 Index will be 100% in 3-month Treasury bills. Once the S&P 500® Index closes above the BuyLine for five consecutive trading days, the HCM 100 Index will be reinvested in equities. If the S&P 500® Index closes above the BuyLine without having previously closed below the 3.5% or 6.5% levels for at least five consecutive trading days, the HCM 100 Index will add or maintain exposure equal to approximately 120% of the Nasdaq 100® Index. The Fund may invest in derivatives or leveraged exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), sometimes referred to in this Prospectus as “Underlying Funds,” in seeking to track the HCM 100 Index’s greater than 100% exposure to the securities in the Nasdaq 100® Index.

The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes but exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) in index futures, options, options on index futures, swap contracts or other derivatives, cash equivalents, other investment companies, as well as in securities and other instruments not included in the HCM 100 Index but which the Adviser believes will help the Fund track the HCM 100 Index.

Principal Investment Risks: As with all funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and performance.

 

The following describes the risks the Fund bears directly or indirectly through investments in other funds. As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.

 

Concentration Risk. The Fund focuses its investments in securities of a particular industry to the extent that its index does. Economic, legislative or regulatory developments may occur that significantly affect the industry. This may cause the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate more than that of a fund that does not focus in a particular industry.

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security and other instrument is not able to make principal and interest payments when due.

 

Equity Securities Risk. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities held by the Fund causes the NAV of the Fund to fluctuate.

 

o   Common Stock Risks. Common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments. Common stock is subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of the same issuer.

 

o   Preferred Stock Risks. Generally, preferred stockholders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless certain events occur. In addition, preferred stock is subject to greater credit risk than debt instruments of an issuer, and could be subject to interest rate risk like fixed income securities, as described below.

 

ETF Structure Risks: The Fund is structured as an ETF is subject to the special risks, including:

 

o  Not Individually Redeemable. Shares of the Fund (“Shares”) are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Fund at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” You may incur brokerage costs purchasing enough Shares to constitute a

2
 

Creation Unit.

 

o  Trading Issues. An active trading market for the Shares may not be developed or maintained. Trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange. If the Shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as authorized participants (“APs”) that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Shares.

 

o Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of Shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for Shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means that Shares may trade at a discount to NAV.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may gain exposure to derivatives directly through investment in derivatives instruments, such as swaps, or indirectly through its investment in ETFs that invest in derivatives. The Fund’s exposure to derivative instruments, such as swaps, involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. These risks include (i) the risk that the counterparty to a derivative transaction may not fulfill its contractual obligations; (ii) risk of mispricing or improper valuation; and (iii) the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Derivative prices are highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially during a short period of time. Such prices are influenced by numerous factors that affect the markets, including, but not limited to: changing supply and demand relationships; government programs and policies; national and international political and economic events, changes in interest rates, inflation and deflation and changes in supply and demand relationships. Trading derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities.

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk: The NAV of the Shares generally fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings.  The market prices of the Shares generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the shares on the Exchange.  The Adviser cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV.   

 

Foreign Securities Risk: Since the Fund’s investments may include ETFs with foreign securities, the Fund is subject to risks beyond those associated with investing in domestic securities. Foreign companies are generally not subject to the same regulatory requirements of U.S. companies thereby resulting in less publicly available information about these companies. In addition, foreign accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards generally differ from those applicable to U.S. companies.

 

Growth Stock Risk: Growth stocks can react differently to issuer, political, market, and economic developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. The stocks of such companies can therefore be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than stocks of larger, more established companies or the stock market in general.

 

Index Provider Risk. The Fund seeks to achieve returns that generally correspond, before fees and expenses, to the performance of its index, as published by its Index Provider. There is no assurance that the Index Provider will compile the index accurately, or that the index will be determined, composed or calculated accurately. While the Index Provider gives descriptions of what the index is

3
 

designed to achieve, the Index Provider does not provide any warranty or accept any liability in relation to the quality, accuracy or completeness of data in the index, and does not guarantee that its index will be in line with its methodology.

 

Leveraged ETF Risk: Leveraged ETFs will amplify losses because they are designed to produce returns that are a multiple of the index to which they are linked. Most leveraged ETFs "reset" daily. Due to the effect of compounding, their performance over longer periods of time can differ significantly from the performance of their underlying index or benchmark during the same period of time.

Limited History of Operations Risk: The Fund is a new fund with a limited history of operations for investors to evaluate.

 

Securities Market Risk: The value of securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to factors affecting particular companies or the securities markets generally. A general downturn in the securities market may cause multiple asset classes to decline in value simultaneously.

 

Small and Medium Capitalization Stock Risk. The earnings and prospects of small and medium sized companies are more volatile than larger companies and may experience higher failure rates than larger companies. Small and medium sized companies normally have a lower trading volume than larger companies, which may tend to make their market price fall more disproportionately than larger companies in response to selling pressures.

 

Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of the index. Tracking error may occur because of imperfect correlation between the Fund’s holdings of portfolio securities and those in the index, pricing differences, the Fund’s holding of cash, difference in timing of the accrual of dividends, changes to the index or the need to meet various regulatory requirements. This risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions. Tracking error also may result because the Fund incurs fees and expenses while the index does not.

 

Underlying Funds Risk: Other investment companies, such as ETFs, in which the Fund invests are subject to investment advisory and other expenses, which will be indirectly paid by the Fund. As a result, the cost of investing in the Fund is higher than the cost of investing directly in the Underlying Funds and may be higher than other funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds.

 

Performance: Because the Fund has only recently commenced investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time. In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus. Also, shareholder reports containing financial and performance information will be mailed to shareholders semi-annually. Updated performance information will be available at no cost by visiting www.howardcmfunds.com or by calling 770-642-4902.

 

Investment Adviser: Howard Capital Management, Inc. (the “Adviser”)

 

Portfolio Manager: Vance Howard, President, CEO, Chairman of the Board and Founder of the Adviser, has served the Fund as its portfolio manager since its commenced operations.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks of 50,000 Shares (each block of Shares is called a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units are issued

4
 

and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind for securities. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on the Exchange and trade at market prices rather than NAV. Shares of the Fund may trade at a price that is greater than, at, or less than NAV.

 

Tax Information: The Fund’s distributions generally will be taxable as ordinary income or long-term capital gains. A sale of Shares may result in capital gain or loss.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

5
 

FUND SUMMARY – HCM DEFENDER 500 INDEX ETF

 

Investment Objective: The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond, before fees and expenses, generally to the performance of the HCM Defender 500 Index (the “HCM 500 Index”).

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund: This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing or selling shares of the Fund in the secondary market may be subject to costs (including customary brokerage commissions) charged by their broker. These costs are not included in the expense example below.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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

 
Management Fees 0.77%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.00%
Other Expenses(1) 0.41%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(1) 0.18%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.36%

 

(1)  Estimated for the current fiscal year.

 

Example: This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:

 

1 Year 3 Years
$138 $431

 

Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance.

 

Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, including borrowings for investment purposes but exclusive of collateral held from securities lending, in securities included in the HCM 500 Index. The HCM 500 Index seeks to outperform the S&P 500® Index using a proprietary methodology. The S&P 500® Index is comprised of common stocks issued by 500 large-capitalization companies traded on American stock exchanges. The HCM 500 Index alternates exposure between a full equity position, a 50/50 equity/3-month Treasury instruments (including ETFs, mutual funds or derivatives), or a full 3-month Treasury instruments position. The Fund may gain exposure to securities included in the HCM 500 Index indirectly through investments in derivatives and other investment companies. The HCM 500 Index is an index sponsored, created, compiled, and maintained by the adviser and uses a representative sampling strategy.

The HCM 500 Index uses the HCM BuyLine® (“BuyLine”), its proprietary quantitative investment model, to determine when the Fund should be in or out of the market. The BuyLine uses trend analysis to help identify the broad trend in the equity market. When the trend is down, the HCM 500

6
 

Index reduces exposure to equities, and when the trend is up, the HCM 500 Index increases exposure to equities. When the S&P 500 Index’s closing price drops to 3.5% below the BuyLine, the HCM 500 Index will assume a 50/50 position in equities and 3-month Treasury bills. If the S&P 500 Index drops to 6.5% below the BuyLine, the HCM 500 Index will be 100% in 3-month Treasury bills. Once the S&P 500 Index closes above the BuyLine for five consecutive trading days after having dropped below one or both of the previous two levels, the HCM 500 Index will be reinvested in equities. If the S&P 500 Index closes above the BuyLine without having previously closed below the 3.5% or 6.5% levels for at least five consecutive trading days, the HCM 500 Index will add or maintain exposure equal to approximately 120% of the S&P 500 Index. The Fund may invest in leveraged exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) in seeking to track the HCM 500 Index’s greater than 100% investment exposure to the securities in the S&P 500 Index.

The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets, including borrowings for investment purposes but exclusive of collateral held from securities lending, in index futures, options, options on index futures, swap contracts or other derivatives, cash equivalents, other investment companies, as well as in securities and other instruments not included in the HCM 500 Index but which the Adviser believes will help the Fund track the HCM 500 Index.

Principal Investment Risks: As with all funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. Many factors affect the Fund’s NAV and performance.

 

The following describes the risks the Fund bears directly or indirectly through investments in other funds. As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.

 

Concentration Risk. The Fund focuses its investments in securities of a particular industry to the extent that its index does. Economic, legislative or regulatory developments may occur that significantly affect the industry. This may cause the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate more than that of a fund that does not focus in a particular industry.

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security and other instrument is not able to make principal and interest payments when due.

 

Equity Securities Risk. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities held by the Fund causes the NAV of the Fund to fluctuate.

 

o   Common Stock Risks. Common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments. Common stock is subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of the same issuer.

 

o   Preferred Stock Risks. Generally, preferred stockholders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless certain events occur. In addition, preferred stock is subject to greater credit risk than debt instruments of an issuer, and could be subject to interest rate risk like fixed income securities, as described below.

 

ETF Structure Risks: The Fund is structured as an ETF is subject to the special risks, including:

 

o  Not Individually Redeemable. Shares of the Fund (“Shares”) are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Fund at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” You may incur brokerage costs purchasing enough Shares to constitute a Creation Unit.

 

7
 

o  Trading Issues. An active trading market for the Shares may not be developed or maintained. Trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange. If the Shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as authorized participants (“APs”) that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Shares.

 

o Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of Shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for Shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly. This means that Shares may trade at a discount to NAV.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may gain exposure to derivatives directly through investment in derivatives instruments, such as swaps, or indirectly through its investment in ETFs that invest in derivatives. The Fund’s exposure to derivative instruments, such as swaps, involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. These risks include (i) the risk that the counterparty to a derivative transaction may not fulfill its contractual obligations; (ii) risk of mispricing or improper valuation; and (iii) the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Derivative prices are highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially during a short period of time. Such prices are influenced by numerous factors that affect the markets, including, but not limited to: changing supply and demand relationships; government programs and policies; national and international political and economic events, changes in interest rates, inflation and deflation and changes in supply and demand relationships. Trading derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities.

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk: The NAV of the Shares generally fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings.  The market prices of the Shares generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the shares on the Exchange.  The Adviser cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV.   

Foreign Securities Risk: Since the Fund’s investments may include ETFs with foreign securities, the Fund is subject to risks beyond those associated with investing in domestic securities. Foreign companies are generally not subject to the same regulatory requirements of U.S. companies thereby resulting in less publicly available information about these companies. In addition, foreign accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards generally differ from those applicable to U.S. companies.

 

Growth Stock Risk: Growth stocks can react differently to issuer, political, market, and economic developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. The stocks of such companies can therefore be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than stocks of larger, more established companies or the stock market in general.

 

Index Provider Risk. The Fund seeks to achieve returns that generally correspond, before fees and expenses, to the performance of its index, as published by its Index Provider. There is no assurance that the Index Provider will compile the index accurately, or that the index will be determined, composed or calculated accurately. While the Index Provider gives descriptions of what the index is designed to achieve, the Index Provider does not provide any warranty or accept any liability in

8
 

relation to the quality, accuracy or completeness of data in the index, and does not guarantee that its index will be in line with its methodology.

Leveraged ETF Risk: Leveraged ETFs will amplify losses because they are designed to produce returns that are a multiple of the index to which they are linked. Most leveraged ETFs "reset" daily. Due to the effect of compounding, their performance over longer periods of time can differ significantly from the performance of their underlying index or benchmark during the same period of time.

Limited History of Operations Risk: The Fund is a new fund with a limited history of operations for investors to evaluate.

 

Securities Market Risk: The value of securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to factors affecting particular companies or the securities markets generally. A general downturn in the securities market may cause multiple asset classes to decline in value simultaneously.

 

Small and Medium Capitalization Stock Risk. The earnings and prospects of small and medium sized companies are more volatile than larger companies and may experience higher failure rates than larger companies. Small and medium sized companies normally have a lower trading volume than larger companies, which may tend to make their market price fall more disproportionately than larger companies in response to selling pressures.

 

Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of the index. Tracking error may occur because of imperfect correlation between the Fund’s holdings of portfolio securities and those in the index, pricing differences, the Fund’s holding of cash, difference in timing of the accrual of dividends, changes to the index or the need to meet various regulatory requirements. This risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions. Tracking error also may result because the Fund incurs fees and expenses while the index does not.

 

Underlying Funds Risk: Other investment companies, such as ETFs, in which the Fund invests are subject to investment advisory and other expenses, which will be indirectly paid by the Fund. As a result, the cost of investing in the Fund is higher than the cost of investing directly in the Underlying Funds and may be higher than other funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds.

 

Performance: Because the Fund has only recently commenced investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time. In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus. Also, shareholder reports containing financial and performance information will be mailed to shareholders semi-annually. Updated performance information will be available at no cost by visiting www.howardcmfunds.com or by calling 770-642-4902.

 

Investment Adviser: Howard Capital Management, Inc. (the “Adviser”)

 

Portfolio Manager: Vance Howard, President, CEO, Chairman of the Board and Founder of the Adviser, has served the Fund as its portfolio manager since its commenced operations.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks of 50,000 Shares (each block of Shares is called a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units are issued and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind for securities. Individual Shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Except when aggregated in Creation Units,

9
 

the Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

 

Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on Exchange and trade at market prices rather than NAV. Shares of the Fund may trade at a price that is greater than, at, or less than NAV.

 

Tax Information: The Fund’s distributions generally will be taxable as ordinary income or long-term capital gains. A sale of Shares may result in capital gain or loss.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

10
 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:

Fund Investment Objective
HCM Defender 100 Index ETF (“100 ETF”) The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond, before fees and expenses, generally to the performance of the HCM Defender 100 Index (the “HCM 100 Index”).  
HCM Defender 500 Index ETF (“500 ETF”) The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond, before fees and expenses, generally to the performance of the HCM Defender 500 Index (the “HCM 500 Index”).  

 

Each Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES:

100 ETF

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, including borrowings for investment purposes but exclusive of collateral held from securities lending, in securities included in the HCM 100 Index. The HCM 100 Index seeks to outperform the Nasdaq 100® Index using a proprietary methodology. The Nasdaq 100® Index is comprised of the largest domestic and international non-financial securities listed on the Nasdaq. The HCM 100 Index alternates exposure between a full equity position of securities issued by 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq, a 50/50 equity/3-month Treasury instruments (including ETFs, mutual funds, or derivatives), or a full 3-month Treasury instruments position. The Fund may gain exposure to securities included in the HCM 100 Index indirectly through investments in derivatives and other investment companies. The HCM 100 Index is an index sponsored, created, compiled, and maintained by the adviser and uses a representative sampling strategy.

The HCM 100 Index uses the HCM BuyLine® (“BuyLine”), a proprietary quantitative investment model, to determine when the HCM 100 Index should be in or out of the market. The BuyLine uses trend analysis to help identify the broad trend in the equity market. When the trend is down, the HCM 100 Index reduces exposure to equities, and when the trend is up, the HCM 100 Index increases exposure to equities. When the S&P 500® Index’s closing price drops to 3.5% below the BuyLine, the HCM 100 Index will assume a 50/50 position in equities and 3-Month Treasury Bills. If the S&P 500® Index drops to 6.5% below the BuyLine, the HCM 100 Index will be 100% in 3-month Treasury bills. Once the S&P 500® Index closes above the HCM BuyLine for five consecutive trading days, the HCM 100 Index will be reinvested in equities. If the S&P 500® Index closes above the BuyLine without having previously closed below the 3.5% or 6.5% levels for at least five consecutive trading days, the HCM 100 Index will add or maintain exposure equal to approximately 120% of the Nasdaq 100® Index. The Fund may invest in derivatives or leveraged exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) in seeking to track the HCM 100 Index’s greater than 100% exposure to the securities in the Nasdaq 100® Index.

The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes but exclusive of collateral held from securities lending) in index futures, options, options on index futures, swap contracts or other derivatives, cash equivalents, other investment companies, as well

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as in securities and other instruments not included in the HCM 100 Index but which the Adviser believes will help the Fund track the HCM 100 Index.

500 ETF:

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, including borrowings for investment purposes but exclusive of collateral held from securities lending, in securities included in the HCM 500 Index. The HCM 500 Index seeks to outperform the S&P 500® Index using a proprietary methodology. The S&P 500® Index is comprised of common stocks issued by 500 large-capitalization companies traded on American stock exchanges. The HCM 500 Index alternates exposure between a full equity position, a 50/50 equity/3-Month Treasury instruments (including ETFs, mutual funds, or derivatives), or a full 3-Month Treasury instruments position. The Fund may gain exposure to securities included in the HCM 500 Index indirectly through investments in derivatives and other investment companies. The HCM 500 Index is an index sponsored, created, compiled, and maintained by the adviser and uses a representative sampling strategy.

The HCM 500 Index uses the HCM BuyLine, its proprietary quantitative investment model, to determine when the Fund should be in or out of the market. The BuyLine uses trend analysis to help identify the broad trend in the equity market. When the trend is down, the HCM 500 Index reduces exposure to equities, and when the trend is up, the HCM 500 Index exposure to equities. When the S&P 500 Index’s closing price drops to 3.5% below the BuyLine, the HCM 500 Index will assume a 50/50 position in equities and 3-month Treasury bills. If the S&P 500 Index drops to 6.5% below the BuyLine, the HCM 500 Index will be 100% in 3-month Treasury bills. Once the S&P 500 Index closes above the BuyLine for five consecutive trading days, the HCM 500 Index will be reinvested in equities. If the S&P 500 Index closes above the BuyLine without having previously closed below the 3.5% or 6.5% levels for at least five consecutive trading days, the HCM 500 Index will add or maintain exposure equal to approximately 120% of the S&P 500 Index. The Fund may invest in derivatives or leveraged ETFs in seeking to track the HCM 500 Index’s greater than 100% investment exposure to the securities in the S&P 500 Index.

The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets, including borrowings for investment purposes but exclusive of collateral held from securities lending, in index futures, options, options on index futures, swap contracts or other derivatives, cash equivalents, other investment companies, as well as in securities and other instruments not included in the HCM 500 Index but which the Adviser believes will help the Fund track the HCM 500 Index.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS

 

The following describes the risks each Fund bears directly or indirectly through investments in Underlying Funds.

 

Concentration Risk. Each Fund focuses its investments in securities of a particular industry to the extent that its index does. Economic, legislative or regulatory developments may occur that significantly affect the industry. This may cause the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate more than that of a fund that does not focus in a particular industry.

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security and other instrument is not able to make principal and interest payments when due.

 

Equity Securities Risk. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities held by each Fund causes the NAV of the Fund to fluctuate.

 

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o   Common Stock Risks. Common stock of an issuer in each Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments. Common stock is subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of the same issuer. In addition, common stocks have experienced significantly more volatility in returns than other asset classes.

 

o   Preferred Stock Risks. Generally, preferred stockholders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless certain events occur. In addition, preferred stock is subject to greater credit risk than debt instruments of an issuer, and could be subject to interest rate risk like fixed income securities, as described below. An issuer’s board of directors is generally not under any obligation to pay a dividend (even if dividends have accrued), and may suspend payment of dividends on preferred stock at any time. There is also a risk that the issuer of any of a Fund’s holdings will default and fail to make scheduled dividend payments on the preferred stock held by the Fund.

 

ETF Structure Risk: Each Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to the special risks, including:

 

o Not Individually Redeemable. Shares are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Fund at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” You may incur brokerage costs purchasing enough Shares to constitute a Creation Unit.

 

o Trading Issues. Trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange. If the Shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as authorized participants that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Shares.

 

o Market Price Variance Risk. Individual Shares that are listed for trading on the Exchange can be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The market prices of Shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for Shares. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly and you may pay more than NAV when buying Shares on the secondary market, and you may receive less than NAV when you sell those Shares. The market price of Shares, like the price of any exchange-traded security, includes a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. In times of severe market disruption, the bid-ask spread often increases significantly. This means that Shares may trade at a discount to NAV and the discount is likely to be greatest when the price of Shares is falling fastest, which may be the time that you most want to sell your Shares. Each Fund’s investment results are measured based upon the daily NAV of the Fund over a period of time. Investors purchasing and selling Shares in the secondary market may not experience investment results consistent with those experienced by those creating and redeeming directly with the Fund.

 

§ In times of market stress, market makers may step away from their role market making in shares of ETFs and in executing trades, which can lead to differences between the market value of Shares and each Fund’s NAV.

 

§ To the extent APs exit the business or are unable to process creations or
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redemptions and no other AP can step in to do so, there may be a significantly reduced trading market in the Shares, which can lead to differences between the market value of Shares and each Fund’s NAV.

 

§ The market price for Shares may deviate from each Fund’s NAV, particularly during times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or receive significantly less for Fund shares than each Fund’s NAV, which is reflected in the bid and ask price for Shares or in the closing price.

 

§ When all or a portion of an ETFs underlying securities trade in a market that is closed when the market for the Shares is open, there may be changes from the last quote of the closed market and the quote from each Fund’s domestic trading day, which could lead to differences between the market value of the Shares and the Fund’s NAV.

 

§ In stressed market conditions, the market for Shares may become less liquid in response to the deteriorating liquidity of each Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the liquidity of Shares may, in turn, lead to differences between the market value of Shares and each Fund’s NAV.

 

Derivatives Risk. Each Fund may gain exposure to derivatives directly through investment in derivatives instruments, such as swaps, or indirectly through its investment in ETFs that invest in derivatives. Each Fund’s exposure to derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. These risks include (i) the risk that the counterparty to a derivative transaction may not fulfill its contractual obligations; (ii) risk of mispricing or improper valuation; and (iii) the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Derivative prices are highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially during a short period of time. Such prices are influenced by numerous factors that affect the markets, including, but not limited to: changing supply and demand relationships; government programs and policies; national and international political and economic events, changes in interest rates, inflation and deflation and changes in supply and demand relationships. Trading derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities including:

· Leverage and Volatility Risk. Derivative contracts ordinarily have leverage inherent in their terms. The low margin deposits normally required in trading derivatives, including futures contracts, permit a high degree of leverage. Accordingly, a relatively small price movement may result in an immediate and substantial loss to each Fund. The use of leverage may also cause each Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations or to meet collateral segregation requirements. The use of leveraged derivatives can magnify each Fund's potential for gain or loss and, therefore, amplify the effects of market volatility on each Fund's share price.
· Liquidity Risk. It is possible that particular derivative investments might be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing each Fund from executing positions at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring them to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy their obligations. Most U.S. commodity futures exchanges impose daily limits regulating the maximum amount above or below the previous day's settlement price which a futures contract price may fluctuate during a single day. During a single trading day no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a particular futures contract has increased or decreased to the limit point, it may be difficult, costly or impossible to
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liquidate a position. It is also possible that an exchange or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), which regulates commodity futures exchanges, may suspend trading in a particular contract, order immediate settlement of a contract or order that trading to the liquidation of open positions only.

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk: The NAV of the Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of each Fund’s holdings.  The market prices of the Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the Shares on the Exchange.  The Adviser cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV.  Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of each Fund’s holdings trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time.  Index based ETFs have generally traded at prices which closely correspond to NAV per Share. 

 

Foreign Securities Risk: Since each Fund’s investments may include ETFs with foreign securities, each Fund is subject to risks beyond those associated with investing in domestic securities. Foreign companies are generally not subject to the same regulatory requirements of U.S. companies thereby resulting in less publicly available information about these companies. In addition, foreign accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards generally differ from those applicable to U.S. companies. The value of foreign securities is also affected by the value of the local currency relative to the U.S. dollar.

 

Growth Stock Risk: Growth stocks can react differently to issuer, political, market, and economic developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. The stocks of such companies can therefore be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than stocks of larger, more established companies or the stock market in general.

Index Provider Risk. Each Fund seeks to achieve returns that generally correspond, before fees and expenses, to the performance of its index, as published by its Index Provider. There is no assurance that the Index Provider will compile the index accurately, or that the index will be determined, composed or calculated accurately. While the Index Provider gives descriptions of what the index is designed to achieve, the Index Provider does not provide any warranty or accept any liability in relation to the quality, accuracy or completeness of data in the index, and does not guarantee that its index will be in line with its methodology.

 

Leveraged ETF Risk: Leveraged ETFs will amplify losses because they are designed to produce returns that are a multiple of the index to which they are linked. Most leveraged ETFs “reset” daily. Due to the effect of compounding, their performance over longer periods of time can differ significantly from the performance of their underlying index or benchmark during the same period of time. The use of leverage can magnify an ETF’s potential for gain or loss and; therefore, amplify the effects of market volatility on the ETF’s NAV. Using derivatives can create leverage, which can amplify the effects of market volatility on the ETF’s NAV and make the ETF's returns more volatile. This may indirectly affect each Fund’s performance.

Limited History of Operations: Each Fund is a new mutual fund with a limited history of operations for investors to evaluate.

Securities Market Risk: Stock market risk is the risk that the value of securities owned by each Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to factors affecting particular companies or the securities markets generally. A general downturn in the securities market may cause multiple asset classes to decline in value simultaneously, although equity securities generally have greater price

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volatility than fixed income securities. Despite gains in some markets after steep declines during certain periods, negative conditions and price declines may return unexpectedly and dramatically. In addition, each Fund could experience a loss when selling securities in order to meet unusually large or frequent redemption requests in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold. Stock prices change daily, sometimes rapidly, in response to company activity and general economic and market conditions. Certain stocks may decline in value even during periods when the prices of equity securities in general are rising, or may not perform as well as the market in general. Stock prices may also experience greater volatility during periods of challenging market conditions such as the one that the market recently experienced.

 

Small and Medium Capitalization Stock Risk. The earnings and prospects of small and medium sized companies are more volatile than larger companies and may experience higher failure rates than larger companies. Small and medium sized companies normally have a lower trading volume than larger companies, which may tend to make their market price fall more disproportionately than larger companies in response to selling pressures and may have limited markets, product lines, or financial resources and lack management experience.

 

Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of a Fund’s performance from that of the index. Tracking error may occur because of imperfect correlation between each Fund’s holdings of portfolio securities and those in the index, pricing differences, each Fund’s holding of cash, difference in timing of the accrual of dividends, changes to the index or the need to meet various regulatory requirements. This risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions. Tracking error also may result because each Fund incurs fees and expenses while the index does not.

 

Underlying Funds Risk: Underlying Funds in which the Funds invest are subject to investment advisory and other expenses, which will be indirectly paid by the Funds. As a result, the cost of investing in the Funds will be higher than the cost of investing directly in the Underlying Funds and may be higher than other funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds. Each of the Underlying Funds is subject to its own specific risks. Each Fund is subject to the principal investments risks of Underlying Funds by virtue of the Fund’s investment in such funds.

 

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS: To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, each Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities and money market instruments. These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include: shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. While each Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited. Furthermore, to the extent that a Fund invests in money market mutual funds for cash positions, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund pays its pro-rata portion of such money market funds’ advisory fees and operational fees. Each Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE: A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information.

 

CYBERSECURITY: The computer systems, networks and devices used by the Funds and their service providers to carry out routine business operations employ a variety of protections designed to prevent damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and

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telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches. Despite the various protections utilized by the Funds and their service providers, systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. Each Fund and its 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 each Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; interference with each Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV; impediments to trading; the inability of each 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 Funds invest; counterparties with which the Funds engage in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities; exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and service providers for a 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.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Investment Adviser: Howard Capital Management, Inc., located at 1145 Hembree Road, Roswell, GA 30076, serves as each 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 manages separate accounts and mutual funds and has approximately $1.4 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2019.

 

Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s investments, executing transactions and providing related administrative services and facilities under an Investment Advisory Agreement between each Fund and the Adviser.

 

The management fee set forth in the Investment Advisory Agreement is 0.77% for the 100 ETF and 0.77% for the 500 ETF annually, to be paid on a monthly basis. In addition to investment advisory fees, each Fund pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and statements of additional information to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the advisory agreement will be available in the Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders dated December 31, 2019.

 

Portfolio Manager

 

The Funds are managed on a day-to-day basis by Vance Howard. Mr. Howard founded the Adviser in 1999 and has since then been the Adviser’s President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board. Prior to forming the Adviser, Mr. Howard was the President, CEO, Chairman and Founder of Chartered Financial Services, Inc., an investment advisory firm.

 

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The Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides additional information about the Portfolio Manager’s compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of Fund shares.

 

HOW SHARES ARE PRICED

 

The NAV and offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charges) of each Fund’s shares is determined at the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the Exchange is open. NAV is computed by determining, on a per class basis, the aggregate market value of all assets of the applicable Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets-liabilities)/number of shares = NAV). The Exchange is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account, on a per class basis, the expenses and fees of the Fund, including management, administration, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV for the Fund for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by the Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the Exchange on that day.

 

Generally, each Fund’s securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the- counter market. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity.

 

If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available. The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value committee composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) adviser. The committee may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

 

The Funds may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the value of each Fund’s securities. In addition, market prices for foreign securities are not determined at the same time of day as the NAV for the Funds. Because the Funds may invest in underlying ETFs that hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of some of a Fund’s

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portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares. In computing the NAV, each Fund values foreign securities held by the Fund at the latest closing price on the exchange in which they are traded immediately prior to closing of the NYSE. Prices of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. If events materially affecting the value of a security in a Fund’s portfolio, particularly foreign securities, occur after the close of trading on a foreign market but before a Fund prices its shares, the security will be valued at fair value. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before a Fund calculates its NAV, the adviser may need to price the security using the Funds’ fair value pricing guidelines. Without a fair value price, short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of a Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of a Fund’s NAV by short term traders. The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments. As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other mutual funds to determine NAV, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.

 

With respect to any portion of a Fund’s assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, a Fund’s NAV is calculated based upon the NAVs 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.

 

Premium/Discount Information

 

Most investors will buy and sell Shares in secondary market transactions through brokers at market prices and the Shares will trade at market prices. The market price of Shares may be greater than, equal to, or less than NAV. Market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors may affect the trading prices of Shares.

 

Information regarding the intraday value of shares of the Funds, also known as the “indicative optimized portfolio value” (“IOPV”), is disseminated every 15 seconds throughout each trading day by the securities exchange on which the Funds' shares are listed or by market data vendors or other information providers. The IOPV is based on the current market value of each Fund’s securities, including cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit. The IOPV is generally determined by using both current market quotations and price quotations obtained from broker-dealers and other market intermediaries that may trade in a Fund’s portfolio securities. The IOPV may not reflect the exact composition of a Fund’s current portfolio of securities at a particular point in time or the best possible valuation of a Fund’s current portfolio. As a result, the IOPV should not be confused with the NAV, which is computed only once a day. Information regarding how often the Shares traded at a price above (at a premium to) or below (at a discount to) the NAV of the Funds during the past four calendar quarters, when available, can be found at www.howardcmfunds.com.

 

HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES

 

Shares will be listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbols QQH for the 100 ETF and LGH for the 500 ETF. Share prices are reported in dollars and cents per Share. Shares can be bought and sold on the secondary market throughout the trading day like other publicly traded shares at their market price, and Shares typically trade in blocks of less than a Creation Unit. There is no minimum investment required. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the secondary market when the Exchange is open for trading. The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays, as observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,

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Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

When buying or selling Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.

 

Only APs may acquire Shares directly from the Funds, and APs may tender their Shares for redemption directly to the Funds, at NAV per Share only in large blocks, or Creation Units, of 50,000 Shares. Purchases and redemptions directly with the Funds must follow each Fund’s procedures, which are described in the SAI.

 

The Funds may liquidate and terminate at any time without shareholder approval.

Share Trading Prices

The intraday interim value of the Shares, an amount representing on a per share basis the sum of the current market price of the securities accepted by the Funds in exchange for Shares and an estimated cash component will be disseminated every 15 seconds throughout the trading day through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV per Share because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once a day, generally at the end of the business day. The Funds are not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value of the Shares, and the Funds do not make any warranty as to the accuracy of these values.

Book Entry

Shares are held in book entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding Shares and is recognized as the owner of all Shares for all purposes.

 

Investors owning Shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all Shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of Shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have Shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of Shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of Shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book entry or “street name” form.

 

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

 

Shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from each Fund in Creation Units by APs, and the vast majority of trading in Shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the secondary market trades do not directly involve the Fund, it is unlikely those trades would cause the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Fund’s trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With regard to the purchase or redemption of Creation Units directly with the Funds, to the extent effected in-kind (i.e., for securities), those trades do not cause the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole or in part in cash, those trades could result in dilution to the Funds and

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increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, direct trading by APs is critical to ensuring that Shares trade at or close to NAV. The Funds also employ fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing. In addition, the Funds impose transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Shares to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by the Funds in effecting trades. These fees increase if an investor substitutes cash in part or in whole for securities, reflecting the fact that a Fund’s trading costs increase in those circumstances. Given this structure, the Trust has determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect and deter market timing of the Shares.

 

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN

 

The Funds have adopted a distribution and service plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the Funds are authorized to pay distribution fees to the distributor and other firms that provide distribution and shareholder services (“Service Providers”). If a Service Provider provides these services, the Fund may pay fees at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

 

No distribution or service fees are currently paid by the Funds, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. In the event Rule 12b-1 fees were charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in the Funds.

 

DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

 

Unlike interests in conventional mutual funds, which typically are bought and sold from and to the fund only at closing NAVs, Shares are traded throughout the day in the secondary market on a national securities exchange on an intra-day basis and are created and redeemed in-kind and/or for cash in Creation Units at each day’s next calculated NAV. In-kind arrangements are designed to protect ongoing shareholders from the adverse effects on a Fund’s portfolio that could arise from frequent cash redemption transactions. In a conventional mutual fund, redemptions can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders if the mutual fund needs to sell portfolio securities to obtain cash to meet net fund redemptions. These sales may generate taxable gains for the ongoing shareholders of the mutual fund, whereas the Shares’ in-kind redemption mechanism generally will not lead to a tax event for the Funds or their ongoing shareholders.

 

Ordinarily, dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually in December by the Funds. The Funds distribute their net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders annually.

 

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole Shares only if the broker through whom you purchased Shares makes such option available.

 

Taxes

 

As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in Shares will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in Shares.

 

Unless your investment in Shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:

 

· a Fund makes distributions;
21
 
· you sell your Shares listed on the Exchange; and
· you purchase or redeem Creation Units.

 

Taxes on Distributions

 

As stated above, dividends from net investment income, if any, ordinarily are declared and paid annually in December by the Funds. The Funds may also pay a special distribution at the end of a calendar year to comply with federal tax requirements. Distributions from each Fund’s net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to you as ordinary income, except that each Fund’s dividends attributable to its “qualified dividend income” (i.e., dividends received on stock of most domestic and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions), if any, generally are subject to federal income tax for non-corporate shareholders who satisfy those restrictions with respect to their Fund shares at the rate for net capital gain -- a maximum of 15% for taxable years beginning before 2013. A part of each Fund’s dividends also may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations -- the eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate dividends each Fund receives from domestic corporations subject to federal income tax (excluding REITs) and excludes dividends from foreign corporations -- subject to similar restrictions. However, dividends a corporate shareholder deducts pursuant to that deduction are subject indirectly to the federal alternative minimum tax.

 

In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in the Funds (if that option is available). Distributions reinvested in additional Shares through the means of a dividend reinvestment service, if available, will be taxable to shareholders acquiring the additional Shares to the same extent as if such distributions had been received in cash. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the Shares.

 

Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in the Shares and as capital gain thereafter. A distribution will reduce a Fund’s NAV per Share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain (as described above) even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.

 

By law, the Funds are required to withhold 28% of your distributions and redemption proceeds if you have not provided the Fund with a correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number and in certain other situations.

 

Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales

 

Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct capital losses from sales of Shares may be limited.

 

Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

 

An AP who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus any Cash Component it pays. An AP who exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss

22
 

equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received plus any cash equal to the difference between the NAV of the Shares being redeemed and the value of the securities. The Internal Revenue Service (“Service”), however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales” or for other reasons. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.

 

Any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less.

 

If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Shares you purchased or sold and at what price. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for a description of the newly effective requirement regarding basis determination methods applicable to Share redemptions and each Fund’s obligation to report basis information to the Service.

 

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Funds. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in the Shares under all applicable tax laws. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for more information.

 

FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the Funds’ administrator and fund accountant.  It has its principal office at 17645 Wright Street, Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68130, and is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds.  It is an affiliate of the Distributor (as defined below).

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110 is the Funds’ custodian and transfer agent.

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD” or the “Distributor”), 17645 Wright Street, Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68130, is the distributor for the shares of the Funds.  The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, 17th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

 

RSM US LLP, 555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1200, Denver, Colorado 80202 serves as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm.  The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Funds.     

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Investments by Investment Companies

 

The SEC has granted an exemptive order to the Adviser permitting registered investment companies and unit investment trusts that enter into an agreement with the Trust (“Investing Funds”) to invest in series of the Trust beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act subject to certain

23
 

terms and conditions. This aspect of the exemptive order is not applicable to the Funds. Accordingly, Investing Funds must adhere to the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act when investing in the Funds.

 

Continuous Offering

 

The method by which Creation Units of Shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of Shares are issued and sold by the Funds on an ongoing basis, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may occur at any point. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.

 

For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares and sells the Shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a characterization as an underwriter.

 

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with engaging in ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the Shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the Securities Act is only available with respect to transactions on a national exchange.

 

Dealers effecting transactions in the Shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, are generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.

 

Householding: To reduce expenses, the Funds mail only one copy of the prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Funds at 770-642-4902 on days the Funds are open for business or contact your financial institution. The Funds will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.

 

24
 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Because the Funds have only recently commenced investment operations, no financial highlights are available for the Funds at this time. In the future, financial highlights will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.

25
 

 

Rev. February 2014


PRIVACY NOTICE
FACTS

WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III 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     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 Northern Lights Fund Trust III chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
           
Reasons we can share your personal information Does Northern Lights Fund Trust III share?

Can you limit

this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

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

Yes No

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

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

For our affiliates' everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

No We don't share

For our affiliates' everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

No We don't share
For nonaffiliates to market to you No We don't share
     
Questions? Call (402) 493-4603
         

 

 Who we are
Who is providing this notice?

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

 

What we do
26
 

 

How does Northern Lights Fund Trust III protect my personal information?

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

 

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

How does Northern Lights Fund Trust III collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

§  Open an account

§  Provide account information

§  Give us your contact information

§  Make deposits or withdrawals from your account

§  Make a wire transfer

§  Tell us where to send the money

§  Tells us who receives the money

§  Show your government-issued ID

§  Show your driver's license

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

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.

§  Northern Lights Fund Trust III does not share with our affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

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

§  Northern Lights Fund Trust III does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

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

§  Northern Lights Fund Trust III doesn’t jointly market.

27
 

HCM Defender 100 Index ETF

HCM Defender 500 Index ETF

 

Adviser

Howard Capital Management, Inc.

1145 Hembree Road

Roswell, GA 30076

Distributor

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

17645 Wright Street, Suite 200

Omaha, NE 68130

Custodian & Transfer Agent  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

50 Post Office Square,

Boston, MA 02110

Legal
Counsel

Thompson Hine LLP

41 South High Street, Suite 1700

Columbus, OH 43215

Administrator

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17645 Wright Street, Suite 200

Omaha, NE 68130

Independent

Registered
Public
Accounting Firm

RSM US LLP

555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1200

Denver, Colorado 80202

 

Additional information about the Funds is included in the Funds’ SAI dated September 6, 2019. The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (i.e., legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Funds’ policies and management. Additional information about the Funds’ investments will also be available in the Funds’ Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders. In the Funds’ Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during the last fiscal year.

 

To obtain a free copy of the SAI and the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or other information about the Funds, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Funds, please call
770-642-4902. Information relating to the Funds can be found on the Fund’s website at www.howardcmfunds.com. You may also write to:

 

HCM Defender 100 Index ETF

HCM Defender 500 Index ETF

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17645 Wright Street, Suite 200

Omaha, Nebraska 68130

 

Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

Investment Company Act File # 811-22655

 

 

 

 

HCM Defender 100 Index ETF

 

QQH

 

HCM Defender 500 Index ETF

 

LGH

 

each a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

September 6, 2019

 

Listed and traded on:

New York Stock Exchange

 

 

 

 

This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the combined Prospectus of the HCM Defender 100 Index ETF (“100 Index ETF”) and HCM Defender 500 Index ETF (“500 Index ETF”) (each a "Fund" and, together, the “Funds”) dated September 6, 2019. The Funds’ Prospectus is hereby incorporate by reference, which means it is legally part of this document. You can obtain copies of the Funds’ Prospectus, annual or semiannual reports without charge by contacting the Funds’ Distributor, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 17645 Wright Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE  68130 or by calling 770-642-4902. You may also obtain a Prospectus by visiting the website at www.howardcmfunds.com.

 
 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

THE FUNDS 1
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS 2
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 18
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 20
MANAGEMENT 22
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS 27
INVESTMENT ADVISER 28
THE DISTRIBUTOR 30
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 32
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE 34
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 34
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 35
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES 36
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM 37
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES 37
TAX STATUS 60
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 65
LEGAL COUNSEL 65
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 65
APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES A-1

 

 
 

THE FUNDS

The Funds are each diversified series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust organized on December 5, 2011 (the "Trust"). The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the "Board" or "Trustees").

 

The Funds may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of each Fund have equal rights and privileges. Each share of each Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each share of each Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by such Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of such Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.

 

Each Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the Prospectus. The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.

 

The Funds will issue and redeem shares (“Shares”) at net asset value ("NAV") only in aggregations of 50,000 Shares (each a "Creation Unit").  The Funds will issue and redeem Creation Units principally in exchange for an in-kind deposit of a basket of designated securities (the "Deposit Securities"), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the "Cash Component"), plus a transaction fee.  The Funds are expected to be approved for listing, subject to notice of issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange").  Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above NAV.  In the event of the liquidation of the Funds, a share split, reverse split or the like, the Trust may revise the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.

 

The Funds reserve the right to offer creations and redemptions of Shares for cash.  In addition, Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash equal to up to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities.  In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees, may be imposed and may be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions.  See PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES below.  

 

Exchange Listing and Trading

 

In order to provide additional information regarding the indicative value of Shares of the Funds, the Exchange or a market data vendor will disseminate every 15 seconds through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association or other widely disseminated means an updated "indicative optimized portfolio value" ("IOPV") for the Funds as calculated by an information provider or market data vendor.  The Trust is not involved in or responsible for any aspect of the calculation or dissemination of the IOPV and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the IOPV.

1
 

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS

The investment objective of each Fund and the descriptions of each Fund’s principal investment strategies are set forth under "Investment Objective” and Principal Investment Strategies” in the Prospectus. Each Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust.

 

The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which each Fund may invest directly or indirectly as a principal or non-principal investment strategy. These instruments include other investment companies and strategies Howard Capital Management, Inc. (the “Adviser”) employs in pursuit of each Fund’s investment objective and a summary of related risks.

 

Securities of Other Investment Companies

 

Investments of the Funds in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and mutual funds involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in such underlying funds. Due to legal limitations, a Fund will be prevented from: 1) purchasing more than 3% of an investment company's (including ETFs) outstanding shares; 2) investing more than 5% of a Fund’s assets in any single such investment company, and 3) investing more than 10% of a Fund’s assets in investment companies overall; unless: (i) the underlying investment company and/or a Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from such limitations from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"); and (ii) the underlying investment company and a Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. In the alternative, a Fund may rely on Rule 12d1-3, which allows unaffiliated mutual funds 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 underlying fund) does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) for funds of funds. In addition to ETFs, a Fund may invest in other investment companies such as open-end mutual funds or exchange-traded funds, within the limitations described above. Each investment company is subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of a Fund. Underlying ETFs and mutual funds may employ leverage, which magnifies the changes in the underlying stock or other index upon which they are based. Due to the limitations under the Funds’ exemptive order permitting other investment companies to invest in Funds over Section 12(d)(1) limits, the Funds will generally be limited in their ability to invest in other investment companies while this order is being relied upon.

 

Open-End Investment Companies

 

A Fund and any "affiliated persons," as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding securities of any underlying fund. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying fund, a 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, in certain circumstances, an underlying fund whose shares are purchased by a Fund will be obligated to redeem shares held by a Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the underlying fund’s outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Shares held by a Fund in excess of 1% of an underlying fund’s outstanding securities in these situations therefore, will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of a Fund’s total assets.

2
 

 

Under certain circumstances an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by a Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the SEC. In such cases, a Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the Adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.

 

Investment decisions by the investment advisers of the underlying fund(s) are made independently of a Fund and the Adviser. Therefore, the investment adviser of one underlying fund may be purchasing shares of the same issuer whose shares are being sold by the investment adviser of another such fund. The result would be an indirect expense to a Fund without accomplishing any investment purpose.

 

Exchange Traded Funds

 

ETFs are generally passive funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and typically provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts. Under certain circumstances, the adviser may invest in ETFs, known as "inverse funds," which are designed to produce results opposite to market trends. Inverse ETFs are funds designed to rise in price when stock prices are falling.

 

ETFs typically have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap "creation units" in block-multiples of, for example, 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash. Unlike mutual funds, the primary market for ETFs exists between a Fund and authorized participants (“APs”). The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded at NAV, which is calculated at the end of a trading day. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.

 

Foreign Securities

 

Investing in securities of foreign companies and countries involves certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S. government securities and securities of domestic companies. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States. Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to a Fund by domestic companies or the U.S. government. There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of a Fund held in foreign countries.  Finally, the establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations.

 

To the extent currency exchange transactions do not fully protect a Fund against adverse changes in currency exchange rates, decreases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which a Fund will invest relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding decrease in the U.S.

3
 

dollar value of a Fund’s assets denominated in those currencies (and possibly a corresponding increase in the amount of securities required to be liquidated to meet distribution requirements). Conversely, increases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which a Fund invests relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding increase in the U.S. dollar value of a Fund’s assets (and possibly a corresponding decrease in the amount of securities to be liquidated).

 

Short Sales

 

Short Sales “Against The Box.” The Funds may engage in short sales “against the box.” In a short sale, a Fund sells a borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. The seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold and is said to have a short position in those securities until delivery occurs. The Funds may engage in a short sale if at the time of the short sale a Fund owns or has the right to obtain without additional cost an equal amount of the security being sold short. This investment technique is known as a short sale “against the box.” It may be entered into by a Fund to, for example, lock in a sale price for a security the Fund does not wish to sell immediately. If a Fund engages in a short sale, the collateral for the short position will be segregated in an account with the Fund’s custodian or qualified sub-custodian. No more than 10% of a Fund’s net assets (taken at current value) may be held as collateral for short sales against the box at any one time.

 

A Fund may make a short sale as a hedge, when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by the Fund (or a security convertible or exchangeable for such security). In such case, any future losses in the Fund’s long position should be offset by a gain in the short position and, conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced by a loss in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses are reduced will depend upon the amount of the security sold short relative to the amount the Fund owns. There will be certain additional transaction costs associated with short sales against the box, but the Fund will endeavor to offset these costs with the income from the investment of the cash proceeds of short sales.

 

If a Fund effects a short sale of securities at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the securities, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the securities (as a “constructive sale”) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if a Fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the extent to which a Fund may effect short sales.

 

Short Sales (excluding Short Sales “Against the Box”). The Funds may sell securities short. A short sale is a transaction in which a Fund sells securities it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the securities.

 

To deliver the securities to the buyer, a Fund must arrange through a broker to borrow the securities and, in so doing, the Fund becomes obligated to replace the securities borrowed at their market price at the time of replacement, whatever that price may be. A Fund will make a profit or incur a loss as a result of a short sale depending on whether the price of the securities decreases or increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which a Fund purchases the security to replace the borrowed securities that have been sold. The amount of any loss would be increased

4
 

(and any gain decreased) by any premium or interest a Fund is required to pay in connection with a short sale.

 

The Funds’ obligation to replace the securities borrowed in connection with a short sale will be secured by cash or liquid securities deposited as collateral with the broker. In addition, each Fund will place in a segregated account with its custodian or a qualified sub-custodian an amount of cash or liquid securities equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the market value of the securities sold at the time they were sold short and (ii) any cash or liquid securities deposited as collateral with the broker in connection with the short sale (not including the proceeds of the short sale). Until it replaces the borrowed securities, each Fund will maintain the segregated account daily at a level so that (a) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker (not including the proceeds from the short sale) will equal the current market value of the securities sold short and (b) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker (not including the proceeds from the short sale) will not be less than the market value of the securities at the time they were sold short.

 

Equity Securities

 

Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible bonds, warrants, rights and options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be significant.

 

Common Stock

 

Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company's stock price.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the debt securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.

 

A Fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed-income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market's perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company's worth.

 

Convertible Securities

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Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer's underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of "usable" bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer's capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security's underlying common stock.

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts

 

A Fund may invest in securities of real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). REITs are publicly traded corporations or trusts that specialize in acquiring, holding and managing residential, commercial or industrial real estate. A REIT is not taxed at the entity level on income distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it distributes to shareholders or unitholders at least 95% of its taxable income for each taxable year and complies with regulatory requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets and income.

 

REITs generally can be classified as "Equity REITs", "Mortgage REITs" and "Hybrid REITs." An Equity REIT invests the majority of its assets directly in real property and derives its income primarily from rents and from capital gains on real estate appreciation, which are realized through property sales. A Mortgage REIT invests the majority of its assets in real estate mortgage loans and services its income primarily from interest payments. A Hybrid REIT combines the characteristics of an Equity REIT and a Mortgage REIT. Although a Fund can invest in all three kinds of REITs, its emphasis is expected to be on investments in Equity REITs.

 

Investments in the real estate industry involve particular risks. The real estate industry has been subject to substantial fluctuations and declines on a local, regional and national basis in the past and may continue to be in the future. Real property values and income from real property continue to be in the future. Real property values and income from real property may decline due to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, regulatory limitations on rents, changes in neighborhoods and in demographics, increases in market interest rates, or other factors. Factors such as these may adversely affect companies that own and operate real estate directly, companies that lend to such companies, and companies that service the real estate industry.

 

Investments in REITs also involve risks. Equity REITs will be affected by changes in the values of and income from the properties they own, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the credit quality of the mortgage loans they hold. In addition, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills and on their ability to generate cash flow for operating purposes and to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders REITs may have limited diversification and are subject to risks associated with obtaining financing for real property, as well as to the risk of self-liquidation. REITs also can be adversely affected by their failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through treatment of their income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or their failure to maintain an exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. By investing in REITs indirectly through a Fund, a

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shareholder bears not only a proportionate share of the expenses of a Fund, but also may indirectly bear similar expenses of some of the REITs in which it invests.

 

Warrants

 

Warrants are options to purchase common stock at a specific price (usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging from less than one year to twenty years, or they may be perpetual. However, most warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, a warrant is worthless if the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant's exercise price during the life of the warrant. Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.

 

Depositary Receipts

 

Sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), are receipts issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights. Many of the risks described below regarding foreign securities apply to investments in ADRs.

 

Emerging Markets Securities

 

Investing in emerging market securities imposes risks different from, or greater than, risks of investing in foreign developed countries. These risks include: smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; possible repatriation of investment income and capital. In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales; future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by a Fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.

 

Additional risks of emerging markets securities may include: greater social, economic and political uncertainty and instability; more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation; unavailability of currency hedging techniques; companies that are newly organized and small; differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers; and less developed legal systems. In addition, emerging securities markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions. Settlement problems may cause a Fund to miss attractive

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investment opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, or be delayed in disposing of a portfolio security. Such a delay could result in possible liability to a purchaser of the security.

 

Certificates of Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances

 

Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers' acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then "accepted" by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.

 

Commercial Paper

 

Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. It may be secured by letters of credit, a surety bond or other forms of collateral. Commercial paper is usually repaid at maturity by the issuer from the proceeds of the issuance of new commercial paper. As a result, investment in commercial paper is subject to the risk the issuer cannot issue enough new commercial paper to satisfy its outstanding commercial paper, also known as rollover risk. Commercial paper may become illiquid or may suffer from reduced liquidity in certain circumstances. Like all fixed income securities, commercial paper prices are susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates. If interest rates rise, commercial paper prices will decline. The short-term nature of a commercial paper investment makes it less susceptible to interest rate risk than many other fixed income securities because interest rate risk typically increases as maturity lengths increase. Commercial paper tends to yield smaller returns than longer-term corporate debt because securities with shorter maturities typically have lower effective yields than those with longer maturities. As with all fixed income securities, there is a chance that the issuer will default on its commercial paper obligation.

 

Information on Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes

 

Time deposits are issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the depositor on the date specified with respect to the deposit. Time deposits do not trade in the secondary market prior to maturity. However, some time deposits may be redeemable prior to maturity and may be subject to withdrawal penalties.

 

The commercial paper obligations are typically unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a " Master Note") permit a Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between a Fund and the issuer. It permits daily changes in the amounts invested. A Fund, typically, has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount

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of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct investment arrangements between a Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to a Fund’s investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer (redeemed) on demand within seven days.

 

Insured Bank Obligations

 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as "banks") up to $250,000. A Fund may elect to purchase bank obligations in small amounts so as to be fully insured as to principal by the FDIC. Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability.

 

Closed-End Investment Companies

 

A Fund may invest its assets in "closed-end" investment companies (or "closed-end funds"), subject to the investment restrictions set forth above. Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 4% or 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (commonly known as "NASDAQ") or, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as a Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.

 

A Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. A Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses a Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. A Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund’s proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if a Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.

 

The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is less than the NAV per share, the difference representing the "market discount" of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined NAV but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary

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market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their NAV.

 

A Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to NAV or at a premium to NAV. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by a Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and a Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the NAV of Shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by a Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by a Fund.

 

Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund’s common shareholders. A Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and NAV than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.

 

United States Government Obligations

 

These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis.

United States Government Agencies

 

These consist of debt securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae"), Farmer's Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac"), the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"), and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., Fannie Mae Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association).

 

Government-related guarantors (i.e. not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Fannie Mae purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks,

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commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by Fannie Mae are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by Fannie Mae but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

 

Freddie Mac was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. Freddie Mac issues PCs, which represent interests in conventional mortgages from Freddie Mac's national portfolio. Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.

 

On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Authority (the "FHFA") announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had been placed into conservatorship, a statutory process designed to stabilize a troubled institution with the objective of returning the entity to normal business operations. The U.S. Treasury Department and the FHFA at the same time established a secured lending facility and a Secured Stock Purchase Agreement with both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ensure that each entity had the ability to fulfill its financial obligations. The FHFA announced that it does not anticipate any disruption in pattern of payments or ongoing business operations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

 

Securities Options

A Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.

A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security.

Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between

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stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 100®. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the NYSE Arca Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index. Options on stock indices are currently traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ PHLX.

A Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by a Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transactions costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event a Fund will have paid a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument or liquidate the assets held in a segregated account, as described below, until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In such circumstances, the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.

If an option purchased by a Fund expires unexercised, a Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If a Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, a Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by a Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by a Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if a Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an option written by a Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and a Fund will realize a gain or loss.

Certain Risks Regarding Options

There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or

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unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

Successful use by a Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, a Fund’s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by a Fund. Inasmuch as a Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, a Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and a Fund’s securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by a Fund.

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by a Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If a Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, a Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

Cover for Options Positions

Transactions using options (other than options that a Fund has purchased) expose a Fund to an obligation to another party. A Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either (i) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities or other options or (ii) cash or liquid securities with a value sufficient at all times to cover its potential obligations not covered as provided in (i) above. A Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid securities in a segregated account with a Fund’ custodian in the prescribed amount. Under current SEC guidelines, a Fund will segregate assets to cover transactions in which a Fund writes or sells options.

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Assets used as cover or held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding option is open, unless they are replaced with similar assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of a Fund’s assets to cover or segregated accounts could impede portfolio management or a Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

Options on Futures Contracts

 

A Fund may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.

 

Dealer Options

 

A Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to dealer options. While a Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, if a Fund were to purchase a dealer option it would need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by a Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.

 

Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options may not. Consequently, a Fund may generally be able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when a Fund writes a dealer option, it may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom a Fund originally wrote the option. While a Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with a Fund, there can be no assurance that a Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless a Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, a Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to options written by a Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to a Fund. For example, because a Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it writes, a Fund may not sell the assets, which it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair a Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.

 

The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that purchased dealer options are illiquid securities. A Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer agrees

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that a Fund may repurchase the dealer option it has written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, a Fund will treat dealer options as subject to a Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of dealer options, a Fund will change its treatment of such instruments accordingly.

 

Spread Transactions

 

A Fund may purchase covered spread options from securities dealers. These covered spread options are not presently exchange-listed or exchange-traded. The purchase of a spread option gives a Fund the right to put securities that it owns at a fixed dollar spread or fixed yield spread in relationship to another security that a Fund does not own, but which is used as a benchmark. The risk to a Fund, in addition to the risks of dealer options described above, is the cost of the premium paid as well as any transaction costs. The purchase of spread options will be used to protect a Fund against adverse changes in prevailing credit quality spreads, i.e., the yield spread between high quality and lower quality securities. This protection is provided only during the life of the spread options.

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as a Fund) purchases a security (known as the "underlying security") from a securities dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to a Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to a Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to a Fund generally will be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be "fully collateralized," in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.

 

Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time, often less than a week, and will generally be used by a Fund to invest excess cash or as part of a temporary defensive strategy. Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default by the seller of a repurchase agreement, a Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses. These losses could result from: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security while a Fund is seeking to enforce its rights under the repurchase agreement; (b) possible reduced levels of income or lack of access to income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

 

Trading in Futures Contracts

 

A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are paid when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Entering into a contract

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to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position.

 

Unlike when a Fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by a Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain a Fund’s open positions in futures contracts, a Fund would be required to deposit with its custodian or futures broker in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid securities, known as "initial margin." The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.

 

If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying instrument or index in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to a Fund.

 

These subsequent payments, called "variation margin," to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking to the market." A Fund expect to earn interest income on margin deposits.

 

Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a Fund realizes a gain; if it is more, a Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, a Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, a Fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that a Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If a Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, a Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.

 

For example, one contract in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index future is a contract to buy 25 pounds sterling multiplied by the level of the UK Financial Times 100 Share Index on a given future date. Settlement of a stock index futures contract may or may not be in the underlying instrument or index. If not in the underlying instrument or index, then settlement will be made in cash, equivalent over time to the difference between the contract price and the actual price of the underlying asset at the time the stock index futures contract expires.

 

Regulation as a Commodity Pool Operator

The Trust, on behalf of each 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

16
 

Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to both Funds’ operation. Accordingly, each Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator.

 

When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements

 

A Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis. In this event, the Funds’ custodian will segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment in a separate account. Normally, the Funds’ custodian will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment. In such a case, a Fund may be required subsequently to segregate additional assets in order to assure that the value of the account remains equal to the amount of a Fund’s commitment. It may be expected that a Fund’s net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.

 

A Fund does not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objectives. Because a Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy purchase commitments in the manner described, a Fund’s liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage them may be affected in the event a Fund’s forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.

 

A Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, a Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to a Fund on the settlement date. In these cases a Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When a Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in a Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.

 

The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determining the market value of a Fund starting on the day a Fund agrees to purchase the securities. A Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.

 

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

 

A Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities may include securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")) and securities that are otherwise not readily marketable (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.

 

Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. A Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from

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shareholders. A Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

 

A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by NASDAQ.

Under liquidity risk management program guidelines adopted by the Trust's Board, the Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered.

 

Lending Portfolio Securities

 

For the purpose of achieving income, a Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents (cash, U.S. Government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) a Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of securities loaned, (3) a Fund will receive any interest or dividends received on the loaned securities, and (4) the aggregate value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of a Fund.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

Each Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding shares" of the Fund, which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Each Fund may not:

 

1. Issue senior securities, except as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

2. Borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an

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asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions;

 

3. Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities, and except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities);

 

4. Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate.  This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts);

 

5. Invest more than 25% of the market value of its assets in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry or group of industries. (Does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.);

 

6. Purchase or sell commodities (unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments) or commodity futures contracts, except that the Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and options to the full extent permitted under the 1940 Act, sell foreign currency contracts in accordance with any rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, invest in securities or other instruments backed by commodities, and invest in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities; or

 

7. Make loans to others, except that the Fund may, in accordance with its investment objective and policies, (i) lend portfolio securities, (ii) purchase and hold debt securities or other debt instruments, including but not limited to loan participations and sub-participations, assignments, and structured securities, (iii) make loans secured by mortgages on real property, (iv) enter into repurchase agreements, (v) enter into transactions where each loan is represented by a note executed by the borrower, and (vi) make time deposits with financial institutions and invest in instruments issued by financial institutions. For purposes of this limitation, the term "loans" shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.

 

If a restriction on a 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 of a Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.

 

With respect to Fundamental Investment Restriction # 2, if a Fund’s asset coverage falls below 300%, the Fund will reduce borrowing within 3 days in order to ensure that the Fund has 300% asset coverage.

 

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With respect to Fundamental Investment Restriction # 5, if a Fund invests in one or more investment companies that concentrates its investments in a particular industry, the Fund will examine its other investment company holdings to ensure that the Fund is not indirectly concentrating its investments in a particular industry.

 

Although Fundamental Investment Restriction # 7 reserves for each Fund the ability to make loans, there is no present intent to loan money or portfolio securities and additional disclosure will be provided if such a strategy is implemented in the future.

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about each Fund's portfolio holdings. The Funds and their service providers may not receive compensation or any other consideration (which includes any agreement to maintain assets in the Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser) in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information of the Funds. The Trust’s policy is implemented and overseen by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board. Periodic reports regarding these procedures will be provided to the Board. The Trust, the Adviser and the Funds’ distributor will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust. The Board must approve all material amendments to this policy.

 

Each business day, the Fund’s portfolio holdings information will generally be provided for dissemination through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation ("NSCC") and/or other fee-based subscription services to NSCC members and/or subscribers to those other fee-based subscription services, including APs, and to entities that publish and/or analyze such information in connection with the process of purchasing or redeeming Creation Units or trading shares of the Funds in the secondary market. This information typically reflects the Fund’s anticipated holdings as of the next Business Day.

 

Access to information concerning each Fund's portfolio holdings may be permitted to personnel of third party service providers, including the Funds’ custodian, transfer agent, auditors and counsel, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with such service providers' agreements with the Trust on behalf of the Funds.

 

The Funds disclose on the Adviser’s website at www.howardcmfunds.com at the start of each Business Day the identities and quantities of the securities and other assets held by the Funds that will form the basis of each Fund’s calculation of its NAV on that Business Day. The portfolio holdings so disclosed will be based on information as of the close of business on the prior Business Day and/or trades that have been completed prior to the opening of business on that Business Day and that are expected to settle on that Business Day. The Funds may also concurrently disclose this portfolio holdings information directly to ratings agencies on a daily basis.

 

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule. The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of each Fund's portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q. The Trust will also disclose a complete schedule of each Fund's portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-CSR after its second and fourth quarters.

 

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Form N-Q and Form N-CSR for the Funds will be available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Each Fund's Form N-Q and Form N-CSR, when available, may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 202-551-8090. Each Fund's Form N-Q and Form N-CSR will be available without charge, upon request, by calling www.howardcmfunds.com or by writing to: HCM Funds, c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110, Hauppauge, New York 11788.

 

The Adviser. Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing each Fund’s portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Adviser to provide its management, administrative, and investment services to the Funds. As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, as demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of portfolio managers in the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.

 

Gemini Fund Services, LLC. Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for the Funds; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is custodian and transfer agent for the Funds; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

 

RSM US LLP. RSM US LLP is the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Funds’ portfolio holdings in connection with the audits of the Funds’ annual financial statements and providing other audit, tax and related services to the Funds.

 

Thompson Hine LLP. Thompson Hine LLP is counsel to the Funds; therefore, its personnel have access to each Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with review of each Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.

 

Additions to List of Approved Recipients

 

The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above. In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential. There are no ongoing arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. In no event shall the Funds, the Adviser, or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Funds’ portfolio holdings.

 

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Compliance with Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures

 

The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Funds’ portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.

 

There is no assurance that the Trust's policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect The Funds from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.

 

MANAGEMENT

The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust's By-laws (the "Governing Documents"), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of five (5) individuals, each of whom are not "interested persons" (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust or any investment adviser to any series of the Trust ("Independent Trustees"). Pursuant to the Governing Documents, the Trustees shall elect officers including a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Principal Executive Officer and a Principal Accounting Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust's purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

The Board of Trustees is led by John V. Palancia, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since May 2014. The Board of Trustees has not appointed a Lead Independent Trustee because all Trustees are Independent Trustees. Under the Governing Documents, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, and (c) execution and administration of Trust policies, including (i) setting the agendas for Board meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership. The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, its Funds and each shareholder.

Board Risk Oversight

 

The Board of Trustees is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees with an Audit Committee with a separate chair. The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board of Trustees regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary. The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting the risk within its area of responsibilities. Generally, the Board believes that its

22
 

oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.

 

Trustee Qualifications

 

Generally, the Fund believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of his or her individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.

 

James Jensen has over 40 years of business experience in a wide range of industries including the financial services industry. His experience includes over 25 years of mutual fund board experience with service as chairman of the Audit Committee, chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and, for the past eight years, as Chairman of the Board of Wasatch Funds. Since April 2008, Mr. Jensen has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Law & Governance Group, where he devotes himself full time to corporate law practice, board governance consulting for operating companies and private investing. In May 2014, Mr. Jensen and his firm conducted the 11th Green River Conference on Corporate Governance for lawyers, accountants, directors and service providers. In 2001, Mr. Jensen co-founded Intelisum, Inc., a company pursuing computer and measurement technology and products, and was Chairman of the Board from 2001 to 2008. From 1986 to 2004, Mr. Jensen held key positions with NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., including Vice President, Corporate Development, Legal Affairs and General Counsel and Secretary. In addition to his business experience, Mr. Jensen was Chairman of the Board of Agricon Global Corporation, formerly BayHill Capital Corporation from 2008 to 2014 and was a Director of the University of Utah Research Foundation from 2000 to 2018. Mr. Jensen was the founder and first President of the MountainWest Venture Group (now "MountainWest Capital Network") in 1983. Mr. Jensen is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Mr. Jensen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah in 1967 and received degrees of Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from Columbia University in 1971.

 

Patricia Luscombe, CFA, has more than 25 years in financial advisory and valuation services. She has delivered a broad range of corporate finance advice including fairness opinions and valuations. Ms. Luscombe joined Lincoln International in 2007 as a Managing Director and co-head of Lincoln's Valuations & Opinions Group. In this position, she assists regulated investment funds, business development companies, private equity funds and hedge funds in the valuation of illiquid securities for fair value accounting purposes. Ms. Luscombe's clients range from closely-held businesses to large, publicly-traded companies. Previously, Ms. Luscombe spent 16 years with Duff & Phelps Corporation, as a Managing Director in the firm's valuation and financial advisory business. Prior to joining Duff & Phelps Corporation, Ms. Luscombe was an Associate at Smith Barney, a division of Citigroup Capital Markets, Inc., where she managed a variety of financial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and equity and debt financings. Ms. Luscombe is a member of the Chicago Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of Chicago and former president of the Chicago Finance Exchange. Ms. Luscombe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Stanford University, a Master's degree in economics from the University of Chicago and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In addition, Ms. Luscombe is licensed under the Series 24, 79 and 63 of FINRA.

 

John V. Palancia has over 40 years of business experience in the financial services industry including serving as the Director of Global Futures Operations for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &

23
 

Smith, Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”) Mr. Palancia possesses an in depth understanding of broker-dealer operations from having served in various management capacities and has held industry registrations in both securities and futures. Based on his service at Merrill Lynch, he also possesses a strong understanding of risk management, balance sheet analysis, compliance and the regulatory framework under which regulated financial entities must operate. Additionally, he is well versed in the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his service as a member of three other mutual fund boards. This practical and extensive experience in the securities industry provides valuable insight into fund operations and enhances his ability to effectively serve as chairman of the Board. Mr. Palancia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

 

Mark H. Taylor has 30 years of academic and professional experience in the accounting and auditing fields which makes him particularly qualified to serve as the Trust’s Audit Committee chair. He holds PhD, Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. Dr. Taylor is a Director of the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy at the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida. Since August 2017, Dr. Taylor has been serving a three-year term as Vice President-Finance on the Board of Directors of the American Accounting Association (AAA). From 2012 to 2015, he served a 3-year term as President of the Auditing Section of the AAA (Vice-President 2012-2013, President 2013-2014, and Past President (2014-2015). Dr. Taylor serves as a member of two other mutual fund boards within the Northern Lights Fund Complex, and completed a fellowship in the Professional Practice Group of the Office of the Chief Accountant at the headquarters of the United States Securities Exchange Commission. He also served a three-year term on the AICPA’s Auditing Standards Board (2010-2012). Dr. Taylor is a member of two research teams that recently received grants from the Center for Audit Quality to study how auditors manage the process of auditing fair value measurements in financial statements and how accounting firms’ tone-at-the top messaging impacts audit performance. Dr. Taylor teaches corporate governance and accounting policy as well as auditing and assurance services and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies operate.

 

Jeffery D. Young has over 40 years of business management experience, including in the transportation industry and operations and information technologies. He is currently Co-owner and Vice President of the Latin America Agriculture Development Corporation, an agribusiness exporting fruit to the United States and other Central American countries. He has served as Assistant Vice President of Transportation Systems at Union Pacific Railroad Company, where he was responsible for the development and implementation of large scale command and control systems that support railroad operations and safety. In this position, Mr. Young was heavily involved in the regulatory compliance of safety and mission critical systems. Mr. Young also served as Chairman of the Association of American Railroads Policy Committee and represented both Union Pacific Railroad and the railroad industry in safety and regulatory hearings with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration in Washington, DC. Mr. Young was a member of the Board of Directors of PS Technologies, a Union Pacific affiliate serving as a technology supplier to the railroad industry. His practical business experience and understanding of regulatory compliance provides a different perspective that will bring diversity to Board deliberations.

 

Trustees and Officers. The Trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal business occupations during the past five years and other information, are shown below. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and officer is 17645 Wright Street, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68130.

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Independent Trustees
Name, Address, Year of Birth Position(s) Held with Registrant Length of Service and Term Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Funds Overseen In The Fund Complex* Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years**

James U.

Jensen

1944

Trustee Since February 2012, Indefinite Chief Executive Officer, ClearWater Law & Governance Group, LLC (an operating board governance consulting company) (since 2004). 5 Northern Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2012); Wasatch Funds Trust, (since 1986); University of Utah Research Foundation (April 2000 to May 2018);

Patricia

Luscombe

1961

Trustee Since January 2015, Indefinite Managing Director of the Valuations & Opinions Group, Lincoln International LLC (since August 2007). 5 Northern Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2015); Monetta Mutual Funds (since November 2015).

John V.

Palancia

1954

Trustee, Chairman Trustee, since February 2012, Indefinite; Chairman of the Board since May 2014 Retired (since 2011). 5 Northern Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2012); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2011); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2011); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2012).

Mark H.

Taylor

1964

Trustee, Chairman of the Audit Committee Since February 2012, Indefinite Director, Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida (since August 2019); Chair, Department of Accountancy and Andrew D. Braden Professor of Accounting and Auditing, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University (2009-2019); Vice President-Finance, American Accounting Association (2017-2020); President, Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association (2012-15). 5 Northern Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2012); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2007); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2007); Alternative Strategies Fund (since June 2010).

Jeffery D. Young

1956

Trustee Since January 2015, Indefinite Co-owner and Vice President, Latin America Agriculture Development Corp. (since May 2015); President, Celeritas Rail Consulting (since June 2014). 5 Northern Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2015).

 

* As of June 30, 2019, the Trust was comprised of 36 active portfolios managed by 15 unaffiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the Funds. The Funds do not hold themselves out as related to any other series within the Trust for investment purposes, nor do they share the same investment adviser with any other series.

 

** Only includes directorships held within the past 5 years in a company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any company registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act.

 

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Officers of the Trust

 

Name, Address, Year of Birth Position(s) Held with Registrant Length of Service and Term Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Richard Malinowski

80 Arkay Drive,

Hauppauge, NY 11788

1983

President

Since

August 2017, indefinite

Senior Vice President (since 2017), Vice President and Counsel (2015-2016) and Assistant Vice President (2012–2015), Gemini Fund Services, LLC.

Brian Curley

80 Arkay Drive,

Hauppauge, NY 11788

1970

Treasurer

Since

February 2013, indefinite

Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2015), Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012-2014).

Eric Kane

80 Arkay Drive,

Hauppauge, NY 11788

1981

Secretary

Since

November 2013, indefinite

Vice President and Counsel, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2017), Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2014- 2017), Staff Attorney, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2013-2014), Law Clerk, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2009-2013), Legal Intern, NASDAQ OMX (2011), Hedge Fund Administrator, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008), Mutual Fund Accountant/Corporate Action Specialist, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2006-2008).

William Kimme

1962

Chief Compliance Officer

Since

February 2012, indefinite

Senior Compliance Officer of Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (since 2011); Due Diligence and Compliance Consultant, Mick & Associates (2009-2011); Assistant Director, FINRA (2000-2009).

 

Audit Committee. The Board of Trustees has an Audit Committee that consists solely of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee's responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trust's independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust's financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust's independent auditors and recommending that the Board of Trustees 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. Dr. Taylor is Chairman of the Audit Committee. During the past fiscal year, the Audit Committee held four meetings.

 

Compensation of Directors. Effective April 1, 2019, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust will receive a quarterly fee of $21,500, allocated among each of the various portfolios comprising the Trust, for his or her attendance at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Trustees, to be paid in advance of each calendar quarter, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred. From January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2019, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust received a quarterly fee of $20,000 for his or her attendance at the regularly

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scheduled meetings of the Board of Trustees, paid in advance of each calendar quarter, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred. Since January 1, 2017, in addition to the quarterly fees and reimbursements, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly fee of $5,000, and the Audit Committee Chairmen receive a quarterly fee of $3,750.

 

Additionally, in the event an in-person meeting of the Board of Trustees other than its regularly scheduled meetings (a “Special Meeting”) is required, each Independent Trustee will receive a fee of $2,500 per Special Meeting, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred, to be paid by the relevant series of the Trust or its investment adviser depending on the circumstances necessitating the Special Meeting. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust.

 

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 each of the Funds and the Trust during the initial fiscal period ending June 30, 2020. Each Independent Trustee is expected to attend all quarterly meetings during the period. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.

 

Name and Position Estimated Aggregate Compensation From QQH

Estimated Aggregate Compensation From

HCMS

Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Funds Expenses Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement Estimated Total Compensation From Funds and Fund Complex* Paid to Trustees
James U. Jensen $2,700 $2,700 None None $10,794
Patricia Luscombe $2,700 $2,700 None None $10,794
John V. Palancia $3,600 $3,600 None None $14,392
Mark H. Taylor $3,300 $3,300 None None $13,193
Jeffery D. Young $2,700 $2,700 None None $10,794

 

* There are currently numerous series comprising the Trust. The term “Fund Complex” refers only to the Funds managed by the Adviser and not to any other series of the Trust.

 

Trustees' Ownership of Shares in the Funds. As of December 31, 2018, the Trustees beneficially owned the following amounts in the Funds:

 

Name of Trustee Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Funds Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies*
James U. Jensen None $10,001-$50,000
Patricia Luscombe None $10,001-$50,000
John V. Palancia None $10,001-$50,000
Mark H. Taylor None $10,001-$50,000
Jeffery D. Young None None

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

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person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledged the existence of control.

 

As of the date of this SAI, no shareholder(s) of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of the Fund.

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Investment Adviser and Advisory Agreement

 

Howard Capital Management, Inc., 1145 Hembree Road, Roswell, GA 30076, serves as the Funds’ investment adviser. The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser manages separate accounts and mutual funds and has approximately $1.4 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2019.

 

Subject to the oversight of the Board, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of each Fund’s investment-related business affairs. Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") with the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board, and in conformity with the stated policies of the Funds, manages the portfolio investment operations of the Funds. The Adviser has overall supervisory responsibilities for the general management and investment of each Fund’s securities portfolio, as detailed below, which are subject to review and approval by the Board of Trustees. In general, the Adviser's duties include setting each Fund’s overall investment strategies and asset allocation.

 

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, agrees to invest the assets of each Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in each Fund’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser. The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Funds and, as such shall, (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities here under, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of each Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by the Funds, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser or its designee, directly, will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers. The Adviser also provides the Funds with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing each Fund’s investments, compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Adviser, and all personnel of the Fund or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.

 

In addition, the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, provides the management and supplemental administrative services necessary for the operation of the Funds. These services include providing assisting in the supervising of relations with custodians, transfer and

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pricing agents, accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the Funds; assisting in the preparing of all general shareholder communications and conducting shareholder relations; assisting in maintaining the Funds’ records and the registration of the Shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws; assisting in developing management and shareholder services for the Funds; and furnishing reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to the Trustees.

 

Each Fund pays an annual management fee (computed daily and payable monthly) of 0.77% for the 100 Index ETF and 0.77% for the 500 Index ETF of the applicable Fund’s average daily net assets to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement.

 

 

 

Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement are paid by the Funds. Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, each Fund is responsible for the payment of the following expenses among others: (a) the fees payable to the Adviser, (b) the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser or the Funds’ distributor (c) the fees and certain expenses of the custodian and transfer and dividend disbursing agent, including the cost of maintaining certain required records of the Fund and of pricing the Shares, (d) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the Fund, (e) brokerage commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Fund in connection with its securities transactions, (f) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Fund to governmental agencies, (g) the fees of any trade association of which the Fund may be a member, (h) the cost of fidelity and liability insurance, (i) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Fund and of shares with the SEC, qualifying its shares under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the Fund’s registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, (j) all expenses of shareholders and Trustees' meetings (including travel expenses of trustees and officers of the Trust who are not directors, officers or employees of the Adviser) and of preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and prospectuses to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders and (k) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.

 

The Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for two (2) years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on 60 days written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees or by the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares (with respect to the Fund). The Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the advisory agreement will be available in the Fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders dated December 31, 2019.

 

Codes of Ethics

 

The Trust, the Adviser, and the Fund’s distributor have each adopted codes of ethics (each a “Code”) under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust. Under the Codes, the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by the Funds.

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In addition, the Trust has adopted a code of ethics (the “Trust Code”), which applies only to the Trust's executive officers to ensure that these officers promote professional conduct in the practice of corporate governance and management. The purpose behind these guidelines is to promote (i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Trust files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Funds; (iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; (iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Trust Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Trust Code; and (v) accountability for adherence to the Trust Code.

 

Proxy Voting Policies

 

The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures ("Policies") on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser or its designee, subject to the Board's continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser or its designee vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds and shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser or its designee to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser's Proxy Policies, or the proxy policies of the Adviser's designee, and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser or its designee on behalf of the Funds, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.

 

Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser's interests and a Fund’s interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the client's directive using the recommendation of an independent third party. If the third party's recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client's account. A copy of the Adviser's and proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.

 

More information. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Funds during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 will be available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds at 770-642-4902; and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Funds’ proxy voting policies and procedures are also available by calling 770-642-4902 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.

THE DISTRIBUTOR

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 17645 Wright Street, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (the "Distributor") serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Funds pursuant to an underwriting agreement with the Trust (the "Underwriting Agreement"). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state's securities laws and is a member of the FINRA. The offering of Shares is continuous. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Shares, will use reasonable efforts to facilitate the sale of the Shares.

 

The Underwriting Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated, it will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board or a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who

30
 

are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Distributor by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

 

The Underwriting Agreement may be terminated by the Funds at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds on 60 days written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days written notice to the Funds. The Underwriting Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

 

The Distributor may enter into selling agreements with broker-dealers that solicit orders for the sale of shares of the Funds and may allow concessions to dealers that sell shares of the Funds.

 

Rule 12b-1 Plans

 

The Trust, with respect to each Fund, has adopted Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan") for Shares pursuant to which the Funds are authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distributor's account maintenance services under the Plans. The Board has approved a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Such fees are to be paid by the Funds monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Funds’ average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Funds may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Distributor. The Plans authorize payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others ("Recipients") to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. The Funds will bear their own costs of distribution with respect to its shares. The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Fund’s method of distribution.  No fees are currently paid by the Fund under the Plan, and there are no current plans to impose such fees.  In the event such fees were to be charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in the Fund. 

 

The services to be provided by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of Shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Funds; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Funds and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making the Funds’ investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Funds as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, may reasonably request. The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Distributor with respect to the Funds.

 

The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.

 

The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor's compensation to be paid by each Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected class of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All

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material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plans. During the term of the Plans, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of the Plans, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.

 

Any agreement related to a Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the Funds at any time upon sixty days written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the Funds; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement.

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

As described in the Prospectus, the portfolio manager listed below is responsible for the management of the Funds and, as of June 30, 2019, the other accounts set forth in the following tables.

 

    Other Registered Investment Companies   Other Pooled Investment Vehicles   Other Accounts
Portfolio Manager   Number  

Total

Assets

  Number   Total Assets   Number  

Total

Assets

Vance Howard   3   $857 Million   None   $0   9008   $540 Million

 

Of the accounts above, the following are subject to performance-based fees.

 

    Other Registered Investment Companies   Other Pooled Investment Vehicles   Other Accounts
Portfolio Manager   Number  

Total

Assets

  Number   Total Assets   Number  

Total

Assets

Vance Howard   None   $0   None   $0   None   $0

 

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

As a general matter, certain conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio manager's management of a Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of other accounts for which the portfolio manager is responsible, on the other. For example, it is possible that the various accounts managed could have different investment strategies that, at times, might conflict with one another to the possible detriment of a Fund. Alternatively, to the extent that the same investment opportunities might be desirable for more than one account, possible conflicts could arise in determining how to allocate them. Other potential conflicts might include conflicts created by specific portfolio manager compensation arrangements, and conflicts relating to selection of brokers or dealers to execute a Fund’s portfolio trades and/or specific uses of commissions from a Fund’s portfolio trades (for example, research, or "soft dollars", if any). The Adviser has adopted policies and

32
 

procedures and has structured the portfolio managers' compensation in a manner reasonably designed to safeguard the Funds from being negatively affected as a result of any such potential conflicts.

 

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Compensation

 

Mr. Howard does not receive a salary or bonus from the Adviser. However, he participates in the profits of the Adviser due to his 95% ownership of the Adviser.

 

Ownership of Securities

 

As of the date of this SAI, Mr. Howard beneficially owned the following amounts in the Funds

 

Fund

Dollar Range of Shares

Beneficially Owned

100 Index ETF $0
500 Index ETF $0

 

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the portfolio managers who are employees of the Adviser. The Adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by them on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Adviser for the Fund’s use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.

 

In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the following into consideration:

  • the best net price available;
  • the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer;
  • the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and
  • the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of the Funds on a continuing basis.

Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Funds may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage and research services provided to the Funds. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than the Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Funds.

 

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

Each Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which

34
 

will be borne directly by the Fund. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of a Fund’s portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period.

 

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Fund Administration and Fund Accounting Services

Gemini Fund Services, LLC (the “Administrator” or “GFS”), which has its principal office at 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, New York 11788, serves as administrator and fund accountant for the Funds pursuant to the ETF Services Agreement with the Trust and subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees. GFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. GFS is an affiliate of the Distributor. GFS may also provide persons to serve as officers of the Funds. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of GFS or its affiliates.

 

The ETF Services Agreement is dated August 29, 2019. The ETF Services Agreement will remain in effect for two years from the effective date of the agreement, and will remain in effect subject to annual approval of the Board for one-year periods thereafter. The ETF Services Agreement is terminable by the Board or the Administrator on ninety days' written notice and may be assigned provided the non-assigning party provides prior written consent. This ETF Services Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Administrator or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Administrator shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in accordance with its duties thereunder.

Under the ETF Services Agreement, the Administrator provides facilitating administrative services, including: (i) providing services of persons competent to perform such administrative and clerical functions as are necessary to provide effective administration of the Fund; (ii) facilitating the performance of administrative and professional services to the Funds by others, including the Funds' Custodian; (iii) preparing, but not paying for, the periodic updating of the Funds' Registration Statement, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information in conjunction with Fund counsel, including the printing of such documents for the purpose of filings with the SEC and state securities administrators, and preparing reports to the Funds' shareholders and the SEC; (iv) preparing in conjunction with Fund counsel, but not paying for, all filings under the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of such states or countries as are designated by the Distributor, which may be required to register or qualify, or continue the registration or qualification, of each Fund and/or its shares under such laws; (v) preparing notices and agendas for meetings of the Board and minutes of such meetings in all matters required by the 1940 Act to be acted upon by the Board; and (vi) monitoring daily and periodic compliance with respect to all requirements and restrictions of the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code and the Prospectuses.

 

GFS also provides the Funds’ with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of NAV; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintenance of certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciliation of account information and balances among the Funds’ custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluation of daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of Shares.     

 

 

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For the services rendered to each Fund under the Agreement the Funds pay GFS the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. Each Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Effective February 1, 2019, NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC, the parent company of GFS, the Distributor, and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (collectively, the “Gemini Companies”), sold its interest in the Gemini Companies to a third party private equity firm that contemporaneously acquired Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (an independent mutual fund administration firm) and its affiliates (collectively, the “Ultimus Companies”). As a result of these separate transactions, the Gemini Companies and the Ultimus Companies are now indirectly owned through a common parent entity, The Ultimus Group, LLC.

 

Transfer Agent

 

Brown Brothers Harriman& Co. (“BBH”), 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110, acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fundd pursuant to the Custodian and Transfer Agency Agreement between BBH and the Trust on behalf of the Funds (the “Transfer Agent”). Under the Agreement, the Transfer Agent is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

 

Custodian

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., located at 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110 (the "Custodian"), serves as the custodian of the Funds' assets pursuant to a custody agreement (the "Custody Agreement") by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Funds. The Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Funds' cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Funds’ investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. The Funds may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.

 

 

Compliance Officer

 

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), 17645 Wright Street, Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68130, an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. NLCS’s compliance services consist primarily of reviewing and assessing the policies and procedures of the Trust and its service providers pertaining to compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. For the compliance services rendered to the Funds, the Funds pay NLCS a one-time fee plus an annual asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. The Funds also pay NLCS for any out-of-pocket expenses.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

Each Share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of

36
 

the Shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining Shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.

 

Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series or classes. Matters such as election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.

 

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest. Each share has equal, per-class, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any Shares. All Shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM

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

 

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that a Fund’s Distributor and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and a providing a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to "freeze" the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.

 

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

 

Calculation of Share Price

 

As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading "How Shares are Priced,” NAV of a Share is determined by dividing the total value of a Fund's portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of a Fund.

 

Generally, each Fund’s domestic securities (including underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges) are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are

37
 

readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by each Fund’s fair value committee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and as further described below. Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the- counter market.

 

Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less may be generally valued at amortized cost when it approximated fair value.

 

Exchange traded options are valued at the last quoted sales price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the exchange on which such options are traded. Futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction. Swap agreements and other derivatives are generally valued daily based upon quotations from market makers or by a pricing service in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.

 

Under certain circumstances, each Fund may use an independent pricing service to calculate the fair market value of foreign equity securities on a daily basis by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above. The fair market values supplied by the independent pricing service will generally reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or the value of other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities. The independent pricing service will also take into account the current relevant currency exchange rate. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. Because foreign securities may trade on days when Fund shares are not priced, the value of securities held by each Fund can change on days when Fund shares cannot be redeemed or purchased. In the event that a foreign security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closed before each Fund’s calculation of NAV), the security will be valued at its fair market value as determined in good faith by each Fund’s fair value committee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board as discussed below. Without fair valuation, it is possible that short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of each Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that it will prevent dilution of each Fund’s NAV by short-term traders. In addition, because each Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of these portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.

 

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of each Fund's

38
 

shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.

 

Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the "NYSE Close") on each day that the Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally use pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.

When market quotations are insufficient or not readily available, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or its designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.

Creation Units

Each Fund sells and redeems Shares in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form on any Business Day. A “Business Day” is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

A Creation Unit is an aggregation of 50,000 Shares. The Board may declare a split or a consolidation in the number of Shares outstanding of a Fund or Trust, and make a corresponding change in the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.

Authorized Participants

To purchase or redeem any Creation Units, you must be, or transact through, an AP. In order to be an AP, you must be either a broker-dealer or other participant (“Participating Party”) in the Continuous Net Settlement System (“Clearing Process”) of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) or a participant in DTC with access to the DTC system (“DTC Participant”), and you must execute an agreement (“Participant Agreement”) with the Distributor that governs transactions in each Fund’s Creation Units.

Investors who are not APs but want to transact in Creation Units may contact the Distributor for the names of APs. An AP may require investors to enter into a separate agreement to transact through it for Creation Units and may require orders for purchases of shares placed with it to be in a particular form. Investors transacting through a broker that is not itself an AP and therefore must still transact through an AP may incur additional charges. There are expected to be a limited number of AP at any one time.

39
 

Orders must be transmitted by an AP by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor. Market disruptions and telephone or other communication failures may impede the transmission of orders.

Transaction Fees

A fixed fee payable to the Custodian is imposed on each creation and redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units involved in the transaction (“Fixed Fee”). Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units for cash or involving cash-in-lieu (as defined below) are required to pay an additional variable charge to compensate the Fund and its ongoing shareholders for brokerage and market impact expenses relating to Creation Unit transactions (“Variable Charge,” and together with the Fixed Fee, the “Transaction Fees”). With the approval of the Board, the Adviser may waive or adjust the Transaction Fees, including the Fixed Fee and/or Variable Charge (shown in the table below), from time to time. In such cases, the AP will reimburse the Fund for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by a Fund and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes. In addition, purchasers of Creation Units are responsible for the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities to the account of a Fund.

Investors who use the services of a broker, or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. The Transaction Fees for the Fund are listed in the table below.

Fee for In-Kind and Cash Purchases Maximum Additional Variable Charge for Cash Purchases*
$500 2.00%

* As a percentage of the amount invested.

The Clearing Process

Transactions by an AP that is a Participating Party using the NSCC system are referred to as transactions “through the Clearing Process.” Transactions by an AP that is a DTC Participant using the DTC system are referred to as transactions “outside the Clearing Process.” The Clearing Process is an enhanced clearing process that is available only for certain securities and only to DTC participants that are also participants in the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC. In-kind (portions of) purchase orders not subject to the Clearing Process will go through a manual clearing process run by DTC. Portfolio Deposits that include government securities must be delivered through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system (“Federal Reserve System”). Fund Deposits that include cash may be delivered through the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System. In-kind deposits of securities for orders outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through the Federal Reserve System (for government securities) or through DTC (for corporate securities).

Foreign Securities

Because the portfolio securities of the Funds may trade on days that the Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for the Funds, shareholders may not be able to redeem their shares of the Funds, or to purchase or sell shares of the Funds on the Exchange, on days when the NAV of the Funds could be significantly affected by events in the relevant foreign markets.

40
 

Purchasing Creation Units

Portfolio Deposit

The consideration for a Creation Unit generally consists of the Deposit Securities and a Cash Component. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Portfolio Deposit.” The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Securities. Thus, the Cash Component is equal to the difference between (x) the NAV per Creation Unit of the Fund and (y) the market value of the Deposit Securities. If (x) is more than (y), the AP will pay the Cash Component to a Fund. If (x) is less than (y), the AP will receive the Cash Component from a Fund.

On each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the Adviser through the Custodian makes available through NSCC the name and amount of each Deposit Security in the current Portfolio Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for a Fund and the (estimated) Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per Creation Unit. The Deposit Securities announced are applicable to purchases of Creation Units until the next announcement of Deposit Securities.

Payment of any stamp duty or the like shall be the sole responsibility of the AP purchasing a Creation Unit. The AP must ensure that all Deposit Securities properly denote change in beneficial ownership.

Custom Orders and Cash-in-Lieu

Each Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (“cash-in-lieu”) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. The Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu when, for example, a Deposit Security may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, a Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu of Deposit Securities when, for example, the AP or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities laws or policies from transacting in one or more Deposit Securities. The Funds will comply with the federal securities laws in accepting Deposit Securities including that the Deposit Securities are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. All orders involving cash-in-lieu are considered to be “Custom Orders.”

Purchase Orders

To order a Creation Unit, an AP must submit an irrevocable purchase order to the Distributor.

Timing of Submission of Purchase Orders

An AP must submit an irrevocable purchase order no later than the earlier of (i) 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or (ii) the closing time of the bond markets and/or the trading session on the Exchange, on any Business Day in order to receive that Business Day’s NAV (“Cut-off Time”). The Cut-off Time for Custom Orders is generally two hours earlier. The Business Day the order is deemed received by the Distributor is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” An order to create Creation Units is deemed received on a Business Day if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Cut-off Time on such day and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Persons

41
 

placing or effectuating custom orders and/or orders involving cash should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, such as DTC and/or the Federal Reserve Bank wire system, which may impact the successful processing of such orders to ensure that cash and securities are transferred by the “Settlement Date,” which is generally the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date (“T+1”) for cash and the second Business Day following the Transmittal Date for securities (“T+2”).

 

Orders Using the Clearing Process

If available, (portions of) orders may be settled through the Clearing Process. In connection with such orders, the Distributor transmits, on behalf of the AP, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the AP agrees to deliver the requisite Portfolio Deposit to a Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. Cash Components will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System.

Orders Outside the Clearing Process

If the Clearing Process is not available for (portions of) an order, Portfolio Deposits will be made outside the Clearing Process. Orders outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will be effected through DTC. The Portfolio Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of Deposit Securities (whether standard or custom) through DTC to a Fund account by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on T+1. The Cash Component, along with any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee, must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve System in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. If the Custodian does not receive both the Deposit Securities and the cash by the appointed time, the order may be canceled. A canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day but must conform to that Business Day’s Portfolio Deposit. APs that submit a canceled order will be liable to a Fund for any losses incurred by a Fund in connection therewith.

Orders involving foreign Deposit Securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable purchase order, the Distributor will notify the Adviser and the Custodian of such order. The Custodian , who will have caused the appropriate local sub-custodian(s) of a Fund to maintain an account into which an AP may deliver Deposit Securities (or cash-in-lieu), with adjustments determined by the Fund, will then provide information of the order to such local sub-custodian(s). The ordering AP will then deliver the Deposit Securities (and any cash-in-lieu) to a Fund’s account at the applicable local sub-custodian. The AP must also make available on or before the contractual settlement date, by means satisfactory to the Fund, immediately available or same day funds in U.S. dollars estimated by a Fund to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component and Transaction Fee. When a relevant local market is closed due to local market holidays, the local market settlement process will not commence until the end of the local holiday period. Settlement must occur by 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the contractual settlement date.

Acceptance of Purchase Order

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All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by each Fund. Each Fund’s determination shall be final and binding.

Each Fund reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke acceptance of a purchase order transmitted to it by the Distributor if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Fund; (c) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the Deposit Securities for the applicable date; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to a Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Portfolio Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Portfolio Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust, Fund or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust, Fund or the rights of beneficial owners; or (g) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Distributor and the Adviser make it for all practical purposes impossible to process purchase orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems resulting in telephone, telecopy or computer failures; fires, floods or extreme weather conditions; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other informational systems affecting the Trust, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Adviser, the Custodian, a sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process; and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify an AP of its rejection of the order. The Funds, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Portfolio Deposits, and they shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

Issuance of a Creation Unit

Once a Fund has accepted an order, upon next determination of the Fund’s NAV, the Fund will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Distributor will transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the AP that placed the order.

Except as provided below, a Creation Unit will not be issued until a Fund obtains good title to the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component, along with any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee. The delivery of Creation Units will generally occur no later than T+2.

In certain cases, APs will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.

With respect to orders involving foreign Deposit Securities, when the applicable local sub-custodian(s) have confirmed to the Custodian that the Deposit Securities (or cash -in-lieu) have been delivered to a Fund’s account at the applicable local sub-custodian(s), the Distributor and the Adviser shall be notified of such delivery, and the Fund will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit. While, as stated above, Creation Units are generally delivered on T+2, the Fund may settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 in order to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (that is the last day the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security), and in certain other circumstances.

Each Fund may issue a Creation Unit prior to receiving good title to the Deposit Securities, under the following circumstances. Pursuant to the applicable Participant Agreement, each Fund may issue a Creation Unit notwithstanding that (certain) Deposit Securities have not been delivered,

43
 

in reliance on an undertaking by the relevant AP to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking is secured by such AP’s delivery to and maintenance with the Custodian of collateral having a value equal to at least 115% of the value of the missing Deposit Securities (“Collateral”), as adjusted by time to time by the Adviser. Such Collateral will have a value greater than the NAV of the Creation Unit on the date the order is placed. Such collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. The only Collateral that is acceptable to each Fund is cash in U.S. Dollars.

 

While (certain) Deposit Securities remain undelivered, the Collateral shall at all times have a value equal to at least 115% (as adjusted by the Adviser) of the daily marked-to-market value of the missing Deposit Securities. At any time, each Fund may use the Collateral to purchase the missing securities, and the AP will be liable to each Fund for any costs incurred thereby or losses resulting therefrom, whether or not they exceed the amount of the Collateral, including any Transaction Fee, any amount by which the purchase price of the missing Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such securities on the Transmittal Date, brokerage and other transaction costs. The Trust will return any unused Collateral once all of the missing securities have been received by the Fund. More information regarding the Fund’s current procedures for collateralization is available from the Distributor.

Cash Purchase Method

When cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for a Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases In the case of a cash purchase, the investor must pay the cash equivalent of the Portfolio Deposit. In addition, cash purchases will be subject to Transaction Fees, as described above.

Notice to Texas Shareholders

Under section 72.1021(a) of the Texas Property Code, initial investors in a Fund who are Texas residents may designate a representative to receive notices of abandoned property in connection with Shares. Texas shareholders who wish to appoint a representative should notify the Fund’s Transfer Agent by writing to the address below to obtain a form for providing written notice to the Trust:

HCM Defender 100 Index ETF

HCM Defender 500 Index ETF

c/o Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

50 Post Office Square

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

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Redeeming a Creation Unit

Redemption Basket

The consideration received in connection with the redemption of a Creation Unit generally consists of an in-kind basket of designated securities (“Redemption Securities”) and a Cash Component. Together, the Redemption Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Redemption Basket.”

There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient liquidity in Shares in the secondary market to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. In addition, investors may incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a Creation Unit.

The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Redemption Securities. Thus, the Cash Component is equal to the difference between (x) the NAV per Creation Unit of the Fund and (y) the market value of the Redemption Securities. If (x) is more than (y), the AP will receive the Cash Component from a Fund. If (x) is less than (y), the AP will pay the Cash Component to a Fund.

If the Redemption Securities on a Business Day are different from the Deposit Securities, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the Adviser through the Custodian makes available through NSCC the name and amount of each Redemption Security in the current Redemption Basket (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for a Fund and the (estimated) Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per Creation Unit. If the Redemption Securities on a Business Day are different from the Deposit Securities, all redemption requests that day will be processed outside the Clearing Process.

The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed: (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares or determination of the ETF’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as permitted by the SEC, including as described below.

Custom Redemptions and Cash-in-Lieu

Each Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of cash-in-lieu to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Redemption Security. Each Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu when, for example, a Redemption Security may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, a Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu of Redemption Securities when, for example, the AP or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities law or policies from transacting in one or more Redemption Securities. Each Fund complies with the federal securities laws in satisfying redemptions with Redemption Securities, including that the Redemption Securities are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. All redemption requests involving cash-in-lieu are considered to be “Custom Redemptions.”

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Redemption Requests

To redeem a Creation Unit, an AP must submit an irrevocable redemption request to the Distributor.

An AP submitting a redemption request is deemed to represent to a Fund that it or, if applicable, the investor on whose behalf it is acting, (i) owns outright or has full legal authority and legal beneficial right to tender for redemption the Creation Unit to be redeemed and can receive the entire proceeds of the redemption, and (ii) all of the Shares that are in the Creation Unit to be redeemed have not been borrowed, loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement that would preclude the delivery of such Shares to the Fund. The Fund reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to verify these representations, but will typically require verification in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest in a Fund. If the AP, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of the requested representations, the redemption request will not be considered to be in proper form and may be rejected by a Fund.

Timing of Submission of Redemption Requests

An AP must submit an irrevocable redemption order no later than the Cut-off Time. The Cut-off Time for Custom Orders is generally two hours earlier. The Business Day the order is deemed received by the Distributor is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” A redemption request is deemed received if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Cut-off Time on such day and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Persons placing or effectuating Custom Redemptions and/or orders involving cash should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, such as DTC and/or the Federal Reserve System, which may impact the successful processing of such orders to ensure that cash and securities are transferred by the Settlement Date, as defined above.

Requests Using the Clearing Process

If available, (portions of) redemption requests may be settled through the Clearing Process. In connection with such orders, the Distributor transmits on behalf of the AP, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the redemption. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the AP agrees to deliver the requisite Creation Unit(s) to a Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. Cash Components will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System, as described above.

Requests Outside the Clearing Process

If the Clearing Process is not available for (portions of) an order, Redemption Baskets will be delivered outside the Clearing Process. Orders outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the redemption will be effected through DTC. The AP must transfer or cause to be transferred the Creation Unit(s) of shares being redeemed through the book-entry system of DTC so as to be delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on received T+1. In addition, the Cash Component must be received by the Custodian by 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. If the Custodian does not receive the Creation Unit(s) and Cash Component by the appointed times on T+1, the redemption will be rejected, except

46
 

in the circumstances described below. A rejected redemption request may be resubmitted the following Business Day.

Orders involving foreign Redemption Securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable redemption request, the Distributor will notify the Adviser and the Custodian. The Custodian will then provide information of the redemption to the Fund’s local sub-custodian(s). The redeeming AP, or the investor on whose behalf is acting, will have established appropriate arrangements with a broker-dealer, bank or other custody provider in each jurisdiction in which the Redemption Securities are customarily traded and to which such Redemption Securities (and any cash-in-lieu) can be delivered from the Fund’s accounts at the applicable local sub-custodian(s).

Acceptance of Redemption Requests

All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust. The Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

Delivery of Redemption Basket

Once a Fund has accepted a redemption request, upon next determination of the Fund’s NAV, the Fund will confirm the issuance of a Redemption Basket, against receipt of the Creation Unit(s) at such NAV, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee. A Creation Unit tendered for redemption and the payment of the Cash Component, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee will be effected through DTC. The AP, or the investor on whose behalf it is acting, will be recorded on the book-entry system of DTC.

The Redemption Basket will generally be delivered to the redeeming AP within T+2. Except under the circumstances described below, however, a Redemption Basket generally will not be issued until the Creation Unit(s) are delivered to the Fund, along with the Cash Component, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee.

In certain cases, APs will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.

With respect to orders involving foreign Redemption Securities, the Fund may settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 in order to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (that is the last day the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security), and in certain other circumstances. When a relevant local market is closed due to local market holidays, the local market settlement process will not commence until the end of the local holiday period. Listed below are the dates in calendar year 2019 in which the regular holidays in non-U.S. markets may impact Fund settlement. This list is based on information available to the Funds. The list may not be accurate or complete and is subject to change:

 

Brazil Friday, November 15, 2019 China Thursday, February 07, 2019
Brazil Wednesday, November 20, 2019 China Friday, February 08, 2019
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Brazil Wednesday, December 25, 2019 China Friday, April 05, 2019
Bulgaria Tuesday, January 01, 2019 China Wednesday, May 01, 2019
China Friday, June 07, 2019 Croatia Thursday, December 26, 2019
China Friday, September 13, 2019 Croatia Tuesday, December 31, 2019
China Monday, September 30, 2019 Cyprus Tuesday, January 01, 2019
China Tuesday, October 01, 2019 Cyprus Monday, March 11, 2019
China Wednesday, October 02, 2019 Cyprus Monday, March 25, 2019
China Thursday, October 03, 2019 Cyprus Monday, April 01, 2019
China Friday, October 04, 2019 Cyprus Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Colombia Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Cyprus Friday, April 19, 2019
Colombia Monday, January 07, 2019 Cyprus Monday, April 22, 2019
Colombia Monday, March 25, 2019 Cyprus Friday, April 26, 2019
Colombia Thursday, April 18, 2019 Cyprus Monday, April 29, 2019
Colombia Friday, April 19, 2019 Cyprus Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Colombia Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Cyprus Monday, June 17, 2019
Colombia Monday, June 03, 2019 Cyprus Thursday, August 15, 2019
Colombia Monday, June 24, 2019 Cyprus Tuesday, October 01, 2019
Colombia Monday, July 01, 2019 Cyprus Monday, October 28, 2019
Colombia Wednesday, August 07, 2019 Cyprus Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Colombia Monday, August 19, 2019 Cyprus Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Colombia Monday, October 14, 2019 Cyprus Thursday, December 26, 2019
Colombia Monday, November 04, 2019 Czech Republic Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Colombia Monday, November 11, 2019 Czech Republic Friday, April 19, 2019
Colombia Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Czech Republic Monday, April 22, 2019
Costa Rica Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Czech Republic Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Costa Rica Thursday, April 11, 2019 Czech Republic Wednesday, May 08, 2019
Costa Rica Thursday, April 18, 2019 Czech Republic Friday, July 05, 2019
Costa Rica Friday, April 19, 2019 Czech Republic Monday, October 28, 2019
Costa Rica Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Czech Republic Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Costa Rica Thursday, July 25, 2019 Czech Republic Wednesday, December
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25, 2019
Costa Rica Friday, August 02, 2019 Czech Republic Thursday, December 26, 2019
Costa Rica Thursday, August 15, 2019 Denmark Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Costa Rica Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Denmark Thursday, April 18, 2019
Croatia Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Denmark Friday, April 19, 2019
Croatia Friday, April 19, 2019 Denmark Monday, April 22, 2019
Croatia Monday, April 22, 2019 Denmark Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Croatia Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Denmark Friday, May 10, 2019
Croatia Thursday, June 20, 2019 Denmark Friday, May 17, 2019
Croatia Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Denmark Thursday, May 30, 2019
Croatia Monday, August 05, 2019 Denmark Friday, May 31, 2019
Croatia Thursday, August 15, 2019 Denmark Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Croatia Tuesday, October 08, 2019 Denmark Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Croatia Friday, November 01, 2019 Denmark Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Croatia Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Denmark Thursday, December 26, 2019
Croatia Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Denmark Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Ecuador Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Finland Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Ecuador Monday, March 04, 2019 Finland Thursday, May 30, 2019
Ecuador Tuesday, March 05, 2019 Finland Friday, June 21, 2019
Ecuador Friday, April 19, 2019 Finland Friday, December 06, 2019
Ecuador Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Finland Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Ecuador Friday, May 24, 2019 Finland Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Ecuador Friday, August 09, 2019 Finland Thursday, December 26, 2019
Ecuador Friday, October 11, 2019 Finland Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Ecuador Friday, November 01, 2019 France Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Ecuador Monday, November 04, 2019 France Friday, April 19, 2019
Ecuador Wednesday, December 25, 2019 France Monday, April 22, 2019
Egypt Tuesday, January 01, 2019 France Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Egypt Monday, January 07, 2019 France Thursday, May 30, 2019
Egypt Thursday, April 25, 2019 France Monday, June 10, 2019
Egypt Sunday, April 28, 2019 France Wednesday, December 25, 2019
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Egypt Monday, April 29, 2019 France Thursday, December 26, 2019
Egypt Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Germany Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Egypt Wednesday, June 05, 2019 Germany Friday, April 19, 2019
Egypt Thursday, June 06, 2019 Germany Monday, April 22, 2019
Egypt Sunday, June 30, 2019 Germany Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Egypt Monday, July 01, 2019 Germany Thursday, May 30, 2019
Egypt Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Germany Monday, June 10, 2019
Egypt Sunday, August 11, 2019 Germany Thursday, June 20, 2019
Egypt Monday, August 12, 2019 Germany Thursday, October 03, 2019
Egypt Tuesday, August 13, 2019 Germany Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Egypt Wednesday, August 14, 2019 Germany Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Egypt Sunday, September 01, 2019 Germany Thursday, December 26, 2019
Egypt Sunday, October 06, 2019 Ghana Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Egypt Sunday, November 10, 2019 Ghana Wednesday, March 06, 2019
Estonia Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Ghana Friday, April 19, 2019
Estonia Friday, April 19, 2019 Ghana Monday, April 22, 2019
Estonia Monday, April 22, 2019 Ghana Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Estonia Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Ghana Monday, May 27, 2019
Estonia Thursday, May 30, 2019 Ghana Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Estonia Monday, June 24, 2019 Ghana Monday, July 01, 2019
Estonia Tuesday, August 20, 2019 Ghana Monday, August 12, 2019
Estonia Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Ghana Saturday, September 21, 2019
Estonia Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Ghana Friday, December 06, 2019
Estonia Thursday, December 26, 2019 Ghana Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Estonia Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Ghana Thursday, December 26, 2019
Finland Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Greece Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Finland Friday, April 19, 2019 Greece Monday, March 11, 2019
Finland Monday, April 22, 2019 Greece Monday, March 25, 2019
Greece Friday, April 19, 2019 Hungary Friday, December 27, 2019
Greece Monday, April 22, 2019 Hungary Tuesday, December 31, 2019
50
 

 

Greece Friday, April 26, 2019 Iceland Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Greece Monday, April 29, 2019 Iceland Thursday, April 18, 2019
Greece Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Iceland Friday, April 19, 2019
Greece Monday, June 17, 2019 Iceland Monday, April 22, 2019
Greece Thursday, August 15, 2019 Iceland Thursday, April 25, 2019
Greece Monday, October 28, 2019 Iceland Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Greece Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Iceland Thursday, May 30, 2019
Greece Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Iceland Monday, June 10, 2019
Greece Thursday, December 26, 2019 Iceland Monday, June 17, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Iceland Monday, August 05, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Monday, February 04, 2019 Iceland Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Tuesday, February 05, 2019 Iceland Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Wednesday, February 06, 2019 Iceland Thursday, December 26, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Thursday, February 07, 2019 Iceland Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Friday, April 05, 2019 India Friday, April 19, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Friday, April 19, 2019 India Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Monday, April 22, 2019 India Thursday, August 15, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Wednesday, May 01, 2019 India Wednesday, October 02, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Monday, May 13, 2019 India Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Friday, June 07, 2019 Indonesia Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Monday, July 01, 2019 Indonesia Tuesday, February 05, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Tuesday, October 01, 2019 Indonesia Thursday, March 07, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Monday, October 07, 2019 Indonesia Wednesday, April 03, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Monday, December 16, 2019 Indonesia Friday, April 19, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Indonesia Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Indonesia Thursday, May 30, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Thursday, December 26, 2019 Indonesia Tuesday, June 04, 2019
Hong Kong SAR Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Indonesia Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Hungary Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Indonesia Monday, August 12, 2019
Hungary Friday, March 15, 2019 Indonesia Wednesday, December
51
 

 

25, 2019
Hungary Friday, April 19, 2019 Ireland Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Hungary Monday, April 22, 2019 Ireland Friday, April 19, 2019
Hungary Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Ireland Monday, April 22, 2019
Hungary Monday, June 10, 2019 Ireland Monday, May 06, 2019
Hungary Monday, August 19, 2019 Ireland Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Hungary Tuesday, August 20, 2019 Ireland Thursday, December 26, 2019
Hungary Wednesday, October 23, 2019 Israel Thursday, March 21, 2019
Hungary Friday, November 01, 2019 Israel Monday, April 22, 2019
Hungary Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Israel Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Hungary Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Israel Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Hungary Thursday, December 26, 2019 Israel Thursday, April 25, 2019
Israel Wednesday, May 08, 2019 Japan Monday, September 23, 2019
Israel Thursday, May 09, 2019 Japan Monday, October 14, 2019
Israel Monday, September 30, 2019 Japan Monday, November 04, 2019
Israel Tuesday, October 01, 2019 Japan Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Israel Tuesday, October 08, 2019 Jordan Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Israel Wednesday, October 09, 2019 Jordan Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Israel Monday, October 14, 2019 Jordan Tuesday, June 04, 2019
Israel Tuesday, October 15, 2019 Jordan Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Israel Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Jordan Thursday, June 06, 2019
Israel Thursday, October 17, 2019 Jordan Sunday, August 11, 2019
Israel Sunday, October 20, 2019 Jordan Monday, August 12, 2019
Israel Monday, October 21, 2019 Jordan Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Italy Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Jordan Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Italy Friday, April 19, 2019 Jordan Saturday, August 31, 2019
Italy Monday, April 22, 2019 Jordan Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Italy Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Kazakhstan Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Italy Thursday, December 26, 2019 Kazakhstan Wednesday, January 02, 2019
Ivory Coast Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Kazakhstan Monday, January 07,
52
 

 

2019
Ivory Coast Monday, April 22, 2019 Kazakhstan Friday, March 08, 2019
Ivory Coast Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Kazakhstan Thursday, March 21, 2019
Ivory Coast Thursday, May 30, 2019 Kazakhstan Friday, March 22, 2019
Ivory Coast Sunday, June 02, 2019 Kazakhstan Monday, March 25, 2019
Ivory Coast Wednesday, June 05, 2019 Kazakhstan Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Ivory Coast Monday, June 10, 2019 Kazakhstan Tuesday, May 07, 2019
Ivory Coast Wednesday, August 07, 2019 Kazakhstan Thursday, May 09, 2019
Ivory Coast Monday, August 12, 2019 Kazakhstan Monday, July 08, 2019
Ivory Coast Thursday, August 15, 2019 Kazakhstan Friday, August 30, 2019
Ivory Coast Friday, November 01, 2019 Kazakhstan Monday, December 02, 2019
Ivory Coast Sunday, November 10, 2019 Kazakhstan Monday, December 16, 2019
Ivory Coast Friday, November 15, 2019 Kazakhstan Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Ivory Coast Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Kenya Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Japan Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Kenya Friday, April 19, 2019
Japan Wednesday, January 02, 2019 Kenya Monday, April 22, 2019
Japan Thursday, January 03, 2019 Kenya Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Japan Monday, January 14, 2019 Kenya Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Japan Monday, February 11, 2019 Kenya Monday, August 12, 2019
Japan Thursday, March 21, 2019 Kenya Monday, October 21, 2019
Japan Monday, April 29, 2019 Kenya Monday, December 02, 2019
Japan Friday, May 03, 2019 Kenya Thursday, December 12, 2019
Japan Monday, May 06, 2019 Kenya Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Japan Monday, July 15, 2019 Kuwait Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Japan Monday, August 12, 2019 Kuwait Monday, February 25, 2019
Japan Monday, September 16, 2019 Kuwait Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Kuwait Thursday, April 04, 2019 Malaysia Friday, February 01, 2019
Kuwait Wednesday, June 05, 2019 Malaysia Tuesday, February 05, 2019
Kuwait Thursday, June 06, 2019 Malaysia Wednesday, February 06, 2019
Kuwait Sunday, August 11, 2019 Malaysia Wednesday, May 01, 2019
53
 

 

Kuwait Monday, August 12, 2019 Malaysia Monday, May 20, 2019
Kuwait Tuesday, August 13, 2019 Malaysia Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Kuwait Sunday, September 01, 2019 Malaysia Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Kuwait Sunday, November 10, 2019 Malaysia Thursday, June 06, 2019
Latvia Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Malaysia Monday, August 12, 2019
Latvia Friday, April 19, 2019 Malaysia Monday, September 09, 2019
Latvia Monday, April 22, 2019 Malaysia Monday, September 16, 2019
Latvia Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Malaysia Monday, October 28, 2019
Latvia Monday, May 06, 2019 Malaysia Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Latvia Thursday, May 30, 2019 Mauritius Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Latvia Monday, June 24, 2019 Mauritius Wednesday, January 02, 2019
Latvia Monday, November 18, 2019 Mauritius Monday, January 21, 2019
Latvia Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Mauritius Friday, February 01, 2019
Latvia Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Mauritius Tuesday, February 05, 2019
Latvia Thursday, December 26, 2019 Mauritius Monday, March 04, 2019
Latvia Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Mauritius Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Lithuania Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Mauritius Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Lithuania Saturday, February 16, 2019 Mauritius Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Lithuania Monday, March 11, 2019 Mauritius Tuesday, September 03, 2019
Lithuania Friday, April 19, 2019 Mauritius Friday, November 01, 2019
Lithuania Monday, April 22, 2019 Mauritius Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Lithuania Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Mexico Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Lithuania Thursday, May 30, 2019 Mexico Monday, February 04, 2019
Lithuania Monday, June 24, 2019 Mexico Monday, March 18, 2019
Lithuania Saturday, July 06, 2019 Mexico Thursday, April 18, 2019
Lithuania Friday, November 01, 2019 Mexico Friday, April 19, 2019
Lithuania Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Mexico Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Lithuania Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Mexico Monday, September 16, 2019
Lithuania Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Mexico Monday, November 18, 2019
54
 

 

Luxembourg Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Mexico Thursday, December 12, 2019
Luxembourg Friday, April 19, 2019 Mexico Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Luxembourg Monday, April 22, 2019 Morocco Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Luxembourg Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Morocco Friday, January 11, 2019
Luxembourg Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Morocco Tuesday, June 04, 2019
Luxembourg Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Morocco Monday, August 12, 2019
Luxembourg Thursday, December 26, 2019 Morocco Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Luxembourg Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Morocco Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Malaysia Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Morocco Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Malaysia Monday, January 21, 2019 Morocco Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Morocco Monday, September 02, 2019 New Zealand Monday, October 28, 2019
Morocco Wednesday, November 06, 2019 New Zealand Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Morocco Monday, November 11, 2019 New Zealand Thursday, December 26, 2019
Morocco Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Nigeria Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Mozambique Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Nigeria Friday, April 19, 2019
Mozambique Monday, February 04, 2019 Nigeria Monday, April 22, 2019
Mozambique Monday, April 08, 2019 Nigeria Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Mozambique Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Nigeria Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Mozambique Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Nigeria Tuesday, June 04, 2019
Mozambique Wednesday, September 25, 2019 Nigeria Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Mozambique Friday, October 04, 2019 Nigeria Monday, August 12, 2019
Mozambique Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Nigeria Tuesday, October 01, 2019
Namibia Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Nigeria Saturday, November 09, 2019
Namibia Thursday, March 21, 2019 Nigeria Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Namibia Friday, April 19, 2019 Nigeria Thursday, December 26, 2019
Namibia Monday, April 22, 2019 Norway Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Namibia Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Norway Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Namibia Thursday, May 30, 2019 Norway Thursday, April 18, 2019
Namibia Monday, June 17, 2019 Norway Friday, April 19, 2019
55
 

 

Namibia Friday, August 09, 2019 Norway Monday, April 22, 2019
Namibia Monday, August 26, 2019 Norway Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Namibia Tuesday, September 24, 2019 Norway Friday, May 17, 2019
Namibia Tuesday, December 10, 2019 Norway Thursday, May 30, 2019
Namibia Monday, December 16, 2019 Norway Monday, June 10, 2019
Namibia Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Norway Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Namibia Thursday, December 26, 2019 Norway Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Netherlands Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Norway Thursday, December 26, 2019
Netherlands Friday, April 19, 2019 Norway Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Netherlands Monday, April 22, 2019 Oman Wednesday, April 03, 2019
Netherlands Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Oman Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Netherlands Thursday, May 30, 2019 Oman Thursday, June 06, 2019
Netherlands Monday, June 10, 2019 Oman Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Netherlands Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Oman Sunday, August 11, 2019
Netherlands Thursday, December 26, 2019 Oman Monday, August 12, 2019
New Zealand Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Oman Tuesday, August 13, 2019
New Zealand Wednesday, January 02, 2019 Oman Wednesday, August 14, 2019
New Zealand Monday, January 21, 2019 Oman Thursday, August 15, 2019
New Zealand Monday, January 28, 2019 Oman Sunday, September 01, 2019
New Zealand Wednesday, February 06, 2019 Oman Sunday, November 10, 2019
New Zealand Friday, April 19, 2019 Oman Monday, November 18, 2019
New Zealand Monday, April 22, 2019 Oman Tuesday, November 19, 2019
New Zealand Thursday, April 25, 2019 Pakistan Tuesday, January 01, 2019
New Zealand Monday, June 03, 2019 Pakistan Tuesday, February 05, 2019
Pakistan Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Poland Monday, November 11, 2019
Pakistan Monday, May 06, 2019 Poland Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Pakistan Wednesday, June 05, 2019 Poland Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Pakistan Thursday, June 06, 2019 Poland Thursday, December 26, 2019
Pakistan Monday, July 01, 2019 Poland Tuesday, December
56
 

 

31, 2019
Pakistan Sunday, August 11, 2019 Portugal Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Pakistan Monday, August 12, 2019 Portugal Friday, April 19, 2019
Pakistan Wednesday, August 14, 2019 Portugal Monday, April 22, 2019
Pakistan Tuesday, September 10, 2019 Portugal Thursday, April 25, 2019
Pakistan Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Portugal Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Pakistan Saturday, November 09, 2019 Portugal Monday, June 10, 2019
Peru Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Portugal Thursday, June 13, 2019
Peru Thursday, April 18, 2019 Portugal Thursday, June 20, 2019
Peru Friday, April 19, 2019 Portugal Thursday, August 15, 2019
Peru Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Portugal Friday, November 01, 2019
Peru Monday, July 29, 2019 Portugal Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Peru Friday, August 30, 2019 Portugal Thursday, December 26, 2019
Peru Tuesday, October 08, 2019 Qatar Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Peru Friday, November 01, 2019 Qatar Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Peru Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Qatar Sunday, March 03, 2019
Philippines Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Qatar Tuesday, June 04, 2019
Philippines Tuesday, February 05, 2019 Qatar Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Philippines Monday, February 25, 2019 Qatar Thursday, June 06, 2019
Philippines Tuesday, April 09, 2019 Qatar Sunday, August 11, 2019
Philippines Thursday, April 18, 2019 Qatar Monday, August 12, 2019
Philippines Friday, April 19, 2019 Qatar Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Philippines Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Qatar Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Philippines Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Romania Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Philippines Wednesday, August 21, 2019 Romania Wednesday, January 02, 2019
Philippines Monday, August 26, 2019 Romania Thursday, January 24, 2019
Philippines Friday, November 01, 2019 Romania Monday, April 29, 2019
Philippines Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Romania Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Philippines Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Romania Monday, June 17, 2019
57
 

 

Philippines Monday, December 30, 2019 Romania Thursday, August 15, 2019
Philippines Tuesday, December 31, 2019 Romania Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Poland Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Romania Thursday, December 26, 2019
Poland Friday, April 19, 2019 Russia Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Poland Monday, April 22, 2019 Russia Wednesday, January 02, 2019
Poland Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Russia Thursday, January 03, 2019
Poland Friday, May 03, 2019 Russia Friday, January 04, 2019
Poland Thursday, June 20, 2019 Russia Monday, January 07, 2019
Poland Thursday, August 15, 2019 Russia Tuesday, January 08, 2019
Poland Friday, November 01, 2019 Russia Friday, March 08, 2019
Russia Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Singapore Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Russia Thursday, May 02, 2019 Singapore Wednesday, June 05, 2019
Russia Friday, May 03, 2019 Singapore Friday, August 09, 2019
Russia Thursday, May 09, 2019 Singapore Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Russia Friday, May 10, 2019 Slovakia Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Russia Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Slovakia Friday, April 19, 2019
Russia Monday, November 04, 2019 Slovakia Monday, April 22, 2019
Rwanda Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Slovakia Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Rwanda Wednesday, January 02, 2019 Slovakia Wednesday, May 08, 2019
Rwanda Friday, February 01, 2019 Slovakia Friday, July 05, 2019
Rwanda Monday, April 08, 2019 Slovakia Thursday, August 29, 2019
Rwanda Friday, April 19, 2019 Slovakia Friday, November 01, 2019
Rwanda Monday, April 22, 2019 Slovakia Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Rwanda Wednesday, May 01, 2019 Slovakia Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Rwanda Monday, July 01, 2019 Slovakia Thursday, December 26, 2019
Rwanda Thursday, July 04, 2019 Slovenia Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Rwanda Thursday, July 25, 2019 Slovenia Wednesday, January 02, 2019
Rwanda Friday, August 02, 2019 Slovenia Friday, February 08, 2019
Rwanda Thursday, August 15, 2019 Slovenia Friday, April 19, 2019
Rwanda Thursday, December 26, Slovenia Monday, April 22,
58
 

 

2019 2019
Saudi Arabia Wednesday, June 05, 2019 Slovenia Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Saudi Arabia Thursday, June 06, 2019 Slovenia Thursday, May 02, 2019
Saudi Arabia Sunday, June 09, 2019 Slovenia Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Saudi Arabia Monday, June 10, 2019 Slovenia Thursday, August 15, 2019
Saudi Arabia Sunday, August 11, 2019 Slovenia Thursday, October 31, 2019
Saudi Arabia Monday, August 12, 2019 Slovenia Friday, November 01, 2019
Saudi Arabia Tuesday, August 13, 2019 Slovenia Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Saudi Arabia Wednesday, August 14, 2019 Slovenia Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Saudi Arabia Monday, September 23, 2019 Slovenia Thursday, December 26, 2019
Serbia Tuesday, January 01, 2019 Slovenia Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Serbia Wednesday, January 02, 2019 South Africa Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Serbia Monday, January 07, 2019 South Africa Thursday, March 21, 2019
Serbia Friday, February 15, 2019 South Africa Friday, April 19, 2019
Serbia Saturday, February 16, 2019 South Africa Monday, April 22, 2019
Serbia Friday, April 26, 2019 South Africa Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Serbia Monday, April 29, 2019 South Africa Monday, June 17, 2019
Serbia Wednesday, May 01, 2019 South Africa Friday, August 09, 2019
Serbia Thursday, May 02, 2019 South Africa Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Serbia Monday, November 11, 2019 South Africa Monday, December 16, 2019
Singapore Tuesday, January 01, 2019 South Africa Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Singapore Tuesday, February 05, 2019 South Africa Thursday, December 26, 2019
Singapore Wednesday, February 06, 2019 South Korea Tuesday, January 01, 2019
Singapore Friday, April 19, 2019 South Korea Monday, February 04, 2019
 Singapore Wednesday, December 25, 2019 South Korea Saturday, November 9, 2019
 Singapore Tuesday, December 31, 2019 South Korea Saturday, November 30, 2019
    South Korea Saturday, December 14, 2019
    South Korea Monday, December 23, 2019
    South Korea Tuesday, December 24, 2019
59
 

 

    South Korea Wednesday, December 25, 2019
    South Korea Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Cash Redemption Method

When cash redemptions of Creation Units are available or specified for a Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind redemptions. In the case of a cash redemption, the investor will receive the cash equivalent of the Redemption Basket minus any Transaction Fees, as described above.

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 advisor regarding their investment in a Fund.

 

Each Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Tax Code"), and intends to continue to so qualify, 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, a 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 a Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Tax 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 a Fund. Capital losses incurred after January 31, 2011 may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under pre-enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital, irrespective of the character of the original loss. Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

 

Each 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. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually in December by the Funds. The Funds distribute their net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders annually no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of a Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.

 

To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Tax Code, a Fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with

60
 

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 holding so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of a 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 a 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 that a Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.

 

If a 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 a 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 a Fund.

 

Each 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 Tax Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of a Fund's ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to a Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, each 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 Tax 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 Trust have been held by such shareholders.

 

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

 

Redemption of 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

61
 

or her 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 NAV of a Share on the reinvestment date.

 

All distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain, whether received in Shares or in cash, must be reported by each taxable shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year. Redemptions of Shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.

 

Under the Tax Code, a 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 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 a 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.

 

Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements

 

To the extent such investments are permissible for a Fund, the Fund's transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund's securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.

 

To the extent such investments are permissible, certain of a Fund's hedging activities (including its transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a Fund's book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess book income will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of a Fund's remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient's basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If a Fund's book income is less than taxable income, a Fund could be required to make

62
 

distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

 

Investment by a Fund in certain passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs") could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, a Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a qualified electing fund ("QEF"), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company's income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company.

 

Each Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings "to the market" as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund's taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for a Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections, therefore, may require each Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect a Fund's total return.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

Each Fund's transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.

 

Foreign Taxation

 

Income received by each Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of each Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by a Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will "pass through" for that year.

 

Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder's U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of a Fund's income will flow through to shareholders

63
 

of the Fund. With respect to each Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. A shareholder may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by each Fund. The foreign tax credit can be used to offset only 90% of the revised alternative minimum tax imposed on corporations and individuals and foreign taxes generally are not deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income.

 

Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities

 

Current federal tax law requires the holder of a U.S. Treasury or other fixed income zero coupon security to accrue as income each year a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased, even though the holder receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. In addition, pay-in-kind securities will give rise to income, which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

 

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount ("OID") is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A portion of the OID includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities (including certain pay-in-kind securities) may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by each Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the "accrued market discount" on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. Each Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by each Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, each Fund is required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. Each Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

A Fund that holds the foregoing kinds of securities may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash interest each Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of each Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). Each Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event a Fund realizes net capital gains

64
 

from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.

 

Shareholders of each Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of Shares.

 

A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year each Fund issues to every shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.

 

Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board has selected RSM US LLP, located at 555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1200, Denver, Colorado 80202 as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal period. The firm provides services including the annual audits of the Funds’ financial statements and other audit, tax and related services to the Funds.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, Suite 1700, Columbus, Ohio 43215, serves as the Trust's legal counsel.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Funds have not yet commenced operations and, therefore, have not produced financial statements. Once produced, you can obtain a copy of the financial statements contained in the Funds’ Annual or Semi-Annual Report without charge by calling the Funds at 770-642-4902.

65
 

APPENDIX A

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

HOWARD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

Proxy Voting

 

Non-Mutual Fund Clients.

 

Howard Capital Management does not vote proxies on behalf of clients. All proxy materials received on behalf of a client account are to be sent directly to our client or a designated representative of the client, who is responsible for voting the proxy. Howard Capital Management personnel may answer client questions regarding proxy-voting matters in an effort to assist the client in determining how to vote the proxy. However, the final decision of how to vote the proxy rests with the client.

 

Mutual Fund Clients.

 

For each Client Account that is a registered investment company the Firm votes all proxies after carefully considering proxy solicitation materials and other available facts, except when it abstains from voting as described below. The Firm instructs each custodian for a Mutual Fund client to deliver to the Firm all proxy solicitation materials that the custodian receives for that account. The Firm reviews the securities held in its Mutual Fund Accounts on a regular basis to confirm that the Firm receives copies of all proxy solicitation materials concerning such securities. The Firm marks each proxy solicitation with the date it is received by the Firm. The Firm will also monitor the positions it takes in ETFs holdings to ensure that it never holds more than 3% of the outstanding voting shares of the ETF. Should The Firm hold positions that exceed 3% of the outstanding voting shares of an ETF, The Firm will rely upon Mirror Voting for Proxies, ensuring the Funds vote its shares in the same proportion that all shares of the ETFs are voted, or in accordance with instructions received from fund shareholders.

 

The CCO makes all voting decisions on behalf of a Mutual Fund client based solely on the CCO's determination of the best interests of that Account. The Firm uses reasonable efforts to respond to each proxy solicitation by the deadline for such response.

 

The CCO may designate an appropriate Employee to be responsible for insuring that all proxy statements are received and that the Firm responds to them in a timely manner.

 

1. Company Information. If the Firm is considering voting a proxy, it reviews all proxy solicitation materials it receives concerning securities held in a Mutual Fund Account. The Firm evaluates all such information and may seek additional information from the party soliciting the proxy and independent corroboration of such information when the Firm considers it appropriate and when it is reasonably available.

2. Proxy Voting Policies.

 

a. Guidelines. The Firm follows any proxy voting guidelines and procedures provided by Client Accounts for which the Firm votes proxies. If no guideline exists for a particular vote, the Firm votes FOR a proposal when it believes that the proposal serves the best interests of the Mutual Fund Account whose proxy is solicited because, on balance, the following factors predominate:

(i) If adopted, the proposal would have a positive economic effect on shareholder value;

A-1
 

(ii) If adopted, the proposal would pose no threat to existing rights of shareholders;

(iii) The dilution, if any, of existing shares that would result from adoption of the proposal is warranted by the benefits of the proposal; and

(iv) If adopted, the proposal would not limit or impair the accountability of management and the board of directors to shareholders.

 

b. The Firm votes AGAINST a proposal if it believes that, on balance, the following factors predominate:

(i) If adopted, the proposal would have an adverse economic effect on shareholder value;

(ii) If adopted, the proposal would limit the rights of shareholders in a manner or to an extent that is not warranted by the benefits of adoption of the proposal;

 

(iii) If adopted, the proposal would cause significant dilution of shares that is not warranted by the benefits of the proposal;

(iv) If adopted, the proposal would limit or impair accountability of management or the board of directors to shareholders; or

(v) The proposal is a shareholder initiative that the Firm believes wastes time and resources of the company or reflects the grievance of one individual.

c. Abstentions. The Firm abstains from voting proxies when it believes that it is appropriate. Usually, this occurs when the Firm believes that a proposal holds negative but non-quantifiable implications for shareholder value but may express a legitimate concern or, for accounts other than registered investment companies, when the Firm believes that a proposal will not have a material effect on the Firm's investment strategy for Mutual Fund Accounts.

 

3. Conflicts of Interest. Due to the size and nature of the Firm's operations and the Firm's limited affiliations in the securities industry, the Firm does not expect that material conflicts of interest will arise between the Firm and a Mutual Fund Account over proxy voting. The Firm recognizes, however, that such conflicts may arise from time to time, such as, for example, when the Firm or one of its affiliates has a business arrangement that could be affected by the outcome of a proxy vote or has a personal or business relationship with a person seeking appointment or re-appointment as a director of a company. If a material conflict of interest arises, the Firm will vote all proxies in accordance with Part VII.A.2. The Firm will not place its own interests ahead of the interests of its Mutual Fund Accounts in voting proxies.

 

If the Firm determines that the proxy voting policies in Part VII.2 do not adequately address a material conflict of interest related to a proxy, it will provide the affected Client Account with copies of all proxy solicitation materials that the Firm receives with respect to that proxy, notify that Client Account of the actual or potential conflict of interest and of the Firm's intended response to the proxy request (which response will be in accordance with the policies set forth in Part VI.A.2(b)), and request that the Client Account consent to the Firm's intended response. If the Client Account consents to the Firm's intended response or fails to respond to the notice within a reasonable period of time specified in the notice, the Firm will vote the proxy as described in the notice. If the Client Account objects to the intended response, the Firm will vote the proxy as directed by the Client Account.

 

4. Disclosures to Clients. The Firm includes in Part 2A of its Form ADV (1) a summary of these policies and procedures relating to proxy voting, (2) an offer to provide a copy of such policies and procedures to clients

A-2
 

on request, and (3) information concerning how a client may obtain a report summarizing how the Firm voted proxies on behalf of such client. At the request of a Client Account or Investor (other than a Client Account that is a registered investment company under the ICA (a "Registered Fund")), the Firm provides that Client Account or Investor with a copy of this Part VII and a report summarizing all proxy solicitations the Firm received with respect to that Client Account during the period requested and action taken by the Firm on each such proxy. Regarding the proxy votes in respect of the portfolio securities in a Registered Fund, the Firm will provide that Registered Fund with the information required to be disclosed by that Registered Fund pursuant to Rule 30bl-4 of the ICA and SEC Form N-PX promulgated thereunder, including:

 

a. The name of the issuer of the portfolio security;

b. The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security;

c. The CUSP number for the portfolio security (unless not available through reasonable practical means, e.g., in the case of certain foreign issuers);

d. The shareholder meeting date;

e. A brief identification of the matter voted on;

f. Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;

g. Whether the Firm cast its vote on the matter;

h. How the Firm cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors); and

i. Whether the Firm cast its vote for or against management.

 

Records.

 

See the Firm’s Books and Records policy regarding records that the Firm must maintain.

 

A-3
 

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28. Exhibits.

 

(a) Articles of Incorporation.

 

(i) Registrant's Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated May 30, 2019 as previously filed on June 7, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 411, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii) Certificate of Trust, which was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 30, 2011, is incorporated by reference.

 

(b) By-Laws. Registrant's By-Laws as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holder. None other than in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Registrant.

 

(d) Investment Advisory Contracts.

  

(i) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund as previously filed on November 13, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on December 17, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii)(b) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on January 22, 2019 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 379, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core US Fund as previously filed on December 26, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iii)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core US Fund as previously filed on June 17, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 247, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iii)(b) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core US Fund as previously filed on January 22, 2019 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 379, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Gratus Capital, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Marathon Value Portfolio as previously filed on January 18, 2018 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 314, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iv) (a) Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between Gratus Capital, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Marathon Value Portfolio as previously filed on January 8, 2018 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 313, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(v) Investment Advisory Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Sherman Tactical Allocation Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 51, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vi)(a) First Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on October 25, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 305, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland Real Asset Opportunities Fund as previously filed on September 23, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 70, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vii)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland Real Asset Opportunities Fund as previously filed on January 22, 2019 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 379, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(viii) Investment Advisory Agreement between First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to The Teberg Fund as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 86, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ix) Investment Advisory Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 85, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(x)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund as previously filed on February 26, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 236, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Horizon Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Issachar Fund as previously filed on February 10, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 93, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xi)(a) First Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Horizon Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Issachar Fund as previously filed on July 25, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 416, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund as previously filed on April 25, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 107, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xii) (a) Second Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant with respect to Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund, Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund and Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund as previously filed on July 28, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 300, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xii) (b) Third Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant with respect to Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund as previously filed on April 25, 2019 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 404, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

 

(xiii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and the Registrant with respect to the HCM Tactical Growth Fund as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xiii)(a) First Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and the Registrant with respect to the HCM Tactical Growth Fund as previously filed on April 28, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 294, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xiv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Select Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 113 under the 1940 Act, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xiv)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Select Fund as previously filed on January 22, 2019 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 379, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 130, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xv)(a) Third Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant with respect to Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund as previously filed on July 24, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xv)(b) Fourth Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant with respect to Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund as previously filed on October 26, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 352, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xvi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund as previously filed on September 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 203, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xvii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on December 3, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 143, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xvii)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on January 23, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 270, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xviii) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc., and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xviii)(a) Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc., and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund and Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on January 23, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 270, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xix) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc., and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xx) Investment Advisory Agreement between Ascendant Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund, as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund, as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund, as previously filed on June 2, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 171, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxii)(a) First Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund as previously filed on April 28, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 294, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxii)(b) Second Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund as previously filed on April 25, 2019 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 404, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxiii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial LLC and Registrant with respect to the Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund and Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund as previously filed on September 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 203, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxiv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Absolute Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund as previously filed on December 14, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 373, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxvi) Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between Absolute Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund as previously filed on July 24, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxvii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund as previously filed on October 19, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 208, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxvii)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund as previously filed on October 25, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 305, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxviii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund as previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 210, and hereby incorporated by reference.

  

(xxix) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC, and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund as previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 210, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxx) Investment Advisory Agreement between Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Boyd Watterson Short Duration Enhanced Income Fund as previously filed on June 17, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 247, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and the Registrant with respect to the HCM Income Plus Fund as previously filed on January 23, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 270, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxi)(a) First Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to the HCM Income Plus Fund as previously filed on July 24, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Long-Short Equity Fund as previously filed on July 14, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 297, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxiii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Municipal Fund as previously filed on May 1, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 338, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxiv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle TrendRating Innovative Equity Fund and Pinnacle Dynamic Growth Fund as previously filed on November 16, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 365, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Growth Fund as previously filed on November 16, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 364, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxvi) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC, and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Growth Fund as previously filed on December 14, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 373, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxvii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Ascendant Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to ACM Tactical Income Fund as previously filed on December 21, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 377, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxviii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and Registrant with respect to the HCM Defender 100 Index ETF and HCM Defender 500 Index ETF is filed herewith.

 

(e) Underwriting Contracts.

 

(i) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC as previously filed on June 7, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 411, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii) ETF Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is filed herewith.

 

(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. None.

 

(g) Custodial Agreement.

 

(i) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Huntington National Bank as previously filed on August 28, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Union Bank, N.A. as previously filed on August 28, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iii) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A. as previously filed on February 10, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 93, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iii)(a) Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A. as previously filed on May 15, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 113 under the 1940 Act, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iv) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and First National Bank of Omaha as previously filed on October 14, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 139, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(v) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Fifth Third Bank as previously filed on July 14, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 297, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vi) Custody and Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is filed herewith.

 

(h) Other Material Contracts.

 

(i) Fund Services Agreement as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund as previously filed on November 13, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on December 17, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iii)(a) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on January 23, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 270, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iii)(b) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on January 22, 2019 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 379, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core U.S. Fund as previously filed on December 26, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, and hereby incorporated by reference. 

 

(iv)(a) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core U.S. Fund as previously filed on January 22, 2019 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 379, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(v) Expense Limitation Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Sherman Tactical Allocation Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 51, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to The Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vi)(a) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to The Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on April 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective No. 163, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vi)(b) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to The Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on October 25, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 305, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland Real Asset Opportunities Fund as previously filed on September 23, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 70, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vii)(a) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland Real Asset Opportunities Fund as previously filed on January 22, 2019 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 379, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(viii) Expense Limitation Agreement between First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to The Teberg Fund as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 86, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ix) Expense Limitation Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund as previously filed on January 8, 2018 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 313, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(x) Expense Limitation Agreement between Horizon Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Issachar Fund as previously filed on February 27, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 98, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(x)(a) First Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Horizon Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Issachar Fund, as previously filed on July 25, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 416, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund as previously filed on April 25, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 107, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Select Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 113 under the 1940 Act, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xii)(a) First Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Select Fund as previously filed on January 22, 2019 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 379, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xiii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 130, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xiv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and Registrant, with respect to the HCM Tactical Growth Fund as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund as previously filed on September 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 203, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xvi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on December 3, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 143, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xvii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Ascendant Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xviii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xviii)(a) First Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund as previously filed on April 25, 2019 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 404, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xix) Expense Limitation Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund as previously filed on June 2, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xx) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxiii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Absolute Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund as previously filed on October 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 207, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxiv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund as previously filed on October 19, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 208, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxv) Consulting Services Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC, as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxvi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant with respect of the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund as previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 210, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxvii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Boyd Watterson Limited Duration Enhanced Income Fund as previously filed on June 17, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 247, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxvii)(a) First Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Boyd Watterson Limited Duration Enhanced Income Fund as previously filed on April 28, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 294, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxvii)(b) Second Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Boyd Watterson Limited Duration Enhanced Income Fund as previously filed on October 29, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 355, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxvii)(c) Third Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Boyd Watterson Limited Duration Enhanced Income Fund as previously filed on February 27, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 401, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxviii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and Registrant, with respect to the HCM Income Plus Fund as previously filed on January 23, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 270, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxix) Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Long-Short Equity Fund as previously filed on July 14, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 297, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxx) Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Municipal Fund as previously filed on May 1, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 338, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle TrendRating Innovative Equity Fund and Pinnacle Dynamic Growth Fund as previously filed on November 16, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 365, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund, Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund as previously filed on November 2, 2018 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 356, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxiii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to Swan Defined Risk Growth Fund as previously filed on November 16, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 364, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxiv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Ascendant Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the ACM Tactical Income Fund as previously filed on December 21, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 377, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and Registrant, with respect to the HCM Income Plus Fund as previously field on July 9, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 414, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxvi) ETF Fund Services Agreement between Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC is filed herewith.

 

(i) Legal Opinion and Consent is filed herewith

 

(j) Other Opinions. None.

 

(k) Omitted Financial Statements. None.

 

(l) Initial Capital Agreements. None.

 

(m) Rule 12b-1 Plans.

 

(i) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A Shares as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(i)(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A Shares as previously filed on December 21, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 377, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C Shares as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii)(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C Shares as previously filed on November 16, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 364, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class N Shares as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iv) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for No-Load Shares as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(v) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Non-Designated Class as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vi) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class R Shares as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference. 

 

(vi)(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class R as previously filed on June 17, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 247, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A1 as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(viii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Investor Class Shares as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(viii)(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Investor Class Shares as previously filed on April 28, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 294, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ix) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for ETF Shares is filed herewith.

 

 

(n)       (i) Rule 18f-3 Plan as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(i)(a) Amended and Restated Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 Plan as previously filed on June 7, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 411, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(o) Reserved.

 

(p) Code of Ethics.

 

(i) Code of Ethics for the Trust as previously filed on April 25, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 337, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii) Code of Ethics for Northern Lights Distributors, LLC as previously filed on October 26, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 352, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iii) Code of Ethics of Swan Capital Management, Inc. as previously filed on June 8, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 4, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iv) Code of Ethics of Persimmon Capital Management LP as previously filed on December 14, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 373, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(v) Code of Ethics of Good Harbor Financial, LLC as previously filed on June 7, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 411, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vi) Code of Ethics of Pinnacle Family Advisors, LLC as previously filed on May 15, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 51, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vii) Code of Ethics of Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC as previously filed on July 26, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 298, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(viii) Code of Ethics of First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc. as previously filed on April 25, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 337, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

 (ix) Code of Ethics of RESQ Investment Partners, LLC is filed herewith.

 

(x) Code of Ethics of Horizon Capital Management, Inc. as previously filed on April 25, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 337, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xi) Code of Ethics of Newfound Research LLC as previously filed on June 7, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 411, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xii) Code of Ethics of Howard Capital Management, Inc. as previously filed on July 26, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 298, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xiii) Code of Ethics of Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC as previously filed on April 25, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 337, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xiv) Code of Ethics of Ascendant Capital Management, LLC as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xv) Code of Ethics of Swan Global Management, LLC as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, and hereby incorporated by reference.

  

(xvi) Code of Ethics of Absolute Capital Management, LLC as previously filed on June 7, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 411, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xvii) Code of Ethics of Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC as previously filed on December 14, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 373, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xviii) Code of Ethics for Gratus Capital, LLC as previously filed on April 25, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 337, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(q) Powers of Attorney.

 

(i) Power of Attorney for the Trust, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each executive officer, as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii) Power of Attorney for each trustee as previously filed on February 26, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 159, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iii) Power of Attorney for the Trust, and a certificate with respect thereto, for Brian Curley as previously filed on June 17, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 247, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(iv) Power of Attorney for the Trust, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each executive officer, as previously filed on October 25, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 305, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

Item 29. Control Persons. None.

 

Item 30. Indemnification.

 

Generally, certain of the agreements with the Trust, or related to the Trust, provide indemnification of the Trust’s Trustees, officers, the underwriter, and certain Trust affiliates.  Insurance carried by the Trust provides indemnification of the Trustees and officers.  The details of these sources of indemnification and insurance follow.

 

Article VIII, Section 2(a) of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that to the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of Trustees and officers are permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act of 2002, the officers and Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any act or omission of: any agent or employee of the Trust; any investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust; or with respect to each Trustee and officer, the act or omission of any other Trustee or officer, respectively. The Trust, out of the Trust Property, is required to indemnify and hold harmless each and every officer and Trustee from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever arising out of or related to such officer’s or Trustee’s performance of his or her duties as an officer or Trustee of the Trust. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a Trustee or officer of the Trust whether or not such person is a Trustee or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted. Nothing contained in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust indemnifies, holds harmless or protects any officer or Trustee from or against any liability to the Trust or any shareholder to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

 

Article VIII, Section 2(b) provides that every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or document whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust, the officers or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in such Person’s capacity as Trustee and/or as officer, and such Trustee or officer, as applicable, shall not be personally liable therefore, except as described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 2 of Article VIII.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Delaware law and the Agreement and Declaration of the Registrant or the By-Laws of the Registrant, 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 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement between the Trust and Northern lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD”), 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,  (ii) the breach of any representations, warranties or obligations set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, (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 the FINRA on a timely basis, (vi) the Trust’s failure to properly register Fund Shares under applicable state laws, or (vii) reasonable actions taken by NLD resulting from NLD’s reliance on instructions received from an officer, agent or legal counsel of the Trust.

 

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, 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 any sales literature, advertisements, information, statements or representations made by NLD and unauthorized by the Trust or any Disqualifying Conduct in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares, or (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.  

 

The Registrant maintains a mutual fund directors and officers liability policy. The policy, under certain circumstances, such as the inability of the Trust to indemnify Trustees and officers provides coverage to Trustees and officers.  Coverage under the policy would include losses by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or certain breaches of duty.

 

Generally, each management agreement or investment advisory agreement provides that neither the adviser nor any director, manager, officer or employee of the adviser performing services for the Trust at the direction or request of the adviser in connection with the adviser's discharge of its obligations under the agreement shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with any matter to which the agreement relates, and the adviser shall not be responsible for any action of the Trustees of the Trust in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendation of the adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the adviser pursuant to Section 9 of the agreement; PROVIDED, that nothing contained in the agreement shall be construed (i) to protect the adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the adviser's duties, or by reason of the adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the agreement, or (ii) to protect any director, manager, officer or employee of the adviser who is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability of the Trust or its shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person's office with the Trust.  Additionally, generally, each sub-advisory agreement provides that the subadviser shall indemnify the adviser, the Trust and each Fund, and their respective affiliates and controlling persons for any liability and expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, which the adviser, the Trust and/or the Fund and their respective affiliates and controlling persons may sustain as a result of the subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the federal and state securities laws.  Generally, each sub-advisory agreement provides that adviser shall indemnify the subadviser, its affiliates and its controlling persons, for any liability and expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, which may be sustained as a result of the adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the federal and state securities laws.

 

 Item 31. Activities of Investment Advisor and Sub-Advisor.

 

Certain information pertaining to the business and other connections of each Advisor of each series of the Trust is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the section of the respective Prospectus captioned "Investment Advisor" and to the section of the respective Statement of Additional Information captioned "Investment Advisory and Other Services." The information required by this Item 31 with respect to each director, officer or partner of each Advisor is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration ("Form ADV") on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Each Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, and may be requested by File No. as follows:

 

Swan Capital Management, LLC the Advisor of the Swan Defined Risk Fund, Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund, Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund and Swan Defined Risk Growth Fund – File No. 801-76701.

 

Swan Global Management, LLC, a Sub-Adviser of the Swan Defined Risk Fund, Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund, Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund and Swan Defined Risk Growth Fund – File No. 801-80552.

 

Persimmon Capital Management, LP, the Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-56210.

 

Good Harbor Financial, LLC, the Adviser of the Good Harbor Tactical Select Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Core US Fund, Leland Real Asset Opportunities Fund, Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund and Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund – File No. 801-71064.

 

Gratus Capital, LLC, the Adviser of the Marathon Value Portfolio – File No. 801-40286.

 

Pinnacle Family Advisors, LLC, the Adviser of the Pinnacle Sherman Tactical Allocation Fund, Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund, Pinnacle TrendRating Innovative Equity Fund and Pinnacle Dynamic Growth Fund – File No. 801-78013.

 

Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC, the Adviser of The Covered Bridge Fund– File No. 801-53760.

 

First Associated Investment Advisors, the Adviser of The Teberg Fund – File No. 801-60972.

 

RESQ Investment Partners, LLC, the Adviser of the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund – File No. 801-78822.

  

Horizon Capital Management, Inc., the Adviser of the Issachar Fund – File No. 801-26038.

 

Newfound Research LLC the Adviser of the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund, Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund and Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund – File No. 801-73042.

 

Howard Capital Management, Inc. the Adviser of the HCM Tactical Growth Fund, HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund, HCM Income Plus Fund, HCM Defender 500 Index ETF and HCM Defender 100 Index ETF – File No. 801-69763.

 

Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC the Adviser of the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund, Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund, Counterpoint Long-Short Equity Fund and Counterpoint Tactical Municipal Fund – File No. 801-80197.

 

Ascendant Capital Management, LLC the Adviser of ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund and ACM Tactical Income Fund – File No. 801-80770.

 

Absolute Capital Management, LLC the Adviser of Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund – File No. 801-61336.

 

Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC the Adviser of Boyd Watterson Limited Duration Enhanced Income Fund – File No. 801-57468.

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriter.

(a) NLD is the principal underwriter for all series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III. NLD also acts as principal underwriter for the following:

 

AdvisorOne Funds, Arrow ETF Trust, Arrow Investments Trust, Centerstone Investors Trust, Copeland Trust, Equinox Funds Trust, Miller Investment Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, Mutual Fund and Variable Insurance Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, Northern Lights Variable Trust, OCM Mutual Fund, PREDEX, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, Tributary Funds, Inc.

 

(b) NLD is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The principal business address of NLD is 17645 Wright Street, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. NLD is an affiliate of Gemini Fund Services, LLC and is a subsidiary of The Ultimus Group, LLC and companies controlled by it. The following are the officers of NLD:

 

Name Positions and Offices with Underwriter Positions and Offices with the Trust
William J. Strait President, General Counsel, Secretary, and Manager None
Daniel Applegarth Treasurer and Financial Operations Principal None
Janelle Hardy Vice President, Compliance None
Mike Nielsen Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer None
Kevin Wolf Manager None
David Young Manager None
Mike Wagner Manager None

 

(c) Not applicable.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.

 

All accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 through 31a-3 thereunder are maintained at the office of the Registrant, Adviser, Sub-Adviser, Principal Underwriter, Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant, Administrator and Custodian at the addresses stated in the SAI.

 

Swan Capital Management, LLC 1099 Main Ave., Ste. 260, Durango, CO 81301, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund, Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund, Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund and Swan Defined Risk Growth Fund.

 

Persimmon Capital Management, LP, 1777 Sentry Parkway, Gwynedd Hall, Suite 102, Blue Bell, PA 19422 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.

 

Good Harbor Financial, LLC, 330 East Main Street, Third Floor, Barrington, IL 60010, pursuant to the Advisory Agreements with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Select Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Core US Fund, Leland Real Asset Opportunities Fund, Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund and Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund.

 

Gratus Capital, LLC, 3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 1550, Atlanta, GA, 30339 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Marathon Value Portfolio.

 

Pinnacle Family Advisors, LLC, 620 W. Republic Road, Suite 104, Springfield, MO 65810 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Pinnacle Sherman Tactical Allocation Fund, Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund, Pinnacle TrendRating Innovative Equity Fund and Pinnacle Dynamic Growth Fund.

 

Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC, 2550 University Avenue West, Suite 180 South, Saint Paul, MN 55114 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to The Covered Bridge Fund.

 

First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc., 5161 Miller Trunk Highway Duluth, MN 55811 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to The Teberg Fund.

 

RESQ Investment Partners, LLC 9383 East Bahia Drive, Suite 120, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to RESQ Dynamic Allocation Fund and RESQ Strategic Income Fund.

 

Horizon Capital Management, Inc. 106 Valerie Drive, Lafayette, LA 70508 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Issachar Fund.

 

Newfound Research LLC, 425 Boylston Street, Third Floor, Boston, MA 02116 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund, Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund and Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund.

 

Howard Capital Management, Inc., 1145 Hembree Road, Rosewell, GA 30076 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the HCM Tactical Growth Fund, HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund, HCM Income Plus Fund, HCM Defender 500 Index ETF and HCM Defender 100 Index ETF.

 

Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC 12760 High Bluff Drive, Suite 280, San Diego, CA 92130 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund, Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund, Counterpoint Long-Short Equity Fund and Counterpoint Tactical Municipal Fund.

 

Ascendant Capital Management, LLC 10866 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90024 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund and ACM Tactical Income Fund.

 

Swan Global Management, LLC 41 Shell Castle, Humacao, PR 00791 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Swan Capital Management, Inc., maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Swan Defined Risk, Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund, Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund and Swan Defined Risk Growth Fund.

 

Absolute Capital Management, LLC 101 Pennsylvania Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund.

 

Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC 1301 East 9th Street, Suite 2900, Cleveland, OH 44114 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Boyd Watterson Limited Duration Enhanced Income Fund.

 

Item 34. Management Services. Not applicable.

 

Item 35. Undertakings. The Registrant undertakes that each Subsidiary and each Director of each Subsidiary hereby consents to service of process within the United States, and to examination of its books and records.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Hauppauge, and State of New York, on the 6th day of September, 2019.

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

 

By: /s/ Richard Malinowski

Richard Malinowski, President

 

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

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

Name Title
/s/ Richard Malinowski President
Brian Curley* Treasurer
James U. Jensen* Independent Trustee
Patricia Luscombe* Independent Trustee
John V. Palancia* Independent Trustee
Mark H. Taylor* Independent Trustee
Jeffery D. Young* Independent Trustee

 

*By:                                                                       Date:

/s/ Eric D. Kane                                                    September 6, 2019

Eric D. Kane, Esq.

 

*Attorney-in-Fact – Pursuant to Powers of Attorney as previously filed February 26, 2015, June 17, 2016 and October 25, 2017.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Exhibit No.
Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and Registrant (d)(xxxviii)
ETF Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC* (e)(ii)
Custody and Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (g)(vi)
ETF Fund Services Agreement between Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC* (h)(xxxvi)
Legal Consent and Opinion (i)
Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for ETF Shares (m)(ix)
Code of Ethics of RESQ Investment Partners, LLC (p)(ix)

*Portions of these Exhibits have been omitted.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Between

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

and

HOWARD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

This AGREEMENT is made as of August 29, 2019 between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and Howard Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the “Adviser”) located at 1145 Hembree Rd. Roswell GA 30076.

 

RECITALS:

 

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

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, each having its own investment objective or objectives, policies and limitations;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust offers shares in the series named on Appendix A hereto (such series, together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 1.3, being herein referred to as a “Fund,” and collectively as the “Funds”);

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser is or soon will be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; and

 

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser to render investment advisory services to the Trust with respect to the Funds in the manner and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Services of the Adviser.

 

1.1 Investment Advisory Services. The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Funds and, as such, shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of each Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective(s), policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by the Funds, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission than may be charged by other brokers.

 

The Trust hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement, which is a member of a national securities exchange, to effect any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Trust which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Trust hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv) provided the transaction complies with the Trust’s Rule 17e-1 policies and procedures.

 

The Adviser shall carry out its duties with respect to each Fund’s investments in accordance with applicable law and the investment objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in each Fund’s then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser.

 

1.2 Administrative Services. The Trust has engaged the services of an administrator. The Adviser shall provide such additional administrative services as reasonably requested by the Board of Trustees or officers of the Trust; provided, that the Adviser shall not have any obligation to provide under this Agreement any direct or indirect services to Trust shareholders, any services related to the distribution of Trust shares, or any other services which are the subject of a separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to the foregoing, in providing administrative services hereunder, the Adviser shall:

 

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1.2.1 Office Space, Equipment and Facilities. Provide such office space, office equipment and office facilities as are adequate to fulfill the Adviser’s obligations hereunder.

 

1.2.2 Personnel. Provide, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust, the services of individuals competent to perform the administrative functions which are not performed by employees or other agents engaged by the Trust or by the Adviser acting in some other capacity pursuant to a separate agreement or arrangement with the Trust.

 

1.2.3 Agents. Assist the Trust in selecting and coordinating the activities of the other agents engaged by the Trust, including the Trust’s shareholder servicing agent, custodian, administrator, independent auditors and legal counsel.

 

1.2.4 Trustees and Officers. Authorize and permit the Adviser’s directors, officers and employees who may be elected or appointed as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in such capacities, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust.

 

1.2.5 Books and Records. Assure that all financial, accounting and other records required to be maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are maintained and preserved by it in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

1.2.6 Reports and Filings. Assist in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by each Fund to its shareholders and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Funds and Fund shares, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to each Fund, under federal and state securities and tax laws.

 

1.3 Additional Series. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series after the effectiveness of this Agreement (“Additional Series”), Appendix A to this Agreement may be amended to make such Additional Series subject to this Agreement upon the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the shareholder(s) of the Additional Series, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The Trust or the Adviser may elect not to make any such series subject to this Agreement.

 

1.4 Change in Management or Control. The Adviser shall provide at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the Trust of any change in the ownership or management of the Adviser, or any event or action that may constitute a change in “control,” as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Act. The Adviser shall provide prompt notice of any change in the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.

 

2. Expenses of the Funds.

 

2.1 Expenses to be Paid by Adviser. The Adviser shall pay all salaries, expenses and fees of the officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors, members or employees of the Adviser.

 

In the event that the Adviser pays or assumes any expenses of the Trust not required to be paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Adviser shall not be obligated hereby to pay or assume the same or any similar expense in the future; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to relieve the Adviser of any obligation to the Funds under any separate agreement or arrangement between the parties.

 

2.2 Expenses to be Paid by the Funds. The Funds shall bear all expenses of its operation, except those specifically allocated to the Adviser under this Agreement or under any separate agreement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to any separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser, the expenses hereby allocated to the Funds, and not to the Adviser, include but are not limited to:

 

2.2.1 Custody. All charges of depositories, custodians, and other agents for the transfer, receipt, safekeeping, and servicing of the Funds’ cash, securities, and other property.

 

2.2.2 Shareholder Servicing. All expenses of maintaining and servicing shareholder accounts, including but not limited to the charges of any shareholder servicing agent, dividend disbursing agent, transfer agent or other agent engaged by the Trust to service shareholder accounts.

 

2.2.3 Shareholder Reports. All expenses of preparing, setting in type, printing and distributing reports and other communications to shareholders.

 

2.2.4 Prospectuses. All expenses of preparing, converting to EDGAR format, filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other appropriate regulatory body, setting in type, printing and mailing annual or more frequent revisions of each Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and any supplements thereto and of supplying them to shareholders.

 

2.2.5 Pricing and Portfolio Valuation. All expenses of computing each Fund’s net asset value per share, including any equipment or services obtained for the purpose of pricing shares or valuing each Fund’s investment portfolio.

 

2.2.6 Communications. All charges for equipment or services used for communications between the Adviser or the Trust and any custodian, shareholder servicing agent, portfolio accounting services agent, or other agent engaged by the Trust.

2
 

 

2.2.7 Legal and Accounting Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust’s legal counsel and independent accountants.

 

2.2.8 Trustees’ Fees and Expenses. All compensation of Trustees other than those affiliated with the Adviser, all expenses incurred in connection with such unaffiliated Trustees’ services as Trustees, and all other expenses of meetings of the Trustees and committees of the Trustees.

 

2.2.9 Shareholder Meetings. All expenses incidental to holding meetings of shareholders, including the printing of notices and proxy materials, and proxy solicitations therefor.

 

2.2.10 Federal Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of registering and maintaining the registration of each Fund under the Act and the registration of the Funds’ shares under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), including all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, converting to EDGAR format, setting in type, printing, and filing of any Registration Statement, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information under the 1933 Act or the Act, and any amendments or supplements that may be made from time to time.

 

2.2.11 State Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of taking required action to permit the offer and sale of each Fund’s shares under securities laws of various states or jurisdictions, and of registration and qualification of each Fund under all other laws applicable to the Trust or its business activities (including registering the Trust as a broker-dealer, or any officer of the Trust or any person as agent or salesperson of the Trust in any state).

 

2.2.12 Confirmations. All expenses incurred in connection with the issue and transfer of Fund shares, including the expenses of confirming all share transactions.

 

2.2.13 Bonding and Insurance. All expenses of bond, liability, and other insurance coverage required by law or regulation or deemed advisable by the Trustees of the Trust, including, without limitation, such bond, liability and other insurance expenses that may from time to time be allocated to each Fund in a manner approved by its Trustees.

 

2.2.14 Brokerage Commissions. All brokers’ commissions and other charges incident to the purchase, sale or lending of the Funds’ portfolio securities.

 

2.2.15 Taxes. All taxes or governmental fees payable by or with respect to each Fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies, domestic or foreign, including stamp or other transfer taxes.

 

2.2.16 Trade Association Fees. All fees, dues and other expenses incurred in connection with the Trust’s membership in any trade association or other investment organization.

 

2.2.18 Compliance Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer.

 

2.2.19 Nonrecurring and Extraordinary Expenses. Such nonrecurring and extraordinary expenses as may arise including the costs of actions, suits, or proceedings to which the Trust is a party and the expenses the Trust may incur as a result of its legal obligation to provide indemnification to its officers, Trustees and agents.

 

3. Advisory Fee.

 

As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, each Fund shall pay the Adviser on the last day of each month, or as promptly as possible thereafter, a fee calculated by applying a monthly rate, based on an annual percentage rate, to each Fund’s average daily net assets for the month. The annual percentage rate applicable to each Fund is set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with Section 1.3 of this Agreement. If this Agreement shall be effective for only a portion of a month with respect to a Fund, the aforesaid fee shall be prorated for the portion of such month during which this Agreement is in effect for the Fund.

 

4. Proxy Voting.

 

The Adviser will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of each Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that the Adviser deems, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Funds and in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policy. The Adviser agrees to provide a copy of its proxy voting policy to the Trust prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.

 

5. Records.

 

3
 

5.1 Tax Treatment. Both the Adviser and the Trust shall maintain, or arrange for others to maintain, the books and records of the Trust in such a manner that treats each Fund as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes.

 

5.2 Ownership. All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Trust pursuant to the provisions or rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 31(a) of the Act and maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are the property of the Trust and shall be surrendered by the Adviser promptly on request by the Trust; provided, that the Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records.

 

6. Reports to Adviser.

 

The Trust shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Adviser such copies of each Fund’s Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, financial statements, proxy statements, reports and other information relating to its business and affairs as the Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.

 

7. Reports to the Trust.

 

The Adviser shall prepare and furnish to the Trust such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as the Trust may reasonably request.

 

8. Code of Ethics.

 

The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements 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, the Adviser 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 the Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent “access persons” (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.

 

9. Retention of Sub-Adviser.

 

Subject to the Trust’s obtaining the initial and periodic approvals required under Section 15 of the Act, the Adviser may retain one or more sub-advisers, at the Adviser’s own cost and expense, for the purpose of managing the investments of the assets of one or more Funds of the Trust. Retention of one or more sub-advisers shall in no way reduce the responsibilities or obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement and the Adviser shall, subject to Section 11 of this Agreement, be responsible to the Trust for all acts or omissions of any sub-adviser in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s duties hereunder.

 

10. Services to Other Clients.

 

Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser to render investment management and administrative services to other investment companies, to act as investment adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in other business activities.

 

11. Limitation of Liability of Adviser and its Personnel.

 

Neither the Adviser nor any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser performing services for the Trust at the direction or request of the Adviser in connection with the Adviser’s discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates, and the Adviser shall not be responsible for any action of the Trustees of the Trust in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendation of the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement; PROVIDED, that nothing herein contained shall be construed (i) to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties, or by reason of the Adviser’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) to protect any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser who is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability of the Trust or its shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office with the Trust.

 

12. Effect of Agreement.

 

4
 

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require to the Trust to take any action contrary to its Declaration of Trust or its By-Laws or any applicable law, regulation or order to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trustees of the Trust of their responsibility for and control of the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust.

13. Term of Agreement.

 

With respect to the Funds, the term of this Agreement shall begin as of the date and year upon which the Funds commence investment operations, and unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Funds from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof; PROVIDED, such continuance with respect to a Fund is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds or by the Trustees of the Trust; PROVIDED, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.

 

14. Amendment or Assignment of Agreement.

 

Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; PROVIDED, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized (i) by resolution of the Trustees of the Trust, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds affected by such amendment if required by applicable law. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.

 

15. Termination of Agreement.

 

This Agreement may be terminated as to any Fund at any time by either party hereto, without the payment of any penalty, upon sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party; PROVIDED, that in the case of termination by any Fund, such action shall have been authorized (i) by resolution of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, including the vote or written consent of Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, or (ii) by vote of majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund.

 

16. Use of Name.

 

The Trust is named the Northern Lights Fund Trust III and each Fund may be identified, in part, by the name “Northern Lights.”

 

17. Declaration of Trust.

 

The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, and its assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Trust. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of any Fund under the Declaration of Trust are separate and distinct from those of any and all other Funds. The Adviser further understands and agrees that no Fund of the Trust shall be liable for any claims against any other Fund of the Trust and that the Adviser must look solely to the assets of the pertinent Fund of the Trust for the enforcement or satisfaction of any claims against the Trust with respect to that Fund.

 

18. Confidentiality.

 

The Adviser agrees to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of the Funds 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, the Adviser and the Adviser’s officers, directors, members and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of a Fund, as a result of disclosing the Funds’ portfolio holdings. The Adviser agrees that, consistent with the Adviser’s Code of Ethics, neither the Adviser nor the Adviser’s officers, directors, members or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about a Funds’ portfolio holdings.

 

19. Governing Law.

 

This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

5
 

20. Interpretation and Definition of Terms.

 

Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts, or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the Act. Specifically, the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons,” “assignment” and “affiliated person,” as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.

 

21. Captions.

 

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

 

22. Execution in Counterparts.

 

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

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date and year first above written.

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

 

By: /s/ Richard Malinowski

 

Name: Richard Malinowski

 

Title: President

 

 

 

Howard Capital Management, Inc.

 

 

By: /s/ Vance Howard

 

Name: Vance Howard

 

Title: CEO

 

6
 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

APPENDIX A

 

FUNDS OF THE TRUST

 

NAME OF FUND

ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF

AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND

HCM Defender 100 Index ETF 0.77%
HCM Defender 500 Index ETF 0.77%

 

7
 

[Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material and would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed]

 

ETF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

This ETF Distribution Agreement (this “Agreement”) is effective the 29th day of August, 2019, between Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of itself and the fund(s) listed on Schedule B, as may be amended from time to time (each, a “Fund”, and collectively, the “Funds”), and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Distributor”).

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is, registered as an open-end investment management company organized as a statutory trust and comprised of a number of series of securities, each series representing a portfolio of securities, having filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

 

WHEREAS, the Trust intends to create and redeem shares (the “Shares”) of each Fund on a continuous basis only in aggregations of Shares constituting a “Creation Unit” as such term is defined in the registration statement;

 

WHEREAS, the Shares of each Fund will be listed on one or more national securities exchanges (together, the “Listing Exchanges”);

 

WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Distributor to act as the distributor with respect to the distribution of Creation Units of each Fund;

 

WHEREAS, the Distributor is a registered broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Distributor desires to provide the services described herein to the Trust and Funds.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, intending to be legally bound, the Trust, on behalf of itself and the Fund, and the Distributor hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Sale of Creation Units; Services

 

(a)                  The Trust grants to the Distributor the exclusive right to sell Creation Units of each Fund listed on Schedule B hereto, on the terms and during the term of this Agreement and subject to the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC, and the Distributor hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in such capacity hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, the Distributor shall perform the distribution services and shall perform the marketing services set forth in Schedule A. The Trust acknowledges and agrees that Distributor is and may in the future distribute shares of other investment companies including investment

1
 

companies having investment objectives similar to those of the Funds. The Trust further understands that existing and future investors in a Fund may invest in shares of such other

investment companies. The Trust agrees that the services that Distributor provides to such other investment companies shall not be deemed in conflict with its duties to the Fund under this Agreement.

 

(b) Duties of the Distributor

 

a. The Distributor agrees that at the request of the Trust, the Distributor shall enter into certain agreements (“Participant Agreements”) between and among DTC Participants or participants in the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“Authorized Participants”), the Distributor and the transfer agent (as applicable), for the purchase of Creation Units of a Fund.

 

b. The Distributor shall consult with the Trust or its agent with respect to the production and printing of prospectuses to be used in connection with creations by Authorized Participants of Creation Units. The Distributor will generally make it known in the brokerage community that Funds’ prospectuses and statements of additional information (“SAI”) are available, including by (i) advising the Listing Exchanges on behalf of its member firms of the same, (ii) making such disclosure in all marketing and advertising materials prepared and/or filed by the Distributor with FINRA, and (iii) as may otherwise be required by the SEC. The Distributor shall not bear any costs associated with printing prospectuses, SAIs and other such materials.

 

c. The Distributor shall review and approve all sales and marketing materials for compliance with applicable laws and conditions of any applicable exemptive order, and file such materials with FINRA as necessary or appropriate. All such sales and marketing materials must be approved, in writing, by the Distributor prior to use, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

d. If the Trust, on behalf of any Fund, adopts a distribution and/or shareholder servicing plan(s) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”), the Distributor shall enter into selling and/or investor servicing agreements or similar (“Sales and Investor Services Agreements”), consistent with applicable law and the registration statement and prospectus, with various broker-dealers, to sell Shares and provide services to shareholders. The Distributor agrees that (i) it shall assist in the administration of any Plan(s); (ii) it shall, at its own expense, set up and maintain a system of recording payments of fees and reimbursement of expenses disseminated pursuant to this Agreement and other agreements related to any such Plan(s) and, pursuant to the 1940 Act, report such payment activity to the Trust at least quarterly; (iii) it shall receive from the Trust all distribution and shareholder servicing fees, as applicable, at the rate and to the extent payable under the terms and conditions set forth in any Plan(s) adopted by the Trust, applicable to the appropriate class of Shares of each Fund or class of Shares thereof, as such Plan(s) may be amended from time to time, and subject to any further limitations on such fees as the Board of Trustees of the Trust may impose; and

(iv) it shall pay, from the fees received from the Trust pursuant to any such Plan(s), all fees and make reimbursement of all expenses, pursuant to and in accordance with such

2
 

Plan(s) and any and all Sales and Investor Services Agreements. In no event shall

Distributor pay any fees pursuant to any such Plan(s) until it has received payment of such fees from the Trust or the adviser.

 

e. The Distributor has as of the date hereof, and shall at all times have and maintain, net capital of not less than that required by Rule 15c3-1 under the 1934 Act, or any successor provision thereto. In the event that the net capital of the Distributor shall fall below that required by Rule 15c3-1, or any successor provision thereto, the Distributor shall promptly provide notice to the Trust and the adviser of such event.

 

f. The Distributor agrees to maintain and preserve such records as are required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder.

 

g. The Distributor agrees to maintain compliance policies and procedures (a “Compliance Program”) that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Federal Securities Laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act) with respect to the Distributor’s services under this Agreement, and to provide any and all information with respect to the Compliance Program, including without limitation, information and certifications with respect to material violations of the Compliance Program and any material deficiencies or changes therein, as may be reasonably requested by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer or Board of Trustees.

 

h. Upon reasonable request by the Trust, the Distributor shall provide the Trust with information relating to the services provided pursuant to this Agreement as necessary and applicable to enable the Trust to complete required regulatory filings.

 

2. Solicitation of Sales

 

In consideration of these rights granted to the Distributor, the Distributor agrees to use reasonable efforts in connection with the distribution of Creations Units of the Fund; provided, however, that the Distributor shall not be prevented from entering into like arrangements with other issuers. The Trust reserves the right to suspend sales upon due notice to Distributor if in the judgment of the Trust it is in the best interests of the Trust to do so.

 

3. Authorized Representations

 

The Distributor is not authorized by the Trust to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in the current registration statements and prospectuses of the Trust filed with the SEC or contained in shareholder reports or other material that may be prepared by or on behalf of the Trust for the Distributor’s use. The Distributor may prepare and distribute sales literature and other material as it may deem appropriate, provided that such literature and materials have been prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations and approved by the Fund’s adviser.

 

4. Registration of Shares

 

(a)               The Trust and Fund agree that they will take all action necessary to register an

3
 

unlimited number of Shares on Form N-1A. The Trust and Fund shall make available to the

Distributor such number of copies of the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information as the Distributor may reasonably request. The Fund shall furnish to the Distributor copies of all information, financial statements and other papers which the Distributor may reasonably request for use in connection with the distribution of Creation Units of the Fund. The Trust represents and warrants that it has or will have made as of the date on which Distributor begins distributing Creation Units, all applicable filings to exempt the Creation Units from registration under applicable rules and regulations.

 

(b)               The Trust agrees to issue Creation Units of each Fund and to request DTC to record on its books the ownership of the Shares constituting such Creation Units, in accordance with the book-entry system procedures described in the prospectus, in such amounts as the Distributor has requested through the transfer agent in writing or other means of data transmission, as promptly as practicable after receipt by the Trust of the requisite deposit securities and cash component (together with any fees) and acceptance of such order, upon the terms described in the registration statement and Participant Agreement. The Trust may reject any order for Creation Units or stop all receipts of such orders at any time upon reasonable notice to the Distributor, in accordance with the provisions of the prospectus and statement of additional information.

 

5. Compensation

 

(a)               In consideration of Distributor’s services hereunder, the Fund agrees to cause the Fund’s adviser to pay to Distributor the fees and charges set forth on Schedule B, attached hereto. Fees will begin to accrue with respect to each Fund on the latter of the date of this Agreement or the date Distributor begins providing services to or on behalf of such Fund. The Distributor may receive compensation from the Fund’s adviser related to its services hereunder or for additional services as may be agreed to between the adviser and Distributor in writing.

 

(b)               The Fund shall bear the cost and expenses of the registration of the Creation Units for sale under the 1933 Act.

 

(c)               Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Distributor and its affiliates may receive compensation or reimbursement from the Trust and the adviser with respect to any services not included under this Agreement, as may be agreed upon by the parties from time to time.

 

6. Indemnification of Distributor

 

(a)               The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Distributor and each of its managers and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages, or expense and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred in connection therewith), arising by reason of any person acquiring any Shares or Creation Units, based upon (i) the ground that the registration statement, prospectus, shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the Trust (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary in order to make the statements

4
 

made not misleading, (ii) the Trust’s failure to maintain an effective registration statement and prospectus with respect to Shares of the Fund that are the subject of the claim or demand, (iii) the Trust’s failure to properly register Fund Shares under applicable state laws, (iv) instructions given by the Trust, the Trust’s failure to perform its duties hereunder or any inaccuracy of its representations, (v) any claim brought under Section 11 of the 1933 Act, or (vi) all actions taken by Distributor hereunder resulting from Distributor’s reliance on instructions received from an officer, agent or approved service provider of the Trust.

 

(b)               In no case (i) is the indemnity of the Trust to be deemed to protect the Distributor or any other person against any liability to which the Distributor or such person otherwise would be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement (“Disqualifying Conduct”) by such party, or (ii) is the Trust to be liable to the Distributor under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6 with respect to any claim made against the Distributor or any person indemnified unless the Distributor or other person shall have notified the Trust in writing of the claim within a reasonable time after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Distributor or such other person (or after the Distributor or the person shall have received notice of service on any designated agent). However, failure to notify the Trust of any claim shall not relieve the Trust from any liability which it may have to the Distributor or any person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph.

 

(c)               The Trust shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any claims subject to this indemnity provision. If the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such claim, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Trust and satisfactory to the indemnified defendants in the suit whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event that the Trust elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the indemnified defendants shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of a suit, it will reimburse the indemnified defendants for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by the indemnified defendants.

 

(d)               The Trust agrees to notify the Distributor promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or Trustees in connection with the issuance or sale of Shares or Creation Units.

 

7. Indemnification of Trust

 

(a)               The Distributor covenants and agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each of its Trustees and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, against any loss, liability, damages, claim or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, damages, claim or expense and reasonable counsel fees and disbursements incurred in connection therewith) arising out of or based upon any Disqualifying Conduct by Distributor in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares.

5
 

 

(b)               In no case (i) is the indemnity of the Distributor in favor of the Trust or any other person indemnified to be deemed to protect the Trust or any other person against any liability to which the Trust or such other person would otherwise be subject by reason of Disqualifying Conduct by such party, or (ii) is the Distributor to be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in this Section 7 with respect to any claim made against the Trust or any person indemnified unless the Trust or person, as the case may be, shall have notified the Distributor in writing of the claim within a reasonable time after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Trust or upon any person (or after the Trust or such person shall have received notice of service on any designated agent). However, failure to notify the Distributor of any claim shall not relieve the Distributor from any liability which it may have to the Trust or any person against whom the action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph.

 

(c)               The Distributor shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce the claim subject to this indemnity provision, but if the Distributor elects to assume the defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Distributor and satisfactory to the indemnified defendants whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event that the Distributor elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the defendants in the suit shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them. If the Distributor does not elect to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse the indemnified defendants in the suit for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them.

 

(d)               The Distributor agrees to notify the Trust promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers in connection with the sale of Shares or Creation Units.

 

8. Consequential Damages

 

In no event and under no circumstances shall either party to this Agreement be liable to anyone, including, without limitation, the other party, for consequential damages for any act or failure to act under any provision of this Agreement.

 

9. Effective Date

 

This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first above written, and, unless terminated as provided, shall continue in force through the second anniversary of its effective date, and thereafter from year to year, provided that such annual continuance is approved by (i) either the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, and (ii) the vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or the Trust’s distribution plan or interested persons of any such party (“Qualified Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the approval. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. As used in this paragraph the terms “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “assignment” and “interested person” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act. In addition, this Agreement

6
 

may at any time be terminated without penalty by the Trust, by a vote of a majority of Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust upon sixty days prior written notice to the Distributor or by the Distributor upon sixty days prior written notice to the Trust.

 

10. Notices

 

(a)   All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (b) on the fifth Business Day following the date of mailing, if mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid to the party to receive such notice, (c) if dispatched via a nationally recognized overnight courier service (delivery receipt requested) with charges paid by the dispatching party, on the later of (i) the first Business Day following the date of dispatch, or (ii) the scheduled date of delivery by such service, or (d) on the date sent by electronic mail if sent during normal business hours of the recipient during a Business Day, and otherwise on the next Business Day, if sent after normal business hours of the recipient, provided that in the case of electronic mail, each notice or other communication shall be confirmed within one Business Day by dispatch of a copy of such notice pursuant to one of the other methods described herein, at the following addresses, or such other address as a party may designate from time to time by notice in accordance with this Section.

 

If to the Trust:

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust III Attn: President

80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110 Hauppauge, NY 11788

RMalinowski@ultimusfundsolutions.com

If to NLD:

 

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC Attn: Legal Department

17645 Wright Street, Suite 200

Omaha, NE 68130 legal@nldistributors.com

 

11. Limitation of Liability

 

A copy of the Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the Trust’s Trust Instrument is on file with the Trust. Notice is hereby given that this Agreement is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as Trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this instrument are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers or shareholders of the Trust individually but binding only upon the assets and property of the applicable Fund or Trust, as relevant.

 

This Agreement is executed by or on behalf of the Trust with respect to each of the Funds. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the obligations hereunder are binding only upon the Fund to which such obligations pertain and the assets and property of such Fund. The Distributor understands that the rights and obligations of each series of shares of the Trust under the Trust Instrument are separate and distinct from those of any and all other series.

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12. Dispute Resolution

 

Whenever either party desires to institute legal proceedings against the other concerning this Agreement, it shall provide written notice to that effect to such other party. The party providing such notice shall refrain from instituting said legal proceedings for a period of 60 days following the date of provision of such notice. During such period, the parties shall attempt in good faith to amicably resolve their dispute by negotiation among their executive officers.

 

13. Entire Agreement; Amendments

 

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement, draft or proposal with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement or any part hereof may be changed or waived only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such change or waiver is sought.

 

14. Governing Law

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nebraska without giving effect to any conflict of laws or choice of laws rules or principles thereof. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Nebraska, or any of the provisions of this Agreement, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act, these acts shall control.

 

15. Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each such counterpart shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. This Agreement shall be deemed executed by both parties when any one or more counterparts hereof or thereof, individually or taken together, bears the original or facsimile signatures of each of the parties.

 

16. Force Majeure

 

No breach of any obligation of a party to this Agreement (other than obligations to pay amounts owed) will constitute an event of default or breach to the extent it arises out of a cause, existing or future, that is beyond the control and without negligence of the party otherwise chargeable with breach or default, including without limitation: work action or strike; lockout or other labor dispute; flood; war; riot; theft; act of terrorism, earthquake or natural disaster. Either party desiring to rely upon any of the foregoing as an excuse for default or breach will, when the cause arises, give to the other party prompt notice of the facts which constitute such cause; and, when the cause ceases to exist, give prompt notice thereof to the other party.

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17. Severability

 

Any provision of this Agreement that is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability in such jurisdiction, without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration, or area of the provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace the provision with a provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the original intention of the parties, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified.

 

18. Confidential Information

 

(a)               The Distributor and the Trust (in such capacity, as applicable, the “Receiving Party”) acknowledge and agree to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) provided by the Distributor and the Trust (in such capacity, as applicable, the “Disclosing Party”) in connection with this Agreement. The Receiving Party shall not disclose or disseminate the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information to any Person other than (a) those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of the Receiving Party, or (b) those employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees of any agent or affiliate, who have a need to know it in order to assist the Receiving Party in performing its obligations, or to permit the Receiving Party to exercise its rights under this Agreement. In addition, the Receiving Party

(a)    shall take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, and (b) shall not use the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, or authorize other Persons to use the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information, for any purposes other than in connection with performing its obligations or exercising its rights hereunder. As used herein, “reasonable steps” means steps that a party takes to protect its own, similarly confidential or proprietary information of a similar nature, which steps shall in no event be less than a reasonable standard of care.

 

(b)               The term “Confidential Information,” as used herein, shall mean all business strategies, plans and procedures, proprietary information, methodologies, data and trade secrets, client and customer information, and other confidential information and materials (including, without limitation, any non-public personal information as defined in Regulation S-P) of the Disclosing Party, its affiliates, their respective clients or suppliers, or other Persons with whom they do business, that may be obtained by the Receiving Party from any source or that may be developed as a result of this Agreement.

 

(c)               The provisions of this Section 18 respecting Confidential Information shall not apply to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Confidential Information: (a) is already known to the Receiving Party free of any restriction at the time it is obtained from the Disclosing Party,

(b)   is subsequently learned from an independent third party free of any restriction and without breach of this Agreement; (c) is or becomes publicly available through no wrongful act of the Receiving Party or any third party; (d) is independently developed by or for the Receiving Party

9
 

without reference to or use of any Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party; or (e) is required to be disclosed pursuant to an applicable law, rule, regulation, government requirement or court order, or the rules of any stock exchange (provided, however, that the Receiving Party shall advise the Disclosing Party of such required disclosure promptly upon learning thereof in order to afford the Disclosing Party a reasonable opportunity to contest, limit and/or assist the Receiving Party in crafting such disclosure).

 

(d)                               The Receiving Party shall advise its employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, and shall require its agents to advise their employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees, of the Receiving Party’s obligations of confidentiality and non-use under this Section 18, and shall be responsible for ensuring compliance by its employees, agents, contractors, subcontractors and licensees with such obligations. The Receiving Party shall promptly notify the Disclosing Party in writing upon learning of any unauthorized disclosure or use of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information by such persons.

 

(e)                                Upon the Disclosing Party’s written request following the termination of this Agreement, the Receiving Party promptly shall return to the Disclosing Party, or destroy, all Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party provided under or in connection with this Agreement, including all copies, portions and summaries thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (a) the Receiving Party may retain copies of each item of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information for purposes of identifying and establishing its rights and obligations under this Agreement, for archival or audit purposes and/or to the extent required by applicable law, and (b) the Distributor shall have no obligation to return or destroy Confidential Information of the Trust that resides on save tapes or other electronic forms; provided, however, that in either case identified above all such Confidential Information retained by the Receiving Party shall remain subject to the provisions of Section 18 for so long as it is so retained. If requested by the Disclosing Party, the Receiving Party shall certify in writing its compliance with the provisions of this paragraph.

 

19. Anti-Money Laundering

 

The Distributor represents that it has in place anti-money laundering procedures. The Distributor agrees to notify the Trust of any suspicious activity of which it becomes aware relating to transactions involving Shares. Upon reasonable request, the Distributor agrees to provide the Trust with documentation relating to its anti-money laundering policies and procedures.

 

20. Use of Name

 

(a)               The Trust shall not use the name of the Distributor in any prospectus or statement of additional information, sales literature, and other material relating to the Trust in any manner without the prior written consent of the Distributor (which shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that the Distributor hereby approves all lawful uses of the names of the Distributor in the prospectus and statement of additional information of the Trust and in all other materials which merely refer in accurate terms to their appointment hereunder or which are required by applicable law, regulations or otherwise by the SEC, FINRA, or any state securities authority.

10
 

 

(b)               The Distributor shall not use the name of the Trust in any publicly disseminated materials, including sales literature, in any manner without the prior written consent of the Trust (which shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that the Fund hereby approves all lawful uses of its name in any required regulatory filings of the Distributor which merely refer in accurate terms to the appointment of the Distributor hereunder, or which are required by applicable law, regulations or otherwise by the SEC, FINRA, or any state securities authority.

 

21. Insurance

 

The Distributor agrees to maintain liability insurance coverage for distribution activities provided to the Trust hereunder. The Distributor shall notify the Trust of any material claims against it, whether or not covered by insurance that may materially and adversely affect the Trust’s rights hereunder.

 

22. Representations

 

(a)               The Distributor represents and warrants that: (i) it is duly authorized and licensed under applicable law to carry out the services contemplated herein; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within its power and have been duly authorized by all necessary action; (iii) it is entering into this Agreement or providing the services contemplated hereby does not conflict with or constitute a default or require a consent under or breach of any provision of any agreement or document to which the Distributor is a party or by which it is bound; (iv) it is registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and a member of FINRA and will notify the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer and adviser immediately in the event of its expulsion or suspension by FINRA; and (v) it is not an “affiliated person” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Listing Exchange or any underlying index provider for any Fund.

 

(b)               The Trust represents and warrants that: (i) it is duly organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is and at all times will remain duly authorized to carry out its obligations as contemplated herein; (ii) it is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act; (iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within its power and have been duly authorized by all necessary action; (iv) its entering into this Agreement does not conflict with or constitute a default or require a consent under or breach of any provision of any agreement or document to which the Trust is a party or by which it is bound; (v) the registration statement and each Fund’s prospectus, and sales literature and advertisements approved by the adviser or other materials prepared by or on behalf of the Trust for the Distributor’s use (“Sales Literature and Advertisements”) have been prepared, and shall be prepared, in all material respects, in conformity with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission (the “Rules and Regulations”); and (vi) the registration statement and each Fund’s prospectus contain all material statements required to be stated therein in accordance with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations; and (vii) all statements of fact contained therein, or in Sales Literature and Advertisements, are or will be true and correct in all material respects at the time indicated or the effective date, as the case may be, and any Fund’s prospectus shall not include any 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 in light of the circumstances in which they are made. The

11
 

Trust shall not file any amendment to the registration statement or Fund’s prospectus without giving the Distributor reasonable notice thereof in advance, provided that nothing in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trust’s right to file at any time such amendments to the registration statement or any Fund’s prospectus as the Trust may deem advisable.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and Distributor have each duly executed this Agreement, as of the day and year above written.

 

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust III Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

 

 

 

By:/s/ Richard Malinowski                                     By: /s/ William J. Strait

 

Name: Richard Malinowski                                        Name: William J. Strait

 

Title: President Title: President

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Schedule A List of Services

 

FINRA Review

 

      Review and approve Fund marketing materials (including website) for compliance with SEC & FINRA advertising rules

 

Conduct FINRA filing of materials (including website)

 

Respond to FINRA comments on marketing materials, as necessary

 

   Provide the adviser with copy of its then-current documentation regarding SEC & FINRA marketing policies

 

Contract Management

 

    Coordinate and execute sub-distribution agreements with broker/dealers and authorized participants on behalf of the Fund in accordance with the prospectus

 

      Coordinate and execute operational agreements related to the services contemplated by this Agreement (networking agreements, NSCC redemption agreements, etc.)

 

  Coordinate and execute on behalf of the Fund shareholder service and similar agreements to the extent permitted by applicable law, as contemplated by the Trust’s distribution and/or shareholder servicing plan and as may be agreed to by the Distributor and the Fund

Schedule A | Page 1
 

 

Schedule B-1 Fee Schedule

 

 

[omitted]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Schedule to the ETF

Distribution Agreement effective this August 29, 2019.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

(for the above referenced Fund(s))

By: /s/ Richard Malinowski

Richard Malinowski

President

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

By: /s/ William J. Strait

William J. Strait

President

 

 

 

Schedule B | Page 1
 

 

The undersigned investment adviser (the “Adviser”) hereby acknowledges and agrees to the terms of the Agreement and further acknowledges and agrees that:

(1) NLD expends substantial time and money, on an ongoing basis, to recruit and train its employees; (2) NLD's business is highly competitive and is marketed throughout the United States, and (3) if the Adviser were to hire any NLD employees who are involved in the procurement of the services under the Agreement then NLD may suffer lost sales and other opportunities and would incur substantial expense 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 NLD 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 NLD 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.

 

Howard Capital Management, Inc.

1145 Hembree Road

Roswell, Georgia 30076

By: /s/ Vance Howard

Name: Vance Howard

Title: CEO

Schedule B | Page 2
 

 

 

CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of August 29, 2019, between Northern Lights Fund Trust III (the Fund, on behalf of its series listed hereto on Schedule V , the Portfolios), an open-end management investment company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and registered with the Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act), and BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO., a limited partnership formed under the laws of the State of New York (BBH&Co. or, when referring to BBH&Co. in its capacity as custodian, the Custodian, and when referring to BBH&Co. in its capacity as transfer agent, TA).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to employ BBH&Co. to act as custodian and transfer agent for the Portfolios and to provide related services, all as provided herein, and BBH&Co. is willing to accept such employment, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Fund and BBH&Co. hereby agree, as follows:

 

1. Appointment of Custodian and Transfer Agent.

 

1.1 The Fund hereby appoints BBH&Co. as each Portfolio’s custodian, and BBH&Co. hereby accepts such appointment. All Investments of a Portfolio delivered to the Custodian or its agents or Subcustodians shall be dealt with as provided in this Agreement. The duties of the Custodian with respect to the Portfolio’s Investments shall be only as set forth expressly in this Agreement, including any attachments or schedules thereto, which duties are generally comprised of safekeeping assets and various administrative duties that will be performed in accordance with Instructions (as defined below) and as reasonably required to effect Instructions. The terms of this Agreement shall apply separately and respectively to each Portfolio for which a separate account is maintained on the books of the Custodian. The Parties agree that Sections 2.1-9 and 11-17 and Schedules I, II and II of the Agreement contain the provisions related to BBH&Co.’s performance as Custodian.

 

1.2 The Fund hereby engages BBH as its transfer agent to perform the obligations set forth in this Agreement, and BBH accepts such engagement. The Parties agree that Sections 2.1, 3 and 10-17 and Schedule IV of the Agreement and the Transfer Agency Services Schedule attached hereto contain the provisions related to BBH&Co.’s performance as TA.

 

2.       Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Fund. The Fund hereby represents, warrants and covenants each of the following:

 

With respect to BBH&Co’s appointment as Custodian and TA:

 

2.1 This Agreement has been, and at the time of delivery of each Instruction, such Instruction will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund. Neither this Agreement, nor any Instruction issued hereunder violates any Applicable Law or conflicts with or constitutes a default under the applicable Portfolio’s prospectus, the Fund’s organizational documents or any agreement, judgment, order or decree to which the Fund is a party or Portfolio or its Investments is bound.

 

With respect to BBH&Co’s appointment as Custodian:

 

2.2 By providing an Instruction with respect to the first acquisition of an Investment (as defined below) in a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, the Fund shall be deemed to have confirmed to the Custodian that the Fund has (a) assessed and accepted all material Country, Sanctions or Sovereign Risks and accepted responsibility for their occurrence, (b) made all determinations required to be made by the Fund under the 1940 Act, except those appropriately delegated to the Custodian in the Delegation Schedule, and (iii) if appropriate, adequately disclosed the material investment risks of such Investment, including Country

 
 

Risks. Nothing in this Section 2.2 shall relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities under Section 8.2 of this Agreement.

 

2.3 The Fund shall safeguard and shall solely be responsible for the safekeeping of any testkeys, identification codes, passwords, other security devices or statements of account with which the Custodian provides it. If the Fund uses any on-line or similar communications service made available by the Custodian, the Fund and the Custodian each shall be solely responsible for ensuring the security of its access to the service and for the authorized use of the service, and shall only attempt to access the service and the Custodian’s computer systems as directed by the Custodian. If the Custodian provides any computer software to the Fund relating to the services described in this Agreement, the Fund will only use the software for the purposes for which the Custodian provided the software to the Fund, and will abide by the license agreement accompanying the software and any other security policies which the Custodian provides to the Fund.

 

2.4       By providing an Instruction in respect of an Investment (which Instruction may relate to among other things, the processing of orders and/or settlement of transactions in funds), the Fund hereby (i) authorizes BBH&Co. to complete such documentation as may be required or appropriate to carry out the Instruction, and agrees to be contractually bound to the terms of such documentation “as is” without recourse against BBH&Co.; (ii) represents, warrants and covenants that it has accepted and agreed to comply with all Applicable Law, terms and conditions to which it and/or its Investment may be bound, including without limitation, requirements imposed by the Investment prospectus or offering circular, subscription agreement, any application or other documentation relating to an Investment (e.g., compliance with suitability requirements and eligibility restrictions and requirements that all such documentation relating to the investment has been received, read and understood by the Fund (for itself and/or its customer); (iii) acknowledges and agrees that BBH&Co. will not be responsible for the accuracy of any information provided to BBH&Co. by or on behalf of the Fund, or for any underlying commitment or obligation inherent to an Investment; (iv) except as otherwise provided for in Section 2.4.1, represents, warrants and covenants that it will not effect any sale, transfer or disposition of Investment(s) held in BBH&Co.’s name by any means other than the issuance of an Instruction by the Fund to BBH&Co.; (v) acknowledges that collective investment pools (and/or their agent(s)) in which the Fund invests may pay to BBH&Co. certain fees (including without limitation, shareholder servicing and/or trailer fees) in respect of the Fund’s investments in such pools; (vi) agrees that BBH&Co. shall have no obligation or responsibility whatsoever to respond to, or provide capital in connection with any capital calls, letters of intent of other requirements as set out in the prospectus or offering circular of an Investment; (vii) represents, warrants and covenants that it will provide BBH&Co. with such information as is necessary or appropriate to enable BBH&Co.’s performance pursuant to an Instruction or under this Agreement; (viii) undertakes to inform BBH&Co. and to keep the same updated as any tax withholding or benefit to which an Investment may be subject; (ix) authorizes BBH&Co. to furnish the customer due diligence records maintained by BBH&Co. on the Fund and its beneficial owners to the transfer agent or other agent of an issuer of an Investment to satisfy regulatory obligations; (x) represents and warrants that to the extent the Fund provides BBH&Co. with any personal data or personally identifiable information in connection with an Investment, the Fund will have obtained the consent of the applicable individuals to provide such data and information to BBH&Co. and the Fund and to the use of such data and information as described in the applicable account opening, subscription and related Fund documentation; (xi) acknowledges that BBH&Co. shall have no obligation to fund any order placed by the Fund for which the Fund does not have sufficient cash on deposit with BBH&Co.; and (xii) agrees that BBH&Co. shall be held harmless for the acts, omissions or any unlawful activity of any agent of the Fund, or any transfer agent or other agent of an Investment in which the Fund may invest.

 

2.4.1       To the extent that the Fund holds Investments in an account opened in the name of BBH&Co. as custodian for and at the direction of the Fund, and the Fund requests that BBH&Co. provide the Fund with the capability to place orders in fund shares directly with such fund companies and/or their transfer agents which shall be settled in an account established with each such fund company or its transfer agent, the Fund hereby acknowledges that BBH&Co. is under no obligation to agree to such arrangement but if BBH&Co. so agrees, the Fund (i) acknowledges that all relevant terms under Section 2.4 above apply thereto, (ii) authorizes BBH&Co. as custodian, to grant a limited power of attorney to the Fund or its designated agent to enable the Fund to place orders in fund shares directly with the fund companies and/or their transfer agents, (iii) agrees to ensure that

 
 

any instructions issued by the Fund or its designated agent shall also be concurrently submitted to BBH&Co., and (iv) shall adhere to any BBH&Co. procedures established with each such fund or its transfer agent with respect thereto including, but not limited to, the terms of the limited power of attorney. The Fund also acknowledges and agrees that (1) BBH&Co. is acting solely in its capacity as custodian and is not acting as a broker or introducing broker on behalf of the Fund, (2) BBH&Co. is not receiving compensation in connection with the Fund’s own execution hereunder of trades with each such fund other than its usual and customary custody fees and transaction charges, (3) it will provide such account opening information to each such fund and/or transfer agent as and when requested by such fund and/or transfer agent, and (4) BBH&Co. is not responsible for (a) providing information published by the relevant distributor of each such fund including, but not limited to, the prospectus for each such Investment in a fund or for resolving execution queries or complaints relative to any such Investment, and (b) assessing the suitability of any such Investment placed directly by the Fund.

 

2.5        The Fund represents and warrants that it is not resident in or organized under the laws of any country with which transactions or dealings are prohibited under a Sanctions Regime. The Fund further warrants that it is not owned or controlled by: (i) the government of any country with which transactions or dealings by any person are prohibited under a Sanctions Regime; (ii) a person or entity resident in or organized under the laws of any country with which transactions or dealings by any person are prohibited under a Sanctions Regime; or (iii) any person or entity on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons published by OFAC or any comparable Sanctions Regime lists.

 

2.5.1       The Fund represents and warrants that it conducts ongoing screening of its customers and its customers’ transactions against lists promulgated by a Sanctions Regime, as such lists are amended from time to time.

 

2.5.2       The Fund represents and warrants that it has implemented adequate risk management, control and compliance procedures and systems to ensure that it will not instruct or otherwise cause Custodian to hold any assets in custody that would violate a Sanctions Regime. The Fund further represents it will not instruct Custodian to invest in a collective investment vehicle on its behalf, nor engage in or facilitate any transaction that would cause Custodian to violate any Sanctions Regime, including any transaction or dealing involving: (i) any country with which transactions or dealings by any person are prohibited under a Sanctions Regime; (ii) any person or entity subject to any Sanctions Regime; or (iii) any assets owned or controlled by a person or entity that is subject to any Sanctions Regime (collectively, “Sanctioned Property”). The Fund further represents and warrants that it has confirmed that relevant parties engaged by the Fund, including but not limited to Authorized Participants and distributors, have implemented equivalent controls as stated above. The Fund further represents and warrants that it will promptly notify the Custodian in writing if either it or any of the above relevant parties becomes subject to a Sanctions Regime or if any of the assets custodied by BBH subsequently becomes Sanctioned Property.

 

2.6       The Fund represents and warrants that it has developed and implemented an anti-money laundering (“AML”) program (“AML Program”) that is designed to comply with all applicable AML and terrorist financing laws and regulations, including but not limited to: the United States Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, and the regulations promulgated thereunder; the 4th European Union Anti-Money Laundering Directive; or Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”) standards against money laundering and terrorist financing (collectively, “applicable AML laws”). The Fund represents and warrants that its AML Program includes proper due diligence on relevant parties, including but not limited to Authorized Participants and distributors, and confirmation that such parties have implemented their own policies and procedures designed to comply with applicable AML Laws. The Fund further represents and warrants that it creates and maintains all records and documentation required by applicable AML laws, including identification and verification records of the Fund’s customers.

 

2.6.1       The Fund acknowledges that the Custodian is obligated under applicable US AML Laws to obtain, verify and record identifying information about its customers prior to opening an account.

 

 
 

2.6.2       The Fund represents and warrants that upon request, it will provide the Custodian with information that the Custodian requires to comply with applicable AML Laws and Sanctions Regimes, including but not limited to, verification regarding the AML and Sanctions Regime controls implemented by the above relevant parties.

 

 

2.6.3       The Fund further represents and warrants that it will not instruct or otherwise cause Custodian to hold any assets in custody or engage in or facilitate any transaction that would cause Custodian to violate any applicable AML laws.

 

2.7        The Fund represents and warrants that it is not a “Plan” (which term includes (1) employee benefit plans that are subject to the United States (“US”) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), or plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (2) plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (3) entities the underlying assets of which are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts and arrangements), or an entity purchasing shares on behalf of, or with the “plan assets” of, a Plan, and further undertakes to inform BBH&Co. and to keep the same updated as to the status under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, each as amended, of the Fund.

 

2.8 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to contrary effect, the Fund specifically represents and warrants to the Custodian that it shall at all times be principally liable for the repayment of any Advance made by the Custodian under this Agreement.

 

2.9       The Fund represents and warrants that it will promptly notify the Custodian in writing if any of the above representations cease to be true.

 

3.        Representation and Warranty of BBH&Co. as Custodian and TA. BBH&Co. hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by BBH&Co. and does not and will not violate any Applicable Law or conflict with or constitute a default under BBH&Co.'s limited partnership agreement or any agreement, instrument, judgment, order or decree to which BBH&Co. is a party or by which it is bound.

 

4.        Instructions. Unless otherwise explicitly indicated herein, the Custodian shall perform its duties pursuant to Instructions. As used herein, the term Instruction shall mean a directive initiated by the Fund, acting through its board of trustees, officers or other Authorized Person, which directive shall conform to the requirements of this Section 4.

 

4.1 Authorized Persons. For purposes hereof, an Authorized Person shall be a person or entity authorized by the Fund to give Instructions to the Custodian for or on behalf of the Fund or Portfolio, as applicable, in accordance with procedures delivered to and acknowledged by the Custodian. The Custodian may treat any Authorized Person as having the full authority of the Fund to issue Instructions hereunder unless the notice of authorization contains explicit limitations as to said authority. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the authority of designated Authorized Persons to give Instructions with respect to the Fund or a Portfolio until it receives appropriate written notice from the Fund to the contrary.

 

4.2 Form of Instruction. Each Instruction shall be transmitted by such secured or authenticated electro-mechanical means as the Custodian shall make available to the Fund from time to time unless the Fund elects to transmit such Instruction in accordance with Subsections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3 of this Section.

 

4.2.1 Fund Designated Secured-Transmission Method. Instructions may be transmitted through a secured or tested electro-mechanical means identified by the Fund or by an Authorized Person entitled to give Instruction and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian, it being understood that such acknowledgment shall authorize the Custodian to accept such means of delivery but shall not represent a judgment by the Custodian as to the reasonableness or security of the means utilized by the Authorized Person.

 
 

 

4.2.2 Written Instructions. Instructions may be transmitted in a writing that bears the manual signature of Authorized Persons.

 

4.2.3 Other Forms of Instruction. Instructions may also be transmitted by another means determined by the Fund or Authorized Persons and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian (subject to the same limits as to acknowledgements as are contained in Subsection 4.2.1, above) including Instructions given orally or by SWIFT or telefax (whether tested or untested).

 

When an Instruction is given by means established under Subsections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3, it shall be the responsibility of the Custodian to use reasonable care to adhere to any security or other procedures established in writing between the Custodian and the Authorized Person with respect to such means of Instruction, but the Authorized Person shall be solely responsible for determining that the particular means chosen is reasonable under the circumstances. Oral Instructions shall be binding upon the Custodian only if and when the Custodian takes action with respect thereto. With respect to telefax instructions, the parties agree and acknowledge that receipt of legible instructions cannot be assured, that the Custodian cannot verify that authorized signatures on telefax instructions are original or properly affixed, and that the Custodian shall not be liable for losses or expenses incurred through actions taken in reasonable reliance on inaccurately stated, illegible or unauthorized telefax instructions, The provisions of Section 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code shall apply to Funds Transfers performed in accordance with Instructions. The Funds Transfer Services Schedule to this Agreement and the BBH Online Terms and Conditions shall each comprise a designation of a means of delivering Instructions for purposes of this Section 4.2.

 

4.3 Completeness and Contents of Instructions. The Authorized Person shall be responsible for assuring the adequacy and accuracy of Instructions. Particularly, upon any acquisition or disposition or other dealing in the Fund's Investments and upon any delivery and transfer of any Investment or moneys, the Authorized Person initiating the Instruction shall give the Custodian an Instruction with appropriate detail, including, without limitation:

 

4.3.1 The transaction date and the date and location of settlement;

 

4.3.2 The specification of the type of transaction;

 

4.3.3 A description of the Investments or moneys in question, including, as appropriate, quantity, price per unit, amount of money to be received or delivered and currency information. Where an Instruction is communicated by electronic means, or otherwise where an Instruction contains an identifying number such as a CUSIP, SEDOL or ISIN number, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on such number as controlling notwithstanding any inconsistency contained in the Instruction, particularly with respect to Investment description; and

 

4.3.4 The name of the broker or similar entity concerned with execution of the transaction.

 

If the Custodian determines that an Instruction is either unclear or incomplete, the Custodian may give prompt notice of such determination to the Fund and the Fund shall thereupon amend or otherwise reform the Instruction. In such event, the Custodian shall have no obligation to take any action in response to the Instruction initially delivered until the redelivery of an amended or reformed Instruction.

 

4.4 Timeliness of Instructions. In giving an Instruction, the Fund shall take into consideration known delays which may occur due to the involvement of a Subcustodian or agent, differences in time zones, and other factors particular to a given market, exchange or issuer. When the Custodian has established specific timing requirements or deadlines with respect to particular classes of Instruction and provided those requirements or deadlines to the Fund in writing, or when an Instruction is received by the Custodian at such a time that it could not reasonably be expected to have acted on such instruction due to time zone differences or other factors beyond its reasonable control, the execution of any Instruction received by the Custodian after such deadline or at such time (including any modification or revocation of a previous Instruction) shall be at the risk of the Fund.

 
 

 

5.       Safekeeping of Fund Assets. The Custodian shall hold Investments delivered to it or Subcustodians for the Fund in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The Custodian shall not be responsible for (a) the safekeeping of Investments not delivered or that are not caused to be issued to it or its Subcustodians; or, (b) pre-existing faults or defects in Investments that are delivered to the Custodian or its Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby authorized to hold with itself or a Subcustodian, and to record in one or more accounts, all Investments delivered to and accepted by the Custodian, any Subcustodian or their respective agents pursuant to an Instruction or in consequence of any corporate action or income event. The Custodian shall hold Investments for the account of the Fund and shall segregate Investments from assets belonging to the Custodian and shall cause its Subcustodians to segregate Investments from assets belonging to the Subcustodian in an account held for the Fund or in an account maintained by the Subcustodian generally for non-proprietary assets of the Custodian.

 

5.1 Use of Securities Depositories. The Custodian may deposit and maintain Investments in any Securities Depository, either directly or through one or more Subcustodians appointed by the Custodian. Investments held in a Securities Depository shall be held (a) subject to the agreement, rules, statement of terms and conditions or other document or conditions effective between the Securities Depository and the Custodian or the Subcustodian, as the case may be, and (b) in an account for the Fund or in bulk segregation in an account maintained for the non-proprietary assets of the entity holding such Investments in the Depository. If market practice or the rules and regulations of the Securities Depository prevent the Custodian, the Subcustodian or (any agent of either) from holding its client assets in such a separate account, the Custodian, the Subcustodian or other agent shall as appropriate segregate such Investments for benefit of the Fund or for benefit of clients of the Custodian generally on its own books.

 

5.2 Certificated Assets. Investments which are certificated may be held in registered or bearer form: (a) in the Custodian's vault; (b) in the vault of a Subcustodian or agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian; or (c) in an account maintained by the Custodian, Subcustodian or agent at a Securities Depository; all in accordance with customary market practice in the jurisdiction in which any Investments are held.

 

5.3 Registered Assets. Investments which are registered may be registered in the name of the Custodian, a Subcustodian, or in the name of the Fund, a Portfolio or a nominee for any of the foregoing, and may be held in any manner set forth in Section 5.2 above.

 

5.4 Book Entry Assets. Investments which are represented by book-entry may be so held in an account maintained by the Book-entry Agent on behalf of the Custodian, a Subcustodian or another Agent of the Custodian, or a Securities Depository.

 

5.5 Replacement of Lost Investments. In the event of a loss of Investments for which loss the Custodian is responsible under the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall replace such Investment, or in the event that such replacement cannot be effected, the Custodian shall pay to the affected Portfolio the fair market value of such Investment based on the last available price as of the close of business in the relevant market on the date that a claim was first made to the Custodian with respect to such loss or such other lesser amount as shall be agreed by the parties.

 

6.        Administrative Duties of the Custodian. The Custodian shall perform the following administrative duties with respect to Investments of the Fund and its Portfolios.

 

6.1 Purchase of Investments. Pursuant to Instruction, Investments purchased for the account of the Fund (or a Portfolio) shall be paid for (a) against delivery thereof to the Custodian or a Subcustodian, as the case may be, either directly or through a Clearing Corporation or a Securities Depository (in accordance with the rules of such Securities Depository or such Clearing Corporation), or (b) otherwise in accordance with an Instruction, Applicable Law, generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Investment.

 

6.2 Sale of Investments. Pursuant to Instruction, Investments sold for the account of the Fund (or a Portfolio) shall be delivered against payment therefor (a) in cash, by check or by bank wire transfer, (b) by credit to the account of the Custodian or the applicable Subcustodian, as the case may be, with a Clearing

 
 

Corporation or a Securities Depository (in accordance with the rules of such Securities Depository or such Clearing Corporation), or (c) otherwise in accordance with an Instruction, Applicable Law, generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Investment.

 

6.3 Delivery and Receipt in Connection with Borrowings of the Fund or other Collateral and Margin Requirements. Pursuant to Instruction, the Custodian may deliver or receive Investments or cash of the Fund in connection with borrowings or loans by the Fund and other collateral and margin requirements.

 

6.4 Futures and Options. If, pursuant to an Instruction, the Custodian shall become a party to an agreement with the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, and a futures commission merchant regarding margin (Tri-Party Agreement), the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the purchase or sale by the Fund of exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options, (b) when required by such Tri-Party Agreement, deposit and maintain in an account opened pursuant to such Agreement (Margin Account), segregated either physically or by book-entry in a Securities Depository for the benefit of any futures commission merchant, such Investments as the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, shall have designated as initial, maintenance or variation "margin" deposits or other collateral intended to secure the Fund's performance of its obligations, on behalf of a Portfolio, under the terms of any exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options; and (c) thereafter pay, release or transfer Investments into or out of the margin account in accordance with the provisions of such Agreement. Alternatively, the Custodian may deliver Investments, in accordance with an Instruction, to a futures commission merchant for purposes of margin requirements in accordance with Rule 17f-6 under the 1940 Act. The Custodian shall in no event be responsible for the acts and omissions of any futures commission merchant to whom Investments are delivered pursuant to this Section; for the sufficiency of Investments held in any Margin Account; or, for the performance of any terms of any exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options.

 

6.5 Contractual Obligations and Similar Investments. From time to time, the Fund's Investments may include Investments that are not ownership interests as may be represented by certificate (whether registered or bearer), by entry in a Securities Depository or by Book-Entry Agent, registrar or similar agent for recording ownership interests in the relevant Investment. If the Fund shall at any time acquire such Investments, including without limitation deposit obligations, loan participations, repurchase agreements and derivative arrangements, the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the arrangement; and (b) perform on the Fund's account in accordance with the terms of the applicable arrangement, but only to the extent directed to do so by Instruction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility for agreements running to the Fund as to which it is not a party other than to retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, documents or copies of documents evidencing the arrangement and, in accordance with Instruction, to include such arrangements in reports made to the Fund.

 

6.6 Exchange of Securities. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall: (a) exchange securities held for the account of the Fund (or a Portfolio) for other securities in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, conversion, stock split, change of par value of shares or similar event, and (b) deposit any such securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization or protective plan.

 

6.7 Surrender of Securities. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian may surrender securities: (a) in temporary form for definitive securities; (b) for transfer into the name of an entity allowable under Section 5.3; and (c) for a different number of certificates or instruments representing in the aggregate the same number of shares or the same principal amount of indebtedness.

 

6.8 Rights, Warrants, Etc. Pursuant to Instruction, the Custodian shall (a) deliver warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar securities to the issuer or trustee thereof, or to any agent of the issuer or trustee, for purposes of exercising such rights or selling such securities, and (b) deliver securities in response to any tender offer.

 

6.9 Mandatory Corporate Actions. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall: (a) comply with the terms of all mandatory or compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions or similar rights of securities ownership affecting securities held on the Fund’s/Portfolio’s account and promptly notify

 
 

the Fund of such action; and (b) collect all stock dividends, rights and other items of like nature with respect to such securities.

 

6.10 Income Collection. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall collect any amount due and payable to the Fund with respect to a Portfolio’s Investments and promptly credit the amount collected to a Principal or Agency Account (each as defined below); provided, however, that the Custodian shall not be responsible for: (a) the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to Investments that are in default or (b) the collection of cash or share entitlements with respect to Investments that are not registered in the name of the Custodian or its Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby authorized to endorse and deliver any instrument required to be so endorsed and delivered to effect collection of any amount due and payable to the Fund with respect to Investments.

 

6.11        Corporate Action Information. In fulfilling the duties set forth in Sections 6.6 through 6.10 above, the Custodian shall provide to the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, such material information pertaining to a corporate action which the Custodian actually receives; provided that the Custodian shall not be responsible for the completeness or accuracy of such information. Information relative to any pending corporate action made available to the Fund via any of the services described in the BBH Online Terms and Conditions shall constitute the delivery of such information by the Custodian. Any advance credit of cash or shares expected to be received as a result of any corporate action shall be subject to actual collection and may be reversed by the Custodian.

 

6.12 Proxy Materials. The Custodian shall promptly deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Fund proxy forms, notices of meeting, and any other notices or announcements materially affecting or relating to Investments received by the Custodian. Information relative to any pending corporate action made available to the Fund, on behalf of any Portfolio, via any of the services described in the BBH Online Terms and Conditions shall constitute the delivery of such information by the Custodian.

 

6.13 Ownership Certificates and Disclosure of the Fund's Interest. The Custodian is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the Fund or a Portfolio ownership certificates, affidavits or other disclosure required under Applicable Law or established market practice in connection with the receipt of income, capital gains or other payments by the Fund or Portfolio with respect to Investments, or in connection with the sale, purchase or ownership of Investments.

 

With respect to securities issued in the United States of America, the Custodian [ ] may [ ] may not release the identity of the Fund to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and the Fund. IF NO BOX IS CHECKED, THE CUSTODIAN SHALL RELEASE SUCH INFORMATION UNTIL IT RECEIVES CONTRARY INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE FUND. With respect to securities issued outside of the United States of America, information shall be released in accordance with law or custom of the particular country in which such security is located.

 

6.14. Taxes. The Custodian shall, where applicable, assist the Fund and its Portfolios in the reclamation of taxes withheld on dividends and interest payments received by the Fund, including on behalf of a Portfolio. In the performance of its duties with respect to tax withholding and reclamation, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on the advice of others pursuant to Section 13.11 below and upon information and advice regarding the Fund’s tax status that is received from or on behalf of the Fund without duty of separate inquiry.

 

6.15 Other Dealings. The Custodian shall otherwise act as directed by Instruction, including without limitation effecting the free payments of moneys or the free delivery of securities, provided that such Instruction shall indicate the purpose of such payment or delivery and that the Custodian shall record the party to whom the payment or delivery is made.

 

6.16 Nondiscretionary Details and Minor Expenses. The Custodian shall attend to all nondiscretionary details in connection with the sale or purchase or other administration of Investments, except as otherwise directed by Instruction, and may make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of administering

 
 

Investments under this Agreement, provided that the Fund shall have the right to request an accounting with respect to such expenses.

 

6.17 Use of Agents. The Custodian may appoint (and remove) any affiliate, bank, trust fund or subcontractor as its agent (each an “Agent” and collectively, the “Agents”), in addition to Subcustodians, to carry out such provisions of this Agreement. The Custodian shall exercise reasonable care in the selection and monitoring of such Agents and Subcustodians. The appointment of an Agent or Subcustodian shall not relieve the Custodian of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

6.18 Registration Document Completion Service. The Fund may appoint the Custodian to further provide registration document completion services for account openings, name changes, conversions, mergers, market-specific licensing renewals, account closings and other events, and for such markets, as may be agreed between each Fund and the Custodian from time to time (the “Registration Services”). The Fund shall pay Custodian such fees as may be agreed between the parties from time to time with respect to the Registration Services in accordance with Section 14 hereof. The Fund further acknowledges and agrees that: (i) as part of the Registration Services, the Custodian will complete registration documentation for the agreed markets on behalf of the Fund and then forward such documentation to the Fund or an Authorized Person for final review and signature on behalf of the Fund; (ii) by the Fund or an Authorized Person signing and submitting the aforementioned documentation to the Custodian on behalf of the Fund (the "Submitted Documents"), the Fund shall be deemed to have confirmed to the Custodian that the Fund has reviewed the Submitted Documents and has determined that all of the information contained therein is accurate and complete; (iii) the submission of the Submitted Documents to the Custodian, shall be deemed an Instruction under Section 4 hereof to open one or more accounts in the referenced market (in accordance with the information provided in the Submitted Documents) and to provide the Submitted Documents and/or the information contained therein to the Subcustodian in the referenced market (and where applicable, for further submission to the relevant Securities Depository, exchanges, regulatory and tax authorities, tax agents and/or brokers in the referenced market).

 

7.       Cash Accounts, Deposits and Money Movements. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to open and maintain, with itself or with Subcustodians, cash accounts in United States Dollars, in such other currencies as are the currencies of the countries in which the Fund or Portfolios maintain Investments or in such other currencies as the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, shall from time to time request by Instruction, including standing Instructions for Principal Accounts to participate in a BBH&Co. cash management vehicle. Notwithstanding any in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund shall be liable as principal for any overdrafts occurring in its cash accounts.

 

7.1 Types of Cash Accounts. Cash accounts opened on the books of the Custodian (Principal Accounts) shall be opened in the name of the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolios. Such accounts collectively shall be a deposit obligation of the Custodian and shall be subject to the terms of this Section 7 and the general liability provisions contained in Section 9. Cash accounts opened on the books of a Subcustodian may be opened in the name of the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, or in the name of the Custodian for the Fund or in the name of the Custodian for its customers generally (Agency Accounts). Such deposits shall be obligations of the Subcustodian and shall be treated as an Investment of the Fund and the applicable Portfolios. Accordingly, the Custodian shall be responsible for exercising reasonable care in the administration of such accounts, but shall not be liable for their repayment in the event the Subcustodian, by reason of its bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise, fails to make repayment.

 

7.1.1 Administrative Accounts. In connection with the services provided hereunder, the Custodian is hereby directed to open cash accounts on its books and records from time to time for the purposes of receiving subscriptions and/or processing redemptions on behalf of the Fund and/or for the purposes of aggregating, netting and/or clearing transactions (including, without limitation foreign exchange, repurchase agreements, capital stock activity, expense payment) or other administrative purposes, each on behalf of the Fund (each an “Account”). Each such Account shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Fund shall be liable for the satisfaction of its obligations in connection with each Account.

 

 
 

7.2        Payments and Credits with Respect to the Cash Accounts. The Custodian shall make payments from or deposits to any of the cash accounts in the course of carrying out its administrative duties, including but not limited to income collection with respect to a Portfolio’s Investments, and otherwise in accordance with Instructions. The Custodian and its Subcustodians shall be required to credit amounts to the cash accounts only when moneys are actually received in cleared funds in accordance with banking practice in the country and currency of deposit. Any credit made to any Principal or Agency Account before actual receipt of cleared funds shall be provisional and may be reversed by the Custodian in the event such payment is not actually collected. Unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Custodian or any Subcustodian, all deposits shall be payable only at the branch of the Custodian or Subcustodian where the deposit is made or carried.

 

7.3 Currency and Related Risks. The Fund bears the risks of holding or transacting in any currency, including any mark to market exposure associated with a foreign exchange transaction undertaken with the Custodian. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, which may delay or affect the transferability, convertibility or availability of any currency in the country (a) in which such Principal or Agency Accounts are maintained or (b) in which such currency is issued, and in no event shall the Custodian be obligated to make payment of a deposit denominated in a currency during the period during which its transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected by any such law, regulation or event. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be required to repay any deposit made at a foreign branch of either the Custodian or Subcustodian if such branch cannot repay the deposit due to a cause for which the Custodian would not be responsible in accordance with the terms of Section 9 of this Agreement unless the Custodian or such Subcustodian expressly agrees in writing to repay the deposit under such circumstances. All currency transactions in any account opened pursuant to this Agreement are subject to exchange control regulations of the United States and of the country where such currency is the lawful currency or where the account is maintained. Any taxes, costs, charges or fees imposed on the convertibility of a currency held by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio shall be for the account of the Fund/Portfolio.

 

7.4        Foreign Exchange Transactions. The Custodian shall, subject to the terms of this Section, settle foreign exchange transactions (including contracts, futures, options and options on futures) on behalf and for the account of the Fund or a Portfolio with such currency brokers or banking institutions, including Subcustodians, as the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio may direct pursuant to Instructions. The Custodian may act as principal in any foreign exchange transaction with the Fund in accordance with Section 7.4.2 of this Agreement. The obligations of the Custodian in respect of all foreign exchange transactions (whether or not the Custodian shall act as principal in such transaction) shall be contingent on the free, unencumbered transferability of the currency transacted on the actual settlement date of the transaction.

 

7.4.1 Third Party Foreign Exchange Transactions. The Custodian shall process foreign exchange transactions (including without limitation contracts, futures, options, and options on futures), where any third party acts as principal counterparty to the Fund or a Portfolio on the same basis it performs duties as agent for the Fund with respect to any other of the Fund's or a Portfolio’s Investments. Accordingly the Custodian shall only be responsible for delivering or receiving currency on behalf of the Fund or a Portfolio in respect of such contracts pursuant to Instructions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the failure of any counterparty (including any Subcustodian) in such agency transaction to perform its obligations thereunder. The Custodian (a) shall transmit cash and Instructions to and from the currency broker or banking institution with which a foreign exchange contract or option has been executed, (b) may make free outgoing payments of cash in the form of Dollars or foreign currency without receiving confirmation of a foreign exchange contract or option or confirmation that the countervalue currency completing the foreign exchange contract has been delivered or received or that the option has been delivered or received, (c) may, in connection with cash payments made to third party currency brokers/dealers for settlement of the Fund’s foreign exchange spot or forward transactions, foreign currency swap transactions and similar foreign exchange transactions, process settlements using the facilities of the CLS Bank according to CLS Bank’s standard terms and conditions, and (d) shall hold in safekeeping all confirmations, certificates and other documents and agreements received by the Custodian and evidencing or relating to such foreign exchange transactions. The Fund on behalf of the Portfolios accepts full

 
 

responsibility for its use of third-party foreign exchange dealers and for execution of the foreign exchange contracts and options and understands that each applicable Portfolio shall be responsible for any and all costs and interest charges which may be incurred by it or the Custodian as a result of the failure or delay of third parties to deliver foreign exchange.

 

7.4.2 Foreign Exchange with the Custodian as Principal. The Custodian may enter into foreign exchange transactions with the Fund. If a foreign exchange transaction with the Custodian as principal is initiated by Instruction and the parties have not otherwise entered into an agreement specific to such transaction(s), the transaction will be performed and subject to the FX Terms and Conditions (available at: http://www.bbh.com/fxtermsandconditions) incorporated into the BBH Online Terms and Conditions ( the "FX Terms and Conditions"), which terms may be updated from time to time in accordance with the procedures set forth in the BBH Online Terms and Conditions. Foreign exchange transactions that occur or are placed on or after the effective date of such updates, as stated in the applicable notice, shall be governed by the FX Terms and Conditions, as so modified. The Fund represents and warrants, each and every time an Instruction to execute a foreign exchange transaction with the Custodian as principal is initiated, that it is an eligible contract participant, as that term is used under the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder, as amended from time to time.

 

7.5 Delays. If no event of Force Majeure shall have occurred and be continuing and in the event that a delay shall have been caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian in carrying out an Instruction to credit or transfer cash, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolios for damages, plus: (a) with respect to Principal Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Custodian on overnight deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected; and, (b) with respect to Agency Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Subcustodian on overnight deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected. The Custodian shall not be liable for delays in carrying out Instructions to transfer cash which are not due to the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct.

 

7.6 Advances. If, for any reason in connection with this Agreement the Custodian or any Subcustodian makes an Advance to facilitate settlement or otherwise for the benefit of the Fund or a Portfolio (whether or not any Principal or Agency Account shall be overdrawn either during, or at the end of, any Business Day), the Fund hereby does:

 

7.6.1 acknowledge that the Fund shall have no right, title or interest in or to any Investments purchased with such Advance or proceeds of such Investments, and that any credit of Investments to an account of Fund shall be provisional, until: (a) the debit of the Principal or Agency Account by Custodian for an amount equal to Advance Costs; and/or (b) if such debit produces an overdraft in such account, reimbursement to the Custodian or Subcustodian for the amount of such overdraft;

 

7.6.2 acknowledge that the Custodian has an automatically perfected statutory security interest in Investments purchased with any such Advance pursuant to Section 9-206 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York from time to time;

 

7.6.3 in addition, in order to secure the obligations of the Fund to pay or perform any and all obligations of the Fund pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation to repay any Advance made pursuant to this Agreement, grant to the Custodian a security interest in all Investments and proceeds thereof (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as currently in effect in the State of New York); and agree to take, and agree that the Custodian may take, in respect of the security interest referenced above, any further actions that the Custodian may reasonably require.

 

7.7 Custodian’s Rights Neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be obligated to make any Advance or to allow an Advance to occur to the Fund or a Portfolio, and in the event that the Custodian or any Subcustodian does make or allow an Advance, any such Advance and any transaction giving rise to such

 
 

Advance shall be for the account and risk of the Fund and shall not be deemed to be a transaction undertaken by the Custodian for its own account and risk. If such Advance shall have been made or allowed by a Subcustodian or any other person, the Custodian may assign all or part of its security interest referenced above and any other rights granted to the Custodian hereunder to such Subcustodian or other person. If the Fund or Portfolio shall fail to repay the Advance Costs when due, the Custodian or its assignee, as the case may be, shall be entitled to a portion of the available cash balance in any Agency or Principal Account equal to such Advance Costs, and the Fund authorizes the Custodian, on behalf of the Fund or Portfolio, to pay an amount equal to such Advance Costs irrevocably to such Subcustodian or other person, and to dispose of any property in such Account to the extent necessary to make such payment. Any Investments credited to accounts subject to this Agreement created pursuant hereto shall be treated as financial assets credited to securities accounts under Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York from time to time. Accordingly, the Custodian and any Subcustodian shall have the rights and benefits of a secured creditor that is a securities intermediary under such Articles 8 and 9.

 

7.8 Integrated Account. For purposes hereof, deposits maintained in all Principal Accounts (whether or not denominated in Dollars) shall collectively constitute a single and indivisible current account with respect to the Fund's obligations to the Custodian or its assignee, and balances in the Principal Accounts shall be available for satisfaction of the Fund's obligations under this Section 7. The Custodian shall further have a right of offset against the balances in any Agency Account maintained hereunder to the extent that the aggregate of all Principal Accounts is overdrawn.

 

8.       Subcustodians and Securities Depositories. Subject to the provisions hereinafter set forth in this Section 8, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to utilize Securities Depositories to act on behalf of a Portfolio and to appoint from time to time and to utilize Subcustodians. With respect to Investments held by a Subcustodian, either directly or indirectly (including by a Securities Depository or Clearing Corporation), notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, payment for securities purchased and delivery of securities sold may be made prior to receipt of securities or payment, respectively, and securities or payment may be received in a form in accordance with (a) governmental regulations, (b) rules of Securities Depositories and Clearing Agencies, (c) generally accepted trade practice in the applicable local market, (d) the terms and characteristics of the particular Investment, or (e) the terms of Instructions.

 

8.1 Domestic Subcustodians and Securities Depositories. The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain, either directly or through one or more Agents appointed by the Custodian, Investments of the Fund in any Securities Depository in the United States, including The Depository Trust Company, provided such Depository meets applicable requirements of the Federal Reserve Bank or of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian may, from time to time, appoint any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder to act on behalf of the Fund as a Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund in the United States.

 

8.2 Foreign Subcustodians and Securities Depositories. Unless instructed otherwise by the Fund, the Custodian may deposit and/or maintain non-U.S. Investments of the Fund in any Foreign Securities Depository provided such Securities Depository meets the requirements of an "eligible securities depository" under Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act, or any successor rule or regulation ("Rule 17f-7") or which by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom. Prior to the time that Investments are placed with such depository, but subject to the provisions of Section 8.2.4 below, the Custodian shall have prepared and provided to the Fund an assessment of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Securities Depository and shall have established a system to monitor such risks on a continuing basis in accordance with subsection 8.2.3 of this Section. Additionally, the Custodian may, from time to time, appoint (a) any bank, trust company or other entity meeting the requirements of an “eligible foreign custodian under Rule 17f-5 or which by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom, or (b) any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act on behalf of the Fund as a Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund outside the United States.

 

 
 

8.3 Delegation of Board Review of Subcustodians. From time to time, the Custodian may agree to perform certain reviews of Subcustodians and of Subcustodian Contracts as the delegate of the Fund's Board. In such event, the Custodian's duties and obligations with respect to this delegated review will be performed in accordance with the terms of the attached Delegation Schedule.

 

8.4 Board Approval of Foreign Subcustodians. Unless and except to the extent that the Board of Trustees has delegated to the Custodian and the Custodian has accepted delegation of review of certain matters concerning the appointment of Subcustodians pursuant to Subsection 8.3, the Custodian shall, prior to the appointment of any Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund or its Portfolios outside the United States, obtain written confirmation of the approval of the Board of Trustees with respect to (a) the identity of a Subcustodian, and (b) the Subcustodian agreement which shall govern such appointment, such approval to be signed by an Authorized Person. An Instruction to open an account in a given country shall comprise authorization of the Custodian to hold assets in such country in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall not be required to make independent inquiry as to the authorization of the Fund to invest in such country.

 

8.5 Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Securities Depositories. Prior to the placement of any assets of the Fund or a Portfolio with a Foreign Securities Depository, the Custodian: (a) shall provide to the Fund or its authorized representative a written assessment of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets within such Securities Depository; and (b) shall have established a system to monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Securities Depository on a continuing basis and to promptly notify the Fund or its Investment Adviser of any material changes in such risk. In performing its duties under this subsection, the Custodian shall use reasonable care and may rely on such reasonable sources of information as may be available including but not limited to: (i) published ratings; (ii) information supplied by a Subcustodian that is a participant in such Securities Depository; (iii) industry surveys or publications; (iv) information supplied by the depository itself, by its auditors (internal or external) or by the relevant Foreign Financial Regulatory Authority. It is acknowledged that information procured through some or all of these sources may not be independently verifiable by the Custodian and that direct access to Securities Depositories is limited under most circumstances. Accordingly, the Custodian shall not be responsible for errors or omissions in its duties hereunder provided that it has performed its monitoring and assessment duties with reasonable care. The risk assessment shall be provided to the Fund or its Investment Adviser by such means as the Custodian shall reasonably establish. Advices of material change in such assessment may be provided by the Custodian in the manner established as customary between the Fund and the Custodian for transmission of material market information.

 

8.6 Responsibility for Subcustodians. Except as provided in the last sentence of this Section 8.6, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund and its applicable Portfolios for any loss or damage thereto caused by or resulting from the acts or omissions of any Subcustodian to the extent that such acts or omissions would be deemed to be negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct in accordance within the terms of the relevant subcustodian agreement under the laws, circumstances and practices prevailing in the place where the act or omission occurred. The liability of the Custodian in respect of the countries and Subcustodians designated by the Custodian, from time to time on the Global Custody Network Listing shall be subject to the additional condition that the Custodian actually recovers such loss or damage from the Subcustodian.

 

8.7 New Countries. The Fund shall be responsible for informing the Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment which is to be held in a country in which no Subcustodian is authorized to act in order that the Custodian shall, if it deems appropriate to do so, have sufficient time to establish a subcustodial arrangement in accordance herewith. In the event the Custodian is unable to establish such arrangements prior to the time the investment is to be acquired, the Custodian is authorized to designate at its discretion a local safekeeping agent, and the use of the local safekeeping agent shall be at the sole risk of the Fund, and accordingly the Custodian shall be responsible to the Fund for the actions of such agent if and only to the extent the Custodian shall have recovered from such agent for any damages caused the Fund by such agent. .

 

9. Responsibility of the Custodian. In performing its duties and obligations hereunder, the Custodian shall use reasonable care under the facts and circumstances prevailing in the market where performance is effected. Subject

 
 

to the specific provisions of this Section, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any damage incurred by the Fund or a Portfolio in consequence of the Custodian's (or its employees’, officers’ or other agents’) negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. In no event shall the Custodian be liable hereunder for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages arising out of, pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement even if advised of the possibility of such damages. It is agreed that the Custodian shall have no duty to assess the risks inherent in the Fund’s Investments or to provide investment advice with respect to Investments and that the Fund and its Portfolios as principal shall bear any risks attendant to particular Investments such as failure of counterparty or issuer.

 

9.1 Limitations of Performance. The Custodian shall not be responsible under this Agreement for any failure to perform its duties, and shall not be liable hereunder for any loss or damage in association with such failure to perform for or in consequence of the following causes:

 

9.1.1 Force Majeure. Force Majeure shall mean any circumstance or event which is beyond the reasonable control of the Fund, Custodian, a Subcustodian or any agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian and which adversely affects the performance by the Fund, Custodian of its obligations hereunder, by the Subcustodian of its obligations under its Subcustody Agreement or by any other Agent of the Custodian or the Subcustodian, including any event caused by, arising out of or involving (a) an act of God, (b) accident, fire, water or wind damage or explosion, (c) any computer, system or other equipment failure or malfunction caused by any computer virus or the malfunction or failure of any communications medium, (d) any interruption of the power supply or other utility service, (e) any strike or other work stoppage, whether partial or total, (f) any delay or disruption resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country, Sanctions or Sovereign Risk, (g) any disruption of, or suspension of trading in, the securities, commodities or foreign exchange markets, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country, Sanctions or Sovereign Risk, (h) any encumbrance on the transferability of a currency or a currency position on the actual settlement date of a foreign exchange transaction, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country, Sanctions or Sovereign Risk, or (i) any other cause similarly beyond the reasonable control of the party.

 

9.1.2 Country Risk. Country Risk shall mean, with respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of Investments in a jurisdiction, all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of, systemic and markets factors affecting the acquisition, payment for or ownership of Investments including (a) the prevalence of crime and corruption, (b) the inaccuracy or unreliability of business and financial information, (c) the instability or volatility of banking and financial systems, or the absence or inadequacy of an infrastructure to support such systems, (d) custody and settlement infrastructure of the market in which such Investments are transacted and held, (e) the acts, omissions and operation of any Securities Depository, (f) the risk of the bankruptcy or insolvency of banking agents, counterparties to cash and securities transactions, registrars or transfer agents, and (g) the existence of market conditions which prevent the orderly execution or settlement of transactions or which affect the value of assets.

 

9.1.3 Sovereign Risk. Sovereign Risk shall mean, in respect of any jurisdiction, including the United States of America, where Investments are acquired or held hereunder or under a Subcustody Agreement, (a) any act of war, terrorism, riot, insurrection or civil commotion, (b) the imposition of any investment, repatriation or exchange control restrictions by any Governmental Authority, (c) the confiscation, expropriation or nationalization of any Investments by any Governmental Authority, whether de facto or de jure, (d) any devaluation or revaluation of the currency, (e) the imposition of taxes, levies or other charges affecting Investments, (f) any change in the Applicable Law, or (g) any other economic or political risk incurred or experienced.

 

9.1.4       AML and Sanctions Risk. AML and Sanctions Risk shall mean, with respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of Investments, all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of the Custodian complying with one or more Sanctions Regimes or applicable AML Laws, including, but not limited to, the risk that if Custodian reasonably believes it has come in contact with a sanctioned party, or has come into possession or control of any Sanctioned Property as a result of its performance of this Agreement, Custodian may be required by one or

 
 

more Sanctions Regime to block (i.e. prevent further movement of) such Sanctioned Property and report any related activity to relevant government authorities. The Fund acknowledges that if multiple Sanctions Regimes apply (including OFAC), the Custodian will comply with the most restrictive of the applicable regimes. The Fund also acknowledges that the Custodian shall not be liable hereunder for any loss or damage caused by any delays or refusals to process a transaction that result from Custodian’s obligation to ensure compliance with applicable AML Laws and Sanctions Regimes.

 

9.2. Limitations on Liability. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, claim, damage or other liability arising from the following causes:

 

9.2.1 Failure of Third Parties. The failure of any third party including: (a) any issuer of Investments or Book-Entry Agent or other agent of an issuer; (b) any counterparty with respect to any Investment, including any issuer of exchange-traded or other futures, option, derivative or commodities contract; (c) failure of an Investment Advisor, third party foreign custody manager or other agent of the Fund ; or (d) failure of other third parties similarly beyond the control or choice of the Custodian.

 

9.2.2 Information Sources. The Custodian may rely upon information received from issuers of Investments or agents of such issuers, information received from Subcustodians and from other commercially reasonable sources such as commercial data bases and the like, but shall not be responsible for specific inaccuracies in such information (provided that the Custodian has relied upon such information in good faith), or the failiure of any commerciallly reasonable information provider.

 

9.2.3       Reliance on Instruction. Action by the Custodian or the Subcustodian in accordance with an Instruction, even when such action conflicts with, or is contrary to any provision of, the Fund's trust instrument, certificate of trust or by-laws, Applicable Law, or actions by the trustees, directors or shareholders of the Fund.

 

9.2.4 Restricted Securities. The limitations inherent in the rights, transferability or similar investment characteristics of a given Investment of the Fund.

 

10.       Transfer Agency Services. Subject to the specific provisions of this Section, the TA shall not be liable to the Fund for any damage incurred by the Fund or a Portfolio unless such damages arise from the TA's (or its employees’, officers’ or other agents’) negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. In no event shall the TA be liable hereunder for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages arising out of, pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement even if advised of the possibility of such damages. BBH&Co. will provide the transfer agency services described in Schedule IV hereto pursuant to the following terms and conditions:

 

10.1 Limitations on Liability

 

10.1.1 TA shall not be held accountable or liable to the Fund, or any third party if TA is unable to perform its responsibilities in accordance with this Agreement as a result of (i) any errors in the Services based upon or arising out of information received in a timely or untimely manner by TA either (a) from a source which TA was authorized to rely upon pursuant to a relevant Schedule hereto, or (b) from a source which in TA’s reasonable judgment was as an appropriate source for such information, (ii) relevant information known to the Fund which would impact the Services but which is not communicated by the Fund or its agent to TA, or (iii) the suspension, discontinuance or termination of the transmission of information by information providers for any reason, provided TA shall have made reasonable commercial efforts to procure such transmission. The Fund hereby acknowledges and agrees that TA shall neither guarantee nor make any warranties whatsoever, with respect to the sources referenced above and to the accuracy or completeness of their information.

 

10.1.2 The Fund acknowledges and agrees that nothing herein is intended to diminish the responsibility of third parties, including without limitation, its clients, custodian banks, brokers, and

 
 

pricing and administrative agents, under their respective contractual and/or business arrangements with the Fund.

 

10.1.3 TA shall incur no liability with respect to any telecommunications, equipment or power failures, or any failures to perform or delays in performance by postal or courier services or third-party information providers.

 

10.1.4 TA shall in no event be required to advance or expend its own funds in connection with the services provided hereunder, or take any action which is in contravention of any applicable law, rule or regulation or any order or judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

10.1.5 The Fund shall review the Services performed by TA under this Agreement promptly and periodically and shall notify TA of any improper performance, discrepancy or error therein. Unless the Fund provides written notice of any such discrepancy or error within a reasonable time after such Services are performed, the Services shall be deemed to have met the duties and standards set forth herein.

 

10.1.6 Without limiting the generality of any of the foregoing provisions, in no event shall TA be liable for any taxes, penalties, fines, costs, charges or fees imposed on the Fund in connection with the Services hereunder unless otherwise agreed between the Parties.

 

10.1.7 In no event shall TA be responsible for providing investment management services or advice or legal advice under this Agreement, nor shall TA be liable for the investment management services and advice received or given by the Fund or the legal advice received by the Fund from its counsel or other legal counsel.

 

10.1.8 Without limiting the generality of any of the foregoing provisions, the TA shall have no liability for any damages arising out of (i) the failure of any Authorized Participant to perform its obligations under a Participant Agreement (“Participant Agreement” defined for this purpose as any Participant Agreement between the Distributor and an Authorized Participant acknowledged by the Administrator); (ii) activities or statements of sales or wholesaler personnel who are employed by any distributor (or its affiliates); or (iii) the failure of any Authorized Participant to deposit with the Custodian sufficient collateral, or to provide additional collateral upon request by the TA, in connection with the monitoring services provided for herein on Schedule IV; or (b) any errors in the computation of collateral requirements based upon or arising out of quotations or information received by the TA from the Fund’s accounting agent or any other source on which the TA reasonably relies.

 

10.2 Instructions. TA shall not be liable for, and shall be indemnified by the Fund against any and all losses, costs, damages or expenses arising from or as a result of, any action taken or omitted in reliance upon Instructions (as hereinafter defined) or upon any other written notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or other instrument believed by it to be genuine and signed or authorized by the proper party or parties.

 

10.2.1 Instructions shall mean a written request, direction, instruction or certification signed or initialed on behalf of the Fund by one or more Authorized Persons. Authorized Persons may be identified by name, title or position. Telephonic and other oral instructions or instructions given by facsimile transmission may be given by any one of the Authorized Persons. Such instructions shall be considered Instructions if TA reasonably believes them to have been given by an Authorized Person. In no event shall Instructions be in the form of electronic mail.

 

10.2.2 Where Instructions are conveyed through facsimile transmissions, the Fund hereby acknowledges that (i) receipt of legible instructions cannot be assured, (ii) TA cannot verify that authorized signatures on facsimile Instructions are original, and (iii) TA shall not be responsible for losses or expenses incurred through actions taken in reliance on such Instructions. The Fund agrees that such facsimile Instructions shall be conclusive evidence of the Fund’s Instruction to TA to act

 
 

or to omit to act.

 

10.2.3 Instructions given orally will be confirmed by written Instructions in the manner set forth above in Section 10.2.1, including by facsimile, but the lack of such confirmation shall in no way affect any action taken by TA in reliance upon such oral Instructions. The Fund authorizes TA to tape record any and all telephonic or other oral Instructions given to TA by or on behalf of the Fund (including any of its officers, directors, trustees, employees or agents or any investment manager or adviser or person or entity with similar responsibilities which is authorized to give Instructions on behalf of the Fund to TA). The Fund agrees to solicit valid written or other consent from any of its employees in respect to telephonic recordings to the extent such consent is required by applicable law.

 

10.3 Representations of TA.

 

10.3.1 TA represents that it is a registered transfer agent under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

10.3.2 TA has established pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, and other U.S. laws and regulations applicable to it, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance programs, including but not limited to: (1) the development of internal policies, procedures, and controls; (2) the designation of a compliance officer; (3) the implementation of ongoing employee training programs; and (4) the creation of an independent audit function to test such programs.

 

10.3.3 TA has a customer identification program (CIP) consistent with the rules under section 326 of the USA Patriot Act. TA. For the avoidance of doubt, DTC is exempt from CIP requirements.

 

10.3.4 TA: (i) has in place policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with the transfer agent rules of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (ii) and will maintain appropriate records in accordance with said transfer agent rules.

 

 

11.       Indemnification. The Fund hereby indemnifies BBH&Co. as TA and Custodian (and each Subcustodian), and their respective Agents, nominees and the partners, employees, officers and directors, and agrees to hold each of them harmless from and against all claims and liabilities, including counsel fees and taxes, incurred or assessed against any of them in connection with the performance of this Agreement and any Instruction. If a Subcustodian or any other person indemnified under the preceding sentence, gives written notice of claim to the Custodian, the Custodian shall promptly give written notice to the Fund.

 

12.       Reports and Records. BBH&Co. shall:

 

12.1 create and maintain records relating to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement (including such reports as may be required pursuant to Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder);

 

12.2 make available to and copy for the Fund (at the Fund’s expense), its auditors, agents and employees, upon reasonable request and during its normal business hours, all records maintained by BBH&Co. pursuant to Section 12.1 above, subject, however, to all reasonable security requirements of BBH&Co. then applicable to the records of its customers generally; and

 

12.3 make available to the Fund all Electronic Reports; it being understood that BBH&Co. shall not be liable hereunder for the inaccuracy or incompleteness thereof or for errors in any information included therein.

 

12.4 The Fund shall examine all records, however produced or transmitted, promptly upon receipt and notify BBH&Co. promptly of any discrepancy or error. Unless the Fund delivers written notice of any such discrepancy or error within a reasonable time after its receipt of the records, the records shall be deemed to be true and accurate.

 

 
 

12.5 The Fund acknowledges that the Custodian obtains information on the value of assets from outside sources which may be utilized in certain reports made available to the Fund. The Custodian deems such sources to be reliable but the Fund acknowledges and agrees that the Custodian does not verify such information nor make any representations or warrantees as to its accuracy or completeness and accordingly shall be without liability in selecting and using such sources and furnishing such information.

 

13.       Miscellaneous.

 

13.1       Powers of Attorney, etc. The Fund on behalf of its Portfolios will promptly execute and deliver, upon request, such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may reasonably be necessary or desirable for the Custodian to provide, or to cause any Subcustodian to provide, the services contemplated by this Agreement.

 

13.2       Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto and supersedes any other oral or written agreements heretofore in effect between the Fund and the Custodian with respect to the subject matter hereof. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or terminated except by a statement in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the amendment or termination is sought, provided, however, that an Instruction shall, whether or not such Instruction shall constitute a waiver, amendment or modification for purposes hereof, be deemed to have been accepted by the Custodian when it commences actions pursuant thereto or in accordance therewith. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of a service level agreement or other operating agreement in place between the parties from time to time, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

 

13.3 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Custodian and the Fund and their successors and assignees, provided that neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Custodian. Each party agrees that only the parties to this Agreement and/or their successors in interest shall have a right to enforce the terms of this Agreement. Accordingly, no client of the Fund or other third party shall have any rights under this Agreement and such rights are explicitly disclaimed by the parties.

 

13.4 GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION AND VENUE. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK CITY. THE FUND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. Furthermore, each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives any right that it may have to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

13.5        Notices. Notices and other writings contemplated by this Agreement, other than Instructions, shall be delivered (a) by hand, (b) by first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (c) by a nationally recognized overnight courier, or (d) by facsimile transmission, provided that any notice or other writing sent by facsimile transmission shall also be mailed, postage prepaid, to the party to whom such notice is addressed. All such notices shall be addressed, as follows:

 

If to the Fund: Gemini Fund Services c/o Northern Lights Fund Trust III

80 Arkay Drive

Hauppauge, New York 11788

 

 

Attn: Richard Malinowski

 
 

 

Telephone: (631)470-2600

 

 

If to the Custodian: Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

50 Post Office Square

Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1548

Attn:

Telephone:       (617) 772-1818

Facsimile:        (617) 772-XXXX,

 

or such other address as the Fund or the Custodian may have designated in writing to the other. Notices given by the Custodian pursuant to Section 12.13 may also be given by electronic mail to the email address of any Authorized Person. The Fund agrees that such notices given by electronic mail shall be conclusively presumed to have been delivered and received by the Fund as of the date such electronic mail was sent by the Custodian, as recorded by the Custodian’s systems.

 

13.6 Headings. Paragraph headings included herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not modify, define, expand or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

13.7 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.

 

13.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by the Fund and the Custodian. A photocopy or telefax of the Agreement shall be acceptable evidence of the existence of the Agreement and the Custodian shall be protected in relying on the photocopy or telefax until the Custodian has received the original of the Agreement.

 

13.9 Confidentiality. The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering or obtaining services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement (including, without limitation, disclosure to Subcustodians or Agents appointed by the Custodian), shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by or to any regulator of the Custodian or any Agent or Subcustodian, any Regulatory Authority, any auditor or attorney of the parties hereto, or by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by Applicable Law.

 

13.10 Tape-recording. The Fund on behalf of itself and its Customers authorizes the Custodian to tape record any and all telephonic or other oral instructions given to the Custodian by or on behalf of the Fund, including from any Authorized Person. This authorization will remain in effect until and unless revoked by the Fund in writing.

 

13.11 Counsel/Certified Public Accountant. In fulfilling its duties hereunder, the Custodian shall be entitled to receive and act upon the advice of (i) counsel and/or a certified public accountant regularly retained by the Custodian in respect of such matters, (ii) counsel and/or a certified public accountant for the Fund or (iii) such counsel or certified public accountant as the Fund and the Custodian may agree upon, with respect to all matters, and the Custodian shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.

 

13.12 Conflict. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Custodian and its associates from (i) dealing as a principal or an intermediary in the sale, purchase or loan of the Fund’s Investments to, or from the Custodian or its associates; (ii) acting as a custodian, a subcustodian, a trustee, an agent, securities

 
 

dealer, an investment manager or in any other capacity for any other client whose interests may be adverse to the interest of the Fund; or (iii) buying, holding, lending, and dealing in any way in any assets for the benefit of its own account, or for the account of any other client whose interests may be adverse to the Fund notwithstanding that the same or similar assets may be held or dealt in by, or for the account of the Fund by the Custodian. The Fund hereby voluntarily consents to, and waives any potential conflict of interest between the Custodian and/or its associates and the Fund, and agrees that:

 

(a)                 the Custodian’s and/or its associates’ engagement in any such transaction shall not disqualify the Custodian from continuing to perform as the custodian of the Fund or Portfolios under this Agreement;

(b)                the Custodian and/or its associates shall not be under any duty to disclose any information in connection with any such transaction to the Fund;

(c)                 the Custodian and/or its associates shall not be liable to account to the Fund or a Portfolio for any profits or benefits made or derived by or in connection with any such transaction,; and

(d)                the Fund shall use all reasonable efforts to disclose this provision, among other provisions in this Agreement, to its shareholders.

 

12.13 BBH Online Terms and Conditions. Use of the BBH WorldView® portal, any future release thereof or successor thereto (the “Portal”), and the products and services available through the Portal (the “Online Services”) are subject to additional terms and conditions, which are available at: bbh.com/onlineterms, as such may be updated from time to time (the “BBH Online Terms and Conditions”) and which are incorporated herein by reference. Without limiting any provision of this Agreement or the BBH Online Terms and Conditions, the Fund is responsible for all use of the Online Services by its authorized users (including employees, officers, directors, agents, consultants, contractors and any third parties given access to the Online Services by or on behalf of the Fund), and for ensuring that all such persons comply with the BBH Online Terms and Conditions. BBH&Co. will inform the Fund of any updates to the BBH Online Terms and Conditions in accordance with the procedures set forth therein.

 

14.       Definitions. The following defined terms will have the respective meanings set forth below.

 

14.1        Advance(s) shall mean any extension of credit by or through the Custodian or by or through any Subcustodian and shall include, without limitation, amounts due to the Custodian as the principal counterparty to any foreign exchange transaction with the Fund as described in Section 7.4.2 hereof, or paid to third parties for account of the Fund or in discharge of any expense, tax or other item payable by the Fund.

 

14.2       Advance Costs shall mean any Advance, interest on the Advance and any related expenses, including without limitation any mark to market loss of the Custodian or Subcustodian on any Investment to which Section 7.6.1 applies.

 

14.3       Agency Account(s) shall mean any deposit account opened on the books of a Subcustodian or other banking institution in accordance with Section 7.1 hereof.

 

14.4       Agent(s) shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.17 hereof.

 

14.5       Applicable Law shall mean with respect to each jurisdiction, all (a) laws, statutes, treaties, regulations, guidelines (or their equivalents); (b) orders, interpretations, licenses and permits; and (c) judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs, orders and similar actions by a court of competent jurisdiction; compliance with which is required or customarily observed in such jurisdiction.

 

14.6        Authorized Person(s) shall mean any person or entity authorized to give Instructions on behalf of the Fund in accordance with Section 4.1 or 10.2.1 hereof.

 

14.7         BBH Online Terms and Conditions shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.13 hereof

 

14.8       Book-entry Agent(s) shall mean an entity acting as agent for the issuer of Investments for purposes of recording ownership or similar entitlement to Investments, including without limitation a transfer agent or

 
 

registrar.

 

14.9        Clearing Corporation shall mean any entity or system established for purposes of providing securities settlement and movement and associated functions for a given market(s).

 

14.10       Delegation Schedule shall mean any separate schedule entered into between the Custodian and the Fund or its authorized representative with respect to certain matters concerning the appointment and administration of Subcustodians delegated to the Custodian pursuant to Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.

 

14.11         Electronic Reports shall mean any reports prepared by the Custodian and remitted to the Fund or its authorized representative via the internet or electronic mail.

 

14.12        EU shall mean the European Union and its member states.

 

 

14.13       Foreign Custody Manager shall mean the Fund’s foreign custody manager appointed pursuant to Rule 17f-5 of the 1940 Act.

 

14.14       Foreign Financial Regulatory Authority shall have the meaning given by Section 2(a)(50) of the 1940 Act.

 

14.15        Funds Transfer Services Schedule shall mean any separate schedule entered into between the Custodian and the Fund or its authorized representative with respect to certain matters concerning the processing of payment orders from Principal Accounts of the Fund.

 

14.16       Global Custody Network Listing shall mean Countries and Subcustodians approved for Investments in non-U.S. Markets.

 

14.17       Instruction(s) shall have the meaning assigned in Section 4 hereof.

 

14.18 Investment Advisor shall mean any person or entity who is an Authorized Person to give Instructions with respect to the investment and reinvestment of the Fund's Investments.

 

14.19       Investment(s) shall mean any investment asset of the Fund or Portfolios, including without limitation securities, bonds, notes, and debentures as well as receivables, derivatives, contractual rights or entitlements and other intangible assets, but shall not include any Principal Account.

 

14.20        Margin Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4 hereof.

 

14.21        OFAC shall mean the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

 

 

14.22       Principal Account(s) shall mean deposit accounts of the Fund or a Portfolio carried on the books of BBH&Co. as principal in accordance with Section 7 hereof.

 

14.23 Sanctions or Sanctions Regime(s) shall mean any governmental sanctions against countries, persons and entities that are imposed at any time by the US, the EU, the United Nations or any other jurisdiction, which Custodian must comply with.

 

14.24        Securities Depository shall mean a central or book entry system or agency established under Applicable Law for purposes of recording the ownership and/or entitlement to investment securities for a given market that, if a foreign Securities Depository, meets the definitional requirements of Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.

 

14.25        Subcustodian(s) shall mean each foreign bank appointed by the Custodian pursuant to Section 8 hereof, but shall not include Securities Depositories.

 
 

 

14.26       Tri-Party Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4 hereof.

 

14.27       1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

15.       Compensation. The Fund agrees to pay to BBH&Co. a fee in an amount set forth in the fee letter between the Fund and BBH&Co. as Custodian and between BBH&Co. as TA, in effect on the date hereof or as amended from time to time, and (b) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by BBH&Co. for account or benefit of the Fund or its Portfolios, and payable from time to time. Amounts payable by the Fund under and pursuant to this section shall be payable by wire transfer to the Custodian at BBH&Co. in New York, New York.

 

16.       Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by either party in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The provisions of this Agreement and any other rights or obligations incurred or accrued by any party hereto prior to termination of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

16.1 Term, Notice and Effect. This Agreement shall have an initial term of two (2) years from the date hereof. Thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one (1) year periods unless either party terminates this Agreement by written notice effective ninety (90) days or more following delivery of that notice to the other party at its address set forth hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, either party may terminate this Agreement at any time (a) for cause, which is a material breach of the Agreement not cured within 60 days, in which case termination shall be effective upon written receipt of notice by the non-terminating party, or (b) upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party in the event that either party is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or there shall be commenced against such party a case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar law now or hereafter in effect.

 

16.2 Notice and Succession. In the event a termination notice is given by a party hereto, all reasonable costs and expenses associated with any required systems, facilities, procedures, personnel, and other resourced modifications as well as the movement of records and materials and the conversion thereof shall be paid by the Fund for which Services shall cease to be performed hereunder. Furthermore, to the extent that it appears impracticable given the circumstances to effect an orderly delivery of the necessary and appropriate records of BBH&Co. to a successor within the time specified in the notice of termination as aforesaid, BBH&Co. and the Fund agree that this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for such reasonable period as may be required to complete necessary arrangements with a successor.

 

16.3 Successor Custodian. In the event of the appointment of a successor custodian, it is agreed that the Investments of the Fund held by the Custodian or any Subcustodian shall be delivered to the successor custodian in accordance with reasonable Instructions. The Custodian agrees to cooperate with the Fund in the execution of documents and performance of other actions necessary or desirable in order to facilitate the succession of the new custodian. If no successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall in like manner transfer the Fund's Investments in accordance with Instructions.

 

16.4 Delayed Succession of Custodian. If no Instruction has been given as of the effective date of termination, Custodian may at any time on or after such termination date and upon thirty (30) consecutive calendar days written notice to the Fund either (a) deliver the Investments of the Fund or any Portfolio held hereunder to the Fund at the address designated for receipt of notices hereunder; or (b) deliver any investments held hereunder to a bank or trust company having a capitalization of $2,000,000 USD equivalent and operating under the Applicable Law of the jurisdiction where such Investments are located, such delivery to be at the risk of the Fund. In the event that Investments or moneys of the Fund remain in the custody of the Custodian or its Subcustodians after the date of termination owing to the failure of the Fund to issue Instructions with respect to their disposition or owing to the fact that such disposition could not be accomplished in accordance with such Instructions despite diligent efforts of the Custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to compensation for its services with respect to such Investments and moneys during such period as the Custodian or its Subcustodians retain possession of such items and the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until disposition in accordance with this Section is accomplished.

 

 
 

17.       Compliance Policies and Procedures. To assist the Fund in complying with Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act, BBH&Co. represents that it has adopted written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws in fulfilling its obligations under the Agreement and that it has in place a compliance program to monitor its compliance with those policies and procedures. BBH&Co will upon request provide the Fund with information about our compliance program as mutually agreed.

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

The undersigned acknowledges that (I/we) have received a copy of this document.

 

 

BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

 

By: /s/ Eruch A. Mody_________________

Name: Eruch A. Mody

Title: Senior Vice President

Date: 9/5/2019

 

 

 

By: /s/ Richard Malinowski_______________

Name: Richard Malinowski

Title: President

Date: 9/3/2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

SCHEDULE I: FUNDS TRANSFER SERVICES SCHEDULE

(“FTSS”)

 

In accordance with Section 4.2 of the Custodian Agreement, the Fund acknowledges the following terms and conditions in respect of all funds transfers effected by the Custodian. References to UCC 4A shall mean Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code as currently in effect in the State of New York. Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings accorded to them in the Custodian Agreement.

 

 

1.                   Transmission of Payment Orders. Each FT Instruction shall be transmitted by such secured or authenticated means and subject to such security procedures as the Custodian shall make available to the Fund from time to time (such transmission method and security procedures, a Custodian Designated Security Procedure), unless the Fund shall elect to transmit such FT Instruction in accordance with a Fund Designated Security Procedure (as defined in Section 4 below). The Fund acknowledges and agrees that the Custodian will use the security procedures referenced in Sections 3 and 4 below solely to authenticate a FT Instruction, as set forth herein, and not to detect any errors or omissions therein.

 

2.                   Custodian Designated Security Procedure. The Custodian will make the following Custodian Designated Security Procedures available to the Fund for use in communicating FT Instructions to the Custodian:

 

§  BBH Worldview® Payment Products. The Custodian offers to the Fund use of its BBH Worldview Payment Products (“BBH Worldview”), which are Custodian proprietary on-line payment order authorization facilities with built-in authentication procedures. The Custodian and the Fund shall each be responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of passwords or other codes used by them in connection with BBH Worldview. The Custodian will act on FT Instructions received through BBH Worldview without duty of further confirmation unless the Fund notifies the Custodian that its password is not secure. The Fund agrees that access to, and use of, BBH Worldview shall be governed by the BBH Online Terms and Conditions.

 

§  SWIFT Transmission. The Custodian and the Fund shall comply with SWIFT’s authentication procedures. The Custodian will act on FT Instructions received via SWIFT provided the instruction is authenticated by the SWIFT system.

 

§  Written Instructions. Instructions may be transmitted in an original writing that bears the manual signature of an Authorized Person(s).

 

3.                   Fund Designated Security Procedure. FT Instructions may be transmitted through such other means, and subject to such additional security procedures, as may be elected by the Fund (or by an Authorized Person entitled to give Instructions) and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian (the transmission methods and security procedures referenced below, as may be supplemented by such additional security procedures, each a Fund Designated Security Procedure); it being understood that the Custodian’s acknowledgment shall authorize it to accept such means of delivery but shall not represent a judgment by the Custodian as to the reasonableness or security of the means utilized by the Fund.

 

§  Computer Transmission. The Custodian is able to accept transmissions sent from the Fund’s computer facilities to the Custodian’s computer facilities. If the Fund determines to use its proprietary transmission or other electronic transmission method, it must provide Custodian sufficient notice and information to allow testing or other confirmation that FT Instructions received via the Fund Designated Security Procedure can be processed in good time and order. The Custodian may require the Fund to execute additional documentation prior to the use of such transmission method.

 

§  Facsimile Transmission.

 

A FT Instruction transmitted to the Custodian by facsimile transmission must be transmitted by the Fund to a telephone number specified from time to time by the Custodian for such purposes. The Custodian will then follow one of the procedures below:

 
 

 

1.       If the facsimile requests a non-repetitive order, the Custodian will call the Fund and request to speak to a person authorized to validate orders on behalf of the Fund, and confirm the authorization and details of the payment order (a Callback);

 

2.       If the facsimile FT Instruction pertains to a repetitive payment order (see Section 7 below), the Custodian may (at its sole discretion) perform a Callback. The Fund acknowledges that prior to its issuance of any repetitive payment order, it must (a) request that the appropriate repetitive payment order process be approved and set up at the Custodian, and (b) complete such documentation as may be required by the Custodian, including a PPO (as defined in Section 7).

 

The Custodian shall rely on the purported identity of the originator but due to the lack of reliability of a facsimile signature, it will not perform signature verification on facsimiles.

 

 

§  Telephonic. The Fund may call a telephonic payment order into the Custodian at the telephone number designated from time-to-time by the Custodian for that purpose. The caller shall identify herself/himself as an Authorized Person. The Custodian shall obtain the FT Instruction details from the caller. The Custodian shall then follow one of the procedures below:

 

i.         If the telephonic FT Instruction pertains to a non-repetitive payment order, the Custodian will perform a Callback; or

 

ii.       If the telephonic FT Instruction pertains to a repetitive payment order (see Section 7 below), the Custodian may (at its sole discretion) perform a Callback. The Fund acknowledges that prior to its issuance of any repetitive payment order, it must (a) request that the appropriate repetitive payment order process be approved and set up at the Custodian, and (b) complete such documentation as may be required by the Custodian, including a PPO.

 

In electing to transmit a FT Instruction via a Fund Designated Security Procedure, the Fund (i) agrees to be bound by the transaction(s) or payment order(s) specified on said FT Instruction, whether or not authorized, and accepted by the Custodian in compliance with such Fund Designated Security Procedure, and (ii) accepts the risk associated with such Fund Designated Security Procedure and confirms it is commercially reasonable for the transmission and authentication of the FT Instruction.

 

The parties agree that the Fund’s transmission of a FT Instruction by means of any of the above Fund Designated Security Procedures and the Custodian’s acceptance and execution of such FT Instruction shall constitute a FT Instruction sent via a Fund Designated Security Procedure and governed by the terms of this FTSA.

 

4.                   Rejection of Payment Orders; Rescission of Designated Security Procedure. The Custodian shall give the Fund prompt notice of the Custodian’s rejection of a FT Instruction. Such notice may be given in writing, via a Custodian Designated Security Procedure or any Fund Designated Security Procedure used by the Fund, or orally by telephone, each of which is hereby deemed commercially reasonable. In the event the Custodian fails to execute a properly executable FT Instruction and fails to give the Fund notice of the Custodian’s non-execution, the Custodian shall be liable only for the Fund’s actual damages and only to the extent that such damages are recoverable under UCC 4A. The Custodian, after providing prior written notice, may decide to no longer accept a particular Fund or Custodian Designated Security Procedure, or to do so only on revised terms, in the event that it determines that such agreed or established method of transmission represents a security risk or is attendant to any general change in the Custodian’s policy regarding FT Instructions. Notwithstanding anything in this FTSA and the Agreement to the contrary, neither party shall be liable for any consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages under this FTSA, whether or not such damages relate to services covered by UCC 4A, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

 

5.                   Cancellation of Payment Orders. The Fund may cancel a FT Instruction but the Custodian shall have no liability for the Custodian’s failure to act on a cancellation FT Instruction unless the Custodian has received such cancellation FT Instruction at a time and in a manner affording the Custodian reasonable opportunity to act prior to

 
 

the Custodian’s execution of the original FT Instruction. Any cancellation FT Instruction shall be sent and confirmed by such means as is set forth in Section 3 or 4 above.

 

6.                   Preauthorized Repetitive Payment Orders. The Fund may establish with the Custodian a process to preauthorize certain repetitive payments or transfers. The Fund will execute all documentation required by the Custodian, including a separate Preauthorized Repetitive Payment Order (PPO) form. The PPO shall be delivered to the Custodian in writing or by another Custodian Designated Security Procedure or Fund Designated Security Procedure, and will become effective after the Custodian shall have had a reasonable opportunity to act thereon (or if later, two (2) banking days after receipt by the Custodian). The PPO may take the form of either:

 

(i) A standing instruction in which the Fund provides in the PPO all required information for a FT Instruction (except for the transfer date and amount) on a “standing instructions” basis. The Fund may from time-to-time instruct the Custodian to make a payment under the PPO, in writing or another Custodian Designated Security Procedure or Fund Designated Security Procedure, which instruction shall reference the repetitive line number (a number assigned to it by the Custodian after execution of the PPO), details of the payment, the transfer date and the amount of the transfer; or

 

(ii) A recurring instruction in which the Fund supplies all required information for a FT Instruction with an instruction to process such payments with a specific frequency.

 

7.                   Responsibility for the Detection of Errors in Payment Orders; Liability of the Parties. The purpose of any Fund Designated Security Procedure or Custodian Designated Security Procedure is to confirm the authenticity of any FT Instruction and is not designed to detect errors or omissions in such FT Instructions. Therefore, the Custodian is not responsible for detecting any Fund error or omission contained in any FT Instruction received by the Custodian. In the event that the FT Instruction either (i) identifies the beneficiary by both a name and an identifying or Fund account number and the name and number identify different persons or entities, or (ii) identifies any Fund by both a name and an identifying number and the number identifies a person or entity different from the Fund identified by name, execution of the relevant payment order, payment to the beneficiary, cancellation of the payment order or actions taken by the Custodian or any Fund in respect of such payment order may be made solely on the basis of the number.

 

The Custodian shall not be liable for interest on the amount of any FT Instruction that was not authorized or was erroneously executed unless the Fund so notifies the Custodian within thirty (30) days following the Fund’s receipt of notice that such FT Instruction was processed. Any compensation payable in the form of interest shall be payable in accordance with UCC 4A. If a FT Instruction in the name of the Fund and accepted by the Custodian was not authorized by the Fund, the liability of the parties will be governed by the applicable provisions of UCC 4A.

 
 

 

SCHEDULE III: DELEGATION SCHEDULE

 

By its execution of this Delegation Schedule dated as of August 29, 2019, between Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), acting through its Board of Directors/Trustees or its duly appointed representative (the Fund), hereby appoints BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO., a New York limited partnership with an office in Boston, Massachusetts (the Delegate) as its delegate to perform certain functions with respect to the custody of Fund's Assets outside the United States.

 

1.       Maintenance of Fund's Assets Abroad. The Fund, acting through its Board or its duly authorized representative, hereby instructs the Delegate pursuant to the terms of the Custodian Agreement dated as of the date hereof executed by and between the Fund and the Delegate (the Custodian Agreement) to place and maintain the Fund's Assets in countries outside the United States in accordance with Instructions received from the Fund’s Investment Advisor. Such instruction shall constitute an Instruction under the terms of the Custodian Agreement. The Fund acknowledges that (a) the Delegate shall perform services hereunder only with respect to the countries where it accepts delegation as Foreign Custody Manager as indicated on the Delegate’s Global Custody Network Listing; (b) depending on conditions in the particular country, advance notice may be required before the Delegate shall be able to perform its duties hereunder in or with respect to such country (such advance notice to be reasonable in light of the specific facts and circumstances attendant to performance of duties in such country); and (c) nothing in this Delegation Schedule shall require the Delegate to provide delegated or custodial services in any country, and there may from time to time be countries as to which the Delegate determines it will not provide delegation services.

 

2. Delegation. Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act as amended, the Board hereby delegates to the Delegate, and the Delegate hereby accepts such delegation and agrees to perform only those duties set forth in this Delegation Schedule concerning the safekeeping of the Fund's Assets in each of the countries designated on the Global Custody Network Listing or as to which it otherwise acts as the Fund’s delegate. The Delegate is hereby authorized to take such actions on behalf of or in the name of the Fund as are reasonably required to discharge its duties under this Delegation Schedule, including, without limitation, to cause the Fund's Assets to be placed with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian in accordance herewith. The Fund confirms to the Delegate that the Fund or its Investment Adviser has considered the Sovereign Risk and Country Risk as part of its continuing investment decision process, including such factors as may be reasonably related to the systemic risk of maintaining the Fund's Assets in a particular country, including, but not limited to, financial infrastructure, prevailing custody and settlement systems and practices (including the use of any Securities Depository in the context of information provided by the Custodian in the performance of its duties as required under Rule 17f-7 and the terms of the Custodian Agreement governing such duties), and the laws relating to the safekeeping and recovery of the Fund's Assets held in custody pursuant to the terms of the Custodian Agreement.

 

3. Selection of Eligible Foreign Custodian and Contract Administration. The Delegate shall perform the following duties with respect to the selection of Eligible Foreign Custodians and administration of certain contracts governing the Fund's foreign custodial arrangements:

 

(a)        Selection of Eligible Foreign Custodian. The Delegate shall place and maintain the Fund's Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, provided that the Delegate shall have determined that the Fund's Assets will be subject to reasonable care based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets including without limitation:

 

(i)       The Eligible Foreign Custodian's practices, procedures, and internal controls, including, but not limited to, the physical protections available for certificated securities (if applicable), the controls and procedures for dealing with any Securities Depository, the method of keeping custodial records, and the security and data protection practices;

(ii)       Whether the Eligible Foreign Custodian has the requisite financial strength to provide reasonable care for the Fund's Assets;

(iii)       The Eligible Foreign Custodian's general reputation and standing; and

(iv)       Whether the Fund will have jurisdiction over and be able to enforce judgments against the Eligible Foreign Custodian, such as by virtue of the existence of any offices of such Eligible Foreign Custodian in the United States or such Eligible Foreign Custodian's appointment of an agent for

 
 

service of process in the United States or consent to jurisdiction in the United States.


The Delegate shall be required to make the foregoing determination to the best of its knowledge and belief based only on information reasonably available to it.

 

 

(b)       Contract Administration. The Delegate shall cause that the foreign custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall be governed by a written contract that the Delegate has determined will provide reasonable care for Fund assets based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market. Each such contract shall, except as set forth in the last paragraph of this subsection (b), include provisions that provide:

 

(i)       For indemnification or insurance arrangements (or any combination of the foregoing) such that the Fund will be adequately protected against the risk of loss of assets held in accordance with such contract;

(ii)        That the Fund's Assets will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Eligible Foreign Custodian or its creditors except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration or, in the case of cash deposits, liens or rights in favor of creditors of such Custodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws;

(iii)       That beneficial ownership of the Fund's Assets will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration;

(iv)       That adequate records will be maintained identifying the Fund's Assets as belonging to the Fund or as being held by a third party for the benefit of the Fund;

(v)       That the Fund's independent public accountants will be given access to those records described in (iv) above or confirmation of the contents of such records; and

(vi)       That the Delegate will receive sufficient and timely periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping of the Fund's Assets, including, but not limited to, notification of any transfer to or from the Fund's account or a third party account containing the Fund's Assets.

 

Such contract may contain, in lieu of any or all of the provisions specified in this Section 3(b), such other provisions that the Delegate determines will provide, in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for the Fund's Assets as the specified provisions, in their entirety.

 

(c)       Limitation to Delegated Selection. Notwithstanding anything in this Delegation Schedule to the contrary, the duties under this Section 3 shall apply only to Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Delegate and shall not apply to Securities Depositories or to any Eligible Foreign Custodian that the Delegate is directed to use pursuant to Section 7 of this Delegation Schedule.

 

4. Monitoring. The Delegate shall establish and maintain a system to monitor at reasonable intervals (but at least annually) the appropriateness of maintaining the Fund's Assets with each Eligible Foreign Custodian that has been selected by the Delegate pursuant to Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule. The Delegate shall monitor the continuing appropriateness of placement of the Fund's Assets in accordance with the criteria established under Section 3(a) of this Delegation Schedule. The Delegate shall monitor the continuing appropriateness of the contract governing the Fund's arrangements in accordance with the criteria established under Section 3(b) of this Delegation Schedule.

 

5. Reporting. At least annually and more frequently as mutually agreed between the parties, the Delegate shall provide to the Board written reports specifying placement of the Fund's Assets with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Delegate pursuant to Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule and shall promptly report on any material changes to such foreign custody arrangements. Delegate will prepare such a report with respect to any Eligible Foreign Custodian that the Delegate has been instructed to use pursuant to Section 7 of this Delegation Schedule only to the extent specifically agreed with respect to the particular situation.

 

6. Withdrawal of Fund's Assets. If the Delegate determines that an arrangement with a specific Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Delegate under Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule no longer meets the requirements of said Section, Delegate shall withdraw the Fund's Assets from the non-complying arrangement as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, however, that if in the reasonable judgment of the Delegate, such withdrawal

 
 

would require liquidation of any of the Fund's Assets or would materially impair the liquidity, value or other investment characteristics of the Fund's Assets, it shall be the duty of the Delegate to provide information regarding the particular circumstances and to act only in accordance with Instructions of the Fund or its Investment Advisor with respect to such liquidation or other withdrawal.

 

7.        Direction as to Eligible Foreign Custodian. Notwithstanding this Delegation Schedule, the Fund, acting through its Board, its Investment Advisor or its other Authorized Representative, may direct the Delegate to place and maintain the Fund's Assets with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian, including without limitation with respect to investment in countries as to which the Custodian will not provide delegation services. In such event, the Delegate shall be entitled to rely on any such instruction as an Instruction under the terms of the Custodian Agreement and shall have no duties under this Delegation Schedule with respect to such arrangement save those that it may undertake specifically in writing with respect to each particular instance.

 

8. Standard of Care. In carrying out its duties under this Delegation Schedule, the Delegate agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for safekeeping the Fund's Assets would exercise.

 

9. Representations. The Delegate hereby represents and warrants that it is a U.S. Bank, as defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(7) under the 1940 Act and that this Delegation Schedule has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Delegate and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Delegate.

 

The Fund hereby represents and warrants that its Board of Trustees has determined that it is reasonable to rely on the Delegate to perform the delegated responsibilities provided for herein and that this Delegation Schedule has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Fund.

 

10. Effectiveness; termination. This Delegation Schedule shall be effective as of the date on which this Delegation Schedule shall have been accepted by the Delegate, as indicated by the date set forth below the Delegate's signature. This Delegation Schedule may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Such termination shall be effective on the 30th calendar day following the date on which the non-terminating party shall receive the foregoing notice. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, this Delegation Schedule shall be deemed to have been terminated concurrently with the termination of the Custodian Agreement.

 

11. Notices. Notices and other communications under this Delegation Schedule are to be made in accordance with the arrangements designated for such purpose under the Custodian Agreement unless otherwise indicated in a writing referencing this Delegation Schedule and executed by both parties.

 

12. Definitions. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Delegation Schedule have the following meanings:

 

a.        Country Risk – shall have the meaning set forth in the Custodian Agreement.

 

b.       Eligible Foreign Custodian - shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-5(a)(1) of the 1940 Act and shall also include a U.S. Bank.

 

c.       Fund's Assets - shall mean any of the Fund's investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States, and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's transactions in such investments.

 

d.        Instructions - shall have the meaning set forth in the Custodian Agreement.

 

e.        Securities Depository - shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.

 

f.       Sovereign Risk - shall have the meaning set forth in the Custodian Agreement.

 

g .       U.S. Bank - shall mean a bank which qualifies to serve as a custodian of assets of investment

 
 

companies under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act.

 

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction. This Delegation Schedule shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal courts sitting in the State of New York or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or of the state courts of either such State or such Commonwealth.

 

14. Fees. Delegate shall perform its functions under this Delegation Schedule for the compensation determined under the Custodian Agreement.

 

15. Integration. This Delegation Schedule sets forth all of the Delegate's duties with respect to the selection and monitoring of Eligible Foreign Custodians, the administration of contracts with Eligible Foreign Custodians, the withdrawal of assets from Eligible Foreign Custodians and the issuance of reports in connection with such duties. The terms of the Custodian Agreement shall apply generally as to matters not expressly covered in this Delegation Schedule, including dealings with the Eligible Foreign Custodians in the course of discharge of the Delegate's obligations under the Custodian Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

The undersigned acknowledges that (I/we) have received a copy of this document.

 

 

BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III
   
By: __/s/ Eruch A. Mody_________________ By: /s/ Richard Malinowski_________________
Name: Eruch E. Mody Name: Name: Richard Malinowski
Title: Senior Vice President Title: Title: President

 

 

 

 

 
 

SCHEDULE IV: TRANSFER AGENT SERVICES SCHEDULE

 

BBH&Co. shall perform the following transfer agency services for the Fund and, where applicable, the Fund’s Portfolios. As used herein, the term Fund incorporates and includes the term Portfolio:

 

I.       Issuance and Redemption of Unit Baskets. It is agreed and understood that the Fund, and TA on the Fund’s behalf, shall issue and redeem Share Baskets of the Fund in blocks of 50,000 shares (“Shares”) (“Creation Baskets” and “Redemption Baskets,” respectively, and generically, “Baskets”) to and from such persons as are identified by the Fund as “Authorized Participants.”

 

A.       Pursuant to such purchase orders that BBH&Co. as the Index Receipt Agent shall receive from Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“Distributor”) and pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement entered into by the Fund, TA shall transfer appropriate trade instructions to the Custodian and pursuant to such orders register the appropriate number of book entry only Shares in the name of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee as a unitholder (each an Authorized Participant) of the Fund and deliver the Basket.

 

B.       Pursuant to such redemption orders that Index Receipt Agent shall receive from the Distributor, pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement entered into by the Fund, TA shall transfer appropriate trade instructions to the Custodian and, pursuant to such orders, redeem the appropriate number of Shares that are delivered to the designated DTC Participant Account of the Custodian for redemption and debit such Shares from the account of the Authorized Participant on the register of the Fund.

 

C.       On behalf of the Fund, TA shall issue Creation Baskets for settlement with purchasers through DTC as the purchaser is authorized to receive. Beneficial ownership of Shares shall be shown on the records of DTC and DTC Participants and not on any records maintained by TA. In issuing Shares through DTC to an Authorized Participant, TA shall be entitled to rely upon the latest Instructions that are received from the Distributor by TA as Index Receipt Agent concerning the issuance and delivery of such Shares for settlement.

 

D.       TA shall not issue on behalf of the Fund any Shares where it has received an Instruction from the Fund or the Distributor or written notification from any federal or state authority that the sale of the Shares has been suspended or discontinued, and TA shall be entitled to rely upon such Instructions or written notification.

 

E.       Upon the issuance of Shares as provided herein, TA shall not be responsible for the payment of any original issue or other taxes, if any, required to be paid by the Fund or the Distributor in connection with such issuance.

 

F.       Shares may be redeemed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the relevant Authorized Participant Agreement and TA shall duly process all redemption requests.

 

G.        TA will act only upon Instruction from the Fund and/or the Distributor in addressing any failure in the delivery of cash, securities and/or Shares in connection with the issuance and redemption of Shares.

 

II.       Recordkeeping.

 

A.       In satisfying its obligations under the Agreement, TA shall record the issuance of Creation Baskets and maintain, pursuant to Rule 17Ad6(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, a record of the total number of Creation Baskets that are authorized, issued and outstanding based upon data provided to TA by the Fund or the Distributor. TA shall also provide the Fund on a regular basis with the total number of Shares authorized, issued and outstanding; provided however that TA shall not be responsible for monitoring the issuance of such Shares or compliance with any laws relating to the validity of the issuance or the legality of the sale of such Shares.

 

III.       Services Related to the Monitoring of Cash Collateral.

 
 

 

(a) Monitor the collateralization levels as set forth in Authorized Participant Agreements in connection with cash collateral posted by Authorized Participants in connection with Creation Basket activity.
(b) Mark to market daily the value of such cash collateral using a pricing source from the Fund’s accounting agent or any other source on which the TA reasonably relies.
(c) Monitor collateral levels daily and communicate calls for additional collateral to the Authorized Participants as necessary based upon daily collateral requirement calculations using ratios set forth in Participant Agreements.
 
 

 

SCHEDULE V: PORTFOLIOS OF THE TRUST

Portfolios

HCM Defender 100 Index ETF

HCM Defender 500 Index ETF

 

[Certain identified information has been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material and would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed]

 

 

ETF FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

 

between

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

 

and

 

 

 


 

 
 

INDEX

 

1.   APPOINTMENT AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS 1
2.   DUTIES OF GFS 2
3.   FEES 3
4.   STANDARD OF CARE, INDEMNIFICATION AND RELIANCE 4
5.   LIMITATION OF SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY 6
6.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 6
7.   CONFIDENTIALITY 7
8.   PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 8
9.   ADDITIONAL FUNDS 9
10.   ASSIGNMENT AND SUBCONTRACTING 9
11.   TERM AND TERMINATION 9
12.   MISCELLANEOUS 10

 

APPENDIX I

APPENDIX II

APPENDIX III

 

 
 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

ETF FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

THIS ETF FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated the 29th day of August, 2019, (the “Effective Date”), is entered into by and between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III, a Delaware statutory trust having its principal office and place of business at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 (the "Trust") and GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company having its principal office and place of business at 17645 Wright Street, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (“GFS”).

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is an investment company registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company 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 offers shares in the series as set forth on Appendix III 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 described on Appendices I and II (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, hereby appoints GFS to provide the Services to the Trust and the Funds for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. GFS accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the Services in return for the compensation as provided in Section 3 and Appendix III of this Agreement.

 

(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 and all amendments thereto filed with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the Investment Company Act (the "Registration Statement");

 

(iii) the Trust’s notification of registration under the Investment Company Act on Form N-8A as filed with the SEC;

 

1
 
(iv) each Fund’s listing notice from the applicable securities exchange;

 

(v) 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");

 

(vi) if applicable, each Fund’s current plan of distribution adopted by the Trust under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (the "Plan");

 

(vii) each Fund’s investment advisory agreement;

 

(viii) each Fund’s underwriting agreement;

 

(ix) contact information for each Fund’s service providers, including, but not limited to, the Fund’s administrator, custodian, transfer agent and/or index receipt agent, independent auditors, legal counsel, underwriter, lead market maker, securities exchange where the Shares will be listed and chief compliance officer; and

 

(x) procedures adopted by the Trust in accordance with Rule 17a-7 under the Investment Company Act with respect to affiliated transactions.

 

(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 resolutions 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 the Services are detailed in Appendices I and II to this Agreement.

 

(a) In order for GFS to perform the Services, the Trust (i) shall cause all third party service providers to the Trust or Funds to furnish any and all information to GFS and assist GFS as GFS may require and (ii) shall ensure that GFS has access to all records and documents maintained by the Trust and the Funds or any service provider to the Trust or the Funds.

 

(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 its legal counsel of such violation.

 

2
 

3.                   FEES

 

(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 III attached hereto. Fees will begin to accrue for each Fund on the latter of the Effective Date or the date GFS begins providing services to such Fund. For the purpose of determining fees calculated as a function of such 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 the Services have been furnished, a statement reflecting all of the charges for such month together with any unpaid charges from prior months. Services provided for partial months shall be subject to pro ration.

 

(b) Expenses. 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, as well as for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by GFS at the request or with the consent of the Trust. For the avoidance of doubt, and without intending to limit the Trust’s reimbursement obligation, the Trust agrees to reimburse GFS for the following expenses to the extent incurred by GFS in the performance of the Services:

 

(i)       taxes (except to the extent relating the income of GFS);

(ii)       interest;

(iii)       brokerage fees and commissions, if any;

(iv) fees for trustees who are not officers, directors, partners, employees or holders of five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of GFS or the Company’s investment adviser;

(v)       SEC fees (including EDGAR filing fees);

(vi)       state blue sky registration or qualification fees;

(vii)       licensing fees for the index on which the Funds are based (“Index”);

(viii) securities exchange listing fees and fees associated with the calculation and dissemination of the Index and indicative optimized portfolio value (“IOPV”);

(ix)       advisory fees;

(x)       charges of custodians;

(xi)       transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and index receipt agent fees;

(xii)       insurance premiums;

(xiii)       outside auditing and legal expenses;

(xiv)       costs of maintaining Trust existence;

(xv) costs attributable to shareholder services, including, without limitation, telephone and personnel expenses;

(xvi)       costs of preparing and printing prospectuses for regulatory purposes;

(xvii)       costs of shareholders' reports, Trust meetings and related expenses;

(xviii)       costs associated with Fund purchase and redemption transactions; and

(xix)       any extraordinary expenses.

 

(c) Fee Changes. On each anniversary date of this Agreement, the base and/or minimum fees enumerated in Appendix III 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
3
 

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 in connection with the performance of the Services 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 each Fund’s Records Funds (which backup 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 Investment Company Act.

 

(f) Post-Engagement Audit Support Fees. After a de-conversion, GFS may be called upon to provide support to a Fund’s service providers in connection with a Fund’s annual audit. Services provided by GFS to accommodate any request by the Fund for assistance with the Fund’s annual audit 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 any such request.

 

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. The Trust shall also indemnify and hold GFS harmless from all reasonable actions taken by GFS hereunder in good faith without gross negligence, willful misconduct or reckless disregard of its duties.

 

(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
4
 

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 Section 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 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;

 

(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 for any action taken or omitted by it in reasonable reliance upon such instructions or upon the advice of such counsel.

 

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(d) Errors of Others. GFS shall not be liable for the errors of other service providers 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 Trust.

 

(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 assertion, and shall keep the other party advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of the indemnitee to timely notify the indemnitor shall not relieve the indemnitor of its indemnification obligations hereunder except to the extent that the indemnitor is materially prejudiced by such failure.

 

(g) Defense of Claims. 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.

 

(h) Limitation of GFS’s Liability. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, GFS’s maximum liability to the Trust or any Fund arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby, whether arising in contract, tort (including, without limitation, negligence) or otherwise, shall not exceed an amount equal to the fees paid to GFS under this Agreement during the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period (or the actual time period GFS has been engaged if such time period is less than twelve (12) months). 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 Trust or the Fund(s) 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 Trust or the Fund(s). 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.

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6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

(a) Representations of GFS. GFS represents and warrants to the Trust that:

 

(i) it is a limited liability company duly organized, 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 so 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 its organization;

 

(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 is an investment company registered or to-be registered under the Investment Company Act and will operate in conformance with the Investment Company Act and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder during the term of this Agreement;

 

(v) a registration statement under the Securities Act is or 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(s) 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.

7.       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

7
 

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; and

 

(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.

 

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).

8.       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 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 or as may be directed by GFS or as may be duly requested by regulatory authorities.

 

(b) Proprietary Information of the Trust. GFS acknowledges that all information related to shareholders purchasing or redeeming in-kind 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 and Authorized Participants (as defined in the Funds’ Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information), 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. 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
8
 

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 8. The obligations of this Section 8 shall survive any earlier termination of this Agreement.

9.       ADDITIONAL FUNDS

 

In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series of Shares (i.e. Funds) after the effectiveness of this Agreement, such series shall become Funds under this Agreement with necessary changes made to Appendix III; however, either GFS or the Trust may elect not to make any such series subject to this Agreement.

 

10.       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.

11.       TERM AND TERMINATION

 

(a) Term. This Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two (2) years from the Effective Date and shall continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board.

 

(b) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Trust and/or with respect to any Fund by the Board, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or by GFS at the end of the initial term or any subsequent renewal term upon not less than ninety (90) days’ advanced written notice; or upon written notice from either party of a material breach, provided that a party shall have a thirty (30) day cure period in which to remedy any claimed material breach. If the party attempting to cure any claimed material breach is unable to do so within the allotted thirty (30) day cure period, the parties agree to submit to arbitration in accordance with Section 12(g) of this Agreement. Additionally, GFS may terminate this Agreement with respect to a Fund at any time following the Board’s determination to liquidate such Fund by delivering written notice to the Board setting forth the date on which such termination is to be effective. In the event of any termination of this Agreement, GFS agrees that it will cooperate to facilitate the smooth transition of services to a replacement service provider, if one has been selected by the Board.

 

(c) Reimbursement of Expenses Incurred by GFS in Effecting Any Termination. 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
9
 

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.

 

(d) Survival of Certain Obligations. The obligations of Sections 3, 4, 7, 8, 11 and 12 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

12.       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 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.

 

(d) Counterparts. 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 this 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. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this contract, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in New York according to the Securities Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

 

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.

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(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 and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, (b) on the fifth Business Day following the date of mailing, if mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid to the party to receive such notice, (c) if dispatched via a nationally recognized overnight courier service (delivery receipt requested) with charges paid by the dispatching party, on the later of (i) the first Business Day following the date of dispatch, or (ii) the scheduled date of delivery by such service, or (d) on the date sent by electronic mail if sent during normal business hours of the recipient during a Business Day, and otherwise on the next Business Day, if sent after normal business hours of the recipient, provided that in the case of electronic mail, each notice or other communication shall be confirmed within one Business Day by dispatch of a copy of such notice pursuant to one of the other methods described herein, at the following addresses, or such other address as a party may designate from time to time by notice in accordance with this Section.

 

If to the Trust: If to GFS:

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

Attn: Richard Malinowski

80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110

Hauppauge, NY 11788

RMalinowski@ultimusfundsolutions.com

 

With a copy to:

JoAnn M. Strasser, Esq.

Thompson Hine LLP

41 South High Street, Suite 1700

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

Attn: Legal Department

17645 Wright Street, Suite 200

Omaha, NE 68130

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.

 

Signature Page Follows

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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, as of the day and year first above written.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

 

 

By: /s/ Richard Malinowski___________

Richard Malinowski

President

GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC

 

 

 

By: /s/ Kevin Wolf___________________

Kevin Wolf

Executive Vice President

 

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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, exemptive orders 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 the Fund’s listing exchange and Authorized Participants by the times agreed upon by GFS and the Trust, and communicate such net asset value to the Trust and its transfer agent and/or index receipt 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 Investment Company 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;

 

Appendix I | Page 1
 
6) Provide all raw data available from its fund accounting system for the Fund’s investment adviser or the administrator to assist in preparation of the following:

 

a. Semi-annual financial statements;
b. Annual form N-CEN and annual tax returns;
c. Financial data necessary to update the Trust’s Registration Statement; 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 and/or index receipt 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;

 

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; and

 

11) Create each Fund’s daily portfolio composition file (“PCF”), transmitting the PCF to each Fund and its Adviser and assist the Fund and its Adviser with inputting the PCF into the NSCC system and facilitating any other communications required by the NSCC related to the PCFs.

 

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 Investment Company 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 III. 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 | Page 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, Bylaws, 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;
b. periodic reports to the Trustees, shareholders and the SEC, including but not limited to annual reports and semi-annual reports;
Appendix II | Page 1
 
c. notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2 (as applicable);
d. proxy materials; and
e. reports to the SEC on Forms N-SAR, N-CEN, N-CSR, N-Q, N-PORT, N-23c-3 and N-PX (as applicable).

 

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 or securities exchange, 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) Coordinate with the Funds’ service providers to facilitate the setup of Funds on applicable securities exchanges;

 

14) Monitor sales of Shares and ensure that the Shares are properly and duly listed with the applicable securities exchanges and that securities exchange listing requirements are met;

 

15) Process share creations and redemptions with the Funds’ transfer agent;

 

16) Maintain create/redeem records to the extent they are not otherwise maintained by other Service Providers;

 

17) Arrange for vendors to provide and post each Fund’s IOPV and other information required by exemptive orders;

 

18) 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;

 

19) 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;

 

20) Prepare authorization for the payment of Trust expenses and pay, from Trust assets, all bills of the Trust;

 

Appendix II | Page 2
 
21) 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;

 

22) 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); and

 

23) 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 III. 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 | Page 3
 

APPENDIX III-1

LIST OF FUNDS

SERVICES & FEES

 

 

 

[omitted]

 

 

 

Signature Page Follows

Appendix III | Page 1
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Appendix III-1 to the ETF Fund Services Agreement effective as of August 29, 2019.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

 

 

By: /s/ Richard Malinowski

Richard Malinowski

President

GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC

 

 

 

By: /s/ Kevin Wolf

Kevin Wolf

Executive Vice President

 

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 the Agreement then GFS may suffer lost sales and other opportunities and would incur substantial expense 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.

 

Howard Capital Management, Inc.

1145 Hembree Rd.

Roswell, GA 30076

 

 

By: /s/ Vance Howard

Name: Vance Howard

Title: CEO

 

 

Appendix III | Page 2
 

 

September 6, 2019

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

17645 Wright Street

Omaha, NE 68130

 

Gentlemen:

This letter is in response to your request for our opinion in connection with the filing of Post-Effective Amendment No. 426 to the Registration Statement, File Nos. 333-178833 and 811-22655 (the “Registration Statement”), of Northern Lights Fund Trust III (the “Trust”).

We have examined a copy of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Trust’s By-laws, the Trust’s record of the various actions by the Trustees thereof, and all such agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers and representatives of the Trust and others, and such other documents, papers, statutes and authorities as we deem necessary to form the basis of the opinion hereinafter expressed. We have assumed the genuineness of the signatures and the conformity to original documents of the copies of such documents supplied to us as copies thereof.

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, after Post-Effective Amendment No. 426 is effective for purposes of applicable federal and state securities laws, the shares of each fund listed on the attached Exhibit A (the “Funds”), if issued in accordance with the then current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the applicable Fund, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

The opinions expressed herein are limited to matters of Delaware statutory trust law and United States Federal law as such laws exist today; we express no opinion as to the effect of any applicable law of any other jurisdiction. We assume no obligation to update or supplement our opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention, or changes in law that may hereafter occur.

We hereby give you our permission to file this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 426 to the Registration Statement. This opinion may not be filed with any subsequent amendment, or incorporated by reference into a subsequent amendment, without our prior written consent. This opinion is prepared for the Trust and its shareholders and may not be relied upon by any other person or organization without our prior written approval.

Very truly yours,

 

/s/

 

THOMPSON HINE LLP

JMS/MVW

   
 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

1.       Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund
2.       Absolute Capital Defender Fund
3.       ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund
4.       ACM Tactical Income Fund
5.       Boyd Watterson Limited Duration Enhanced Income Fund
6.       Counterpoint Long-Short Equity Fund
7.       Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund
8.       Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund
9.       Counterpoint Tactical Municipal Fund
10.    Good Harbor Tactical Core US Fund
11.    Good Harbor Tactical Core Select Fund
12.    HCM Defender 100 Index ETF
13.    HCM Defender 500 Index ETF
14.    HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund
15.    HCM Tactical Growth Fund
16.    HCM Income Plus Fund
17.    Issachar Fund
18.    Leland Real Asset Opportunities Fund
19.    Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Buyout Index Fund
20.    Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund
21.    Marathon Value Portfolio
22.    Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund
23.    Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund
24.    Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund
25.    Persimmon Long/Short Fund
26.    Pinnacle Dynamic Growth Fund
27.    Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund
28.    Pinnacle Sherman Tactical Allocation Fund
29.    Pinnacle TrendRating Innovative Equity Fund
30.    RESQ Dynamic Allocation Fund
31.    RESQ Strategic Income Fund
32.    Swan Defined Risk Fund
33.    Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund
34.    Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund
35.    Swan Defined Risk Growth Fund
36.    Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund
37.    The Covered Bridge Fund
38.    The Teberg Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

ETF DISTRIBUTION PLAN

PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1

UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

 

Adopted August 29, 2019

WHEREAS, Northern Lights Fund Trust III (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and organized as a series trust; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (“Trustees”) desires to adopt a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”) of the series listed on Schedule A (each a “Fund”, collectively, the “Funds”), and the Trustees have determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of this ETF Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) will benefit each Fund and holders of such Fund’s Shares.

NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of each Fund, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions (capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned thereto in the Trust’s registration statement under the 1940 Act and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such registration statement is amended by any amendments thereto at the time in effect).

SECTION 1. The Trust has adopted this Plan to enable the Trust to directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of the Shares of the Trust.

SECTION 2. With respect to each Fund, the Trust may pay a monthly fee up to the amount set forth in Schedule A (“Limit”) to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares as described in the Trust’s registration statement (“Creation Units”) of each Fund or the provision of investor services, including but not limited to (a) compensation paid to registered representatives of the Funds’ distributor (“the “Distributor”) and other persons that have entered into agreements with the Distributor, (b) salaries and other expenses of the Distributor or other parties relating to selling or servicing efforts, including travel, communications and the provision of sales personnel, (c) expenses of organizing and conducting sales seminars, printing of prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports for other than existing shareholders, (d) preparation and distribution of advertising materials and sales literature and other marketing and sales promotion expenses, (e) distribution and/or shareholder service assistance through financial institutions and intermediaries such as banks, savings and loan associations, insurance companies and investment counselors, broker-dealers, and the affiliates and subsidiaries of the Trust’s service providers, (f) delivering any notices of shareholder meetings and proxy statements accompanying such notices in connection with general and special meetings of interest holders of the Trust, and/or (g) ongoing services to shareholders which facilitate the continued retention of investors as shareholders of a Fund.

 
 

The Distributor may use all or any portion of the amount received pursuant to this Plan to compensate securities dealers or other persons that are Authorized Participants (“third parties”) for providing distribution assistance, including broker-dealer and shareholder support and educational and promotional services, pursuant to agreements with the Distributor, or to pay any of the expenses associated with other activities authorized under this paragraph. All expenses covered by this Plan shall be deemed incurred whether paid directly by the Distributor or by a third party to the extent reimbursed therefor by the Distributor.

Fees shall be payable by the Trust on behalf of any Fund regardless of whether such fees are greater or less than the actual expenses incurred by the Distributor or third party with respect to such Fund during the relevant period. Although the Fund is not permitted to pay any expenses in excess of the relevant Limit, such excess expenses may be reimbursed during any of the Fund’s subsequent three fiscal years, provided and to the extent that the current expenses plus the excess expenses do not exceed the Limit for that subsequent year and are approved in the manner provided in Section 3 herein.

SECTION 3. Nothing in this Plan shall operate or be construed to prohibit or limit additional compensation derived from sales charges or other sources that may be paid to the Distributor pursuant to the aforementioned Distribution Agreement. In addition, nothing in this Plan shall operate or be construed to limit the extent to which the Trust’s investment adviser or any other person, other than the Trust, may incur costs and bear expenses associated with the distribution of Shares of a Fund. It is recognized that the Trust’s investment adviser and other persons may use its advisory revenues, past profits and other resources to make payments to the Distributor with respect to any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Shares. Accordingly, the Trust’s investment adviser and other persons, directly or indirectly, may from time to time make payments to third parties who engage in the sale of Shares or render shareholder support or transfer agency services.  If such payments are deemed to be indirect financing of an activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares issued by a Fund within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, such payments shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.

SECTION 4. This Plan shall not take effect with respect to any Fund until it has been approved, together with any related agreements, by votes of the majority of both (a) the Trustees and (b) the Qualified Trustees (as defined in Section 10 herein), cast in person at a meeting of the Trustees called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such agreement.

SECTION 5. This Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one year after it takes effect, only for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided in Section 4 herein for the approval of this Plan.

SECTION 6. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trustees, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.

SECTION 7. This Plan may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Shares of the Funds.

 
 

SECTION 8. All agreements with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in writing, and any agreement related to this Plan shall provide (a) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Shares of the Funds, on not more than 60 days written notice to any other party to the agreement; and (b) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

SECTION 9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of distribution expenses permitted with respect to any Fund pursuant to Section 2 hereof without the approval of Shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Shares of the Fund, and all material amendments to this Plan shall be approved in the manner provided in Part (b) of Section 4 herein for the approval of this Plan.

SECTION 10. As used in this Plan, the term “Qualified Trustees” shall mean those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it.  The terms “assignment,” “interested person,” and “majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, subject to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SECTION 11. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust within the meaning of section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees then in office who are not interested persons of the Trust.

SECTION 12. This Plan shall not obligate the Trust or any other party to enter into an agreement with any particular person.

SECTION 13. If any provision of the Plan shall be held or made invalid, the remainder of the Plan shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 14. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan, each agreement related hereto and each report referred to in Section 6 hereof for a period of at least six years, the first two years in an easily accessible place.

 
 

SCHEDULE A

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

The following series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III are subject to this Plan, at the fee rates specified:

Fund Fee (as a Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets of the Fund)*
   
HCM Defender 100 Index ETF 0.25%
HCM Defender 500 Index ETF 0.25%

 

* The determination of daily net assets shall be made at the close of business each day throughout the month and computed in the manner specified in the then current Prospectus for the determination of the net asset value of Creation Units.  Plan payments shall be made within ten (10) days of the end of each calendar month unless otherwise agreed by the parties and approved or ratified by the Trustees.

Adopted: August 29, 2019

Acknowledged and Approved by:

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust III:

 

 

By: /s/ Richard Malinowski

Richard Malinowski

President

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC:

 

 

By: /s/ William J. Strait

William J. Strait

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ResQ Investment Partners, LLC

 

Code of Ethics

 

July 8, 2019

 
 

 

5.       PROTECTION OF NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION

5.1              Code of Ethics – Adoption and Review

I. Statement of General Principles

This Code of Ethics has been adopted by ResQ Investment Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”) for the purpose of instructing all employees, officers, and directors of the Adviser in their ethical obligations and to provide rules for their personal securities transactions. All such persons owe a fiduciary duty to the Adviser’s clients. A fiduciary duty means a duty of loyalty, fairness and good faith towards the clients, and the obligation to adhere not only to the specific provisions of this Code but to the general principles that guide the Code. These general principles are:

· Act with integrity, honesty, competence, diligence, respect, professionalism, and in an ethical manner with the public, existing or prospective clients, and with other supervised persons of the Adviser;
· The duty at all times to place the interests of clients first;
· The requirement that all personal securities transactions be conducted in a manner consistent with the Code of Ethics and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of any individual’s position of trust and responsibility; and
· The fundamental standard that such employees, officers, and directors should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions, or of their relationship with clients.

It is imperative that the personal trading activities of the employees, officers, and directors of the Adviser be conducted with the highest regard for these general principles in order to avoid any possible conflict of interest, any appearance of a conflict, or activities that could lead to disciplinary action. This includes executing transactions through or for the benefit of a third party when the transaction is not in keeping with the general principles of this Code.

All personal securities transactions must also comply with the Adviser’s Insider Trading Policy and Procedures. Employees shall comply at all times with all applicable federal securities laws. Federal securities laws means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Regulation S-P, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the Securities & Exchange Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the Securities & Exchange Commission or the Department of the Treasury.

 
 

Employees shall at all times maintain the confidentiality of client identities, security holdings, financial circumstances and other confidential information. Employees shall report any violations of this Code of Ethics promptly to the Compliance Officer.

II. Definitions

For purposes of this Code of Ethics:

A. Access Persons (also referred to as Advisory Employees): any employee, officer, or director of the Adviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, participates in or makes recommendations with respect to the purchase or sale of securities; and any natural person who controls the Adviser and who obtains information about recommendations with respect to the purchase or sale of securities. Mutual Fund Distributors are not considered to be Access Persons or Advisory Employees.
B. Automatic Investment Plan: a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.
C. Beneficial Interest: ownership or any benefits of ownership, including the opportunity to directly or indirectly profit or otherwise obtain financial benefits from any interest in a security.

D.       Compliance Officer: the Compliance Officer is Taylor Davis.

E. Employee Account: each account in which an Employee or a member of his or her family has any direct or indirect Beneficial Interest or over which such person exercises control or influence, including, but not limited to, any joint account, partnership, corporation, trust or estate. An Employee’s family members include the Employee’s spouse, minor children, any person living in the home of the Employee and any relative of the Employee (including in-laws) to whose support an Employee directly or indirectly contributes.
F. Employees: (also referred to as Supervised Persons) the employees, officers and directors of the Adviser, including Advisory Employees. The Compliance Officer will maintain a current list of all Employees (see Organizational Chart).
G. Exempt Transactions: transactions which are 1) effected in an amount or in a manner over which the Employee has no direct or indirect influence or control, 2) pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan, 3) in connection with the exercise or sale of rights to purchase additional securities from an issuer and granted by such issuer pro-rata to all holders of a class of its securities, 4) in connection with the call by the issuer of a preferred stock or bond, 5) pursuant to the exercise by a second party of a put or call option, and 6) closing transactions no more than five business days prior to the expiration of a related put or call option.
 
 
H. Funds: any series of any investment company to which the Adviser provides investment advice.
I. Related Securities: securities issued by the same issuer or issuer under common control, or when either security gives the holder any contractual rights with respect to the other security, including options, warrants or other convertible securities.
J. Securities: any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security,” or any certificate or interest or participation in temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase (including options) any of the foregoing; except for the following: 1) securities issued by the government of the United States, 2) bankers’ acceptances, 3) bank certificates of deposit, 4) commercial paper, and 5) high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements.
K. Securities Transaction: the purchase or sale, or any action to accomplish the purchase or sale, of a Security for an Employee Account. The term Securities Transaction does not include transactions executed by the Adviser for the benefit of unaffiliated persons, such as investment advisory and brokerage clients.

III.       Personal Investment Guidelines and Standards of Conduct

A.       Personal Accounts

1. The Personal Investment Guidelines in this Section III do not apply to Exempt Transactions unless the transaction involves a private placement or initial public offering. Employees must remember that regardless of the transaction’s status as exempt or not exempt, the Employee’s fiduciary obligations remain unchanged.
2. Any Securities Transactions in a private placement must be authorized by the Compliance Officer, in writing, prior to the transaction. The Pre-Clearance Request Form for Limited Offerings and Initial Public Offerings should be completed. In connection with a private placement acquisition, the Compliance Officer will consider, among other factors, whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for a client, and whether the opportunity is being offered to the Employee by virtue of the Employee’s position with the Adviser. If the private placement acquisition is authorized, the Compliance Officer shall retain a record of the authorization and the rationale supporting the authorization. Employees who have been authorized to acquire securities in a private placement will, in connection therewith, be required to disclose that investment if and when the Employee takes part in any subsequent investment in the same issuer. In such circumstances, the determination to purchase Securities of that issuer on behalf of a client will be subject to an independent review by personnel of the Adviser with no personal interest in the issuer.

In addition, Employees are prohibited from acquiring any Securities in an initial public offering without the prior written approval of the Compliance Officer. The Pre-Clearance Request Form for Limited Offerings and Initial Public Offerings should be completed. This restriction is

 
 

imposed in order to preclude any possibility of an Employee profiting improperly from the Employee’s position with the Adviser. If the initial public offering is authorized, the Compliance Officer shall retain a record of the authorization and the rationale supporting the authorization.

3. Effective May 10, 2018, Access Persons are no longer required to request pre-clearance for trades in their personal accounts with the exception of private placements and initial public offerings as stated above. The Funds primarily own Exchange-Traded Funds with large trading volumes, so personal trading should not move the market in these positions. However, in order to avoid any possible conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict, all Access Persons need to ensure they are not trading positions within their personal accounts on the same day as the Funds, as Access Persons do not have the ability to participate in a block trade with the Funds. The Funds utilize a different prime-broker than ResQ Investment Partners’ affiliated companies, as such Access Persons do not execute personal trades through the Funds’ prime-broker and therefore cannot participate in a block trade with the Funds.

Although pre-clearance of trades is no longer required, Access Persons need to check with the portfolio management team before trading a position in their personal account that is currently or was previously owned by the Funds or any other position that could potentially be purchased by the Funds. This is the only way for an Access Person to ensure they are not inadvertently trading positions within their personal accounts on the same day as the Funds.

If an Access Person trades a position prior to the Funds receiving a signal to trade the position on that same day, the Access Person should notify the Compliance Officer immediately, so it can be documented. All Access Persons’ personal account transactions feed into BasisCode Compliance where the transactions are reviewed against the Funds’ transactions. The Compliance Officer should also receive duplicate statements and confirmations for all Access Persons’ personal accounts to ensure compliance with the personal trading policy.

Effective July 8, 2019, an Access Person found in violation of this policy without a reasonable exemption, will receive a written warning after the first offense. After the second offense, the Access Person will be required to complete a training regarding Personal Trading/Insider Trading. Subsequent offenses could result in a probationary period where all personal trades would need to be pre-cleared. In the instance of a personal trading exception, the Compliance Officer will research and document the source and rationale for the trade within the Funds. If it is found that the Access Person knew about the Funds’ trade prior to placing their personal trade, there will be further consequences.

 

B.       Gifts, Gratuities and Entertainment

No Advisory Employee shall, directly or indirectly, give or permit to be given anything of value (including gratuities) in excess of $100 per individual per year where such payment or gratuity is in relation to the business of the Adviser. This limitation does not include customary business entertainment, such as dinners or sporting events, where the Advisory Employee is the host of the dinner or event. Gifts of tickets to sporting events or similar gifts where an Advisory Employee does not accompany the client are subject to the $100 limits cited above.

 
 

Any gift to a client or prospective client by an Advisory Employee must be pre-approved by the Chief Compliance Officer. Documentation of the request for pre-approval and the approval granted by the Chief Compliance Officer must be maintained by the Chief Compliance Officer.

Annually, in January, all supervised persons must complete and submit a Gift & Entertainment Reporting Form to the CCO for the prior calendar year for any gifts and expenses that are not already reported on expense reports. Supervised persons should maintain a current and accurate log of all gifts given or received and all entertainment given or received that exceeds $50 that are not already reported on expense reports to ensure accurate reporting in January. The CCO is responsible for reviewing all Gift & Entertainment Reporting Forms and taking appropriate actions.

C.       Outside Business Activities and Disciplinary Action

Supervised persons are prohibited from serving on the boards of directors of publicly traded companies, absent prior authorization by the Compliance Officer. The consideration of prior authorization will be based upon a determination that the board service will be consistent with the interests of clients. In the event that board service is authorized, supervised persons serving as directors will be isolated from other supervised persons making investment decisions with respect to the securities of the company in question. No outside employment or business activity will be approved which might pose or create the appearance of a conflict of interest or might otherwise interfere with the supervised person’s regular duties or working effectiveness.

As a supervised person of a registered investment adviser, you may be barred or otherwise disqualified from working for or associating with the Adviser depending on your current or past involvement in certain types of regulatory or legal proceedings. Consequently, all supervised persons are required to promptly notify the CCO of any criminal and other legal proceedings or investigations in which he/she may have been involved or may currently be involved or subject to.

In addition, supervised persons (including partners) are required to complete and submit an Outside Business Activity and Disciplinary Action Disclosure Form to the CCO on an annual basis.

D.       Insider Trading Prohibition

In accordance with Section 204A of the Advisers Act, The Adviser is strictly prohibited from trading personally or on behalf of others, directly or indirectly, based on material, non-public, or confidential information. The Adviser additionally prohibits the communication of material non-public information to others in violation of the law. If you become aware of the misuse of material nonpublic information by an employee of The Adviser, you are required to report such to the Compliance Officer promptly.

The SEC defines material by saying that “Information is material if ‘there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important’ in making an investment decision.” Information is non-public if it has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally.

If you come into possession of material non-public information, you must report such to the Compliance Officer, refrain from disclosing such information to anyone else at The Adviser or outside of the firm, and refrain from disclosing or issuing a recommendation that is based in whole or in part on that material non-public information. Please keep in mind that The Adviser’s policy

 
 

with respect to Insider Trading applies to all situations where material, non-public information is received by a supervised person of The Adviser regardless of the source of that information (i.e., it does not matter whether the tipper is an “Insider” or if you obtained the information by overhearing a conversation to which you were not a party).

Upon notification, the Compliance Officer will determine an appropriate course of action to take based on the facts and circumstances of the situation, which may include a firm-wide prohibition on trading securities of, or related to, the issuer for client or personal accounts, a Restricted List, or heightened monitoring of internal and external communications. Any further dissemination of material non-public information may only be made to a party with a valid business reason for their need to know such information and only after obtaining approval from the Compliance Officer.

Additionally, it is the SEC’s position that the term “material nonpublic information” relates not only to information about issuers but also to an investment adviser’s securities recommendations to its clients and to clients’ securities holdings and transactions. This type of material nonpublic information does not need to be reported to the Compliance Officer, however, you should always treat such information as material and nonpublic, the dissemination of which or taking inappropriate advantage of would most likely cause substantial harm to clients.

E.       Misleading Rumors

No person associated with the Adviser shall originate, or circulate in any manner outside the Adviser, a rumor concerning any security that such person knows or has reasonable grounds for believing is false or misleading and is likely to influence the market price of such security. A statement will not be considered a “rumor” if it is an expression of an individual or firm’s opinion, such as an analyst’s view of the prospects of a company.

F. Political Contributions and Other Payments (“Pay to Play Rule” that applies to Contributions made by the Firm or a Firm Employee)

Employees are prohibited from making political contributions for the purpose of obtaining or retaining advisory contracts with government entities. Furthermore, in no event may payment of anything of value be offered, promised or made to any government, government entity, government official, candidate for political office, political party or official of a political party (including any possible intermediary for any of the above) for the purposes of receiving favorable treatment or influencing any act or decision by any such person, organization or government for the benefit of the Adviser.

G.       Other Ethical Matters

In addition to the General Principles, all supervised persons of the Adviser are expressly prohibited from:

“Front running” a client trade in their personal account or in an account belonging to the Adviser;
“Piggy backing” a trade placed by a client in their advisory account in other advisory clients’ accounts, without having a separate reasonable basis for recommending such a transaction;
 
 
Placing a client trade order based on rumors or engaging in rumormongering;
Making a claim about an investment product unless that claim can be substantiated;
Guaranteeing profit or protection from loss to any third-party;
Representing the Adviser or taking any action on behalf of the Adviser in any transaction where you have a material connection or financial interest unless pre-approved by the Compliance Officer, including, but not limited to, the recommendation or implementation of a securities transaction for an advisory client;
Without prior approval of the Compliance Officer, serving as executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, custodian, or in any other fiduciary capacity, whether for a fee or not, except for persons related to you by blood or marriage; and
Borrowing money from an advisory client of the Adviser unless such borrowing is from a bank or other financial institution made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with members of the general public and does not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or include other unfavorable features.

IV.       Compliance Procedures

A.       Employee Disclosure

1. Within ten (10) days of commencement of employment with the Adviser, each employee must certify that he or she has read and understands this Code and recognizes that he or she is subject to it. Each Access Person must disclose the following information as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person became an Employee: a) the title, type, CUSIP or ticker symbol, number of shares and principal amount of each Security in which the Employee has a Beneficial Interest when the person became an Access Person, b) the name of any broker/dealer with whom the Access Person maintained an account when the person became an Employee, and c) the date the report is submitted.
2. Annually or when amended, each Employee must certify that he or she has read and understands this Code and any amendment and recognizes that he or she is subject to it, that he or she has complied with the requirements of this Code and has disclosed or reported all personal Securities Transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of this Code. In addition, each Access Person shall annually provide the following information (as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted): a) the title, type, CUSIP or ticker symbol, number of shares and principal amount of each Security in which the Access Person had any Beneficial Interest, b) the name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintains an account in which any Securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person, and c) the date the report is submitted.

B.       Compliance

 
 
1. All Access Persons must request and authorize their broker, dealer, mutual fund, and bank custodians to send duplicate account statements and trade confirmations for all securities accounts, over which they have any direct or indirect influence or control and which hold securities for their direct or indirect benefit, to the Adviser. All access persons are also responsible for ensuring that their broker, dealer, mutual fund or bank has appropriate directions on file to ensure that the Adviser receives duplicate trade confirmations and account statements. Transactions in securities that are not affected in such accounts (e.g., private placements) must be manually reported on a Quarterly Transaction Report Form. The CCO will notify access persons if duplicate trade confirmations and/or statements are not being received or are no longer being received. All Employees must certify that he or she has reported all transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to the requirements of this Code. The report will also identify any trading account, in which the Access Person has a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest, established during the quarter with a broker, dealer or bank.
2. The Compliance Officer will, on a quarterly basis, check the trading account statements provided by brokers to verify that the Access Person has not violated the Code. The Compliance Officer shall identify all Access Persons, inform those persons of their reporting obligations, and maintain a record of all current and former Access Persons.
3. If an Employee violates this Code, the Compliance Officer will report the violation to the Board of each Fund for appropriate remedial action which, in addition to the actions specifically delineated in other sections of this Code, may include a reprimand of the Employee, or suspension or termination of the Employee’s relationship with the Fund and/or the Adviser.
4. All new employees, officers, directors, and supervised persons of the Adviser are required to read this manual as part of the Adviser’s orientation procedures and are required to comply with all provisions contained within. Periodically, the CCO will distribute copies of amendments to the manual that all employees are also required to read and abide by. All employees are required to certify their review and understanding of the contents of this manual and their agreement to abide by it by signing the Initial/Annual Compliance Program Certification Form. The certification will be required upon initial hiring, any time material amendments are made to the policies and procedures, and annually thereafter.
 
 

5.2              Disclosure of Portfolio holdings

Policy: The holdings of advisory clients, including mutual fund clients, are confidential and should not be disclosed or distributed except as authorized in this policy. Complete mutual fund holdings are available to all shareholders and other interested parties in the annual and semi-annual reports of the Funds, which are sent to shareholders within 60 days of the end of the second and fourth fiscal quarters and which are filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR within 70 days of the end of the second and fourth fiscal quarters. A mutual fund also is required to file a schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q within 60 days of the end of the first and third fiscal quarters. A mutual fund must provide a copy of the complete schedule of portfolio holdings as filed with the SEC to any shareholder of the fund, upon request, free of charge. Additionally, the Adviser, and any affiliated persons of the Adviser, is prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the fund, as a result of disclosing the fund’s portfolio holdings.

 

Procedure: If the Adviser wishes to release portfolio holdings information on an ad hoc or special basis, it must submit any proposed arrangement to the Board of Trustees/Directors of the any mutual fund client, which will review such arrangement to determine whether it is (i) in the best interests of fund shareholders, (ii) whether the information will be kept confidential (iii) whether sufficient protections are in place to guard against personal trading based on the information and (iv) whether the disclosure presents a conflict of interest between the interests of fund shareholders and those of the Adviser, or any affiliated person of the Fund or the Adviser.

 

Responsible Party: Chief Compliance Officer