As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2020

 

Securities Act Registration No. 333-174926

Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-22549

 

 

FORM N-1A

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 x

Pre-Effective Amendment No.

Post-Effective Amendment No. 450 x

 

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 x

Amendment No. 452

(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust II

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(402) 895-1600

 (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

The Corporation Trust Company

Corporate Trust Center

251 Little Falls Drive

Wilmington, DE 19808

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

With a copy to:

   

David J. Baum, Esq.

Alston & Bird, LLP

950 F Street NW

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 239-3346

Richard Malinowski, Esq.

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110

Hauppauge, New York 11788

(631) 470-2734

 

 Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

( )        immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b).

(X)        On March 1, 2020 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.

 

Pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, Registrant hereby elects to register an indefinite number of shares of Registrant and any series thereof hereinafter created.

 
 

 

 

 EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 450 to the Registration Statement contains the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information describing the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund (the “Fund”), a series of the Registrant. This Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement is organized as follows: (a) Prospectus relating to the Fund; (b) Statement of Additional Information relating to the Fund; and (c) Part C Information relating to all series of the Registrant. The Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for the other series of the Registrant are not affected hereby.

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund

 

Institutional Class (Symbol: BESMX)

Investor Class (Symbol: BESRX)

 

Prospectus

 

March 1, 2020

 

 

 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website at www.fm-invest.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 Fund 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.

 
 

F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund

a series of the Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the “Trust”)

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Summary Section 1
Investment Strategies, Related Risks and Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings 6
Investment Objective 6
Principal Investment Strategies 6
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund 7
Portfolio Holdings Information 8
Management of the Fund 9
The Adviser 9
The Sub-Adviser 9
Portfolio Managers 10
Shareholder Information 11
Choosing a Share Class 11
More About Institutional Class Shares 11
More About Investor Class Shares 11
Share Price 11
How to Purchase Shares 12
How to Redeem Shares 14
Redemption Fee 15
Tools to Combat Frequent Transactions 16
Distribution of Fund Shares 17
Distributions and Taxes 18
Tax Status, Dividends and Distributions 18
Financial Highlights 19
PRIVACY NOTICE 2220

 

 
 

Summary Section

 

Investment Objective. The investment objective of the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek to generate absolute returns by investing both long and short in European companies.

 

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.

 

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
Institutional Class Investor
Class
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)
None None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None None
Redemption Fee
(as a percentage of amount redeemed within 60 days of purchase)
1.00% 1.00%
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
   
Management Fees 2.00% 2.00%
Distribution and Service (Rule 12b-1) Fees 0.00% 0.25%
Total Other Expenses 1.83% 1.88%
Remaining Other Expenses 0.74% 0.74%
Dividends on Securities Sold Short(1) 0.66% 0.66%
Interest Expense 0.43% 0.43%
Shareholder Servicing Fee 0.00% 0.05%
Acquired Funds Fees and Expenses(2) 0.02% 0.02%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 3.85% 4.15%
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement (0.50%) (0.50%)
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement(3)
3.35% 3.65%
(1) There are additional costs associated with the use of short sales. Short-sale dividends generally reduce the market value of the securities by the amount of the dividend declared; thus increasing the Fund's unrealized gain or reducing the Fund’s unrealized loss on the securities sold short.

(2) This number represents the combined total fees and operating expenses of the underlying funds owned by the Fund and is not a direct expense incurred by the Fund or deducted from the Fund assets. Since this number does not represent a direct operating expense of the Fund, the operating expenses set forth in the Fund’s financial highlights do not include this figure

(3) Pursuant to an operating expense limitation agreement between F/m Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Fund, the Adviser has agreed to waive its fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund to ensure that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding any front-end or contingent deferred sales loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes and extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, including, but not limited to, litigation) for the Fund do not exceed 2.24% and 2.54% of the Fund’s average net assets, for Institutional Class and Investor Class shares, respectively, through February 28, 2022. This operating expense limitation agreement can be terminated only by, or with the consent of, the Board of Trustees. The Adviser is permitted to receive reimbursement from the Fund for fees it waived and Fund expenses it paid, subject to the limitation that: (1) the reimbursement for fees and expenses will be made only if payable within three years from the date the fees and expenses were initially waived or reimbursed; and (2) the reimbursement may not be made if it would cause the expense limitation in effect at the time of the waiver or currently in effect, whichever is lower, to be exceeded.

 

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. The fee waiver/expense reimbursement arrangement discussed in the table above is reflected only through February 28, 2022. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

  One Year Three Years Five Years Ten Years
Institutional Class $338 $1,129 $1,940 $4,048
Investor Class $367 $1,216 $2,079 $4,301

 

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 Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 141% of the average value of its portfolio.

1 
 

Principal Investment Strategies. The Fund’s objective is to generate absolute returns primarily by investing both long and short in small-cap European equities.

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund pursues its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small-cap companies based in Europe. The Adviser considers issuers to be located in Europe if they are organized in Europe, have their principal place of business in the Europe, or their securities are traded principally in Europe. The Adviser currently defines small capitalization companies as those that at time of purchase have capitalizations below $5.5 billion. The Fund’s portfolio generally has between 30 and 80 equity positions in the Fund’s long/short portfolio. The Fund may invest in listed and unlisted European equity securities, debt securities, options, warrants, convertibles and other derivative instruments. Derivative instruments may be exchanged-traded or over-the-counter and will primarily be used for hedging and to manage short term volatility. The Fund may also retain amounts in cash or cash equivalents, pending investment, if this is considered appropriate to the investment objective.

 

The Fund is likely to have short positions at all times. The Fund may have a net long equity exposure of up to 150% of net asset value or a net short equity exposures of up to 50% of net asset value. The Fund also seeks to employ various hedging techniques with the aim of managing short term volatility.

 

The Fund’s sub-adviser, S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP (the “Sub-Adviser”), believes that European stock markets are inefficient and that substantial value can be created by employing fundamentally driven company research. The Sub-Adviser visits potential investee companies extensively and the Fund will invest in what the Sub-Adviser believes to be the best quality growth companies where management has embraced the philosophy of maximizing shareholder value. The Fund also seeks opportunities amongst those companies which are restructuring their operations in order to realize shareholder value. The Fund aims to create value by selling short shares of companies where the Sub-Adviser believes the business outlook is deteriorating and valuations does not reflect the value perceived by the Sub-Adviser.

 

Principal Risks. Remember that in addition to possibly not achieving your investment goals, you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:

2 
 

within an industry. In addition, they may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment, generally.

 

3 
 

Performance. The bar chart illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns through December 31, 2019 compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. Remember, the Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund is the successor to the S.W. Mitchell Small Cap European Fund, L.P. (the “Predecessor Fund”), which transferred its assets to the Institutional Share Class of the Fund in connection with the Fund’s commencement of operations. The Sub-Adviser managed the Predecessor Fund, and the Fund’s investment policies, objective, guidelines and restrictions are, in all material respects, equivalent to those of the Predecessor Fund. The performance includes the performance of the Predecessor Fund prior to the commencement of the Fund’s operations. The Predecessor Fund’s performance has been adjusted to reflect the annual deduction of anticipated fees and expenses applicable to the Institutional Class Shares. The Predecessor Fund was not registered as a mutual fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and therefore was not subject to certain investment restrictions, limitations and diversification requirements imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). If the Predecessor Fund had been registered under the 1940 Act, its performance may have been different. Please refer to the financial statements of the Predecessor Fund in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for additional information on the Predecessor Fund. Past performance, both before and after taxes, does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information will be available at no cost by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-844-322-8112 or on the Fund’s website www.fm-investments.com.

 

Institutional Class Shares[1]

Calendar Year Returns as of December 31,

 

 

 

 

During the period shown in the bar chart, the best performance for a quarter was 11.21% (for the quarter ended December 31, 2010). The worst performance was -13.44% (for the quarter ended December 31, 2018).

 

Average Annual Total Returns

For the Periods Ended December 31, 2019(1)

One Year Five Years Ten Years Life of Fund(2)
Institutional Class Shares        
Return Before Taxes 1.38% 1.85% 5.62% 7.17%
Return After Taxes on Distributions -2.87% 0.08% 4.70% 6.41%
Return After Taxes and Sale or Redemption of Fund Shares 2.02% 0.85% 4.19% 5.62%
Investor Class Shares(3)        
Return Before Taxes 1.12% N/A N/A 0.44%

MSCI Europe Small Cap Index

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

29.06% 8.75% 9.52% 4.26%

Morningstar Long/Short Category Avg

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

11.93% 2.92% 3.42% 1.86%
(1) This performance information reflects the performance of the Predecessor Fund as adjusted to reflect Institutional Class Shares and Investor Class Shares expenses reflected in the Fee Table.
(2) The Predecessor Fund commenced operations on October 31, 2007.
(3) Investor Class Shares commenced investment operations on December 30, 2015.

 


[1] The returns shown in the bar chart are for Institutional Class shares. The performance of Investor Class shares will differ due to differences in expenses and sales load charges

 

4 
 

After tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect and do not reflect the effect of state and local taxes. The after-tax returns shown may not be relevant to those investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). “Return After Taxes on Distributions” shows the effect of taxable distributions (dividends and capital gains distributions) but assumes that Fund shares are still held at the end of the period. After tax returns are shown for only Institutional Class Shares and after tax returns for Investor Class Shares will vary.

 

The MSCI Europe Small Cap Index captures small cap representation across the 15 Developed Markets (DM) countries in Europe. With 997 constituents, the index covers approximately 14% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in the European equity universe.

 

The Morningstar Long/Short Equity Category Average reflects the average return for mutual funds that Morningstar considers to be utilizing a long/short equity approach. Long/short portfolios hold sizable stakes in both long and short positions. Some funds that fall into this category are market neutral--dividing their exposure equally between long and short positions in an attempt to earn a modest return that is not tied to the market's fortunes. Other portfolios that are not market neutral will shift their exposure to long and short positions depending upon their macro outlook or the opportunities they uncover through bottom-up research.

 

Investment Adviser. F/m Investments, LLC serves as the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”).

 

Investment Sub-Adviser. S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP serves as the Fund’s investment sub-adviser (the “Sub-Adviser”).

 

Portfolio Managers. The following serves as the Fund’s portfolio managers:

 

Portfolio Manager Primary Title With the Fund Since:
The Adviser    
Alexander Morris Portfolio Manager October 2019
     
The Sub-Adviser    
Jamie Carter Portfolio Manager December 2015

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares. You may conduct transactions by mail (F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund, c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022), or by telephone at 1-844-322-8112. Investors who wish to purchase or redeem Fund shares through a financial intermediary should contact the financial intermediary directly. The minimum initial investment in each share class of the Fund is $50,000 and $5,000, for Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, with a minimum subsequent investment of $500 for each Class. For Retirement Accounts and Automatic Investment Plans, the minimal initial investment in Investor Class shares is $1,000, with a minimum subsequent investment of $50. The Fund reserves the right to waive minimum initial investment or minimum subsequent investment requirements in its sole discretion.

 

Tax Information. The Fund’s distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries. If you purchase Fund shares 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 conflicts 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 
 

Investment Strategies, Related Risks and Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

 

Investment Objective

The primary investment objective of the Fund is to seek to generate absolute returns by investing both long and short in European companies.

 

The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without the approval of shareholders. Shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any such change.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund pursues its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small-cap companies based in Europe. The Adviser considers issuers to be located in Europe if they are organized in Europe, have their principal place of business in the Europe, or their securities are traded principally in Europe. The Adviser currently defines small capitalization companies as those that at time of purchase have capitalizations below $5.5 billion. The Fund’s portfolio generally has between 30 and 80 equity positions in the Fund’s long/short portfolio. The Fund may invest in listed and unlisted European equity securities, debt securities, options, warrants, convertibles and other derivative instruments. Derivative instruments may be exchanged traded or over-the-counter and will primarily be used for providing synthetic exposure to equity securities. Derivatives may also be used for hedging and to manage short term volatility. The Fund may also retain amounts in cash or cash equivalents, pending investment, if this is considered appropriate to the investment objective.

 

The Fund is classified as “diversified” for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), which means that it is limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the portion of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer.

 

The Fund is likely to have short positions at all times. The Fund may have a net long equity exposure of up to 150% of net asset value or a net short equity exposures of up to 50% of net asset value. The Fund also seeks to employ various hedging techniques with the aim of managing short term volatility.

 

The Fund’s sub-adviser, S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP (the “Sub-Adviser”), believes that European stock markets are inefficient and that substantial value can be created by employing fundamentally driven company research. The Sub-Adviser visits potential investee companies extensively and the Fund will invest in what the Sub-Adviser believes to be the best quality growth companies where management has embraced the philosophy of maximizing shareholder value. The Fund also seeks opportunities amongst those companies which are restructuring their operations in order to realize shareholder value. The Fund aims to create value by selling short shares of companies where the Sub-Adviser believes the business outlook is deteriorating and where valuations do not reflect the value perceived by the Sub-Adviser.

 

On the long side, the Sub-Adviser looks for ‘best practice’ companies. The Sub-Adviser typically likes companies that, at all levels of their business, can show superior performance against their competitors. The Sub-Adviser is attracted to focused and determined management teams with a substantial equity commitment to their business. The Sub-Adviser favors cash-generative businesses whose managements can demonstrate a clear idea about the use of their future cash streams. They generally like companies with balance sheet strength. Their preliminary findings, and the robustness of their assessment of future earnings and cash flow, are validated and monitored through meetings with competitors, suppliers and clients of the target investment. Finally, they examine the stock on a variety of valuation criteria, placing particular emphasis on those with a strong tie to cash flows, before making the ultimate decision on inclusion in the portfolio.

 

On the short side the Sub-Adviser looks for three types of situations: 1) stocks where their principal research has uncovered new insights into a company that may lead to a decline in stock price; 2) those companies whose long term business model is compromised; and 3) companies who use aggressive accounting to hide frailties in their business or where there may be fraudulent activity.

 

Position size within the portfolio is dictated by the degree of conviction and the liquidity of the stock. The process of stock selection is almost identical on both the long and short side of the portfolio.

 

Temporary Defensive Positions

 

The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. For example, during such periods, 100% of the Fund’s assets may be invested in short-term, high-quality fixed income investments, cash or cash equivalents. In addition, during such periods, the Fund may invest its net assets in certain other derivatives, primarily forward contracts, interest rate swaps, total return swaps, and credit default swaps. Temporary defensive positions may be initiated by the Sub-Adviser when market conditions make pursuing its investment strategy used for the Fund inconsistent with the best interests of the Fund. When the Fund takes temporary defensive positions, it may not achieve its investment objective.

6 
 

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Before investing in the Fund, you should carefully consider your own investment goals, the amount of time you are willing to leave your money invested and the amount of risk you are willing to take. Remember that in addition to possibly not achieving your investment goals, you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The value of your investment in the Fund will go up and down with the prices of the securities in which the Fund invests. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:

 

Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance therefore will reflect in part the ability of the Sub-Adviser to select securities and to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the Fund’s investment objective. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform other mutual funds with similar investment objectives.

 

Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuers or counterparties with whom the Fund engages in derivative transactions will not fulfill their obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund.
In addition, the Fund may invest in non-futures linked derivatives, which may be centrally cleared. Such central clearing may mitigate, but not eliminate, the counterparty risk associated with such investments.

 

Currency Risk. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of what the Fund owns and the Fund’s share price. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, an investment in that country loses value because that currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. Devaluation of a currency by a country’s government or banking authority also will have a significant impact on the value of any investments denominated in that currency. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets.

 

Cyber Security Risk. As the use of technology has become more prevalent in the course of business, the Fund has become more susceptible to operational, financial and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks and/or technological malfunctions. Cyber-attacks include, among other things, the attempted theft, loss, misuse, improper release, corruption or destruction of, or unauthorized access to, confidential or highly restricted data relating to the Fund and its shareholders; and attempted compromises or failures to systems, networks, devices and applications relating to the operations of the Fund and its service providers. Cyber security breaches may result from unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) or from outside attacks, such as denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users).

 

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest in derivative instruments, including options, warrants and convertibles. In general, a derivative contract typically involves leverage, i.e., it provides long or short exposure to a reference instrument thereby providing the potential for gain or loss from a change in the level of the market price of a security, currency or commodity (or a basket or index) in a notional amount that exceeds the amount of cash or assets required to establish or maintain the derivative contract. In this way, the Fund can obtain market exposure to the reference instrument which is greater than the net assets used to establish the derivative position. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may not perform as anticipated, may not be able to be closed out at a favorable time or price, or may increase the Fund’s volatility. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio may be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. Derivatives are subject to the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate with the underlying asset, rate or index. Futures and forward contract prices, and the prices of the related contracts in which the Fund may trade, are highly volatile. Such prices are influenced by, among other things: changing supply and demand relationships; government trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies; national and international political and economic events; and changes in interest rates. The use of derivatives may not be successful, resulting in losses to the Fund, and the cost of such strategies may reduce the Fund’s returns. Certain derivatives also expose the Fund to counterparty risk, which is described above. Certain derivatives are synthetic instruments that attempt to replicate the performance of certain reference assets. With regard to such derivatives, the Fund does not have a claim on the reference assets and is subject to increased counterparty risk. In addition, the Fund may use derivatives for non-hedging purposes, which increases the Fund’s potential for loss. Certain of the Fund’s transactions in futures, swaps, and other derivatives could also affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders which may result in the Fund realizing more short-term capital gain and ordinary income subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates than it would if it did not engage in such transactions, which may adversely affect the Fund’s after-tax returns. Investing in derivatives may result in a form of leverage and subject the Fund to leverage risk, which is described below.

 

Equity Risk. The Fund’s investments in equity securities may decline in value due to factors affecting the issuing companies, their industries, or the economy and equity markets, generally. The values of equity securities may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuing company, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, they may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment, generally.

7 
 

Fixed Income and Interest Rate Risk. The value of the Fund’s investments in fixed income investments and derivatives will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income investments and derivatives owned by the Fund. On the other hand, if rates fall, the value of fixed income investments and derivatives generally increases. Investments with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than investments with shorter durations. Any U.S. Federal Reserve System revisions to its current policy of maintaining the federal rates at a low level and purchasing large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities on the open market to support U.S. economic recovery will likely have a negative effort on the value of most fixed income investments and result in an increase in price volatility of fixed income investments.

 

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investing involves risks not typically associated with U.S. investments, including adverse fluctuations in foreign currency values, adverse political, social and economic developments, less liquidity, greater volatility, less developed or less efficient trading markets, political instability and differing auditing and legal standards. A portion of the derivatives trades may take place on foreign markets. Neither existing SEC regulations nor regulations of any other U.S. governmental agency apply to transactions on foreign markets. The securities of foreign issuers may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. The costs associated with portfolio transactions are often higher in foreign countries than the United States. Additionally, investments in securities of foreign issuers, even those publicly traded in the United States, may involve risks which are in addition to those inherent in domestic investments. Foreign companies may not be subject to the same regulatory requirements of U.S. companies, and as a consequence, there may be less publicly available information about such companies. Also, foreign companies may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Foreign governments and foreign economies, particularly in emerging markets, may be less stable than the U.S. government and the U.S. economy.

 

General Risk. Domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events are among the factors affecting the securities markets of the Fund’s investments. There is risk that these and other factors may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. You should consider your own investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors and is not intended to be a complete investment program. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in the bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. You may lose money by investing in the Fund.

 

Liquidity Risk. Low trading volume, a lack of a market maker, or contractual or legal restrictions may limit or prevent the Fund from selling securities or closing derivative positions at desirable times or prices.

 

Management Risk. Management risk is the risk that the investment process used by the Fund’s portfolio manager could fail to achieve the Fund’s investment goal and cause an investment in the Fund to lose value.

 

Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may buy and sell investments frequently. Such a strategy often involves higher transaction costs, including brokerage commissions, and may increase the amount of capital gains (in particular, short term gains) realized by the Fund. Shareholders may pay tax on such capital gains.

 

Short Position Risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short position if the price of the short position instrument increases in value between the date of the short position sale and the date on which an offsetting position is purchased. Short positions may be considered speculative transactions and involve special risks, including greater reliance on the Sub-Adviser’s ability to accurately anticipate the future value of a security or instrument. The Fund does sell stocks short. The Fund’s losses are potentially unlimited in a short position transaction.

 

Small-Sized Companies Risk. Because the Fund invests primarily in securities issued by small-cap companies, it is likely to be more volatile than a fund that focuses on securities issued by larger companies. The earnings and prospects of these companies are more volatile than larger companies. Small sized companies may experience higher failure rates than do larger companies. The trading volume of securities of small sized companies is normally less than that of larger companies and, therefore, may disproportionately affect their market price, tending to make them fall more in response to selling pressure than is the case with larger companies. Small sized companies may have limited markets, product lines or financial resources and may lack management experience. Small-sized companies often have less experienced management, narrower product lines, more limited financial resources, and less publicly available information than larger companies. In addition, smaller companies are typically more sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions and their securities may be difficult to trade.

 

Portfolio Holdings Information

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available in the Fund’s SAI.

 

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Management of the Fund

 

The Adviser

The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) with F/m Investments, LLC, located at 3050 K Street NW, Suite W-170, Washington, DC 20007, under which the Adviser manages the Fund’s investments subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund compensates the Adviser for its investment advisory services at the annual rate of 2.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, payable on a monthly basis. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC.

 

Fund Expenses. The Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. Pursuant to an operating expense limitation agreement between the Adviser and the Fund, the Adviser has agreed to reduce its management fees and/or pay expenses of the Fund to ensure that the total amount of Fund operating expenses (excluding any front-end or contingent deferred sales loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes and extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, including, but not limited to, litigation) do not exceed 2.24% and 2.54% of the Fund’s average net assets, for Institutional Class and Investor Class shares, respectively, through February 28, 2022, subject thereafter to annual re-approval of the agreement by the Board of Trustees. The Adviser is permitted to receive reimbursement from the Fund for fees it waived and Fund expenses it paid, subject to the limitation that: (1) the reimbursement for fees and expenses will be made only if payable within three years from the date the fees and expenses were initially waived or reimbursed; and (2) the reimbursement may not be made if it would cause the expense limitation in effect at the time of the waiver or currently in effect, whichever is lower, to be exceeded. The Fund must pay its current ordinary operating expenses before the Adviser is entitled to any reimbursement of management fees and/or expenses. This Operating Expense Limitation Agreement can be terminated only by, or with the consent, of the Board of Trustees. For the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, the Adviser and the Fund’s prior adviser, Balter Liquid Alternatives, LLC, received advisory fees net of fee waivers and expense reimbursements equal to 1.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Prior to October 11, 2019, Balter Liquid Alternatives, LLC served as the Fund’s adviser.

 

The Sub-Adviser

The Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP, and the Adviser compensates the Sub-Adviser out of the investment advisory fees it receives from the Fund. The Sub-Adviser makes investment decisions for the assets it has been allocated to manage, subject to the overall supervision of the Fund’s portfolio manager (see “Portfolio Managers” below). The Adviser oversees the Sub-Adviser for compliance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies, strategies and restrictions, and monitors the Sub-Adviser’s adherence to its investment style. The Board of Trustees supervises the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, establishes policies that they must follow in their management activities, and oversees the hiring and termination of Sub-Advisers recommended by the Adviser. The SEC has granted an exemptive order with respect to the Adviser, which extends to other registered investment companies advised by the Adviser, including the Fund, that permits the Adviser, subject to certain conditions, to terminate existing Sub-Advisers or hire new Sub-Advisers for the Fund, to materially amend the terms of particular agreements with Sub-Advisers or to continue the employment of existing Sub-Advisers after events that would otherwise cause an automatic termination of a sub-advisory agreement. This arrangement has been approved by the Board of Trustees and the Fund’s initial shareholder. Consequently, under the exemptive order, the Adviser has the right to hire, terminate and replace Sub-Advisers when the Board of Trustees and the Adviser feel that a change would benefit the Fund. Within 90 days of retaining a new Sub-Adviser, shareholders of the Fund will receive notification of the change. The manager of managers structure enables the Fund to operate with greater efficiency and without incurring the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of sub-advisory agreements. The structure does not permit investment advisory fees paid by the Fund to be increased or change the Adviser’s obligations under the Advisory Agreement, including the Adviser’s responsibility to monitor and oversee sub-advisory services furnished to the Fund, without shareholder approval. Furthermore, any sub-advisory agreements with affiliates of the Fund or the Adviser will require shareholder approval.

 

The Adviser has entered into a sub-advisory agreement with S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP. The Adviser compensates the Sub-Adviser out of its investment advisory fee it receives from the Fund. The Sub-Adviser makes investment decisions for the assets it has been allocated to manage. The Adviser oversees the Sub-Adviser for compliance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies, strategies and restrictions, and monitors the Sub-Adviser’s adherence to its investment style. The Board supervises the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, establishes policies that they must follow in their management activities, and oversees the hiring, termination and replacement of the Sub-Adviser recommended by the Adviser.

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S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP, Princes House, 38 Jermyn Street, London, UK SW1Y 6DN, serves as the Sub-Adviser to the Fund under a sub-advisory agreement with the Adviser on behalf of the Fund. S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC and was founded in 2005. S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP has served as the Fund’s sub-adviser since the Fund’s inception.

 

***

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement is available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders dated October 31, 2019.

 

Portfolio Managers

The following provides additional information about the Sub-Adviser and its portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s assets. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and their ownership of investments in the Fund.

 

The Adviser

 

 

Alexander R. Morris. Mr. Morris is a founder and partner in KBC as well as a founder and Managing Director of Rowhouse Capital Management since 2015. Previously, Mr. Morris was at Fortigent, LLC, joining in the firm in 2011 and where he served in a corporate development role, developing and executing a new business strategy and product offering as well as leading significant aspects of the firm’s successful sale to LPL Financial. Mr. Morris began his career in 2006 with Europe-based alternative asset manager Caliburn Capital Partners, where he helped to establish four class-leading investment funds, open offices in North America and Asia, and grow AUM to $2B. Caliburn’s flagship Strategic and Global Inefficiencies fund invested in emerging asset managers. In 2008, Mr. Morris joined Longville Investments, a private equity firm supporting European family offices with fundamental analysis, transaction execution and long term capital management. In 2009, Mr. Morris returned to the US to launch the family office practice of Pacific Capital Bancorp, and to define the bank’s wealth management strategy. Mr. Morris then joined the Financial Services Practice of Hitachi Consulting Corp. as a senior level business consultant advising clients on corporate strategy and acquisitions.

 

The Sub-Adviser

 

Jamie Carter. Mr. Carter is a Partner of S.W. Mitchell Capital and the Investment Manager of two funds; the S.W. Mitchell Small Cap European Fund and the SWMC Small Cap European Fund. Mr. Carter joined S.W. Mitchell in early 2006 and launched the S.W. Mitchell Small Cap European Fund in November 2007 after a year and a half researching European markets, and finding himself gravitating towards the small cap space. In June 2011, Mr. Carter went on to launch the SWMC Small Cap European Fund, a UCITS fund which is generally run pari passu with the hedge fund, S.W. Mitchell Small Cap European Fund. Mr. Carter was made a Partner in April 2010. Prior to 2006, Mr. Carter worked at JO Hambro Investment Management (JOHIM). During his time at JOHIM he managed private client portfolios and researched U.S. companies, with a particular emphasis on technology, media and telecommunications.

 

 

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Shareholder Information

 

Choosing a Share Class

The Trust has adopted a multiple class plan that allows the Fund to offer one or more classes of shares. The Fund has registered two classes of shares – Institutional Class shares and Investor Class shares. The different classes of shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes generally offered through different distribution channels and are subject to different expenses and may have different share prices as outlined below:

· Institutional Class shares are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.
· Investor Class shares are sold without an initial sales charge, but are subject to a 0.25% Rule 12b-1 distribution and/or shareholder servicing fee and a 0.05% of shareholder servicing fee.

 

Each class of shares is subject to a redemption fee equal to 1.00% (as a percentage of amount redeemed within 60 days of purchase).

 

More About Institutional Class Shares

Institutional Class shares may be purchased without the imposition of any sales charges. The Fund offers Institutional Class shares primarily for direct investment by investors such as pension and profit-sharing plans, employee benefit trusts, endowments, foundations, corporations and high net worth individuals. Institutional Class shares may also be offered through certain financial intermediaries (including broker-dealers) and their agents in fee based and other programs. In these programs financial intermediaries have made arrangements with the Fund and are authorized to buy and sell shares of the Fund that charge their customers transaction or other distribution or service fees with respect to their customers’ investments in the Fund. Institutional Class shares are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge, and are not subject to 12b-1 distribution fees. The minimum initial investment in Institutional Class shares of the Fund is $50,000. The minimum subsequent investment in Institutional Class shares of the Fund is $500.

 

More About Investor Class Shares

Investor Class shares of the Funds are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of a Fund. Investor Class shares include a 0.05% of Shareholder Servicing Fee. Investor Class shares pay up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for service and distribution-related activities with respect to the Funds and/or shareholder services. Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of an Investor Class shareholder’s investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges. The minimum initial investment in Investor Class shares of the Fund is $5,000. The minimum subsequent investment in Investor Class shares of the Fund is $500. For Retirement Accounts and Automatic Investment Plans, the minimal initial investment in Investor Class shares is $1,000, with a minimum subsequent investment of $50.

 

Share Price

Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value (“NAV”). The NAV of the Fund is determined at close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business. NAV is computed by determining, on a per class basis, the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets-liabilities)/number of shares = NAV). The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account, 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 a share class for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by the Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the NYSE on that day.

 

Generally, the Fund’s securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid ask prices on such exchanges. 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

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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 from the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available. The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value team composed of one or more officers from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) Advisor and/or sub-Advisor. The team may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

 

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

 

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

 

With respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, the Fund’s net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

 

How to Purchase Shares

The Fund offers two classes of shares so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs: Institutional Class and Investor Class shares. The main differences between the classes are the ongoing fees. In choosing which class of shares to purchase, you should consider which will be most beneficial to you given your investment goals, the amount of your purchase and the length of time you expect to hold the shares. Each class of shares in the Fund represents an interest in the same portfolio of investments in the Fund. Not all share classes may be available for purchase in all states.

 

Purchase by Mail. To purchase the Fund’s shares, simply complete and sign the Account Application and mail it, along with a check made payable to “F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund” to:

 

via Regular mail: via Overnight mail:

F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund   F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC   c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 541150   4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100
Omaha, NE 68154   Elkhorn, NE 68022
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Purchase through Brokers. You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or its designee receives the order. The broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums. You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund. Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund. You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent. Such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Fund’s behalf.

 

Purchase by Wire. If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-844-322-8112 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.

 

Automatic Investment Plan. You may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $50 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-844-322-8112 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan. Minimum initial investment requirements may be waived for Automatic Investment Plan investors, at the Fund’s discretion.

 

The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares. Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institutions, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased. After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address. Make all checks payable to “F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund.” The Fund will not accept payment in cash, including cashier’s checks or money orders. Also, to prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, U.S. Treasury checks, credit card checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares. Redemptions of shares of the Fund purchased by check may be subject to a hold period until the check has been cleared by the issuing bank. To avoid such holding periods, shares may be purchased through a broker or by wire, as described in this section.

 

 

Note: Gemini Fund Services, LLC, the Fund’s transfer agent, will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any check returned to the transfer agent for insufficient funds.

 

Anti-Money Laundering Program. The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions, including the Fund, to adopt certain policies and programs to prevent money-laundering activities, including procedures to verify the identity of customers opening new accounts. As requested on the application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing a P.O. Box will not be accepted. This information will assist the Fund in verifying your identity. Until such verification is made, the Fund may temporarily limit additional share purchases. In addition, the Fund may limit additional share purchases or close an account if it is unable to verify a shareholder’s identity. As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.

 

In order to ensure compliance with these laws, the Account Application asks for, among other things, the following information for all “customers” seeking to open an “account” (as those terms are defined in rules adopted pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act):

· full name;
· date of birth (individuals only);
· Social Security or taxpayer identification number; and
· permanent street address (P.O. Box only is not acceptable).

 

Accounts opened by entities, such as corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships or trusts, will require additional documentation.

 

Please note that if any information listed above is missing, your Account Application will be returned and your account will not be opened. In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act and other applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations, the Transfer Agent will verify the information on your application as part of the Program. The Fund reserves the right to request additional clarifying information and may close your account if such clarifying information is not received by the Fund within a

13 
 

reasonable time of the request or if the Fund cannot form a reasonable belief as to the true identity of a customer. If you require additional assistance when completing your Account Application, please contact the Transfer Agent at 1-844-322-8112.

 

How to Redeem Shares

The Fund typically expects that it will take up to 7 days following the receipt of your redemption request to pay out redemptions from cash, cash equivalents, proceeds from the sale of the Fund shares, any line of credit, and then from the sale of portfolio securities. These redemption payment methods will be used in regular and stressed market conditions.

 

You may redeem all or any portion of the shares credited to your account by submitting a written request for redemption to:

 

via Regular mail: via Overnight mail:

F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

P.O. Box 541150 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Omaha, NE 68154 Elkhorn, NE 68022

 

Redemptions by Telephone: The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts except retirement accounts. If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account.

 

The proceeds will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or wired directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. To redeem by telephone, call 1-844-322-8112. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of your telephone instructions. IRA accounts are not redeemable by telephone.

 

The Fund reserves the right to suspend the telephone redemption privileges with respect to your account if the name(s) or the address on the account has been changed within the previous 30 days. Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor their respective affiliates will be liable for complying with telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine or for any loss, damage, cost or expenses in acting on such telephone instructions and you will be required to bear the risk of any such loss. The Fund or the transfer agent, or both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that telephone instructions are genuine. If the Fund and/or the transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable to you for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. These procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or tape recording telephone instructions.

 

Redemptions through Broker: If shares of the Fund are held by a broker-dealer, financial institution or other servicing agent, you must contact that servicing agent to redeem shares of the Fund. The servicing agent may charge a fee for this service.

 

Redemptions by Wire: You may request that your redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The Fund’s transfer agent imposes a $15 fee for each wire redemption and deducts the fee directly from your account. Your bank may also impose a fee for the incoming wire.

 

Automatic Withdrawal Plan (for Investor Class shares only): If your individual accounts, IRA or other qualified plan account have a current account value of at least $5,000, you may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers. You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $250 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at 1-844-322-8112 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

 

Redemptions in Kind: The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders made by a shareholder during any 90-day period by making payment in whole or in part in portfolio securities (“redemption in kind”) if the amount of such a request is large enough to affect operations (if the request is greater than the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets at the beginning of the 90-day period). The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued using the same procedures as used in calculating the Fund’s NAV. A shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash and securities redeemed in-kind remain at the risk of the market until they are sold and the shareholder will bear market risk until the securities are converted to cash.

 

When Redemptions are Sent: Once the Fund receives your redemption request in “good order” as described below, it will issue a

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check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in “good order.” If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank.

 

Good Order: Your redemption request will be processed if it is in “good order.” To be in good order, the following conditions must be satisfied:

·         The request should be in writing, unless redeeming by telephone, indicating the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed;

·         The request must identify your account number;

·         The request should be signed by you and any other person listed on the account, exactly as the shares are registered; and

·         If you request that the redemption proceeds be sent to a person, bank or an address other than that of record or paid to someone other than the record owner(s), or if the address was changed within the last 30 days, or if the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor.

 

When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees: If you wish to change the bank or brokerage account that you have designated on your account, you may do so at any time by writing to the Fund with your signature guaranteed. A medallion signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine and protects you from unauthorized account transfers. You will need your signature guaranteed if:

· you request a redemption to be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund;
· you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Fund;
· the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000;
· any redemption is transmitted by federal wire transfer to a bank other than the bank of record; or
· your address was changed within 30 days of your redemption request.

 

Signatures may be guaranteed by any eligible guarantor institution (including banks, brokers and dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations). Further documentation will be required to change the designated account if shares are held by a corporation, fiduciary or other organization. A notary public cannot guarantee signatures.

 

Retirement Plans: If you own an IRA or other retirement plan, you must indicate on your redemption request whether the Fund should withhold federal income tax. Unless you elect in your redemption request that you do not want to have federal tax withheld, the redemption will be subject to withholding.

 

Low Balances: If at any time your account balance falls below $1,000 for Institutional and Investor Class accounts, the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to the minimum investment amount within 30 days of the notice, your account could be closed. After the notice period, the Fund may redeem all of your shares and close your account by sending you a check to the address of record. Your account will not be closed if the account balance drops below required minimum due to a decline in NAV.

 

Redemption Fee

The Fund will deduct a 1.00% redemption fee on the redemption amount if you sell your shares less than 60 days after purchase or when shares held less than 60 days are redeemed for failure to maintain the Fund’s balance minimum. See Low Balances for further information on account closure policy. Shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last. Shares held for 60 days or more are not subject to the 1% fee.

 

Redemption fees are paid to the Fund directly and are designed to offset costs associated with fluctuations in Fund asset levels and cash flow caused by short-term shareholder trading.

 

Waivers of Redemption Fees: The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee for:

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The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fees or waivers at any time and will give shareholders 30 days’ prior written notice of any material changes, unless otherwise provided by law. The redemption fee policy may be modified or amended in the future to reflect, among other factors, regulatory requirements mandated by the SEC.

 

Tools to Combat Frequent Transactions

The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of the Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Fund’s investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Fund’s Board has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change. The Fund currently uses several methods to reduce the risk of market timing. These methods include:

 

Though these methods involve judgments that are inherently subjective and involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to make judgments and applications that are consistent with the interests of the Fund’s shareholders.

 

The redemption fee, which is uniformly imposed, is intended to discourage short-term trading and is paid to the Fund to help offset any cost associated with such short-term trading. The Fund will monitor the assessment of redemption fees against your account. Based on the frequency of redemption fees assessed against your account, the Adviser or Transfer Agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to (i) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases into the Fund and/or (ii) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future exchanges or redemptions out of the Fund.

 

The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests for any reason, particularly when the shareholder’s trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. The Adviser may also bar an investor who has violated these policies (and the investor’s financial adviser) from opening new accounts with the Fund.

 

Although the Fund attempts to limit disruptive trading activities, some investors use a variety of strategies to hide their identities and their trading practices. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify or limit these activities. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the Fund. While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers who invest indirectly in the Fund, the Fund is limited in its ability to monitor the trading activity or enforce the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy with respect to customers of financial intermediaries. For example, should it occur, the Fund may not be able to detect market timing that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or made difficult to identify in the omnibus accounts used by those intermediaries for aggregated purchases, exchanges and redemptions on behalf of all their customers. More specifically, unless the financial intermediaries have the ability to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading

16 
 

Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions, assessing the Fund’s redemption fee and monitoring trading activity for what might be market timing, the Fund may not be able to determine whether trading by customers of financial intermediaries is contrary to the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy. Brokers maintaining omnibus accounts with the Fund have agreed to provide shareholder transaction information to the extent known to the broker to the Fund upon request. If the Fund or its transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent suspects there is market timing activity in the account, the Fund will seek full cooperation from the service provider maintaining the account to identify the underlying participant. At the request of the Adviser, the service providers may take immediate action to stop any further short-term trading by such participants.

 

Householding. To reduce expenses, the Fund mails 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 Fund at 1-844-322-8112 on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.

 

Shares of one Class of the Fund will not be exchangeable for shares of another Class.

 

Distribution of Fund Shares

The Distributor

 

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) is located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022, and serves as distributor and principal underwriter to the Fund. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.

 

Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Plan

 

The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “12b-1 Plan”) under the 1940 Act applicable to the Investor Class shares. Under the 12b-1 Plans, the Fund is authorized to pay the Fund’s distributor, or such other entities as approved by the Board of Trustees, a fee for the promotion and distribution of the Fund and the provision of personal services to shareholders. The maximum amount of the fee authorized is 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets annually for Investor Class shares. The distributor may pay any or all amounts received under the 12b-1 Plan to other persons, including the Adviser, for any distribution or service activity. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment in the Fund and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

 

In addition to the fees paid under the 12b-1 Plan, the Fund may pay service fees to intermediaries such as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisors or other financial institutions, including the Adviser and affiliates of the Adviser, for sub-administration, sub-transfer agency and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus, other group accounts or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents.

 

Shareholder Servicing Plan

 

The Trust has also adopted a Shareholder Service Plan under which the Fund may pay a fee of up to 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Investor Class shares for shareholder services provided to the Fund by financial institutions.

 

Because the Fund pays shareholder service fees on an ongoing basis, your investment cost over time may be higher than paying other types of sales charges.

 

Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries

 

The distributor, its affiliates and the Adviser, out of its own resources, and without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders, may provide additional cash payments or non-cash compensation to intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund. Such payments and compensation are in addition to service fees paid by the Fund, if any. These additional cash payments are generally made to intermediaries that provide shareholder servicing, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the intermediary. Cash compensation may also be paid to intermediaries for inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, in other sales programs or as an expense reimbursement in cases where the intermediary provides shareholder services to the Fund’s shareholders. The Adviser may

17 
 

also pay cash compensation in the form of finder’s fees that vary depending on the dollar amount of the shares sold.

Distributions and Taxes

 

Tax Status, Dividends and Distributions

Any sale or exchange of a Fund’s shares may generate tax liability (unless you are a tax-exempt investor or your investment is in a qualified retirement account). When you redeem your shares you may realize a taxable gain or loss. This is measured by the difference between the proceeds of the sale and the tax basis for the shares you sold. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you generally should retain your account statements for the period that you hold shares in the Fund.)

 

Dividends from net investment income are generally made at least annually. Capital gain distributions from net profits from the sale of investments are generally made at least annually. Both distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive cash. Dividends from net investment income (including any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) are taxable to investors as ordinary income, while distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of your holding period for the shares. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash. Certain dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December will be taxed to shareholders as if received in December if they are paid during the following January. Each year the Fund will inform you of the amount and type of your distributions. IRAs and other qualified retirement plans are exempt from federal income taxation until retirement proceeds are paid out to the participant.

 

Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them.

 

On the account application, you will be asked to certify that your social security number or taxpayer identification number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS. If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number. If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending. The Fund is required to withhold taxes if a number is not delivered to the Fund within seven days.

 

This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice. This summary is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. The tax considerations relevant to a specific shareholder depend upon its specific circumstances, and this summary does not attempt to discuss all potential tax considerations that could be relevant to a prospective shareholder with respect to the Fund or its investments. This general summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Federal Income Tax Regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change (potentially on a retroactive basis). You should consult your own independent tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund’s shares.

 

Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements. Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (“FFI”) or a non-financial foreign entity (“NFFE”) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) may be subject to a 30% withholding tax on: (a) income and dividends paid by a Fund and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the gross proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by the Fund after December 31, 2018. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it either enters into a valid agreement with the IRS or otherwise complies with the specific requirements and provisions of an applicable intergovernmental agreement, in each case to, among other requirements, to collect and report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. A Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.

18 
 

 

Financial Highlights

 

The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the period of the Fund’s operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been derived from the financial statements audited by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Fund’s October 31, 2019 annual report, which is available at no charge upon request.

 

 

19 
 

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    Institutional Class  
    For the     For the     For the     For the  
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Period Ended  
    October 31, 2019     October 31, 2018     October 31, 2017     October 31, 2016 (1)  
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 10.40     $ 11.67     $ 9.27     $ 10.00  
Activity from investment operations:                                
Net investment loss (2)     (0.17 )     (0.25 )     (0.21 )     (0.18 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (0.63 )     (0.43 )     2.61       (0.55 )
Total from investment operations     (0.80 )     (0.68 )     2.40       (0.73 )
Less distributions from:                                
Net investment income     (0.25 )     (0.31 )            
Net realized gains     (0.32 )     (0.28 )            
Total distributions     (0.57 )     (0.59 )            
Paid-in-Capital From Redemption Fees     0.00  (3)     0.00  (3)     0.00  (3)      
Net asset value, end of period   $ 9.03     $ 10.40     $ 11.67     $ 9.27  
Total return (4)     (7.69 )%     (6.18 )%     25.89 %     (7.30 )% (5)
Net assets, at end of period (000’s)   $ 8,730     $ 85,302     $ 69,368     $ 24,654  
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (6,8)     3.83 %     3.97 %     2.71 %     2.87 % (7)
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (8)     3.33 %     3.73 %     2.46 %     2.45 % (7)
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets     (1.81 )%     (2.24 )%     (1.99 )%     (2.18 )% (7)
Portfolio Turnover Rate     141 %     194 %     154 %     168 % (5)
                                 

 

  (1) The Fund commenced operations on December 30, 2015.
 
  (2) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.
 
  (3) Represents less than $0.01 per share.
 
  (4) Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales charges and redemption fees and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
 
  (5) Not Annualized.
 
  (6) Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Adviser.
 
  (7) Annualized.
 
  (8) Excluding dividends from securities sold short and interest expense, the ratio of expenses to average net assets would have been:

 

Before fees waived     2.74 %     2.48 %     2.49 %     2.66 % (7)
                                 
After fees waived     2.24 %     2.24 %     2.24 %     2.24 % (7

 

 

20 
 

 

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

    Investor Class  
    For the     For the     For the     For the  
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Period Ended  
    October 31, 2019     October 31, 2018     October 31, 2017     October 31, 2016 (1)  
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 10.37     $ 11.66     $ 9.27     $ 10.00  
Activity from investment operations:                                
Net investment loss (2)     (0.17 )     (0.29 )     (0.27 )     (0.18 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (0.66 )     (0.42 )     2.66       (0.55 )
Total from investment operations     (0.83 )     (0.71 )     2.39       (0.73 )
Less distributions from:                                
Net investment income     (0.23 )     (0.30 )            
Net realized gains     (0.32 )     (0.28 )            
Total distributions     (0.55 )     (0.58 )            
Paid-in-Capital From Redemption Fees     0.01       0.00  (3)            
Net asset value, end of period   $ 9.00     $ 10.37     $ 11.66     $ 9.27  
Total return (4)     (7.92 )%     (6.44 )%     25.78 %     (7.30 )% (5)
Net assets, at end of period (000’s)   $ 1,488     $ 1,425     $ 517     $ 0  (8)
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (6,9)     4.13 %     4.27 %     3.01 %     3.17 % (7)
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (9)     3.63 %     4.03 %     2.76 %     2.75 % (7)
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets     (1.85 )%     (2.56 )%     (2.39 )%     (2.48 )% (7)
Portfolio Turnover Rate     141 %     194 %     154 %     168 % (5)
                                 

 

  (1) The Fund commenced operations on December 30, 2015.
 
  (2) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.
 
  (3) Represents less than $0.01 per share.
 
  (4) Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales charges and redemption fees and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
 
  (5) Not Annualized.
 
  (6) Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Advisor.
 
  (7) Annualized.
 
  (8) Less than $1,000.
 
  (9) Excluding dividends from securities sold short and interest expense, the ratio of expenses to average net assets would have been:

 

Before fees waived     3.04 %     2.78 %     2.79 %     2.96 % (7)
                                 
After fees waived     2.54 %     2.54 %     2.54 %     2.54 % (7

 

 

 

21 
 

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

Rev. May 2019

FACTS WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II (“NLFT II”) 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

·         Employment information

·         Account balances

·         Account transactions

·         Income

·         Investment experience

 
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 a customer’s personal information to run their everyday business - to process transactions, maintain customer accounts, and report to credit bureaus.  In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customer’s personal information; the reasons NLFT II chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
Reasons we can share your personal information Does NLFT II 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
Yes No
For joint marketing with other financial companies Yes No
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes --
information about your transactions and experiences
Yes No
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 1-402-493-4603
             

 

 

22 
 

 

Who we are
Who is providing this notice? Northern Lights Fund Trust II
What we do
How does NLFT II protect my personal information? To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law.  These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.  
How does NLFT II collect my personal information? We collect your personal information, for example, when you

·         open an account

·         give us your income information

·         provide employment information

·       provide account information

·       give us your contact information

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

·      sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes—information about your creditworthiness

·      affiliates from using your information to market to you

·      sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions
Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

NLFT II does not have any affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

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

 

NLFT II 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 and services to you.

 

Our joint marketing partners include other financial service companies.

23 
 

 

Investment Adviser

F/m Investments, LLC

3050 K Street NW, Suite W-170

Washington, DC 20007

 

 

 

 

Investment Sub-Adviser

S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP

Princes House

38 Jermyn Street

London, UK SW1Y 6DN

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Tait, Weller & Baker LLP

Two Liberty Place

50 South 16th Street, Suite 2900

Philadelphia, PA 19102

 

Legal Counsel

Alston & Bird, LLP

950 F Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20004

 

Custodian

U.S. Bank, National Association

1555 North River Center Drive

Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant and Fund Administrator

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022

 

Distributor

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022

 

 

 

24 
 

F/m Investment European L/S Small Cap Fund

a series of the Northern Lights Fund Trust II

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

You can find more information about the Fund in the following documents:

 

Statement of Additional Information

The SAI provides additional details about the investments and techniques of the Fund and certain other additional information. A current SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference. This means that the SAI is legally considered a part of this Prospectus even though it is not physically within this Prospectus.

 

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports

Additional information about the Fund’s investments will also be available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders. In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

To obtain a free copy of the SAI and, when issued, the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or make general inquiries about the Fund by calling the Fund (toll-free) at 1-844-322-8112, or by writing to:

 

F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022

 

 

 

 

Information is also available at www.fm-invest.com.

 

You can review and copy information, including the Fund’s reports and SAI, at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling (202) 551-8090. Reports and other information about the Fund are also available:

 

· free of charge from the SEC’s EDGAR database on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov;
· for a fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-1520; or
· for a fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

 

(The Trust’s SEC Investment Company Act file number is 811-22549)

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Statement of Additional Information

Dated: March 1, 2020

 

F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund

 

Institutional Class (Symbol: BESMX)

Investor Class (Symbol: BESRX)

 

 

 

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides general information about the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund (the “Fund”), a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the “Trust”). This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s current prospectus for Institutional Class and Investor Class shares dated March 1, 2020 (the “Prospectus”), as supplemented and amended from time to time, which is incorporated herein by reference. To obtain a copy of the Prospectus, free of charge, please write or call the Fund at the address or telephone number below:

 

F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022

1-844-322-8112

 
 

---------------------------------

TABLE OF CONTENTS

---------------------------------

The Trust 3
Investment Policies, Strategies and Associated Risks 4
Fundamental Investment Limitations 21
Management of the Fund 23
Board of Trustees 23
Board Leadership Structure 23
Trustees and Officers 25
Board Committees 2827
Trustee Compensation 28
Control Persons and Principal Shareholders 29
Investment Adviser 3030
Sub-Adviser 32
Portfolio Managers 33
Other Service Providers 35
Distribution of Fund Shares 37
12b-1 Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan 3837
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation 40
Portfolio Turnover 42
Code of Ethics 42
Proxy Voting Procedures 42
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program 4342
Portfolio Holdings Information 43
Determination of Net Asset Value 44
Financial Statements 54
APPENDIX “A” RATINGS DEFINITIONS 55
APPENDIX “B” 71
 
 

The Trust

The F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund, formerly known as the Balter European L/S Small Cap Fund, (the “Fund”) is a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust II, (the “Trust”) a Delaware statutory trust, organized on August 26, 2010.

 

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

 

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

 

The Fund offers two classes of shares: Institutional Class shares and Investor Class shares. Each share class represents an interest in the same assets of the Fund, has the same rights and is identical in all material respects except that (i) each class of shares may be subject to different (or no) sales loads, (ii) each class of shares may bear different (or no) distribution fees; (iii) each class of shares may have different shareholder features, such as minimum investment amounts; (iv) certain other class-specific expenses will be borne solely by the class to which such expenses are attributable, including transfer agent fees attributable to a specific class of shares, printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials to current shareholders of a specific class, registration fees paid by a specific class of shares, the expenses of administrative personnel and services required to support the shareholders of a specific class, litigation or other legal expenses relating to a class of shares, Trustees’ fees or expenses paid as a result of issues relating to a specific class of shares and accounting fees and expenses relating to a specific class of shares and (v) each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its own distribution arrangements.  Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote.  In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares on a class-specific basis (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities.  Shares of the Funds 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.

 

Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal.  Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.  Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders.  As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.

 

F/m Investments, LLC (the “Adviser” or “F/m”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

 

S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s sub-investment adviser.

 

3 
 

Investment Policies, Strategies and Associated Risks

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek to generate absolute returns by investing both long and short in European companies. The investment objective of the Fund and the descriptions of the Fund’s principal investment strategies are set forth under “Investment Strategies, Related Risks and Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings” in the Prospectus. The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, although the Fund will provide shareholders with notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objectives at least 60 days prior to such change.

 

The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, strategies the Adviser may employ in pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective and a summary of related risks.

 

Risks Associated With Economic Events

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) significantly revises and expands the rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement authority of federal bank, securities and commodities regulators. It is unclear how these regulators will exercise these revised and expanded powers and whether they will undertake rulemaking, supervisory or enforcement actions that would adversely affect the Fund or investments made by the Fund. Possible regulatory actions taken under these revised and expanded powers may include actions related to financial consumer protection, proprietary trading and derivatives. There is a risk that new and additional government regulation authorized by the Dodd-Frank Act could result in higher Fund costs and expenses.

 

Government Intervention In Financial Markets Risk

 

Instability in the financial markets may lead the U.S. government and foreign governments to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that may experience extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. U.S. federal and state governments and foreign governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations may take additional actions that affect the regulation of the securities in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such securities, in ways that are unforeseeable. Issuers of corporate securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Multi-Manager and Multi-Style Management Risk

 

Fund performance is dependent upon the success of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser in implementing the Fund’s investment strategies in pursuit of its goal. To a significant extent, the Fund’s performance will depend of the success of the Adviser’s in selecting and overseeing the Sub-Adviser and on the Sub-Adviser’s skill in executing the relevant strategy and selecting investments for the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Adviser or Sub-Adviser will be successful in this regard.

 

The Adviser’s and the Sub-Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular asset class or individual security in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect, and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s or the Sub-Adviser’s judgment will produce the desired results. In addition, the Fund may allocate its assets so as to under- or over-emphasize certain strategies or investments under market conditions that are not optimal, in which case the Fund’s value may be adversely affected.

4 
 

 

Equity Securities

 

The Fund may invest in equity securities consistent with its investment objective and strategies. Common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities are examples of equity securities in which the Fund may invest.

 

All investments in equity securities are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fall. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles and the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may fluctuate substantially from day to day. Owning an equity security can also subject the Fund to the risk that the issuer may discontinue paying dividends. Other risks of investing globally in equity securities may include changes in currency exchange rates, exchange control regulations, expropriation of assets or nationalization, imposition of taxes including withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments, and difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against entities. Equities investments may involve substantial risks and may be subject to wide and sudden fluctuations in market value, with a resulting fluctuation in the amount of profits and losses. There are no absolute restrictions in regard to the size or operating experience of the companies in which the Fund may invest directly or indirectly. In addition, relatively small companies in which the Fund may invest may lack management depth or the ability to generate internally, or obtain externally, the funds necessary for growth and companies with new products or services could sustain significant losses if projected markets do not materialize.

 

To the extent the Fund invests in the equity securities of small- and medium-sized companies, they will be exposed to the risks of small- and medium-sized companies. Such companies often have narrower markets for their goods and/or services and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. Furthermore, those companies often have limited product lines, or services, markets, or financial resources, or are dependent on a small management group. In addition, because these stocks are not well-known to the investing public, do not have significant institutional ownership, and are followed by relatively few security analysts, there will normally be less publicly available information concerning these securities compared to what is available for the securities of larger companies. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether based on fundamental analysis, can decrease the value and liquidity of securities held by the Fund. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

Common Stock

 

A common stock represents a proportionate share of the ownership of a company and its value is based on the success of the company’s business, any income paid to stockholders, the value of its assets, and general market conditions. In addition to the general risks set forth above, investments in common stocks are subject to the risk that in the event a company in which the Fund invests is liquidated, the holders of preferred stock and creditors of that company will be paid in full before any payments are made to the Fund as a holder of common stock. It is possible that all assets of that company will be exhausted before any payments are made to the Fund.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Preferred stocks are equity securities that often pay dividends at a specific rate and have a preference over common stocks in dividend payments and liquidation of assets. A preferred stock has a blend of the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership, but does not have the seniority of a bond and, unlike common stock, its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Although the dividend is set at a fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer.

 

 

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Rights and Warrants

 

The Fund may invest in rights or warrants. Rights and warrants entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities that may be purchased nor do they represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. Also, the value of a right or warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration date.

 

Convertible Securities

 

The Fund invests in convertible securities. Convertible securities (such as debt securities or preferred stock) may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or dividends paid on preferred stock until the convertible stock matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. While no securities investment is without some risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than the issuer’s common stock. However, the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income security. In addition to the general risk associated with equity securities discussed above, the market value of convertible securities is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provisions. While convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than nonconvertible debt securities of similar quality, they do enable the investor to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock.

 

Foreign Securities

 

The Fund may invest in U.S. dollar denominated foreign securities American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and foreign equity securities. In determining whether a company is foreign, the Adviser will consider various factors including where the company is headquartered, where the company’s principal operations are located, where the company’s revenues are derived, where the principal trading market is located and the country in which the company is legally organized. The weight given to each of these factors will vary depending upon the circumstances. Investments in foreign securities may involve a greater degree of risk than those in domestic securities.

 

American Depositary Receipts, European Depositary Receipts and Global Depositary Receipts

 

The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities for which they may be exchanged. These are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign-based issuer held in trust by a bank or similar financial institution. Designed for use in U.S. securities markets, ADRs are alternatives to the purchase of the underlying securities in their national market and currencies, while EDRs and GDRs are European and Global receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be purchased through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary, whereas a depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the depositary security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of such facilities and the depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting rights to the holders of such receipts of the deposited securities.

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Investing in foreign securities involves certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Foreign securities markets have, for the most part, substantially less volume than the U.S. markets and securities of many foreign companies are generally less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of U.S. companies. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign exchanges, brokers and issuers than in the United States. The rights of investors in certain foreign countries may be more limited than those of shareholders of U.S. issuers and the Fund may have greater difficulty taking appropriate legal action to enforce its rights in a foreign court than in a U.S. court. Investing in foreign securities also involves risks associated with government, economic, monetary, and fiscal policies (such as the adoption of protectionist trade measures), possible foreign withholding taxes on dividends and interest payable to the Fund, possible taxes on trading profits, inflation, and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic or banking crises. Furthermore, there is the risk of possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of the foreign issuer or foreign deposits and the possible adoption of foreign government restrictions such as exchange controls. Also, foreign issuers are not necessarily subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers and as a result, there may be less publicly available information on such foreign issuers than is available from a domestic issuer.

 

In addition, the Fund may invest in foreign securities of companies that are located in developing or emerging markets. Investing in securities of issuers located in these markets may pose greater risks not typically associated with investing in more established markets such as increased risk of social, political and economic instability. Emerging market countries typically have smaller securities markets than developed countries and therefore less liquidity and greater price volatility than more developed markets. Securities traded in emerging markets may also be subject to risks associated with the lack of modern technology, poor infrastructures, the lack of capital base to expand business operations and the inexperience of financial intermediaries, custodians and transfer agents. Emerging market countries are also more likely to impose restrictions on the repatriation of an investor’s assets and even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation, the mechanics of repatriations may delay or impede the Fund’s ability to obtain possession of its assets. As a result, there may be an increased risk or price volatility associated with the Fund’s investments in emerging market countries, which may be magnified by currency fluctuations.

 

Dividends and interest payable on the Fund’s foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding tax. The Fund may also be subject to foreign taxes on its trading profits. Some countries may also impose a transfer or stamp duty on certain securities transactions. The imposition of these taxes will increase the cost to the Fund of investing in those countries that impose these taxes. To the extent that, as anticipated, such taxes are not offset by credits or deductions available to shareholders in the Fund under U.S. tax law, they will reduce the net return to the Fund’s shareholders. It is not anticipated that the Fund will be eligible to pass through to shareholders a federal tax credit or federal tax deduction related to any foreign taxes borne by the Fund.

 

To the extent the Fund invests in securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Fund will be subject to the risk that a change in the value of any such currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated in that currency. Investing in foreign denominated securities may also result in transaction costs incurred in connection with conversions between various currencies. In addition, only a limited market currently exists for hedging transactions relating to currencies in certain emerging markets and securities transactions undertaken in foreign markets may not be settled promptly, subjecting the Fund to the risk of fluctuating currency exchange rates pending settlement.

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Other Investment Companies

 

The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including money market mutual funds, in accordance with the limitations established under the 1940 Act. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly will bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations.

 

The Fund currently intends to limit its investments in securities issued by other investment companies so that not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company (other than money market funds) will be owned by the Fund, or its affiliated persons, as a whole. In addition to the advisory and operational fees the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operation, the Fund would also bear its pro rata portions of each other investment company’s advisory and operational expenses.

 

Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by registered investment companies in securities of other registered investment companies. The acquisition of shares by the Fund in other registered investment companies is therefore subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, except as may be permitted by Rule and/or an exemptive order obtained by the other registered investment companies that permits the Fund to invest in the other registered investment companies beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions, including that the Fund enter into an agreement with the other registered investment companies regarding the terms of the investment.

 

In accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F) and Rule 12d1-3 of the 1940 Act, the provisions of Section 12(d)(1) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund if (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such registered investment company is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund; and (ii) the Fund is not proposing to offer or sell any security issued by it through a principal underwriter or otherwise at a public or offering price including a sales load that exceeds the limits set forth in Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) applicable to a fund of funds (i.e., 8.5%).

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

 

The Fund may invest in Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”). ETFs are typically open-end investment companies that are bought and sold on a national securities exchange. An ETF is similar to a traditional mutual fund, but trades at different prices during the day on a security exchange like a stock. Similar to investments in other investment companies discussed above, the Fund’s investments in ETFs will involve duplication of advisory fees and other expenses since the Fund will be investing in another investment company. In addition, the Fund’s investment in ETFs is also subject to its limitations on investments in investment companies discussed above. To the extent the Fund invests in ETFs which focus on a particular market segment or industry, the Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with investing in those sectors or industries. The shares of the ETFs in which the Fund will invest will be listed on a national securities exchange and the Fund will purchase or sell these shares on the secondary market at its current market price, which may be more or less than its net asset value per share (“NAV”). Investors in the Fund should be aware that ETFs are subject to “tracking risk,” which is the risk that an ETF will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the index it tracks.

 

As a purchaser of ETF shares on the secondary market, the Fund will be subject to the market risk associated with owning any security whose value is based on market price. ETF shares historically have tended to trade at or near their NAV, but there is no guarantee that they will continue to do so. Unlike

8 
 

traditional mutual funds, shares of an ETF may be purchased and redeemed directly from the ETFs only in large blocks (typically, 50,000 shares or more) and only through participating organizations that have entered into contractual agreements with the ETF. The Fund does not expect to enter into such agreements and therefore will not be able to purchase and redeem its ETF shares directly from the ETF.

 

Money Market Mutual Funds

 

The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds in connection with its management of daily cash positions or for temporary defensive purposes. Money market mutual funds are regulated investment companies under the 1940 Act and the Fund will invest in money market funds in accordance with applicable rules and regulations with respect to investments in other investment companies. Please note that in addition to the advisory and operational fees the Fund pays in connection with its own operations, to the extent the Fund invests in money market funds, the Fund will also bear its pro rata portion of each such money market fund’s fees and expenses.

 

Illiquid Securities

 

The Fund may not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in illiquid securities. The Adviser will monitor the amount of illiquid securities in the Fund’s portfolio, under the supervision of the Board, to ensure compliance with this investment restriction.

 

Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), securities which are otherwise not readily marketable and repurchase agreements having a maturity of longer than seven days. Mutual funds do not typically hold a significant amount of these restricted or other illiquid securities because of the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities, and the Fund might be unable to sell illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemption requests within seven days.

 

Restricted Securities

 

The Fund may invest in securities that are subject to restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act. These securities are sometimes referred to as private placements. Although securities which may be resold only to “qualified institutional buyers” in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144A under the Securities Act are technically considered “restricted securities,” the Fund may purchase Rule 144A securities without regard to the limitation on investments in illiquid securities described above in the “Illiquid Securities” section, provided that a determination is made that such securities have a readily available trading market. The Fund may also purchase certain commercial paper issued in reliance on the exemption from regulations in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act (“4(2) Paper”). The Adviser will determine the liquidity of Rule 144A securities and 4(2) Paper under the supervision of the Board. The liquidity of Rule 144A securities and 4(2) Paper will be monitored by the Adviser, and if as a result of changed conditions it is determined that a Rule 144A security or 4(2) Paper is no longer liquid, the Fund’s holdings of illiquid securities will be reviewed to determine what, if any, action is required to assure that the Fund does not exceed its applicable percentage limitation for investments in illiquid securities.

 

Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemption requirements. The Fund might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional

9 
 

expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

 

Short Sales

 

The Fund may engage in short sales of securities, provided the securities are fully listed on a national securities exchange. In a short sale, the Fund sells a security it does not own, in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. To complete the transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement. This price may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. The Fund will incur a loss on a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. The Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of the premium, dividends, interest or expenses the Fund may be required to pay in connection with the short sale.

 

Typically, the Fund will segregate liquid assets, which are marked-to-market daily, equal to the difference between (a) the market value of the securities sold short at the time they were sold short and (b) the value of the collateral deposited with the broker in connection with the short sale (not including the proceeds from the short sale). While the short position is open, the Fund must maintain segregated assets at such a level that the amount segregated plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral equal the current market value of the securities sold short.

 

The dollar amount of short sales at any one time (not including short sales against the box) may not exceed 95% of the net assets of the Fund, and it is expected that normally the dollar amount of such sales will not exceed 75% of the net assets of the Fund.

 

Fixed Income Securities

 

General

 

The Fund may invest in fixed income securities. Examples of such securities are described below.

 

Corporate Debt Securities

 

The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities of any maturity, including fixed income securities rated below investment grade by one or more statistical ratings organizations such as Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”). Bonds rated below BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody’s, commonly referred to as “junk bonds,” typically carry higher coupon rates than investment grade bonds, but also are described as speculative by both S&P and Moody’s and may be subject to greater market price fluctuations, less liquidity and greater risk of income or principal including greater possibility of default and bankruptcy of the issuer of such securities than more highly rated bonds. Lower-rated bonds also are more likely to be sensitive to adverse economic or company developments and more subject to price fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates. The market for lower-rated debt issues generally is thinner and less active than that for higher quality securities, which may limit the Fund’s ability to sell such securities at fair value in response to changes in the economy or financial markets. During periods of economic downturn or rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of lower-rated securities may experience financial stress which could adversely affect their ability to make payments of interest and principal and increase the possibility of default.

 

Ratings of debt securities represent the rating agencies’ opinions regarding their quality, are not a guarantee of quality and may be reduced after the Fund has acquired the security. If a security’s rating is reduced while it is held by the Fund, the Adviser will consider whether the Fund should continue to hold

10 
 

the security but is not required to dispose of it. Credit ratings attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. Also, rating agencies may fail to make timely changes in credit ratings in response to subsequent events, so that an issuer’s current financial conditions may be better or worse than the rating indicates. The ratings for corporate debt securities are described in Appendix A.

 

Lower-Rated Debt Securities

 

The Fund may purchase lower-rated debt securities, commonly referred to as “junk bonds” (those rated below the fourth highest grade by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”) and non-rated securities judged by the Adviser to be of equivalent quality), that have poor protection with respect to the payment of interest and repayment of principal, or that may be in default. These securities are often considered to be speculative and involve greater risk of loss or price changes due to changes in the issuer’s capacity to pay. The market prices of lower-rated debt securities may fluctuate more than those of higher-rated debt securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty, which may follow periods of rising interest rates.

 

The market for lower-rated debt securities may be thinner and less active than that for higher-rated debt securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which the former are sold. If market quotations are not available, lower-rated debt securities will be valued in accordance with procedures established by the Board, including the use of outside pricing services. Judgment plays a greater role in valuing high-yield corporate debt securities than is the case for securities for which more external sources for quotations and last-sale information are available. Adverse publicity and changing investor perceptions may affect the ability of outside pricing services to value lower-rated debt securities and the Fund’s ability to sell these securities.

 

Since the risk of default is higher for lower-rated debt securities, the Adviser’s research and credit analysis are an especially important part of managing securities of this type held by the Fund. In considering investments for the Fund, the Adviser will attempt to identify those issuers of high-yielding debt securities whose financial condition are adequate to meet future obligations, have improved, or is expected to improve in the future. The analysis focuses on relative values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial strength of the issuer.

 

The Fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to pursue litigation or otherwise exercise its right as security holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it determines this to be in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders.

 

Government Agency Securities

 

Government agency securities, often called agencies, are indirect obligations of the U.S. government, and are issued by federal agencies and government-sponsored corporations under authority from Congress. Government agency securities may be backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government, which is the case with Government National Mortgage Association and Small Business Administration certificates, but are more often issued or guaranteed by the sponsoring agency. Examples of government agency securities include Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Federal Home Loan Banks, and the Federal Farm Credit System Banks.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises

 

Government-sponsored enterprises are characterized as being privately owned and publicly chartered. These enterprises were created by the U.S. government to help certain important sectors of the economy reduce their borrowing costs. The U.S. government does not directly back government sponsored

11 
 

enterprise securities, although in some instances, government-sponsored enterprise securities may benefit from indirect support. Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are examples of government-sponsored enterprise securities. On September 6, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Authority (“FHFA”), an agency of the U.S. government, placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship under its authority with the stated purpose to preserve and conserve each entity’s assets and property, and to put each entity in a sound and solvent condition. The effect that this conservatorship will have on these entities’ debt and equities is unclear and no assurance can be given that any steps taken by the FHFA or the U.S. Treasury or any other agency of the U.S. government with respect to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac will succeed. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have each been and remain the subject of investigations by federal regulators over certain accounting matters. Such investigations, and any resulting restatements, may adversely affect these entities and, as a result, the payment of principal or interest on securities they issue.

 

Risks Associated with Investing in U.S. Government Securities

 

The U.S. government is considered to be the best credit-rated issuer in the debt markets. Since Treasury securities are direct obligations of the U.S. government, there is minimal credit risk. While most other government-sponsored securities are not direct obligations of the U.S. government (although some are guaranteed by the U.S. government), they also offer little credit risk.

 

However, another type of risk that may affect the Fund is market and/or interest rate risk. For example, debt securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields and are generally subject to potentially greater capital appreciation and depreciation than obligations with shorter maturities and lower yields. The market value of U.S. government securities generally varies inversely with changes in market interest rates. An increase in interest rates, therefore, would generally reduce the market value of any U.S. government security held by the Fund, while a decline in interest rates would generally increase the market value of such investment.

 

Convertible Securities

 

The Fund may invest in all types of common stocks and equivalents (such as convertible debt securities and warrants) and preferred stocks. The Fund may invest in convertible securities which may offer higher income than the common stocks into which they are convertible. The convertible securities in which the Fund may invest consist of bonds, notes, debentures and preferred stocks which may be converted or exchanged at a stated or determinable exchange ratio into underlying shares of common stock. The Fund may be required to permit the issuer of a convertible security to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Thus, the Fund may not be able to control whether the issuer of a convertible security chooses to convert that security. If the issuer chooses to do so, this action could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives.

 

Asset-Backed Securities

 

Asset-backed securities include pools of mortgages, loans, receivables or other assets. Payment of principal and interest may be largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities, and, in certain cases, supported by letters of credit, surety bonds, or other credit enhancements. The value of asset-backed securities may also be affected by the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the loans or receivables, or the financial institution(s) providing the credit support.

 

Structured Securities

 

Structured securities employ a trust or other similar structure to modify the maturity, price characteristics or quality of financial assets. For example, structural features can be used to modify the

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maturity of a security or interest rate adjustment features can be used to enhance price stability. If the structure does not perform as intended, adverse tax or investment consequences may result. Neither the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) nor any other regulatory authority has ruled definitively on certain legal issues presented by structured securities. Future tax or other regulatory determinations could adversely affect the value, liquidity or tax treatment of the income received from these securities or the nature and timing of distributions made by the Fund. The payment of principal and interest on structured securities may be largely dependent on the cash flows generated by the underlying financial assets.

 

Variable or Floating Rate Securities

 

Variable or floating rate securities provide for periodic adjustments of the interest rate paid. Variable rate securities provide for a specific periodic adjustment in the interest rate, while floating rate securities have interest rates that change whenever there is a change in a designated benchmark rate. Some variable or floating rate securities have put features.

 

Indexed Securities

 

The Fund may purchase securities whose prices are indexed to the prices of other securities, securities indices, currencies, precious metals or other commodities, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic. Gold-indexed securities, for example, typically provide for a maturity value that depends on the price of gold, resulting in a security whose price tends to rise and fall together with gold prices. Currency-indexed securities typically are short-term to intermediate-term debt securities whose maturity values or interest rates are determined by reference to the values of one or more specified foreign currencies, and may offer higher yields than U.S. dollar-denominated securities of equivalent issuers. Currency-indexed securities may be positively or negatively indexed; that is, their maturity value may increase when the specified currency value increases, resulting in a security that performs similarly to a foreign-denominated instrument, or their maturity value may decline when foreign currencies increase, resulting in a security whose price characteristics are similar to a put on the underlying currency. Currency-indexed securities may also have prices that depend on the value of a number of different foreign currencies relative to each other.

 

The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance of the security, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. At the same time, indexed securities are subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer’s creditworthiness deteriorates. Recent issuers of indexed securities have included banks, corporations, and certain U.S. government agencies. Indexed securities may be more volatile than the underlying instruments.

 

Stripped Securities

 

The Fund may purchase separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the Federal book entry system, known as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (“STRIPS”) and Coupon Under Book Entry Safekeeping (“CUBES”). These instruments are issued by banks and brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. Treasury notes and U.S. Treasury bonds into a special account at a custodian bank; the custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owner of the certificates or receipts. The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. Receipts include Treasury Receipts (“TRs”), Treasury Investment Growth Receipts (“TIGRs”) and Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities (“CATS”).

 

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STRIPS, CUBES, TRs, TIGRs and CATS are sold as zero coupon securities, which mean that they are sold at a substantial discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. This discount is amortized over the life of the security, and such amortization will constitute the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, these securities may be subject to greater interest rate volatility than interest-paying U.S. Treasury obligations. Bonds issued by the Resolution Funding Corporation (“REFCORP”) can also be stripped in this fashion. REFCORP Strips are eligible investments for the Fund.

 

Zero Coupon Bonds

 

The Fund may purchase zero coupon bonds. Zero coupon bonds are purchased at a discount from the face amount because the buyer receives only the right to receive a fixed payment on a certain date in the future and does not receive any periodic interest payments. The effect of owning instruments which do not make current interest payments is that a fixed yield is earned not only on the original investment but also, in effect, on all discount accretion during the life of the obligations. This implicit reinvestment of earnings at the same rate eliminates the risk of being unable to reinvest distributions at a rate as high as the implicit yields on the zero coupon bond, but at the same time eliminates the holder’s ability to reinvest at higher rates in the future. For this reason, zero coupon bonds are subject to substantially greater price fluctuations during periods of changing market interest rates than are comparable securities which pay interest currently, whose fluctuation increases the longer the period of maturity. Although zero coupon bonds do not pay interest to holders prior to maturity, U.S. federal income tax law requires the Fund to recognize as interest income a portion of the bond’s discount each year and this income must then be distributed to shareholders along with other income earned by the Fund. To the extent that any shareholders in the Fund elect to receive their dividends in cash rather than reinvest such dividends in additional shares, cash to make these distributions will have to be provided from the assets of the Fund or other sources such as proceeds of sales of Fund shares and/or sales of portfolio securities. In such cases, the Fund will not be able to purchase additional income producing securities with cash used to make such distributions and its current income may ultimately be reduced as a result.

 

Real Estate-Related Investments

 

Real estate-related instruments include real estate investment trusts, commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, and real estate financings. Real estate-related instruments are sensitive to factors such as real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, overbuilding, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Real estate-related instruments may also be affected by tax and regulatory requirements, such as those relating to the environment.

 

Initial Public Offerings

 

The Fund may purchase shares in initial public offerings (“IPOs”). Because IPO shares frequently are volatile in price, the Fund may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the turnover of the Fund’s portfolio and may lead to increased expenses to the Fund, such as brokerage commissions and transaction costs. By selling shares, the Fund may realize taxable capital gains that it will subsequently distribute to shareholders. Investing in IPOs increases risk because IPO shares are frequently volatile in price. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

 

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Borrowing

 

The Fund may borrow money for investment purposes. The Fund’s Investment Restriction regarding borrowing will be interpreted to permit the Fund to engage in trading practices and investments that may be considered to be borrowing to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund may borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) from banks. In addition, the Fund is authorized to borrow money from time to time for temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes or for clearance of transactions. The use of borrowing by the Fund involves special risk considerations that may not be associated with other funds having similar objectives and policies. Since substantially all of the Fund’s assets fluctuate in value, while the interest obligation resulting from a borrowing will be fixed by the terms of the Fund’s agreement with its lender, the NAV per share of the Fund will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities increase in value and to decrease more when its portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case if the Fund did not borrow funds. In addition, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse market conditions, the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales.

 

The 1940 Act permits a portfolio to borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the Fund’s total assets from banks for any purpose, and to borrow up to 5% of the Fund’s total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes. To limit the risks attendant to borrowing, the 1940 Act requires the Fund to maintain at all times an “asset coverage” of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings. Asset coverage means the ratio that the value of the Fund’s total assets, minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings. Borrowing money to increase the Fund’s investment portfolio is known as “leveraging.” Borrowing, especially when used for leverage, may cause the value of the Fund’s shares to be more volatile than if the Fund did not borrow. This is because borrowing tends to magnify the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Borrowed money thus creates an opportunity for greater gains, but also greater losses. To repay borrowings, the Fund may have to sell securities at a time and at a price that is unfavorable to the Fund. There also are costs associated with borrowing money, and these costs would offset and could eliminate the Fund’s net investment income in any given period. Currently, the Fund’s does not contemplate borrowing money for investment purposes. The Fund’s Investment Restriction regarding borrowing will be interpreted to permit the Fund to engage in trading practices and investments that may be considered to be borrowing to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Reverse repurchase agreements may be considered to be a type of borrowing. Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered to be borrowings under the policy. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered to be borrowings are not subject to the policy. Such trading practices may include futures, options on futures, forward contracts and other derivative investments.

 

Issuance of Senior Securities

 

Generally, issuing senior securities is prohibited under the 1940 Act; however, certain exceptions apply such as in the case of borrowing and certain other leveraging transactions. With respect to the Fund’s fundamental investment restriction relating to issuing senior securities, “senior securities” are defined as fund obligations that have a priority over the Fund’s shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of fund assets. The 1940 Act prohibits the Fund from issuing senior securities except that the Fund may borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the Fund’s total assets from banks for any purpose as discussed above. The Fund also may borrow up to 5% of the Fund’s total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes, and these borrowings are not considered senior securities. The issuance of senior securities by the Fund can increase the speculative character of the Fund’s outstanding

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shares through leveraging. Leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio through the issuance of senior securities magnifies the potential for gain or loss on monies, because even though the Fund’s net assets remain the same, the total risk to investors is increased. Certain widely used investment practices that involve a commitment by the Fund to deliver money or securities in the future are not considered by the SEC to be senior securities, provided that the Fund segregates cash or liquid securities in an amount necessary to pay the obligation or the Fund holds an offsetting commitment from another party. These investment practices include repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, swaps, dollar rolls, options, futures and forward contracts. The Fund’s policy will be interpreted not to prevent collateral arrangements with respect to swaps, options, forward or futures contracts or other derivatives, or the posting of initial or variation margin.

 

Options, Futures and Other Derivative Strategies

 

General

 

The Fund may invest in futures, forwards, options, spot contracts and swaps on commodities, financial indices and instruments, currencies and interest rates (collectively, “Financial Instruments”). The use of such Financial Instruments is subject to applicable regulations of the SEC, the several exchanges upon which they are traded and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. In addition, the Fund’s ability to use Financial Instruments will be limited by tax considerations.

 

In addition to the instruments, strategies and risks described below and in the Prospectus, the Adviser may discover additional opportunities in connection with Financial Instruments and other similar or related techniques. These new opportunities may become available as the Adviser develops new techniques, as regulatory authorities broaden the range of permitted transactions and as new Financial Instruments or other techniques are developed. The Adviser may utilize these opportunities to the extent that they are consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and permitted by the Fund’s investment limitations and applicable regulatory authorities. The Prospectus or this SAI will be supplemented to the extent that new products or techniques involve materially different risks than those described below or in the Prospectus.

 

The use of Financial Instruments involves special considerations and risks which include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

(1) Successful use of most Financial Instruments depends upon the Adviser’s ability to predict movements of the overall securities markets, which requires different skills than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets, due to the differences in the natures of those markets, are subject to distortion. Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of stock market trends by the Adviser may still not result in a successful transaction. The Adviser may be incorrect in its expectations as to the extent of market movements or the time span within which the movements take place, which, thus, may result in the strategy being unsuccessful.

 

(2) The prices of Financial Instruments can diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments and may be affected by such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect or no correlation also may result from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and futures and securities are traded, and from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts.

 

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(3) As described below, the Fund might be required to maintain assets as “cover,” maintain segregated accounts or make margin payments when it takes positions in Financial Instruments involving obligations to third parties (e.g., Financial Instruments other than purchased options). If the Fund were unable to close out its positions in such Financial Instruments, it might be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments until the position expired or matured. These requirements might impair the Fund’s ability to sell a portfolio security or make an investment when it would otherwise be favorable to do so or require that the Fund sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time. The Fund’s ability to close out a position in a Financial Instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends on the existence of a liquid secondary market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the other party to the transaction (the “counter-party”) to enter into a transaction closing out the position. Therefore, there is no assurance that any position can be closed out at a time and price that is favorable to the Fund.

 

The Fund will not enter into any transactions using Financial Instruments (except for purchased options) unless it owns either (1) an offsetting (“covered”) position in securities or other options or futures contracts or (2) cash and liquid assets with a value, marked-to-market daily, sufficient to cover its potential obligations to the extent not covered as provided in (1) above. The Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and will, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid assets in an account with its custodian in the prescribed amount as determined daily.

 

Assets used as cover or held in an account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding Financial Instrument is open, unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund’s assets to cover or held in accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. Losses may arise due to unanticipated market price movements, lack of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at a particular time or due to losses from premiums paid by the Fund on options transactions.

 

Options

 

The Fund may purchase call options in anticipation of an increase in the market value of the underlying reference instrument or a positive change in the currency in which such underlying instruments are denominated. The purchase of a call option would entitle the Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase the underlying reference instruments at a specified price during the option period. The Fund normally will purchase put options in anticipation of a decrease in the market value of the underlying reference instrument or a negative change in the currency in which such instrument are denominated. The purchase of a put option would entitle the Fund, in return for the premium paid, to sell specified reference instruments or a specified amount of a foreign currency at a specified price during the option period.

 

The Fund may purchase and sell options traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges based on the market value of the options. Although the Fund will generally purchase only those options for which there appears to be an active secondary market, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option or at any particular time. For some options, no secondary market on an exchange may exist. In such event, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options, with the result that the Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of the underlying securities.

 

Secondary markets on an exchange may not exist or may not be liquid for a variety of reasons including: (i) insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions on opening transactions or closing transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances which interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) inadequate facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation to handle current trading volume at all times; or (vi) discontinuance in the future by

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one or more exchanges for economic or other reasons, of trading of options (or of 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 on that exchange 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.

 

The Fund may write (i.e., sell) covered put and call options. A covered call option involves the Fund’s giving another party, in return for a premium, the right to buy specified reference instrument owned by the Fund at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract. A covered call option serves as a partial hedge against a price decline of the underlying instrument. However, by writing a covered call option, the Fund gives up the opportunity, while the option is in effect, to realize gain from any price increase (above the option exercise price) in the underlying instrument. In addition, the Fund’s ability to sell the underlying instrument is limited while the option is in effect unless the Fund effects a closing purchase transaction.

 

The Fund may also write covered put options that give the holder of the option the right to sell the underlying instrument to the Fund at the stated exercise price. The Fund will receive a premium for writing a put option, but will be obligated for as long as the option is outstanding to purchase the underlying instrument at a price that may be higher than the market value of that security at the time of exercise. In order to “cover” put options it has written, the Fund will cause its custodian to segregate cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or other liquid equity or debt securities with at least the value of the exercise price of the put options.

 

There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain of the facilities of the Options Clearing Corporation inadequate, and result in the institution by an exchange of special procedures that may interfere with the timely execution of the Fund’s option orders.

 

Futures and Options on Futures

 

Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific underlying reference instrument at a specified future time at a specified price.

 

An option on a futures contract is the right, purchased for a certain price, to either buy or sell the underlying futures contract during a certain period of time for a fixed price. Options trading requires many of the same skills as does successful futures contract trading. However, since specific market movements of the underlying futures contract must be predicted accurately, the risks involved are somewhat different. For example, if the Fund buys an option (either to sell or buy a futures contract), the Fund will pay a “premium” representing the market value of the option. Unless the price of the futures contract underlying the option changes and it becomes profitable to exercise or offset the option before it expires, the Fund may lose the entire amount of the premium. Conversely, if the Fund sells an option (either to sell or buy a futures contract), the Fund will be credited with the premium but will have to deposit margin due to the Fund’s contingent liability to take or make delivery of the underlying futures contract in the event the option is exercised. The writing of an option involves the risk of losing the entire investment or substantially more than the entire investment, thereby causing significant losses to the client in a relatively short period of time. The ability to trade in or exercise options may be restricted in the event that trading in the underlying futures contract becomes restricted.

 

An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the

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index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is made; generally contracts are closed out prior to their expiration date.

 

There are risks associated with these activities, including the following: (1) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be an imperfect or lack of correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held and the prices of futures and options on futures; (3) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option; (4) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange; and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures.

 

Swaps

 

Credit Default Swaps. The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements. The credit default swap agreement may have as a reference obligation one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The buyer in a credit default swap agreement is obligated to pay the seller a periodic fee, typically expressed in basis points on the principal amount of the underlying obligation (the “notional” amount), over the term of the agreement in return for a contingent payment upon the occurrence of a credit event with respect to the underlying reference obligation. A credit event is typically a default, restructuring or bankruptcy.

 

The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. As a seller, the Fund receives a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the agreement, which typically is between one month and five years, provided that no credit event occurs. If a credit event occurs, the Fund typically must pay the contingent payment to the buyer, which is typically the par value (full notional value) of the reference obligation. The contingent payment may be a cash settlement or by physical delivery of the reference obligation in return for payment of the face amount of the obligation. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may lose its investment and recover nothing. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer typically receives full notional value for a reference obligation that may have little or no value.

 

Credit default swaps may involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly. Credit default swaps are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. If the Fund is a buyer in a credit default swap agreement and no credit event occurs, then it will lose its investment. In addition, the value of the reference obligation received by the Fund as a seller if a credit event occurs, coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund.

 

The Fund may also invest in credit default swap index products and in options on credit default swap index products. The individual credits underlying these credit default swap indices may be rated investment grade or non-investment grade. These instruments are designed to track representative segments of the credit default swap market and provide investors with exposure to specific “baskets” of issuers of bonds or loans. Such investments are subject to liquidity risks as well as other risks associated with investments in credit default swaps discussed above. The Fund reserves the right to invest in similar instruments that may become available in the future.

 

Forward Trading. The Fund may trade forward contracts. Forward contracts are not traded on exchanges and are not standardized; rather, banks and dealers act as principals in these markets negotiating each transaction on an individual basis. Neither the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) nor any banking authority regulates trading in forward contracts. In addition, there is no limitation on the daily price movements of forward contracts. Principals in the forward markets have no obligation to continue to make markets in the forward contracts traded. There have been periods during which certain

19 
 

banks or dealers have refused to quote prices for forward contracts or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they are prepared to buy and that at which they are prepared to sell. Disruptions can occur in the forward markets because of unusually high trading volume, political intervention or other factors. For example, the imposition of credit controls by governmental authorities might limit forward trading, to the possible detriment of the Fund.

 

In its forward trading, the Fund is subject to the risk of the bankruptcy of, or the inability or refusal to perform with respect to its forward contracts by, the principals with which the Fund trades. Funds on deposit with such principals are generally not protected by the same segregation requirements imposed on CFTC regulated commodity brokers in respect of customer funds on deposit with them. However, the Fund intends to engage in forward trading only with large, well-capitalized banks and dealers. The Fund may place forward trades through agents, so that the insolvency or bankruptcy of such agents could also subject the Fund to the risk of loss.

 

Exemption from Definition of Commodity Pool Operator

 

Pursuant to amendments by the CFTC, a U.S. government agency, the Adviser has filed a notice of exemption from registration as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the Fund as provided by Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). The Fund and the Adviser are therefore not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA. In order to claim the Rule 4.5 exemption, the Fund is significantly limited in its ability to invest in commodity futures, options and swaps (including securities futures, broad-based stock index futures and financial futures contracts).

 

Short-Term Investments

 

The Fund may invest in any of the following securities and instruments:

 

Certificates of Deposit, Bankers’ Acceptances and Time Deposits

 

The Fund may hold certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances acquired by the Fund will be dollar-denominated obligations of domestic banks, savings and loan associations or financial institutions which, at the time of purchase, have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured by the U.S. government.

 

In addition to buying certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, the Fund also may make interest-bearing time or other interest-bearing deposits in commercial or savings banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate.

 

Commercial Paper and Short-Term Notes

 

The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in commercial paper and short-term notes. Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Commercial paper and short-term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to one year.

 

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Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the time of purchase “A-2” or higher by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, “Prime-1” or “Prime-2” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, will be determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

 

Additional Risks

 

Risk of Potential Government Regulation of Derivatives

 

It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as part of its investment strategy or may increase the costs associated with using those instruments and could ultimately prevent the Fund from being able to fully achieve its investment objectives.  It is impossible to fully predict the effects of past, present or future legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse.

The futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading.

The regulation of swaps and futures transactions in the U.S. is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Fund or the ability of the Fund to continue to implement its investment strategies. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act sets forth a legislative framework for over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives, such as swaps, in which the Fund may invest. Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act makes broad changes to the OTC derivatives market, grants significant new authority to the SEC and the CFTC to regulate OTC derivatives and market participants, and, among other things, requires clearing of many OTC derivatives transactions and imposes minimum margin and capital requirements on uncleared OTC derivatives transactions.

In addition, in November 2019, the SEC proposed new regulations applicable to a registered investment company’s use of derivatives and related instruments. If adopted as proposed, these regulations could limit or impact the Fund’s ability to invest in derivatives and other instruments, limit the Fund’s ability to employ certain strategies that use derivatives and adversely affect the Fund’s performance, efficiency in implementing its strategy, liquidity and ability to pursue its investment objectives

Fundamental Investment Limitations

The Trust (on behalf of the Fund) has adopted the following restrictions as fundamental policies, which may not be changed without the favorable vote of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund,” as defined in the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, the “vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the vote of the holders of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of its outstanding shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

The Fund may not:

 

1. Issue senior securities. This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund’s engagement in such
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activities is consistent with or permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff;

2. Borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions;
3. Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities, and except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities);
4. Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate or real estate acquired as a result of such investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts);
5. Invest 25% or more of the market value of its assets in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry. (Does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.);
6. Purchase or sell commodities (unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments) or 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;
7. Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b) to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan, and (c) by loaning portfolio securities.
8. Make an investment unless 75% of the value of that Fund’s total assets is represented by cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other investment companies and “other securities.” For purposes of this restriction, the term “other securities” means securities as to which the Fund invests no more than 5% of the value of its total assets in any one issuer or purchases no more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. As a matter of operating policy, the Fund will not consider repurchase agreements to be subject to the above-stated 5% limitation if all of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreements are U.S. government securities and such repurchase agreements are fully collateralized.

 

The following lists the non-fundamental investment restrictions applicable to the Fund. These restrictions can be changed by the Board of Trustees, but the change will only be effective after notice is given to shareholders of the Fund.

 

The Fund may not:

 

1. Invest in securities of other investment companies except as permitted under the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder;
2. Invest 15% or more of the value of its net assets, computed at the time of investment, in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are those securities without readily available market quotations, including repurchase agreements having a maturity of more than seven days. Illiquid securities may include restricted securities not determined by the Board of Trustees to be liquid, non-
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negotiable time deposits, over-the-counter options and repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice; or

3. Invest in other investment companies advised by the same investment adviser as the Fund or in investment companies advised by affiliates of such adviser.

 

Except with respect to borrowing and illiquid securities, if a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation.

 

Management of the Fund

 

Board of Trustees

The management and affairs of the Fund are supervised by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees consists of five individuals, four (4) of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Adviser (“Independent Trustees”). The Trustees are fiduciaries for the Fund’s shareholders and are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware in this regard. The Board of Trustees establishes policies for the operation of the Fund and appoints the officers who conduct the daily business of the Fund.

 

Board Leadership Structure

The Trust is led by Mr. Brian Nielsen, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since 2011.  Mr. Nielsen is an interested person by virtue of his former affiliation with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the Fund’s Distributor).  The Board of Trustees is comprised of Mr. Nielsen and four (4) Independent Trustees.   Under certain 1940 Act governance guidelines that apply to the Trust, the Independent Trustees will meet in executive session, at least quarterly. Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, (c) setting the agendas for board meetings and (d) ensuring board members are provided necessary materials in advance of each board meeting.  The Trust believes that (i) its Chairman, Brian Nielsen (ii) Keith Rhoades, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, (iii) as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, each of its funds and each shareholder. The Independent Trustees have selected Anthony Lewis as the Lead Independent Trustee.

 

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In accordance with the fund governance standards prescribed by the SEC under the 1940 Act, the Independent Trustees on the Nominating Committee select and nominate all candidates for Independent Trustee positions. Each Trustee was appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees because of his experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills. The Board of Trustees reviews its leadership structure regularly, on at least an annual basis. The Board of Trustees believes that the structure described above facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Trustees from the officers of the Trust, the advisers of the funds that comprise the Trust and other service providers, and facilitates the effective evaluation of the risks and other issues, including conflicts of interest, that may impact the Trust as a whole as well as the funds individually. The Board of Trustees believes that the orderly and efficient flow of information and the ability of the Board of Trustees to bring each Trustee’s experience and skills to bear in overseeing the Trust’s operations is important given the characteristics and circumstances of the Trust, including: the unaffiliated nature of each investment adviser and the fund(s) managed by such adviser; the number of funds that comprise the Trust; the variety of asset classes that those funds reflect; the net assets of the Trust; the committee structure of the Trust; and the independent arrangements of each of the Trust’s series. For these reasons, the Board of Trustees believes that its leadership structure is appropriate.

 

Board Responsibilities

The Board of Trustees’ role is one of oversight rather than day-to-day management of any of the Trust’s series. The Trust’s Audit Committee assists with this oversight function. The Board of Trustees’ oversight extends to the Trust’s risk management processes. Those processes are overseen by Trust officers, including the President, the Treasurer, the Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), who regularly report to the Board of Trustees on a variety of matters at Board meetings.

 

Board Risk Oversight

The Board of Trustees is comprised of Mr. Nielsen and four (4) Independent Trustees with a standing independent Audit Committee with a separate chair. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its CCO at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary.  The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting risk within its area of responsibilities.  Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the CCO is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information and oversees the Trust’s service providers’ adherence to the Trust’s policies and procedures.

 

Investment advisers managing the Trust’s series report to the Trust’s CCO and the Board of Trustees, on a regular and as-needed basis, on actual and possible risks affecting the Trust’s series. These investment advisers report to the CCO and Board of Trustees on various elements of risk, including investment, credit, liquidity, valuation, operational and compliance risks, as well as any overall business risks that could impact the Trust’s series.

 

The Board of Trustees has appointed the CCO, who reports directly to the Board of Trustees and who participates in its regular meetings. In addition, the CCO conducts on-going and continuous compliance testing and presents an annual report to the Board of Trustees in accordance with the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures. The CCO, together with the Trust’s President, Treasurer and Secretary, regularly discusses risk issues affecting the Trust and its series during Board of Trustee meetings. The CCO also provides updates to the Board of Trustees on the operation of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures and on how these procedures are designed to mitigate risk. Finally, the CCO and/or other officers of the Trust report to the Board of Trustees in the event that any material risk issues arise in between Board meetings.

 

 

24 
 

Trustee Qualifications

Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills. Mr. Nielsen has over eighteen years of business experience in the investment management and brokerage business including a focus in compliance, legal and regulatory oversight and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate. Since 2010, Mr. Sarkany has been the President of TTS Consultants, LLC, a financial services firm and from 1994 through 2010, held various roles at Value Line, Inc. (a publicly held company providing financial research, publications and money management services to retail and institutional investors), including Director of Marketing and Asset Management, Director of Index Licensing, and member of the Board of Directors. Anthony Lewis has been Chairman and CEO of The Lewis Group USA, an executive consulting firm, for the past ten years, and also serves as a Director, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, and a Member of the Audit Committee of Torotel Inc. Keith Rhoades held various accounting roles at Union Pacific Railroad, including Senior Director of General Ledger/Financial Research. Randy Skalla has more than 20 years of investment management experience including serving as the President of L5 Enterprises, Inc. since 2001 and from 2001 through 2017 Mr. Skalla was a member of the Orizon Investment Counsel Board. The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified.

 

The Board of Trustees has established three standing board committees – the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee. All Independent Trustees are members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee. Inclusion of all Independent Trustees as members of all three of the standing board committees allows all such Trustees to participate in the full range of the Board of Trustees’ oversight duties, including oversight of risk management processes.

 

Trustees and Officers

The Trustees and the officers of the Trust are listed below with their present positions with the Trust and principal occupations over at least the last five years. The business address of each Trustee and Officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. All correspondence to the Trustees and Officers should be directed to c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, P.O. Box 541150, Omaha, Nebraska 68154.

 

Independent Trustees

         
Name, Address and Year of Birth Position/Term of Office*

Principal Occupation

During the Past Five Years

Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee

Other Directorships held by Trustee

During the Past Five Years

Thomas T. Sarkany

1946

 

Trustee since October 2011

President, TTS Consultants, LLC (since 2010) (financial services).

 

1 Director, Aquila Distributors; Trustee, Arrow ETF Trust, Trustee, Arrow Investments Trust; Trustee, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

Anthony H. Lewis

1946

 

Trustee since May 2011 Chairman and CEO of The Lewis Group USA (since 2007) (executive consulting firm). 1 Director, Member of the Compensation Committee and Member of the Risk Committee of Torotel
           
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1 Inc. (Magnetics, Aerospace and Defense), Trustee, Chairman of the Fair Valuation Committee and Member of the Audit Committee of the Wildermuth Endowment Strategy Fund

Keith Rhoades

1948

Trustee since May 2011 Retired since 2008. 1 NONE

Randal D. Skalla

1962

 

Trustee since May 2011

President, L5 Enterprises, Inc. (since 2001) (financial services company).

 

1 Orizon Investment Counsel (financial services company) Board Member (2001 through 2017)

 

 

Interested Trustees and Officers

         
Name, Address and Year of Birth Position/Term of Office*

Principal Occupation

During the Past Five Years

Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex

Overseen by Trustee

Other Directorships held by Trustee During the Past Five Years

Brian Nielsen**

1972

 

Trustee

since May 2011

Trustee (since 2011) of Northern Lights Fund Trust II; Special Projects Counsel of NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC (from 2018 to 2019); General Counsel (from 2001 to 2014) and Secretary (from 2001 to 2018) of CLS Investments, LLC; General Counsel (from 2001 to 2014) and Secretary (from 2001 to 2018) of Orion Advisor Services, LLC; Manager (from 2012 to 2015), General Counsel and Secretary (from 2003 to 2018) of NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC; CEO (from 2012 to 2018), General Counsel (from 2003 to 2014), Secretary (from 2003 to 2018) and Manager (from 2005 to 2018) of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC; Director, Secretary and General Counsel (from 2004 to 2018) of Constellation Trust Company; CEO (from 2015 to 2018), 1 Manager of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (from 2005 to 2018); Manager of NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC (from 2012 to 2015); Manager of Arbor Point Advisors, LLC (from 2012 to 2018); Director of Constellation  Trust Company (from 2004 to 2018)
26 
 

 

Brian Nielsen**

1972

 

Trustee

since May 2011

Manager (from 2008 to 2015), General Counsel and Secretary (from 2011 to 2018) of Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC; General Counsel and Secretary (from 2011 to 2018) of Blu Giant, LLC; General Counsel (from 2012 to 2014) and Secretary (from 2012 to 2018) of Gemini Fund Services, LLC; Manager (from 2012 to 2018) of Arbor Point Advisors, LLC; General Counsel and Secretary (from 2013 to 2014) of Gemini Hedge Fund Services, LLC; General Counsel and Secretary (from 2013 to 2014) of Gemini Alternative Funds, LLC; Secretary and General Counsel of NorthStar Holdings, LLC (from 2013 to 2015); Director, Secretary and General Counsel of NorthStar CTC Holdings, Inc. (from 2015 to 2018) and Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (from 2003 to 2018) of AdvisorOne Funds. 1 Manager of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (from 2005 to 2018); Manager of NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC (from 2012 to 2015); Manager of Arbor Point Advisors, LLC (from 2012 to 2018); Director of Constellation  Trust Company (from 2004 to 2018)

Kevin E. Wolf

 

 

1969

President

since January 2013

Vice President of The Ultimus Group, LLC and Executive Vice President of Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2019), President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012 - 2019). N/A N/A

Richard Malinowski

 

 

1983

 

Secretary

since January 2018

Senior Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, (since February 2020); Senior Vice President Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (April 2017 to February 2020); Vice President and Counsel (April 2016 – 2017) and AVP and Staff Attorney (September 2012 – March 2016). N/A N/A

Erik Naviloff

 

 

1968

Treasurer

since January 2013

Vice President of Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2011). N/A N/A

Emile R. Molineaux

 

 

1962

Chief Compliance Officer and Anti Money Laundering Officer

Senior Compliance Officer and CCO of various clients of Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (since 2011). N/A N/A
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since May 2011

* The term of office for each Trustee and Officer listed above will continue indefinitely.

** Brian Nielsen is an “interested person” of the Trust as that term is defined under the 1940 Act, because of his former affiliation with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the Fund’s Distributor).

***As of October 31, 2019, the Trust was comprised of 20 active portfolios managed by unaffiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the Fund and not to any other series of the Trust. The Fund does not hold itself out as related to any other series within the Trust for investment purposes, nor does it share the same investment adviser with any other series.

 

Board Committees

 

Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee, which is comprised of the independent members of the Board of Trustees. The Audit Committee reviews financial statements and other audit-related matters for the Fund. The Audit Committee also holds discussions with management and with the Fund’s independent auditor concerning the scope of the audit and the auditor’s independence and will meet at least four times annually. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 the Audit Committee met ten times.

 

Nominating Committee. The Board has a Nominating Committee, which is comprised of the independent members of the Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee is responsible for seeking and reviewing candidates for consideration as nominees for the position of trustee and meets only as necessary. The Nominating Committee generally will not consider shareholder nominees.

 

Compensation Committee. The Board has a Compensation Committee, which is comprised of the independent members of the Board of Trustees. The role of the Compensation Committee is to oversee the evaluation of, and review and approve compensation for, the independent members of the Board of Trustees. The Compensation Committee will generally meet annually.

 

Other Committees of the Trust

Valuation Committee. The Trust has a Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee is responsible for the following: (1) monitoring the valuation of Fund securities and other investments; and (2) as required, when the Board of Trustees is not in session, determining the fair value of illiquid securities and other holdings after consideration of all relevant factors, which determinations are reported to the Board. The Valuation Committee shall, at all times, consist of no less than three members, including the Trust’s President and Treasurer, and may include such number of alternate members that are officers of the Trust’s Administrator or the investment adviser of a series of the Trust as the Board of Trustees or the members of the Valuation Committee may from time to time designate. The Valuation Committee meets as necessary when a price for a portfolio security is not readily available.

 

Trustee Compensation

 

Each Trustee will receive a quarterly fee of $21,250 (the “Trustee Fee”) to be paid at the beginning of each calendar quarter, allocated among each of the various portfolios comprising the Trust. Each Trustee will also receive reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the regular quarterly meetings of the Trust. In addition to the Trustee Fee, the Audit Committee Chairman will receive an additional quarterly fee of $4,000 and the Chairman of the Trust will receive an additional quarterly fee of $5,250. For special in-person meetings, each Trustee will receive a $2,500 special in-person meeting fee, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the special in-person meeting, which fees will generally be paid by the Adviser requesting the special in-person meeting. None of the executive officers will receive compensation from the Trust.

 

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The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the Funds during the period ended October 31, 2019.

 

Name The Fund Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement Total Compensation From the Fund Complex Paid to Trustees***
Thomas T. Sarkany $4,125 None None $4,125
Anthony Lewis $4,125 None None $4,125
Keith Rhoades* $4,879 None None $4,879
Randy Skalla $4,125 None None $4,125
Brian Nielsen** $5,115 None None $5,115

*Mr. Rhoades also serves as chairman of the Audit Committee.

**Mr. Nielsen is deemed to be an ‘interested person’ as defined in the 1940 Act as a result of his former affiliation with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the Fund’s Distributor).  Mr. Nielsen also serves as the Chairman of the Trust.

*** There are currently multiple series comprising the Trust. The term “Fund Complex” refers only to the Fund, and not to any other series of the Trust. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, aggregate Independent Trustees’ fees were $474,500.

 

Trustee Ownership

The following table indicates the dollar range of equity securities that each Trustee beneficially owned in the Fund and other series of the Trust as of December 31, 2019.

 

Name of Trustee Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies
Thomas T. Sarkany None None
Anthony H. Lewis None None
Keith Rhoades None None
Randal D. Skalla None None
Brian Nielsen* None None

* Brian Nielsen is deemed to be an ‘interested person’ as defined in the 1940 Act as a result of his former affiliation with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the Funds’ Distributor).

 

Control Persons and Principal Shareholders

A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges the existence of control. A controlling person possesses the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted for shareholder vote by the Fund.

As of February 3, 2020 the following persons owned, beneficially or of record, 5% or more of a class of shares of the Fund.

 

 

Name of Shareholder

% Of Share Class Owned
   
Institutional Class Shares  

 

 

 

 

 

TD Ameritrade Inc. FBO/Our Customers

P.O. Box 2226

Omaha, NE 68103-2226

44.75%

Maril & Co

FBO 70 C/O BMO Harris Bank NA

16.30%
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480 Pilgrim Way, Suite 1000

Green Bay , WI 54304

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

Special Custody A/C

ATTN Mutual Funds

211 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

19.05%
   
Investor Class Shares  

TD Ameritrade

FBO/our Customers

PO Box 2226

Omaha, NE 68103-2226

98.65%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Adviser

As stated in the Prospectus, investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by F/m Investments, LLC, located at 3050 K Street NW, Suite W-170, Washington, DC 20007, pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). F/m Acceleration is a joint venture by and between The 4100 Group and DCincy, LLC. Each of The 4100 Group and DCincy, LLC has a control share (as that term is used under the federal securities laws) of F/m. The 4100 Group is a for-profit subsidiary of Delta Dental of Michigan. Delta Dental of Michigan and its affiliates in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee make up one of the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. DCincy, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company owned in equal shares by the principal officers of F/m.

Prior to October 11, 2019, Balter Liquid Alternatives, LLC served as the Fund’s adviser.

 

Subject to such policies as the Board of Trustees may determine, the Adviser is ultimately responsible for investment decisions for the Fund. Pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides the Fund with such investment advice and supervision as it deems necessary for the proper supervision of the Fund’s investments.

 

After an initial period of two years, the Advisory Agreement will continue in effect from year to year only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and by a majority of the trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Advisory Agreement. The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of the Fund upon 60 days’ prior written notice when authorized either by a majority vote of the Fund’s shareholders or by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees, or by the Adviser upon 60 days’ prior written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser, under such agreement, shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of portfolio transactions for the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder.

 

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, agrees (directly or through a subadviser) to invest the assets of the Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the 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 Fund and, as such shall (directly or through a subadviser) (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy,

30 
 

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 the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold or retained  by the Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases or sales are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser (directly or through a subadviser) 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 Fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the 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, directly subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, provides the management services necessary for the operation of the Fund and such additional administrative services as reasonably requested by the Board of Trustees. These services include providing such office space, office equipment and office facilities as are adequate to fulfill the Adviser’s obligations under the Advisory Agreement; assisting the Trust in supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents, accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the Fund; assisting in preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting shareholder relations; assuring the Fund’s records and the registration of the Fund’s shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing management and shareholder services for the Fund; and furnishing reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to the Trustees.  

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a management fee at the annual rate of 2.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

The fee is computed daily and payable monthly. The Adviser has agreed contractually to waive its management fee and to reimburse operating expenses (excluding any front-end or contingent deferred sales loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes and extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, including, but not limited to, litigation) at least until February 28, 2022, such that net annual fund operating expenses of the Fund do not exceed the percentages in the table below.  This operating expense limitation agreement can be terminated only by, or with the consent of, the Board of Trustees. The Adviser is permitted to receive reimbursement from the Fund for fees it waived and Fund expenses it paid, subject to the limitation that: (1) the reimbursement for fees and expenses will be made only if payable within three years from the date the fees and expenses were initially waived or reimbursed; and (2) the reimbursement may not be made if it would cause the expense limitation in effect at the time of the waiver or currently in effect, whichever is lower, to be exceeded. Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund’s expenses and increase its performance.

Share Class Expense Cap
Institutional Class 2.24%
Investor Class 2.54%

 

Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement are paid by the Fund.  Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the 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 Distributor (as defined under the section entitled (“The Distributor”) (c) the fees and certain expenses of the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent (as defined under the section entitled “Transfer Agent”), including the cost of maintaining certain required records of the Fund and of pricing the Fund’s

31 
 

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 share certificates representing shares of the Fund, (i) the cost of fidelity and liability insurance, (j) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Fund and of its 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, (k) all expenses of shareholders and Trustees’ meetings (including travel expenses of trustees and officers of the Trust who are 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 (l) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Trust’s business.

 

For the fiscal years ended October 31 the Fund paid the following advisory fees to the Adviser (or the Fund’s previous adviser), of which the Fund’s previous Adviser waived or recouped the amount set forth in the following table.

 

Fiscal Year Ended Advisory Fee Recoupment (Waiver)

Expense

Reimbursement

Advisory Fee after Waivers
October 31, 2019* $962,028 ($242,083) $0 $719,945
October 31, 2018** $1,734,790 ($207,137) $0 $1,527,653
October 31, 2017** $830,133 ($105,339) $0 $724,794

*Fees paid to the prior adviser, Balter Liquid Alternatives, LLC and the current Adviser, F/m Investments, LLC.

**Fees paid to the prior adviser, Balter Liquid Alternatives, LLC.

 

 

Sub-Adviser

As discussed in the Prospectus, S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP, 38 Jermyn Street, London, UK SW1Y 6DN, serves as the Sub-Adviser to the Fund under a sub-advisory agreement with the Adviser on behalf of the Fund (the “Sub-Adviser” or “S.W. Mitchell”). S.W. Mitchell is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. S.W. Mitchell was founded in April 2005 as a limited liability partnership incorporated in England and Wales (registered no. OC312953). Stuart Mitchell is the principal owner of, and controls, S.W. Mitchell.

The Sub-Adviser has agreed to furnish continuously an investment program for its assigned portion of the Fund that it sub-advises and shall determine from time to time in its discretion the securities and other investments to be purchased or sold or exchanged and what portions of the Fund’s assets allocated to it shall be held in various securities, cash or other. In this connection, the Sub-Adviser shall provide the Adviser and the officers and trustees of the Trust with such reports and documentation as the latter shall reasonably request regarding the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund assets. The Sub-Adviser shall carry out its responsibilities in compliance with: (a) the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions as set forth in the Trust’s current registration statement, (b) such policies or directives as the Trust’s trustees may from time to time establish or issue and communicate to the Sub-Adviser in writing, and (c) applicable law and related regulations. S.W. Mitchell has served as the Fund’s sub-adviser since the Fund’s inception.

 

 

The Adviser has the responsibility for portfolio management, communicating performance expectations and evaluations to the sub-adviser and ultimately recommending to the Board of Trustees whether their sub-advisory agreements should be renewed, modified or terminated. The Adviser provides written reports to the Board of Trustees regarding the results of its evaluation and monitoring functions.

 

32 
 

The Adviser will pay the sub-adviser monthly an annual fee of the net assets of the Fund allocated to the sub-adviser by the Adviser which the Adviser will pay out of the advisory fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. The Fund is not responsible for the payment of the sub-advisory fees. The Adviser is also responsible for conducting all operations of the Fund, except those operations contracted to the sub-adviser, the Custodian, the transfer agent or the administrator. Although the sub-adviser’s activities are subject to oversight by the Board of Trustees and the officers of the Trust, neither the Board of Trustees, the officers nor the Adviser evaluate the investment merits of the sub-adviser’s individual security selections. The sub-adviser may have complete discretion to purchase, manage and sell portfolio securities for the portions of the Fund’s portfolio that they manage, subject to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and limitations, and the oversight of the Fund’s portfolio manager.

 

***

 

The Advisory Agreement and Sub-advisory Agreement were approved by the Board of the Trust, including by a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on July 25-26, 2019.

 

 

Portfolio Managers

The following section provides information regarding the Portfolio Managers, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, compensation, material conflicts of interests, and any ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

The Adviser

Alexander R. Morris. Mr. Morris is also a founder and partner in KBC as well as a founder and Managing Director of Rowhouse Capital Management since 2015. Previously, Mr. Morris was at Fortigent, LLC, joining in the firm in 2011 and where he served in a corporate development role, developing and executing a new business strategy and product offering as well as leading significant aspects of the firm’s successful sale to LPL Financial. Mr. Morris began his career in 2006 with Europe-based alternative asset manager Caliburn Capital Partners, where he helped to establish four class-leading investment funds, open offices in North America and Asia, and grow AUM to $2B. Caliburn’s flagship Strategic and Global Inefficiencies fund invested in emerging asset managers. In 2008, Mr. Morris joined Longville Investments, a private equity firm supporting European family offices with fundamental analysis, transaction execution and long term capital management. In 2009, Mr. Morris returned to the US to launch the family office practice of Pacific Capital Bancorp, and to define the bank’s wealth management strategy. Mr. Morris then joined the Financial Services Practice of Hitachi Consulting Corp. as a senior level business consultant advising clients on corporate strategy and acquisitions.

The Sub-Adviser

 

Jamie Carter. Mr. Carter is a Partner of S.W. Mitchell Capital and the Investment Manager of two funds; the S.W. Mitchell Small Cap European Fund and the SWMC Small Cap European Fund. Mr. Carter joined S.W. Mitchell in early 2006 and launched the S.W. Mitchell Small Cap European Fund in November 2007 after a year and a half researching European markets, and finding himself gravitating towards the small cap space. In June 2011, Mr. Carter went on to launch the SWMC Small Cap European Fund, a UCITS fund which is generally run pari passu with the hedge fund, S.W. Mitchell Small Cap European Fund. Mr. Carter was made a Partner in April 2010. Prior to 2006, Mr. Carter worked at JO Hambro Investment Management (JOHIM). During his time at JOHIM he managed private client portfolios and researched U.S. companies, with a particular emphasis on technology, media and telecommunications.

 

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

The table below identifies, for the Portfolio Manager of the Fund, the number of accounts managed (excluding the Fund) and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. To the extent that

33 
 

the advisory fees for any of these accounts are based on account performance, this information is reflected in separate tables below. Asset amounts are approximate as of the date of this SAI, and have been rounded. The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by the portfolio manager and assets under management in those accounts as of October 31, 2019.

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager

Registered

Investment Companies (excluding the Fund)

Other Pooled

Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts
Number of Accounts Total Assets in the Accounts Number of Accounts Total Assets in the Accounts Number of Accounts Total Assets in the Accounts
The Adviser            
Alexander R. Morris 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0
             
The Sub-Adviser            
Jamie Carter 0 $0 1 $112 million 1 $ 51 million
                         

 

Material Conflicts of Interest

Actual or apparent material conflicts of interest may arise when a Portfolio Manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one investment account or in other circumstances. Portfolio Managers who manage other investment accounts in addition to the Fund may be presented with the potential conflicts described below.

 

F/m

 

Because F/m performs investment management services for various clients, certain conflicts of interest could arise. F/m may give advice and take action with respect to its other clients and/or funds that may differ from advice given or the timing or nature of action taken with respect to the Fund. F/m will have no obligation to purchase or sell for the Fund, or to recommend for purchase or sale by the Fund, any security that F/m, its principals, its affiliates, or its employees may purchase for themselves or for other clients and/or funds at the same time or the same price. Where F/m buys or sells the same security for two or more clients, it may place concurrent orders with a single broker, to be executed together as a single “block” in order to facilitate orderly and efficient execution.

 

S.W. Mitchell

 

Because S. W. Mitchell Capital LLP manages other accounts pari passu with the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund all trades placed across accounts will be placed as a block and filled pro rata based on assets until completed. The Sub-Adviser does not have involvement in this process as it is automated by the dealing system

 

Portfolio Manager’s Compensation

The following section describes the structure of, and the methods used to determine the different types of compensation (e.g., salary, bonus, deferred compensation, retirement plans and arrangements) for each of the Fund’s portfolio managers as of the most recent practicable date.

 

F/m

 

F/m’s portfolio managers are compensated with a base salary which is determined by individual and firm-wide performance as well as an annual incentive bonus. F/m’s portfolio managers participate in the parent firm, F/m’s profit share plan and defined benefit plan.

 

 

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S.W. Mitchell

 

S.W. Mitchell Capital’s portfolio managers are compensated on a combination of salary, discretionary bonus and performance related bonus.

 

Portfolio Managers’ Ownership of the Fund

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the portfolio managers of the Fund as of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.

 

 

Name of Portfolio Manager Dollar Range of Equity Securities in Managed Fund
The Adviser  
Alexander R. Morris Over $1,000,000
   
The Sub-Adviser  
Jamie Carter None

 

Other Service Providers

 

Administrator

Pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement (the “Administration Service Agreement”), Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”), 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022 (the “Administrator”), acts as administrator for the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board. GFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. GFS is an affiliate of the Distributor. GFS may provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of GFS or its affiliates.

 

On February 1, 2019, NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC, the parent company of GFS and its affiliated companies including Northern Lights Distributors, LLC 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.

 

The Administration Service Agreement was initially approved by the Board at a meeting held on October 21, 2015. The Agreement shall remain in effect for 2 years from the date of the Fund’s commencement of operations, and subject to annual approval of the Board for one-year periods thereafter. The Administration Service Agreement is terminable by the Board or GFS on 60 days’ prior written notice and may be assigned provided the non-assigning party provides prior written consent. This Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of GFS or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, GFS shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in accordance with its duties thereunder.

 

Under the Administration Service Agreement, GFS 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 Fund by others, including the Fund’s Custodian; (iii) preparing, but not paying for, the periodic updating of the Fund’s Registration Statement, Prospectuses 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 Fund’s shareholders and the SEC; (iv) preparing in conjunction with Fund counsel, but not paying

35 
 

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 the 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 Prospectus.

For the services rendered to the Fund by the Administrator, the Fund pays the Administrator the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets for fund administration, fund accounting and transfer agency services. For the fiscal years ended October 31 the Fund paid the following for fund administration, fund accounting and transfer agent services:

 

Fiscal Year Ended Administration Fees
October 31, 2019 $67,582
October 31, 2018 $100,240
October 31, 2017 $53,855

 

 

Fund Accounting   

GFS, pursuant to the Administration Service Agreement, provides the Fund with accounting services, including:  (i) daily computation of net asset value; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Fund’s custodian or Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund. The Fund also pays the Administrator for any out-of-pocket expenses.

 

Transfer Agent

GFS, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022, acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to a written agreement with the Fund. Under the agreement, GFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

 

Custodian  

U.S. Bank, National Association (“U.S. Bank”), 1555 North River Center Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212, serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custody Agreement by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund.  The Custodian’s responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. The Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.

 

Compliance Services

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn. NE 68022, 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. The Fund pays a compliance service fee to NLCS.

 

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For the fiscal years ended October 31 the Fund paid the following fees for compliance services:

 

Fiscal Year Ended Compliance Service Fees
October 31, 2019 $22,001
October 31, 2018 $22,415
October 31, 2017 $17,148

 

 

Legal Counsel

Alston & Bird, LLP, 950 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20004, serves as counsel to the Trust.

Blank Rome LLP, 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10174, serves as counsel to the Independent Trustees.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, Two Liberty Place, 50 South 16th Street, Suite 2900, Philadelphia, PA 19102, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund.

 

Distribution of Fund Shares

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn. NE 68022 (the “Distributor”) serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Fund pursuant to an underwriting agreement with the Trust (the “Underwriting Agreement”). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state’s securities laws and is a member of FINRA. The offering of the Fund’s shares are continuous. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, will use reasonable efforts to facilitate the sale of the Fund’s shares

 

The Underwriting Agreement has an initial term of two years and will continue in effect only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and, in either case, by a majority of the trustees who are not parties to the Underwriting Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party. The Underwriting Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ notice when authorized either by a majority vote of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities or by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, or by the Distributor on 60 days’ notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

 

The following table sets forth the total compensation received by the Distributor from the Fund during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019:

 

Fund Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions Compensation on Redemptions and Repurchases Brokerage Commissions Other Compensation
F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund $0 $0 $0 $0
* The Distributor received $60,837 from the previous Adviser and $660 from the current Adviser as compensation for its distribution services to the Fund.
The Distributor also receives 12b-1 fees from the Fund as described under the following section entitled “Rule 12b-1 Plan”.

 

 

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12b-1 Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan

As noted in the Prospectus, the Trust has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Fund’s Investor Class shares (the “Plan”) pursuant to which Investor Class shares of the Fund are authorized to pay fees to the Distributor for providing distribution and/or shareholder services to the Fund. Under the Plan, Investor Class shares of the Fund may pay a combined distribution or shareholder servicing fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average net assets of Investor Class shares as compensation for the Distributor providing account maintenance and/or distribution services to shareholders. Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals, as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon each share class’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of the Trust and the Distributor. Each Plan authorizes payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others (“Recipients”) to provide these services and paying compensation for these services.

 

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

 

The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of the Trust, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 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 initial term of the Rule 12b-1 Plan is one year and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of the Trust and a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and do not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the Rule 12b-1 Plan (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”) by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Rule 12b-1 Plan. The Rule 12b-1 Plan may be terminated at any time by the Trust or the Fund by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund.

 

The Rule 12b-1 Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor’s compensation to be paid by the Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected class of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Rule 12b-1 Plan. During the term of a Rule 12b-1 Plan, 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 Rule 12b-1 Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.

 

Any agreement related to the Rule 12b-1 Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the applicable Fund at any time upon sixty days’ written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or Fund; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined

38 
 

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.

To the extent these asset-based fees and other payments made under the Distribution Plan to these financial intermediaries for the distribution services they provide to the Fund’s shareholders exceed the Distribution Fees available, these payments are made by the Adviser from its own resources, which may include its profits from the advisory fee it receives from the Fund. In addition, the Fund may participate in various “fund supermarkets” in which a mutual fund supermarket sponsor (usually a broker-dealer) offers many mutual funds to the sponsor’s customers without charging the customers a sales charge. In connection with its participation in such platforms, the Adviser may use all or a portion of the Distribution Fee to pay one or more supermarket sponsors a negotiated fee for distributing the Fund’s shares. In addition, in its discretion, the Adviser may pay additional fees to such intermediaries from its own assets. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 the Fund paid the following allocated distribution fees:

 

Actual 12b-1 Expenditures Paid by
F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund Investor Class Shares
During the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019
   
Advertising/Marketing None
Printing/Postage None
Payment to distributor $516
Payment to dealers $3,107
Compensation to sales personnel None
Other $0
TOTAL $3,623

 

Shareholding Servicing Plan

 

Pursuant to a Shareholder Service Plan (the “Plan”) adopted by the Trust established by the Fund with respect to the Investor Class shares of the Fund, the Adviser is authorized to provide, or arrange for others to provide personal shareholder services relating to the servicing and maintenance of shareholder accounts not otherwise provided to the Fund (“Shareholder Servicing Activities”). Under the Plan, the Adviser may enter into shareholder service agreements with securities broker-dealers and other securities professionals (“Service Organizations”) who provide Shareholder Servicing Activities for their clients invested in the Fund. Shareholder Servicing Fees are accrued daily and paid quarterly, at an annual rate of up to 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

Shareholder Servicing Activities shall include one or more of the following: (1) establishing and maintaining accounts and records relating for shareholders of the Fund; (2) aggregating and processing orders involving the shares of the Fund; (3) processing dividend and other distribution payments from the Fund on behalf of shareholders; (4) providing information to shareholders as to their ownership of Fund shares or about other aspects of the operations of the Fund; (5) preparing tax reports or forms on behalf of shareholders; (6) forwarding communications from the Fund to shareholders; (7) assisting shareholders in changing the Fund’s records as to their addresses, dividend options, account registrations or other data; (8) providing sub-accounting with respect to shares beneficially owned by shareholders, or the information to the Fund necessary for sub-accounting; (9) responding to shareholder inquiries relating to the services performed; (10) providing shareholders with a service that invests the assets of their accounts in shares pursuant to specific or pre-authorized instructions; and (11) providing such other similar services as the Adviser may

39 
 

reasonably request to the extent the Service Organization is permitted to do so under applicable statutes, rules or regulations.

 

As compensation for the Shareholder Servicing Activities, Investor Class shares pays the Adviser a fee of up to 0.05% of the class’s average daily net assets of the shares owned by investors for which the shareholder servicing agent maintains a servicing relationship.

 

Any material amendment to the Plan must be approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a “majority” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable class or classes. The Plan may be terminated, with respect to a class or classes of the Fund, without penalty at any time: (1) by vote of a majority of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees; or (2) by a vote of a “majority” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable class or classes.

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, the Fund paid $725 in shareholder servicing related fees.

 

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser determines which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which broker-dealers are eligible to execute the Fund’s portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of securities in the OTC market will generally be executed directly with a “market-maker” unless, in the opinion of the Adviser, a better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the transaction.

 

Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund will be effected through broker-dealers (including banks) that specialize in the types of securities that the Fund will be holding, unless better executions are available elsewhere. Dealers usually act as principal for their own accounts. Purchases from dealers will include a spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and price offered by more than one dealer are comparable, the order may be allocated to a dealer that has provided research or other services as discussed below.

 

In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser will use reasonable efforts to choose broker-dealers capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations, such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities of the firm involved, the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities and other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more than one broker-dealer can offer the services needed to obtain the most favorable price and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers that furnish or supply research and statistical information to the Adviser that they may lawfully and appropriately use in their investment advisory capacities, as well as provide other brokerage services in addition to execution services. The Adviser considers such information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by it under its Advisory Agreement with the Fund, to be useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value.

 

It is the Fund’s general policy to first seek to obtain the most favorable price and execution available in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund.  Weight is currently not given to the ability of a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Fund or to the Adviser, even if the specific services are not directly useful to the Fund and may be useful to the Adviser in advising other clients.  The Adviser retains the right to update this policy. In negotiating commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith by the Adviser to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-

40 
 

dealer. The standard of reasonableness is to be measured in light of the Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Fund.

 

Investment decisions for the Fund may or may not be made independently from those of other client accounts of the Adviser. In certain instances, investment decisions will be made similar to other accounts managed. In the case where the Fund uses similar strategies, applicable procedures will be taken to ensure trading allocations will be handled fairly and abide by all appropriate rules and regulations. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts. In such event, the position of the Fund and such client account(s) in the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its investment in the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of these client accounts seek to acquire the same security as the Fund at the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security at the same time. If one or more of such client accounts simultaneously purchases or sells the same security that the Fund is purchasing or selling, each day’s transactions in such security will be allocated between the Fund and all such client accounts in a manner deemed equitable by the Adviser, taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount being purchased or sold. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as the Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of the Fund to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for the Fund. Notwithstanding the above, the Adviser may execute buy and sell orders for accounts and take action in performance of their duties with respect to any of their accounts that may differ from actions taken with respect to another account, so long as the Adviser shall, to the extent practical, allocate investment opportunities to accounts, including the Fund, over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis and in accordance with applicable law. Whenever possible, all trades are done in a block with allocations made on a pro-rata basis. Each client will participate in the transaction at an average price, allocated in a pro-rata amount based on the asset size of the account.

The Fund is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers or dealers” that the Fund has acquired during its most recent fiscal year. The Fund is also required to identify any brokerage transactions during its most recent fiscal year that were directed to a broker because of research services provided, along with the amount of any such transactions and any related commissions paid by the Fund.

 

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

 

For the fiscal years ended October 31 the fund paid the following brokerage commissions:

 

Fiscal Year Ended Brokerage Commissions
October 31, 2019 $564,927
October 31, 2018 $716,155
October 31, 2017 $217,655

 

 

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Portfolio Turnover

Although the Fund generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes, portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Adviser, investment considerations warrant such action. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing (i) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by (ii) the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal year. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all the securities in the Fund’s portfolio, with the exception of securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less, were sold and either repurchased or replaced within one year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally leads to above-average transaction costs, could generate capital gains that must be distributed to shareholders as short-term capital gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates (currently as high as 37%) and could increase brokerage commission costs. To the extent that the Fund experiences an increase in brokerage commissions due to a higher portfolio turnover rate, the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by the increased expenses incurred by the Fund and may result in a greater number of taxable transactions.

 

The table below shows the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate as a percentage of the average value of the portfolio for the fiscal years ended October 31:

 

 

Fiscal Years Ended

Portfolio Turnover Rate
October 31, 2019 141%
October 31, 2018 194%
October 31, 2017 154%

 

Code of Ethics

The Fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, and the Distributor have each adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These Codes permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of the Adviser, and Distributor to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.

 

Proxy Voting Procedures

The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies of securities held by the Fund to the Adviser and responsibility for voting proxies of securities held by the Fund to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser’s Proxy Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest. Notwithstanding this delegation of responsibilities, however, the Fund retains the right to vote proxies relating to its portfolio securities. A copy of the Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies is attached hereto as Appendix B.

 

More Information. The actual voting records relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 will be available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free, 1-800-SEC-0330 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

42 
 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance 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 CCO serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.

 

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Fund’s Distributor and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and 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.

 

Portfolio Holdings Information

The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings.  These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of Fund shareholders.

 

It is the Trust’s policy to:  (1) ensure that any disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interest of Trust shareholders; (2) protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information; (3) have procedures in place to guard against personal trading based on the information; and (4) ensure that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information does not create conflicts between the interests of the Trust’s shareholders and those of the Trust’s affiliates.

 

The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings by mailing the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period.  In addition, the Fund discloses its portfolio holdings reports on Forms N-CSR and Form N-Q two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.

 

The Funds may choose to make portfolio holdings information available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg earlier and more frequently on a confidential basis.

 

Under limited circumstances, as described below, the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q.  In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.  

 

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

43 
 

the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.

 

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

 

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC. Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC provides consulting services to the Funds as well as related compliance services; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Funds’ portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

 

U.S. Bank, National Association. U.S. Bank, National Association is custodian for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

 

Tait, Weller & Baker LLP. Tait, Weller & Baker LLP is the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund’s annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.  

 

Alston & Bird, LLP.  Alston & Bird, LLP is counsel to the Trust; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with review of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.

 

Blank Rome, LLP. Blank Rome, LLP is counsel to the Independent Trustees.

 

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

 

Compliance With Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures

 

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

 

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

 

Determination of Net Asset Value

As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading “Net Asset Value,” the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s shares, by class, is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund, by class.

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Generally, the 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 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 the 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, the 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 the 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 the Fund’s calculation of NAV), the security will be valued at its fair market value as determined in good faith by the 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 the 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 the Fund’s NAV by short-term traders. In addition, because the 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

45 
 

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

 

Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the “NYSE Close”) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally 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.

 

The Fund may hold securities, such as private placements, interests in commodity pools, other non-traded securities or temporarily illiquid securities, for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable. These securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value team composed of one of more officers from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) adviser and/or sub-adviser. The team may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

 

Fair Value Committee and Valuation Process. The fair value committee is composed of one of more officers from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) adviser and/or sub-adviser. The applicable investments are valued collectively via inputs from each of these groups. For example, fair value determinations are required for the following securities: (i) securities for which market quotations are insufficient or not readily available on a particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source), (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the adviser or sub-adviser, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the adviser or sub-adviser to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an asked price is available; the spread between bid and asked prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; (iv) securities with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred (a “significant event”) since the closing prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to the Fund’s calculation of its net asset value. Specifically, interests in commodity pools or managed futures pools are valued on a daily basis by reference to the closing market prices of each futures contract or other asset held by a pool, as adjusted for pool expenses. Restricted or illiquid securities, such as private placements or non-traded securities are valued via inputs from the adviser

46 
 

or sub-adviser valuation based upon the current bid for the security from two or more independent dealers or other parties reasonably familiar with the facts and circumstances of the security (who should take into consideration all relevant factors as may be appropriate under the circumstances). If the adviser or sub-adviser is unable to obtain a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties, the fair value team shall determine the fair value of such security using the following factors: (i) the type of security; (ii) the cost at date of purchase; (iii) the size and nature of the Fund's holdings; (iv) the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase and subsequent thereto; (v) information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; (vi) the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security and the existence of any registration rights; (vii) how the yield of the security compares to similar securities of companies of similar or equal creditworthiness; (viii) the level of recent trades of similar or comparable securities; (ix) the liquidity characteristics of the security; (x) current market conditions; and (xi) the market value of any securities into which the security is convertible or exchangeable.

 

Standards For Fair Value Determinations. As a general principle, the fair value of a security is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to realize upon its current sale. The Trust has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"). In accordance with ASC 820, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including such a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on the best information available under the circumstances.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments relating to ASC 820. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The fair value team takes into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances, which may include: (i) the nature and pricing history (if any) of the security; (ii) whether any dealer quotations for the security are available; (iii) possible valuation methodologies that could be used to determine the fair value of the security; (iv) the recommendation of a portfolio manager of the Fund with respect to the valuation of the security; (v) whether the same or similar securities are held by other funds managed by the Adviser (or sub-adviser) or other funds and the method used to price the security in those funds; (vi) the extent to which the fair value to be determined for the security will result from the use of data or formulae produced by independent third parties and (vii) the liquidity or illiquidity of the market for the security.

 

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Board of Trustees Determination. The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly to consider the valuations provided by the fair value committee and to ratify the valuations made for the applicable securities. The Board of Trustees considers the reports provided by the fair value committee, including follow up studies of subsequent market-provided prices when available, in reviewing and determining in good faith the fair value of the applicable portfolio securities.

 

The Trust expects that the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) will be closed on 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.

 

Purchase of Shares

Orders for shares received by the Fund in good order prior to the close of business on the NYSE on each day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at NAV per share computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of such NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined NAV or offering price per share.

 

Redemption of Shares

The Fund will redeem all or any portion of a shareholder’s shares in the Fund when requested in accordance with the procedures set forth in the “Redemptions” section of the Prospectus. Under the 1940 Act, a shareholder’s right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:  

 

(a) when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;

(b) when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason;

(c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or

(d) when the SEC by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.

 

In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on the NAV next determined after the termination of the suspension.

 

The Fund may purchase shares of certain series which charge a redemption fee to shareholders (such as the Fund) that redeem shares of the underlying fund within a certain period of time (such as one year). The fee is payable to the underlying fund. Accordingly, if the Fund were to invest in an underlying fund and incur a redemption fee as a result of redeeming shares in such underlying fund, the Fund would bear such redemption fee. The Fund will not, however, invest in shares of an underlying fund that is sold with a contingent deferred sales load.

 

Supporting documents in addition to those listed under “Redemptions” in the Prospectus will be required from executors, administrators, Trustees, or if redemption is requested by someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are not restricted to, stock powers, Trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor, certificates of corporate authority and waiver of tax required in some states when settling estates.

 

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

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F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022

 

Tax Status

The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. The tax considerations relevant to a specific shareholder depend upon its specific circumstances, and the following general summary does not attempt to discuss all potential tax considerations that could be relevant to a prospective shareholder with respect to the Fund or its investments. This general summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Federal Income Tax Regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change (potentially on a retroactive basis).

 

The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Code. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax advisor regarding their investment in the Fund.

 

The 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 Code, which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its net investment income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Net investment income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued a number of private letter rulings to other mutual funds (unrelated to the Fund), indicating that certain income from a fund’s investment in a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary constituted “qualifying income” for purposes of Subchapter M. However, the IRS suspended issuance of these letter rulings in 2011 pending a review of its position, and in 2016 declared that it would no longer issue private letter rulings on this issue. If the IRS were to change its position in published public guidance with respect to the conclusions reached in these private letter rulings (which change in position might be applied to the Fund retroactively), the income from the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary might not be qualifying income, and the Fund might not therefore qualify as a regulated investment company for one or more years.

 

Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund. Under the Regulated Investment Company Act of 2010, the Fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. However, losses incurred during those future years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment tax years. Thus, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law.

 

At October 31, 2019, the Fund had capital loss carry forwards for federal income tax purposes available to offset future capital gains, as follows:

 

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Expiring Non-Expiring Short-Term Non-Expiring Long-Term Total CLCF Utilized
$- $9,969,494 $1,226,652 $11,196,146 $-

 

 

 

The Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income, any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and any excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of net investment income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.

 

To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain publicly traded partnerships and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, 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 stock, securities or currencies, and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the Fund’s assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) any one issuer, two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships. Under the Regulated Investment Company Act of 2010, if the Fund fails to satisfy these qualifying income and asset tests, and such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it may be permitted to “cure” such failures (and thereby not jeopardize its tax status as a regulated investment company) under certain circumstances.

 

If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code in any fiscal year (and such failure is not subject to cure as discussed above), it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund’s net investment income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund’s net investment income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.

 

The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this excise tax.

 

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. In most cases the Fund will hold shares in Underlying Pools for less than 12 months, such that its sales of such shares from time to time will not qualify as long-term capital gains for those investors who hold shares of the Fund in taxable accounts.

50 
 

 

Distributions of net capital gain (“capital gain dividends”) generally are taxable to shareholders as short-term capital gain; regardless of the length of time the shares of the Trust have been held by such shareholders.

 

A redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.

 

Distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to reinvest distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.

 

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

 

Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax (currently at a rate of 24%) in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.

 

Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements

 

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

 

To the extent such investments are permissible, certain of the Fund’s hedging activities (including its transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign currency-denominated instruments) are likely to

51 
 

produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If the Fund’s book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess book income will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If the Fund’s book income is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

 

Investment by the Fund in certain “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”) could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”), 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.

 

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

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

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

 

Foreign Taxation

 

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

 

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

 

Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

In addition, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act requires that taxpayers, such as the Fund, that use an accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes are generally required to include certain amounts in income no later than the time such amounts are reflected on such taxpayer’s applicable financial statements. Certain fees treated as OID may be included as income for financial statement purposes when received (as opposed to being accrued into income over the term of the debt instrument), which may thus require such amounts be treated as taxable income of the Fund upon their receipt

 

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

 

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

 

Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund’s shares.

 

A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompanies each distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each 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.

 

Financial Statements

The financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report are incorporated herein by reference to the Fund’s Annual Report. These financial statements include the schedule of investments, statement of assets and liabilities, statement of operations, statements of changes in net assets, financial highlights and notes to the consolidated financial statements. The Fund will provide the Fund’s Annual Report without charge upon request in writing or by telephone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54 
 

“A” RATINGS DEFINITIONS

 

Standard & Poor’s Issue Credit Rating Definitions

 

 

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

 

Issue credit ratings can be either long term or short term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days—including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

 

 

Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 

A-1

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

 

A-2

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

 

A-3

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

B

A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of ‘B-1’, ‘B-2’, and ‘B-3’ may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the ‘B’ category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

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B-1

A short-term obligation rated ‘B-1’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

 

B-2

A short-term obligation rated ‘B-2’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

 

B-3

A short-term obligation rated ‘B-3’ is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

 

C

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

 

D

A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

 

SPUR (Standard & Poor’s Underlying Rating)

This is a rating of a stand-alone capacity of an issue to pay debt service on a credit-enhanced debt issue, without giving effect to the enhancement that applies to it. These ratings are published only at the request of the debt issuer/obligor with the designation SPUR to distinguish them from the credit-enhanced rating that applies to the debt issue. Standard & Poor’s maintains surveillance of an issue with a published SPUR.

 

Dual Ratings

Standard & Poor’s assigns “dual” ratings to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure. The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the short-term rating symbols for the put option (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, note rating symbols are used with the short-term issue credit rating symbols (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).

 

The ratings and other credit related opinions of Standard & Poor’s and its affiliates are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities or make any investment decisions. Standard & Poor’s assumes no obligation to update any information following publication. Users of ratings and credit related opinions should not rely on them in making any investment decision. Standard &Poor’s opinions and analyses do not address the suitability of any security. Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC does not act as a fiduciary or an investment advisor. While Standard & Poor’s has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, Standard & Poor’s does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives. Ratings and credit related opinions may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn at any time.

 

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Active Qualifiers (Currently applied and/or outstanding)

 

i

This subscript is used for issues in which the credit factors, terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of interest are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of principal on the obligation. The ‘i’ subscript indicates that the rating addresses the interest portion of the obligation only. The ‘i’ subscript will always be used in conjunction with the ‘p’ subscript, which addresses likelihood of receipt of principal. For example, a rated obligation could be assigned ratings of “AAAp NRi” indicating that the principal portion is rated “AAA” and the interest portion of the obligation is not rated.

 

L

Ratings qualified with ‘L’ apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.

 

p

This subscript is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The ‘p’ subscript indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only. The ‘p’ subscript will always be used in conjunction with the ‘i’ subscript, which addresses likelihood of receipt of interest. For example, a rated obligation could be assigned ratings of “AAAp NRi” indicating that the principal portion is rated “AAA” and the interest portion of the obligation is not rated.

 

pi

Ratings with a ‘pi’ subscript are based on an analysis of an issuer’s published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. They do not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer’s management and therefore may be based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a ‘pi’ subscript. Ratings with a ‘pi’ subscript are reviewed annually based on a new year’s financial statements, but may be reviewed on an interim basis if a major event occurs that may affect the issuer’s credit quality.

 

pr

The letters ‘pr’ indicate that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to such likelihood and risk.

 

preliminary

Preliminary ratings are assigned to issues, including financial programs, in the following circumstances.

 

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions.  Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt and approval by Standard & Poor’s of appropriate documentation.  Changes in the information provided to Standard & Poor’s could result in the assignment of a different rating. In addition, Standard & Poor’s reserves the right not to issue a final rating.
   
Preliminary ratings are assigned to Rule 415 Shelf Registrations.  As specific issues, with defined terms, are offered from the master registration, a final rating may be assigned to them in accordance with Standard & Poor’s policies.  The final rating may differ from the preliminary rating.

 

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This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.

 

unsolicited

Unsolicited ratings are those credit ratings assigned at the initiative of Standard & Poor’s and not at the request of the issuer or its agents.

 

Inactive Qualifiers (No longer applied or outstanding)

 

*

This symbol indicated continuance of the ratings is contingent upon Standard & Poor’s receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows. Discontinued use in August 1998.

 

c

This qualifier was used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer is below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer’s bonds are deemed taxable. Discontinued use in January 2001.

 

q

A ‘q’ subscript indicates that the rating is based solely on quantitative analysis of publicly available information. Discontinued use in April 2001.

 

r

The ‘r’ modifier was assigned to securities containing extraordinary risks, particularly market risks, that are not covered in the credit rating. The absence of an ‘r’ modifier should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will not exhibit extraordinary non-credit related risks. Standard & Poor’s discontinued the use of the ‘r’ modifier for most obligations in June 2000 and for the balance of obligations (mainly structured finance transactions) in November 2002.

 

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks

Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor’s analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor’s capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government’s own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.

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Moody’s Credit Rating Definitions

 

Purpose

The system of rating securities was originated by John Moody in 1909. The purpose of Moody’s ratings is to provide investors with a simple system of gradation by which relative creditworthiness of securities may be noted.

 

Rating Symbols

Gradations of creditworthiness are indicated by rating symbols, with each symbol representing a group in which the credit characteristics are broadly the same. There are nine symbols as shown below, from that used to designate least credit risk to that denoting greatest credit risk:

 

Aaa Aa A Baa Ba B Caa Ca C

Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa.

 

Absence of a Rating

Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the creditworthiness of the issue.

 

Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:

 

1. An application was not received or accepted.

 

2. The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities or entities that are not rated as a matter of policy.

 

3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.

 

4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published in Moody’s publications.

 

Withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise, the effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed; if a bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.

 

Changes in Rating

The credit quality of most issuers and their obligations is not fixed and steady over a period of time, but tends to undergo change. For this reason changes in ratings occur so as to reflect variations in the intrinsic relative position of issuers and their obligations.

 

A change in rating may thus occur at any time in the case of an individual issue. Such rating change should serve notice that Moody’s observes some alteration in creditworthiness, or that the previous rating did not fully reflect the quality of the bond as now seen. While because of their very nature, changes are to be expected more frequently among bonds of lower ratings than among bonds of higher ratings. Nevertheless, the user of bond ratings should keep close and constant check on all ratings — both high and low — to be able to note promptly any signs of change in status that may occur.

 

Limitations to Uses of Ratings*

Obligations carrying the same rating are not claimed to be of absolutely equal credit quality. In a broad sense, they are alike in position, but since there are a limited number of rating classes used in grading thousands of bonds, the symbols cannot reflect the same shadings of risk which actually exist.

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As ratings are designed exclusively for the purpose of grading obligations according to their credit quality, they should not be used alone as a basis for investment operations. For example, they have no value in forecasting the direction of future trends of market price. Market price movements in bonds are influenced not only by the credit quality of individual issues but also by changes in money rates and general economic trends, as well as by the length of maturity, etc. During its life even the highest rated bond may have wide price movements, while its high rating status remains unchanged.

 

The matter of market price has no bearing whatsoever on the determination of ratings, which are not to be construed as recommendations with respect to “attractiveness”. The attractiveness of a given bond may depend on its yield, its maturity date or other factors for which the investor may search, as well as on its credit quality, the only characteristic to which the rating refers.

 

Since ratings involve judgments about the future, on the one hand, and since they are used by investors as a means of protection, on the other, the effort is made when assigning ratings to look at “worst” possibilities in the “visible” future, rather than solely at the past record and the status of the present. Therefore, investors using the rating should not expect to find in them a reflection of statistical factors alone, since they are an appraisal of long-term risks, including the recognition of many non-statistical factors.

 

Though ratings may be used by the banking authorities to classify bonds in their bank examination procedure, Moody’s ratings are not made with these bank regulations in mind. Moody’s Investors Service’s own judgment as to the desirability or non-desirability of a bond for bank investment purposes is not indicated by Moody’s ratings.

 

Moody’s ratings represent the opinion of Moody’s Investors Service as to the relative creditworthiness of securities. As such, they should be used in conjunction with the descriptions and statistics appearing in Moody’s publications. Reference should be made to these statements for information regarding the issuer. Moody’s ratings are not commercial credit ratings. In no case is default or receivership to be imputed unless expressly stated.

 

*As set forth more fully on the copyright, credit ratings are, and must be construed solely as, statements of opinion and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities. Each rating or other opinion must be weighed solely as one factor in any investment decision made by or on behalf of any user of the information, and each such user must accordingly make its own study and evaluation of each security and of each issuer and guarantor of, and each provider of credit support for, each security that it may consider purchasing, selling or holding.

 

Short-Term Ratings

 

Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

 

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

 

P-1

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

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P-2

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-3

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

NP

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 

Note: Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.

 

 

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Fitch’s National Credit Ratings

 

For those countries in which foreign and local currency sovereign ratings are below ‘AAA’, and where there is demand for such ratings, Fitch Ratings will provide National Ratings. It is important to note that each National Rating scale is unique and is defined to serve the needs of the local market in question.

 

The National Rating scale provides a relative measure of creditworthiness for rated entities only within the country concerned. Under this rating scale, a ‘AAA’ Long-Term National Rating will be assigned to the lowest relative risk within that country, which, in most but not all cases, will be the sovereign state.

 

The National Rating scale merely ranks the degree of perceived risk relative to the lowest default risk in that same country. Like local currency ratings, National Ratings exclude the effects of sovereign and transfer risk and exclude the possibility that investors may be unable to repatriate any due interest and principal repayments. It is not related to the rating scale of any other national market. Comparisons between different national scales or between an individual national scale and the international rating scale are therefore inappropriate and potentially misleading. Consequently they are identified by the addition of a special identifier for the country concerned, such as ‘AAA(arg)’ for National Ratings in Argentina.

 

In certain countries, regulators have established credit rating scales, to be used within their domestic markets, using specific nomenclature. In these countries, the agency’s National Short-Term Rating definitions for ‘F1+(xxx)’, ‘F1(xxx)’, ‘F2(xxx)’ and ‘F3(xxx)’ may be substituted by the regulatory scales, e.g. ‘A1+’, ‘A1’, ‘A2’ and ‘A3’. The below definitions thus serve as a template, but users should consult the individual scales for each country listed on the agency’s web-site to determine if any additional or alternative category definitions apply.

 

National Short-Term Credit Ratings

 

F1(xxx)
Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. Under the agency’s National Rating scale, this rating is assigned to the lowest default risk relative to others in the same country. Where the liquidity profile is particularly strong, a “+” is added to the assigned rating.

 

F2(xxx)
Indicates a good capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. However, the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

 

F3(xxx)
Indicates an adequate capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. However, such capacity is more susceptible to near-term adverse changes than for financial commitments in higher rated categories.

 

B(xxx)
Indicates an uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. Such capacity is highly susceptible to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

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C(xxx)
Indicates a highly uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

 

D(xxx)
Indicates actual or imminent payment default.

 

Notes to Long-Term and Short-Term National Ratings:

 

The ISO country code suffix is placed in parentheses immediately following the rating letters to indicate the identity of the National market within which the rating applies. For illustrative purposes, (xxx) has been used.

 

“+” or “-” may be appended to a National Rating to denote relative status within a major rating category. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA(xxx)’ Long-Term National Rating category, to categories below ‘CCC(xxx)’, or to Short-Term National Ratings other than ‘F1(xxx)’.

 

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LONG-TERM RATINGS

 

Standard & Poor’s Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on Standard & Poor’s analysis of the following considerations:

 

Likelihood of payment—capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;
   
Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
   
Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

 

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

 

AAA

An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

AA

An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

 

A

An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

 

BBB

An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C

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

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BB

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

 

B

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

 

CCC

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

 

CC

An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

 

C

A ‘C’ rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the ‘C’ rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

 

D

An obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

 

Plus (+) or minus (-)

The ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

 

NR

This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

 

See active and inactive qualifiers following Standard & Poors Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings beginning on page A-3.

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Moody’s Long-Term Debt Ratings

 

 

Long-Term Obligation Ratings

Moody’s long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

 

Moody’s Long-Term Rating Definitions:

 

Aaa

Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

 

Aa

Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

 

A

Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 

Baa

Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

 

Ba

Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

B

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

 

Caa

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

 

Ca

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

 

C

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

 

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

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Fitch’s National Long-Term Credit Ratings

 

 

AAA(xxx)
‘AAA’ National Ratings denote the highest rating assigned by the agency in its National Rating scale for that country. This rating is assigned to issuers or obligations with the lowest expectation of default risk relative to all other issuers or obligations in the same country.

 

AA(xxx)
‘AA’ National Ratings denote expectations of very low default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. The default risk inherent differs only slightly from that of the country’s highest rated issuers or obligations.

 

A(xxx)
‘A’ National Ratings denote expectations of low default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. However, changes in circumstances or economic conditions may affect the capacity for timely repayment to a greater degree than is the case for financial commitments denoted by a higher rated category.

 

BBB(xxx)
‘BBB’ National Ratings denote a moderate default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. However, changes in circumstances or economic conditions are more likely to affect the capacity for timely repayment than is the case for financial commitments denoted by a higher rated category.

 

BB(xxx)
‘BB’ National Ratings denote an elevated default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. Within the context of the country, payment is uncertain to some degree and capacity for timely repayment remains more vulnerable to adverse economic change over time.

 

B(xxx)
‘B’ National Ratings denote a significantly elevated default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. Financial commitments are currently being met but a limited margin of safety remains and capacity for continued timely payments is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment. For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for extremely high recoveries.

 

CCC(xxx)
‘CCC’ National Ratings denote that default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions.

 

CC(xxx)
‘CC’ National Ratings denote that default of some kind appears probable.

 

C(xxx)
‘C’ National Ratings denote that default is imminent.

 

D(xxx)
‘D’ National Ratings denote an issuer or instrument that is currently in default.

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Notes to Long-Term and Short-Term National Ratings:

The ISO country code suffix is placed in parentheses immediately following the rating letters to indicate the identity of the National market within which the rating applies. For illustrative purposes, (xxx) has been used.

 

“+” or “-” may be appended to a National Rating to denote relative status within a major rating category. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA(xxx)’ Long-Term National Rating category, to categories below ‘CCC(xxx)’, or to Short-Term National Ratings other than ‘F1(xxx)’.

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MUNICIPAL NOTE RATINGS

 

Standard & Poor’s Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings Definitions

 

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

 

Amortization schedule—the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and
   
Source of payment—the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

 

Note rating symbols are as follows:

 

SP-1

Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

 

SP-2

Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

SP-3

Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

See active and inactive qualifiers following Standard & Poors Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings beginning on page A-3.

 

 

Moody’s US Municipal Short-Term Debt And Demand Obligation Ratings

 

Short-Term Debt Ratings

 

There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels -- MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.

 

MIG 1

This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

MIG 2

This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

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MIG 3

This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

 

SG

This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

 

Demand Obligation Ratings

 

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.

 

When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.

 

VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.

 

VMIG 1

This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

VMIG 2

This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

VMIG 3

This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

SG

This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

70 
 

 

APPENDIX “B”

 

 

Proxy Voting Policy

 

The following information is a summary of the proxy voting guidelines for F/m Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”). Throughout this policy, S.W. Mitchell Capital, LLP is known the “Subadviser”.

 

 

General

F/m, and/or pursuant to any applicable sub-advisory agreement F/m’s sub-adviser, acts as discretionary investment adviser for clients. F/m will vote all eligible proxies for recommended securities (mutual funds, exchange traded funds) unless a client specifically reserves the right, in writing, to vote its own proxies or to take shareholder action with respect to other corporate actions requiring shareholder actions. F/M will vote all proxies for recommended securities and act on all other actions in a timely manner as part of its full discretionary authority over client assets in accordance with this policy. Corporate actions may include, for example and without limitation, tender offers or exchanges, and class actions.

When voting proxies or acting with respect to corporate actions for clients, F/m’s utmost concern is that all decisions be made solely in the best interest of the client. F/m will act in a prudent and diligent manner intended to enhance the economic value of the assets of the client’s account. The CCO is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all proxies received for recommended securities by F/M are voted in a timely manner and in a manner consistent with each client’s best interests.

Guidelines

F/m generally votes all proxies in line with management. If the Company determines that it will not vote along with management on a particular vote, the Company must document its rationale and reasoning for the vote.

Limitations

In certain circumstances, in accordance with a client’s investment advisory agreement (or other written directive) or when F/m has determined that it is in the client’s best interest, F/m will not vote proxies received. The following are certain circumstances where F/m will limit its role in voting proxies:

Client Maintains Proxy Voting Authority: When a client specifies in writing that it will maintain the authority to vote proxies itself or that it has delegated the right to vote proxies to a third party, F/m will not vote the securities and will direct the relevant custodian to send the proxy material directly to the client. If any proxy material is received by F/m, it will promptly be forwarded to the client or specified third party.

Terminated Account: Once a client account has been terminated with F/m in accordance with its investment advisory agreement, F/m will not vote any proxies received after the termination. However, the client may specify in writing that proxies should be directed to the client (or a specified third party) for action.

Unjustifiable Costs: In certain circumstances, after performing a cost-benefit analysis, F/m may abstain from voting when the cost of voting a client’s proxy would exceed any anticipated benefits to the client of voting on the proxy proposal.

71 
 

Client Securities

F/m will not vote proxies received for securities not purchased for client by F/m and held by F/m in a client’s account as an accommodation to client or until such securities are sold as per agreement or understanding with the client.

Recordkeeping

In accordance with Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act, F/m will maintain for the time periods set forth in the Rule: (i) these proxy voting policies and procedures, and all amendments thereto; (ii) all proxy statements received regarding client securities (provided however, that F/m may rely on the proxy statement filed on EDGAR as its records); (iii) a record of all votes cast on behalf of clients; (iv) records of all client requests for proxy voting information; (v) any documents prepared by F/m that were material to making a decision how to vote or that memorialized the basis for the decision; and (vi) all records relating to requests made to clients regarding conflicts of interest in voting the proxy.

F/m will make available its proxy voting policies and procedures and will inform clients how they may obtain information on how F/m voted proxies with respect to the clients’ portfolio securities. Clients may obtain information on how their securities were voted or a copy of F/m’s Policies and Procedures by written request addressed to F/m.

 

 

72 
 

Northern Lights Fund Trust II

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 28.

EXHIBITS.

 

(a)(1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 26, 2010.3
(a)(2) Certificate of Trust as filed with the State of Delaware on August 26, 2010.3
(b) By-Laws, effective as of August 26, 2010. 3
(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders. See Article III, “Shares” and Article V “Shareholders’ Voting Powers and Meetings” of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust. See also, Article II, “Meetings of Shareholders” of the Registrant’s By-Laws.
(d)(1) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Two Oaks Investment Management, LLC, with respect to Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund. 4
(d)(2) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and North Star Investment Management Corp., with respect to the North Star Opportunity Fund, North Star Dividend Fund, North Star Micro Cap Fund and North Star Bond Fund. 85
(d)(3) Amended Appendix A to the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and North Star Investment Management Corp., with respect to the North Star Opportunity Fund, North Star Dividend Fund, North Star Micro Cap Fund and North Star Bond Fund. 188
(d)(4) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Water Oak Advisors, LLC on behalf of WOA All Asset I and WOA US All Cap I. 152
(d)(5) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC, on behalf of the Al Frank Fund.180
(d)(6) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Longboard Asset Management, LP on behalf of the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund and Longboard Alternative Growth Fund.177
(d)(7) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and KKM Financial, LLC on behalf of the Essential 40 Stock Fund. 160
(d)(8) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Price Asset Management, LLC, with respect to PCS Commodity Strategy Fund. 134
(d)(9) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and F/m Investments, LLC on behalf of the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund. 1
(d)(10) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Orchard Capital Management, LLC on behalf of the Orchard Small Cap Value Fund. 123
(d)(11) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and FormulaFolio Investments, LLC on behalf of the FormulaFolios US Equity Portfolio and the FormulaFolios US Equity Fund. 183
(d)(12) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Innealta Capital, LLC on behalf of the Dynamic International Opportunity Fund, Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund, Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund, Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund and the Dynamic Global Diversified Fund.1
(d)(13) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Invenomic Capital Management, LP on behalf of the Invenomic Fund. 193
(d)(14) Sub-advisory Agreement between F/m Investments, LLC and S.W. Mitchell Capital, L.L.P. with respect to the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund. 1
(d)(15) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among Advisors Series Trust, with respect to the Al Frank Fund and Al Frank Dividend Value Fund, each a separate series of Advisors Series Trust, the Registrant, on behalf of the Al Frank Fund and Al Frank Dividend Value Fund, each a separate series of the Registrant, and Al Frank Asset Management, Inc.  dated January 18, 2013.2
 
 

 

(d)(16) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among Professionally Managed Portfolios, with respect to the Balter Long/Short Equity Fund, a separate series of Professionally Managed Portfolios, the Registrant, on behalf of the Balter Long/Short Equity Fund, a separate series of the Registrant, and Balter Liquid Alternatives, LLC dated June 24, 2015.108
(d)(17) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among S. W. Mitchell Small Cap European Fund L.P., Mitchell (general Partner II) Inc., Northern Lights Fund Trust II on behalf of its series the Balter European L/S Small Cap Fund and Balter Liquid Alternatives, LLC dated December 31, 2015. 2
(d)(18) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated April 21, 2017 with respect to the reorganization of the Al Frank Dividend Value Fund into the Al Frank Fund. 154
(d)(19) Master Securities Loan Agreement between AFAM Capital, Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC and MS Securities Services, Inc.45
(e)(1) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors LLC.187
(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts -   Not Applicable
(g)(1) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. 4
(g)(2) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. 15
(g)(3) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A., on behalf of the Al Frank Fund.46
(g)(4) Addendum dated November 10, 2015 to the Custody Agreement dated May 26, 2015 between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A., to add the FormulaFolios US Equity Portfolio and the FormulaFolios US Equity Fund. 118
(g)(5) Fourth Amendment, effective June 1, 2017, to the Custody Agreement dated May 26, 2015 between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A., on behalf of the Balter L/S Small Cap Equity Fund, Balter European L/S Small Cap Fund, and Balter Invenomic Fund. 155
(h)(1) Master Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC dated May 17, 2011.137
(h)(2) Amendment dated July 13, 2016 to the Master Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC dated May 17, 2011. 137
(h)(3) Second Amendment dated June 1, 2018 to the Master Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC dated May 17, 2011.177
(h)(4) Third Amendment dated April 1, 2020 to the Master Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC dated May 17, 2011.1
(h)(5) Fourth Amendment dated January 1, 2020 to the Master Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC dated May 17, 2011.1
(h)(6) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund.4
(h)(7) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of North Star Opportunity Fund, North Star Dividend Fund, North Star Micro Cap Fund and North Star Bond Fund.85
(h)(8)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of WOA All

Asset I and WOA US All Cap Fund I. 157

(h)(9) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Al Frank Fund. 75
(h)(10) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund. 35
(h)(11) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Essential 40 Stock Fund (formerly, KKM Enhanced U.S. Equity Fund). 76
(h)(12) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the PCS Commodity Strategy Fund. 85
(h)(13) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Longboard Alternative Growth Fund (formerly, Longboard Long/Short Fund). 94
 
 

 

(h)(14) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund. 1
(h)(15) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Orchard Small Cap Value Fund. 123
(h)(16) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the FormulaFolios US Equity Portfolio and the FormulaFolios US Equity Fund. 118  
   
(h)(17) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund, Dynamic International Opportunity Fund, Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund, Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund and the Dynamic Global Diversified Fund. 1
(h)(18) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Invenomic Fund. 1
(h)(19) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund. 4
(h)(20) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to North Star Opportunity Fund, North Star Dividend Fund, North Star Micro Cap Fund and North Star Bond Fund.85
(h)(21) Amended Appendix A to the Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to North Star Opportunity Fund, North Star Dividend Fund, North Star Micro Cap Fund and North Star Bond Fund. 188
(h)(22) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to WOA All Asset I. 16
(h)(23) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Dynamic U.S.  Opportunity Fund and the Dynamic International Opportunity Fund, Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund, Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund and the Dynamic Global Diversified Fund. 1
(h)(24) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Al Frank Fund.181
(h)(25) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Essential 40 Stock Fund. 160
(h)(26) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the PCS Commodity Strategy Fund.134
(h)(27) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund.1
(h)(28) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Orchard Small Cap Value Fund. 123
(h)(29) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the FormulaFolios US Equity Portfolio and the FormulaFolios US Equity Fund. 183
(h)(30) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to WOA US All Cap I. 152
(h)(31) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Invenomic Fund.193
(h)(32) Consulting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC.152
(h)(33) Shareholder Services Plan on behalf of the Invenomic Fund. 193
(h)(34) Shareholder Services Plan on behalf of the Balter European L/S Small Cap Fund. 188
(i)(1) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the North Star Opportunity Fund, North Star Dividend Fund, North Star Micro Cap Fund and North Star Bond Fund. 187
(i)(2) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund and the Dynamic International Opportunity Fund. 185
(i)(3) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the WOA All Asset I. 192
(i)(4) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund and Longboard Alternative Growth Fund.195
(i)(5) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund. 193
(i)(6) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Al Frank Fund.190
(i)(7) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Essential 40 Stock Fund. 194
(i)(8) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the PCS Commodity Strategy Fund.195
(i)(9) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund. 1
(i)(10) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Orchard Small Cap Value Fund. 186
(i)(11) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the FormulaFolios US Equity Fund. 183
 
 

 

(i)(12) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the FormulaFolios US Equity Portfolio. 189
(i)(13) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the WOA US All Cap. 146
(i)(14) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund and the Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund. 179
(i)(15) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Invenomic Fund. 197
(i)(16) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund and the Dynamic Global Diversified Fund.196
(i)(17) Consent of Alston & Bird LLP.1
(j)(1) Consent of Cohen & Company, Ltd. with respect to the Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund.193
(j)(2) Consent of RSM US LLP with respect to North Star Bond Fund, North Star Opportunity Fund, North Star Micro Cap Fund and North Star Dividend Fund.183
(j)(3) Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP with respect to WOA All Asset I.192
(j)(4) Consent of BBD, LLP with respect to the Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund and the Dynamic International Opportunity Fund. 185
(j)(5) Consent of RSM US LLP with respect to the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund and Longboard Alternative Growth Fund.195
(j)(6) Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP with respect to the Al Frank Fund and Al Frank Dividend Value Fund.49
(j)(7) Consent of BBD, LLP with respect to the Al Frank Fund.190
(j)(8) Consent of RSM US LLP with respect to the Essential 40 Stock Fund.194
(j)(9) Consent of RSM US LLP with respect to the PCS Commodity Strategy Fund. 195
(j)(10) Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP with respect to the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund.. 1
(j)(11) Consent of BBD LLP with respect to the Orchard Small Cap Value Fund. 186
(j)(12) Consent of Cohen & Company, Ltd. with respect to the FormulaFolios US Equity Fund. 183
(j)(13) Consent of Cohen & Company, Ltd. with respect to the FormulaFolios US Equity Portfolio. 189
(j)(14) Consent of Grant Thornton with respect to the schedule of investments for the S.W. Mitchell Small Cap European Fund L.P.119
(j)(15) Consent of BDO with respect to the Tiburon Credit Opportunities Master Fund, Ltd for the period ended December 31, 2014. 120
(j)(16) Consent of BDO with respect to the Tiburon Credit Opportunities Master Fund, Ltd for the period ended December 31, 2013. 120
(j)(17) Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP with respect to WOA US All Cap. 146
(j)(18) Consent of BBD, LLP with respect to the Acclivity Mid-Cap Multi-Style Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund and the Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund. 179
(j)(19) Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP with respect to the Invenomic Fund. 197
(j)(20) Consent of BBD, LLP with respect to the Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund and the Dynamic Global Diversified Fund.196
(j)(21) Power of Attorney. 155
(k) Omitted Financial Statements - Not Applicable.
(l) Initial Capital Agreements - Not Applicable.
(m)(1) Class A Master Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1. 154
(m)(2) Class C Master Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1. 154
(m)(3) Class I Master Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1. 156
(m)(4) Class N Master Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1. 179
(m)(5) Class R Master Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1. 154
(m)(6) Investor Class Master Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1. 156
(m)(7) Service Class Master Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1. 46
(m)(8) Shareholder Servicing Plan and Agreement on behalf of the Balter L/S Small Cap Equity Fund (formerly the Balter Long/Short Equity Fund), Balter European L/S Small Cap Fund and Balter Invenomic Fund.155
  (n) Rule 18f-3 Plan, as amended October 15, 2019.1
 
 

 

(p)(1) Code of Ethics of the Gemini Companies.195
(p)(2) Code of Ethics of Two Oaks Investment Management, LLC.4
(p)(3) Code of Ethics for North Star Investment Management Corp.7
(p)(4) Code of Ethics for Water Oak Advisors LLC. 9
(p)(5) Code of Ethics for Longboard Asset Management, LP. 115
(p)(6) Code of Ethics for KKM Financial, LLC. 74
(p)(7) Code of Ethics for Price Asset Management, LLC 81
(p)(8) Code of Ethics for Invenomic Capital Management, LP. 155
(p)(9) Code of Ethics for Orchard Capital Management, LLC. 116
(p)(10) Code of Ethics for FormulaFolio Investments, LLC. 116
(p)(11) Code of Ethics for S.W. Mitchell Capital, L.L.P. 116
(p)(12) Code of Ethics for Innealta Capital, LLC. 172
(p)(13) Code of Ethics for Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC. 180
(p)(14) Code of Ethics for F/m Investments, LLC. 1

1 Is filed herewith.

2 To be filed by subsequent amendment.

3 Previously filed on June 16, 2011 in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.

4 Previously filed on June 28, 2011 in the Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2, and hereby incorporated by reference.

5 Previously filed on August 3, 2011 in the Registrant's Proxy/Registration Statement on Form N-14, and hereby incorporated by reference.

6 Previously filed on August 3, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 2, and hereby incorporated by reference.

7 Previously filed on August 19, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 3, and hereby incorporated by reference.

8 Previously filed on August 26, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4, and hereby incorporated by reference.

9 Previously filed on September 20, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 5, and hereby incorporated by reference.

10 Previously filed on October 3, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 9, and hereby incorporated by reference.

11 Previously filed on October 27, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 12, and hereby incorporated by reference.

12 Previously filed on October 27, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 13, and hereby incorporated by reference.

13 Previously filed on November 2, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 14, and hereby incorporated by reference.

14Previously filed on November 17, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 and hereby incorporated by reference.

15Previously filed on November 22, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 and hereby incorporated by reference.

16Previously filed on December 14, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 and hereby incorporated by reference.

17 Previously filed on December 19, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 and hereby incorporated by reference.

18Previously filed on December 20, 2011 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 and hereby incorporated by reference.

19Previously filed on January 4, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 and hereby incorporated by reference.

20Previously filed on January 10, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 and hereby incorporated by reference.

21Previously filed on January 10, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 and hereby incorporated by reference.

22Previously filed on January 27, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 and hereby incorporated by reference.

23Previously filed on February 2, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 and hereby incorporated by reference.

24Previously filed on February 7, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 and hereby incorporated by reference.

25Previously filed on February 10, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 and hereby incorporated by reference.

26Previously filed on March 8, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 and hereby incorporated by reference.

27Previously filed on March 9, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 and hereby incorporated by reference.

28Previously filed on March 13, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 and hereby incorporated by reference.

29Previously filed on March 23, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 and hereby incorporated by reference.

30Previously filed on March 27, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 and hereby incorporated by reference.

31Previously filed on April 12, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 and hereby incorporated by reference.

32Previously filed on April 17, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 and hereby incorporated by reference.

33Previously filed on May 15, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 and hereby incorporated by reference.

34Previously filed on May 25, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 and hereby incorporated by reference.

35Previously filed on June 19, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 and hereby incorporated by reference.

36Previously filed on June 28, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 and hereby incorporated by reference.

37Previously filed on July 27, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 and hereby incorporated by reference.

38Previously filed on August 17, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 and hereby incorporated by reference.

39Previously filed on September 20, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 
 

40Previously filed on October 19, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 and hereby incorporated by reference.

41Previously filed on November 9, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 and hereby incorporated by reference.

42Previously filed on December 28, 2012 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 and hereby incorporated by reference.

43Previously filed on January 17, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 and hereby incorporated by reference.

44Previously filed on January 30, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 and hereby incorporated by reference.

45Previously filed on February 1, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 and hereby incorporated by reference.

46Previously filed on March 22, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 and hereby incorporated by reference.

47Previously filed on March 28, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 and hereby incorporated by reference.

48Previously filed on April 17, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 and hereby incorporated by reference.

49Previously filed on April 30, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 and hereby incorporated by reference.

50Previously filed on June 7, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 and hereby incorporated by reference.

51Previously filed on June 25, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 and hereby incorporated by reference.

52Previously filed on July 29, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 and hereby incorporated by reference.

53Previously filed on September 3, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 and hereby incorporated by reference.

54Previously filed on September 19, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 115 and hereby incorporated by reference.

55Previously filed on September 26, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 and hereby incorporated by reference.

56Previously filed on September 30, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 and hereby incorporated by reference.

57Previously filed on November 18, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 and hereby incorporated by reference.

58Previously filed on December 17, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 and hereby incorporated by reference.

59Previously filed on December 27, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 and hereby incorporated by reference.

60Previously filed on December 27, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 and hereby incorporated by reference.

61Previously filed on December 30, 2013 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 131 and hereby incorporated by reference.

62Previously filed on January 13, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 and hereby incorporated by reference.

63Previously filed on January 13, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 and hereby incorporated by reference.

64Previously filed on March 14, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 and hereby incorporated by reference

65Previously filed on March 26, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 and hereby incorporated by reference.

66Previously filed on March 26, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 and hereby incorporated by reference.

67Previously filed on March 27, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 and hereby incorporated by reference

68Previously filed on March 27, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 and hereby incorporated by reference

69Previously filed on March 27, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 and hereby incorporated by reference

70Previously filed on March 28, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 146 and hereby incorporated by reference.

71Previously filed on March 28, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 147 and hereby incorporated by reference.

72Previously filed on April 30, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 and hereby incorporated by reference.

73Previously filed on April 30, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 150 and hereby incorporated by reference.

74Previously filed on May 30, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 155 and hereby incorporated by reference.

75Previously filed on June 20, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 and hereby incorporated by reference.

76Previously filed on June 25, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 158 and hereby incorporated by reference.

77Previously filed on June 27, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 and hereby incorporated by reference.

78Previously filed on June 27, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 and hereby incorporated by reference.

79Previously filed on July 8, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 163 and hereby incorporated by reference.

80Previously filed on July 24, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 and hereby incorporated by reference.

81Previously filed on September 3, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 170 and hereby incorporated by reference.

82Previously filed on September 24, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 175 and hereby incorporated by reference.

83Previously filed on September 24, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 176 and hereby incorporated by reference.

84Previously filed on September 25, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 177 and hereby incorporated by reference.

85Previously filed on September 26, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 and hereby incorporated by reference.

86Previously filed on November 21, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 189 and hereby incorporated by reference.

87Previously filed on December 4, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 190 and hereby incorporated by reference.

88Previously filed on December 23, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 192 and hereby incorporated by reference.

89Previously filed on December 29, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 192 and hereby incorporated by reference.

90Previously filed on December 30, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 197 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 
 

91Previously filed on December 31, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 200 and hereby incorporated by reference.

92Previously filed on December 31, 2014 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 201 and hereby incorporated by reference.

93Previously filed on January 27, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 and hereby incorporated by reference.

94Previously filed on March 16, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 209 and hereby incorporated by reference.

95Previously filed on March 23, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 210 and hereby incorporated by reference.

96Previously filed on March 23, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 211 and hereby incorporated by reference.

97Previously filed on March 24, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 and hereby incorporated by reference.

98Previously filed on March 25, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 213 and hereby incorporated by reference.

99Previously filed on March 27, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 214 and hereby incorporated by reference.

100Previously filed on March 30, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 215 and hereby incorporated by reference.

101Previously filed on April 29, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 225 and hereby incorporated by reference.

102Previously filed on April 29, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 226 and hereby incorporated by reference.

103Previously filed on April 29, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 227 and hereby incorporated by reference.

104Previously filed on May 26, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 233 and hereby incorporated by reference.

105Previously filed on June 26, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 234 and hereby incorporated by reference.

106Previously filed on June 29, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 235 and hereby incorporated by reference.

107Previously filed on July 14, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 and hereby incorporated by reference.

108Previously filed on July 24, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 240 and hereby incorporated by reference.

109Previously filed on July 28, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 and hereby incorporated by reference.

110Previously filed on September 23, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 251 and hereby incorporated by reference.

111Previously filed on September 23, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 and hereby incorporated by reference.

112Previously filed on September 24, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 253 and hereby incorporated by reference.

113Previously filed on September 25, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 and hereby incorporated by reference.

114Previously filed on September 25, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 255 and hereby incorporated by reference.

115Previously filed on September 28, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 and hereby incorporated by reference.

116Previously filed on October 14, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 262 and hereby incorporated by reference.

117Previously filed on November 19, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 and hereby incorporated by reference.

118Previously filed on November 19, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 269 and hereby incorporated by reference.

119Previously filed on December 21, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 280 and hereby incorporated by reference.

120Previously filed on December 21, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 281 and hereby incorporated by reference.

121Previously filed on December 23, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 and hereby incorporated by reference.

122Previously filed on December 23, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 283 and hereby incorporated by reference.

123Previously filed on December 28, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 284 and hereby incorporated by reference.

124Previously filed on December 29, 2015 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 285 and hereby incorporated by reference.

125Previously filed on January 29, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 290 and hereby incorporated by reference.

126Previously filed on February 26, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 293 and hereby incorporated by reference.

127Previously filed on February 26, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 294 and hereby incorporated by reference.

128Previously filed on March 17, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 297 and hereby incorporated by reference.

129Previously filed on March 18, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 298 and hereby incorporated by reference.

130Previously filed on March 22, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 299 and hereby incorporated by reference.

131Previously filed on March 23, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 and hereby incorporated by reference.

132Previously filed on March 28, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 and hereby incorporated by reference.

133Previously filed on March 28, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 and hereby incorporated by reference.

134Previously filed on April 22, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 308 and hereby incorporated by reference.

135Previously filed on June 26, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 312 and hereby incorporated by reference.

136Previously filed on July 27, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 313 and hereby incorporated by reference.

137Previously filed on September 27, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 315 and hereby incorporated by reference.

138Previously filed on September 27, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 316 and hereby incorporated by reference.

139Previously filed on September 27, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 317 and hereby incorporated by reference.

140Previously filed on September 27, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 318 and hereby incorporated by reference.

141Previously filed on December 27, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 324 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 
 

142Previously filed on December 27, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 325 and hereby incorporated by reference.

143Previously filed on December 28, 2016 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 326 and hereby incorporated by reference.

144Previously filed on February 27, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 331 and hereby incorporated by reference.

145Previously filed on February 28, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 332 and hereby incorporated by reference.

146Previously filed on March 1, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 333 and hereby incorporated by reference.

147Previously filed on March 3, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 334 and hereby incorporated by reference.

148Previously filed on March 27, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 337 and hereby incorporated by reference.

149Previously filed on March 28, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 338 and hereby incorporated by reference.

150Previously filed on March 28, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 339 and hereby incorporated by reference.

151Previously filed on March 29, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 340 and hereby incorporated by reference.

152Previously filed on March 29, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 341 and hereby incorporated by reference.

153Previously filed on April 13, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 347 and hereby incorporated by reference.

154Previously filed on April 28, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 348 and hereby incorporated by reference.

155Previously filed on May 17, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 351 and hereby incorporated by reference.

156Previously filed on June 16, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 353 and hereby incorporated by reference.

157Previously filed on June 27, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 354 and hereby incorporated by reference.

158Previously filed on July 28, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 356 and hereby incorporated by reference.

159Previously filed on August 25, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 358 and hereby incorporated by reference.

1609Previously filed on September 27, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 361 and hereby incorporated by reference

161Previously filed on September 27, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 362 and hereby incorporated by reference.

162Previously filed on November 22, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 367 and hereby incorporated by reference.

163Previously filed on December 4, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 370 and hereby incorporated by reference.

164Previously filed on December 27, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 372 and hereby incorporated by reference.

165Previously filed on December 27, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 373 and hereby incorporated by reference.

166Previously filed on December 28, 2017 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 374 and hereby incorporated by reference.

167Previously filed on February 23, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 379 and hereby incorporated by reference.

168Previously filed on March 26, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 381 and hereby incorporated by reference.

169Previously filed on March 26, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 382 and hereby incorporated by reference.

170Previously filed on March 27, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 383 and hereby incorporated by reference.

171Previously filed on March 28, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 384 and hereby incorporated by reference.

172Previously filed on March 29, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 385 and hereby incorporated by reference.

173Previously filed on April 18, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 391 and hereby incorporated by reference.

174Previously filed on April 27, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 394 and hereby incorporated by reference.

175Previously filed on June 27, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 395 and hereby incorporated by reference.

176Previously filed on July 27, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 397 and hereby incorporated by reference.

177Previously filed on September 25, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 400 and hereby incorporated by reference.

178Previously filed on September 26, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 401 and hereby incorporated by reference.

179Previously filed on October 31, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 404 and hereby incorporated by reference.

180Previously filed on December 28, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 405 and hereby incorporated by reference.

181Previously filed on December 28, 2018 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 406 and hereby incorporated by reference.

182Previously filed on February 27, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 411 and hereby incorporated by reference.

183Previously filed on March 26, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 413 and hereby incorporated by reference.

184Previously filed on March 26, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 414 and hereby incorporated by reference.

185Previously filed on March 27, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 415 and hereby incorporated by reference.

186Previously filed on March 28, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 416 and hereby incorporated by reference.

187Previously filed on March 29, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 417 and hereby incorporated by reference.

188Previously filed on April 5, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 422 and hereby incorporated by reference.

189Previously filed on April 26, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 428 and hereby incorporated by reference.

190Previously filed on April 29, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 429 and hereby incorporated by reference.

191Previously filed on May 3, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 429 and hereby incorporated by reference.

192Previously filed on June 28, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 435 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 
 

193Previously filed on July 26, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 437 and hereby incorporated by reference.

194Previously filed on September 26, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 440 and hereby incorporated by reference.

194Previously filed on September 30, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 441 and hereby incorporated by reference.

195Previously filed on December 23, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 445 and hereby incorporated by reference.

196Previously filed on December 27, 2019 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 446 and hereby incorporated by reference.

197Previously filed on February 25, 2020 in the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 449 and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

ITEM 29.

PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE REGISTRANT.

 

None.

 

ITEM 30.

INDEMNIFICATION.

 

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.

 

ITEM 31.

 
 

BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER.

  

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:

Two Oaks Investment Management, LLC, adviser to the Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund -- File No. 801-72390.

 

North Star Investment Management Corp., adviser to the North Star Opportunity Fund, North Star Dividend Fund, North Star Micro Cap Fund and North Star Bond Fund – File No. 801-62013.

 

Water Oak Advisors, LLC, adviser to the WOA All Asset I and WOA US All Cap I – File No. 801-66872.

 

Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC, adviser to the Al Frank Fund – File No. 801-107054.

 

Innealta Capital, LLC, adviser to the Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund, Dynamic International Opportunity Fund, Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund, Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund and the Dynamic Global Diversified Fund. – File No. 801-112421

 

Longboard Asset Management, LP, adviser to the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy and Longboard Alternative Growth Fund – File No. 801-72623.

 

KKM Financial, LLC, adviser to the Essential 40 Stock Fund – File No. 801-77094.

 

Price Asset Management, LLC, adviser to the PCS Commodity Strategy Fund – File No. 801-77076.

 

F/m Investments, LLC adviser to the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund – File No. 801-116853.

 

Orchard Capital Management, LLC, adviser to the Orchard Small Cap Value Fund – File No. 801-106488.

 

FormulaFolio Investments, LLC, adviser to the FormulaFolios US Equity Fund and the FormulaFolios US Equity Portfolio – File No. 801-72780.

 

Invenomic Capital Management, LP. adviser to the Invenomic Fund – File No. 801-110459

 

ITEM 32.

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER.  

 

(a)

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD”), is the principal underwriter for all series of Northern Lights Fund Trust II. NLD also acts as principal underwriter for the following:  

 
 

 

Advisor One Funds, Arrow DWA Tactical ETF, Arrow QVM Equity Factor ETF, Arrow Reserve Capital Management ETF, Arrow Dogs of the World ETF, Arrow DWA Country Rotation ETF, Arrow ETF Trust, Boyar Value Fund Inc., Centerstone Investors Trust, Copeland Trust, Equinox Funds Trust, Miller Investment Trust, Mutual Fund and Variable Insurance Trust, Mutual Fund Series 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, Princeton Private Investment Access Fund, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, Tributary Funds, Inc. and Two Roads Shared Trust.

 

(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 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022.  NLD is an affiliate of Gemini Fund Services, LLC. To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the following are the officers of NLD:

  

Name Positions and Officers with Underwriter

Positions and Offices

with the Fund

William J. Strait President and General Counsel None
Stephen Preston Treasurer/FINOP None
Mike Nielsen Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer None
David Young Manager None

 

(c) Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 33.

LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.

 

The following entities prepare, maintain and preserve the records required by Section 31 (a) of the 1940 Act for the Registrant.  These services are provided to the Registrant for such periods prescribed by the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act and such records are the property of the entity required to maintain and preserve such records and will be surrendered promptly on request.

 

Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), One Wall Street, New York, NY 10286, provides custodian services to the Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement between BNYM and the Trust.  

 

U.S. Bank, National Association (“U.S. Bank”), 1555 North River Center Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212, provides custodian services to the Al Frank Fund, F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund, Invenomic Fund, FormulaFolios US Equity Fund, FormulaFolios US Equity Portfolio, pursuant to a Custody Agreement between U.S. Bank and the Trust.

 

MUFG Union Bank, National Association (“Union Bank”), 400 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94104, provides custodian services to the North Star Opportunity Fund, WOA All Asset I, Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund, Dynamic International Opportunity Fund, Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Longboard Alternative Growth Fund, North Star Dividend Fund, North Star Micro Cap Fund, North Star Bond Fund, PCS Commodity Strategy Fund, Orchard Small Cap Value Fund, Essential 40 Stock Fund, Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund, Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund and the Dynamic Global Diversified Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement between Union Bank and the Trust.

 
 

 

Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”), located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022, provides transfer agent and dividend disbursing services pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreements between GFS and the Trust.  In such capacities, GFS provides pricing for each Fund’s portfolio securities, keeps records regarding securities and other assets in custody and in transfer, bank statements, canceled checks, financial books and records, and keeps records of each shareholder’s account and all disbursement made to shareholders.  GFS also maintains all records required pursuant to Administrative Service Agreements with the Trust.  

 

NLD located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022, serves as principal underwriter for all series of Northern Lights Fund Trust II. NLD maintains all records required to be maintained pursuant to each Fund’s Distribution Plan and Agreement adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.  

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), located at 4221North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022, provides CCO and compliance services to each Fund of the Trust.  

 

Two Oaks Investment Management, LLC, located at 7110 North Fresno Street, Suite 450, Fresno CA, 93720 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund.

 

North Star Investment Management Corp. located at 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1416, Chicago, IL 60606 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the North Star Opportunity Fund, North Star Dividend Fund, North Star Micro Cap Fund and North Star Bond Fund.

 

Water Oak Advisors LLC located at 145 Lincoln Avenue, Suite A, Winter Park, FL 32789 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the WOA All Asset I and WOA US All Cap I.

 

Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC located at 115 South LaSalle Street, 27th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Al Frank Fund.

 

Innealta Capital, LLC located at 13215 Bee Cave Parkway, Building A, Suite 240, Austin, TX 78738

pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund, Dynamic International Opportunity Fund, Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund and the Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund, Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund and the Dynamic Global Diversified Fund.

 

Longboard Asset Management, LP located at 2355 E. Camelback Road, Suite 750, Phoenix, AZ 85016 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund and the Longboard Alternative Growth Fund.

 

KKM Financial, LLC, located at 311 South Wacker Drive, Suite 650, Chicago, IL 60606 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Essential 40 Stock Fund.

 

Price Asset Management, LLC, located at 141 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1320A, Chicago, IL 60604 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the PCS Commodity Strategy Fund.

 
 

 

Orchard Capital Management, LLC 400 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 560, Chicago, IL 60611 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Orchard Small Cap Value Fund.

 

FormulaFolio Investments, LLC located at 89 Ionia SW, Suite 600, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the FormulaFolios US Equity Fund and the FormulaFolios US Equity Portfolio.

 

Invenomic Capital Management, LP, located at 211 Congress Street, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02110 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Invenomic Fund.

 

F/m Investments, LLC located at 3050 K. Street, Suite W-170, Washington, D.C. 20007 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund.

 

 

ITEM 34.

MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

Not applicable.  

 

ITEM 35.

UNDERTAKINGS.

See Item 30 above, second paragraph.

 

One or more of the Registrant’s series may invest up to 25% of its respective total assets in a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively the “Subsidiaries”).  Each Subsidiary will operate under the supervision of the Registrant.  The Registrant hereby undertakes that the Subsidiaries will submit to inspection by the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 
 

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 Post-Effective Amendment No. 450 to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto authorized, in the City of Hauppauge, State of New York, on February 25, 2020.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

 

By: __________________________

      Kevin Wolf*     

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

Signature Title Date
     
Brian Nielsen*

_________________________

Trustee & Chairman

February 25, 2020
Thomas Sarkany*

_________________________

Trustee

February 25, 2020
Anthony Lewis*

_________________________

Trustee

February 25, 2020
Keith Rhoades*

_________________________

Trustee

February 25, 2020
Randy Skalla*

_________________________

Trustee

February 25, 2020
Kevin Wolf*

_________________________

President and Principal Executive Officer

February 25, 2020
Erik Naviloff*

_________________________

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

February 25, 2020

 

 

*By:   /s/Allyson Stewart

Allyson Stewart

 

*Attorney-in-Fact – pursuant to powers of attorney incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 351 (filed on May 17, 2017) in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A.

 

 
 

EXHIBIT INDEX

99.28(d)(9) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and F/m Investments, LLC on behalf of the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund
99.28(d)(12) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Innealta Capital, LLC on behalf of the Dynamic International Opportunity Fund, Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund, Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund, Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund and the Dynamic Global Diversified Fund
99.28(d)(14) Sub-advisory Agreement between F/m Investments, LLC and S.W. Mitchell Capital, L.L.P. with respect to the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund
99.28(h)(4) Third Amendment dated April 1, 2020 to the Master Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC dated May 17, 2011
99.28(h)(5) Fourth Amendment dated January 1, 2020 to the Master Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC dated May 17, 2011
99.28(h)(14) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund
99.28(h)(17) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund, Dynamic International Opportunity Fund, Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund, Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund and the Dynamic Global Diversified Fund
99.28(h)(18) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, on behalf of the Invenomic Fund
99.28(h)(23) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Dynamic U.S.  Opportunity Fund and the Dynamic International Opportunity Fund, Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund, Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund, Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund and the Dynamic Global Diversified Fund
99.28(h)(27) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund
99.28(i)(9) Opinion of Alston & Bird LLP regarding the, F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund
99.28(i)(17) Consent of Alston & Bird LLP
99.28(j)(10) Consent of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP with respect to the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund
99.28(n) Rule 18f-3 Plan, as amended October 15, 2019
99.28(p)(14) Code of Ethics for F/m Investments, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

CONSENT OF ALSTON & BIRD, LLP, COUNSEL FOR THE REGISTRANT

 

 

We hereby consent to the use of our name and the references to our firm under the caption “Legal Counsel” included in or made a part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 450 to the Registration Statement of Northern Lights Fund Trust II on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Alston & Bird LLP

 

By: /s/ David J. Baum

A Partner

 

 

Washington, DC

February 25, 2020

Alston&Bird llp

The Atlantic Building

950 F Street, NW

Washington, DC 20004-1404

 

202-756-3300

Fax:202-756-3333

www.alston.com

 

 

David J. Baum                                       Direct Dial: 202-239-3346                          E-mail: david.baum@alston.com

 

 

February 25, 2020

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust II

17605 Wright Street

Omaha NE 68130

 

Re: Opinion of Counsel regarding Post-Effective Amendment No. 450 to Northern Lights Fund Trust II’s Registration Statement Filed on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 (File No. 333-174926)

 

We have acted as counsel to Northern Lights Fund Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), in connection with the filing of Post-Effective Amendment No. 450 to the Trust’s Registration Statement (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 450”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), registering an indefinite number of units of beneficial interest (“Shares”) of Institutional Class and Investor Class shares of the F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund, a series of the Trust (the “Fund”).

 

You have requested our opinion as to the matters set forth below in connection with the filing of the Post-Effective Amendment No. 450. In connection with rendering that opinion, we have examined the Post-Effective Amendment No. 450, the Declaration of Trust and any amendments thereto, the Certificate of Trust of the Trust, the Trust’s Bylaws, the actions of the Trustees of the Trust that authorize the approval of the foregoing documents, securities matters and the issuance of the Shares, and such other documents as we, in our professional opinion, have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth below. In examining the documents referred to above, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of documents purporting to be originals and the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. As to questions of fact material to our opinion, we have relied (without investigation or independent confirmation) upon the representations contained in the above-described documents.

 

Our opinion, as set forth herein, is based on the facts in existence and the laws in effect on the date hereof and is limited to the federal laws of the United States of America and the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. We express no opinion with respect to any other laws.

 

Atlanta • Brussels • Charlotte • Dallas • Los Angeles • New York • Research Triangle • Silicon Valley • Ventura County • Washington, D.C.

 

 
 

Page 2

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that:

 

1. The Shares of the Fund to be issued pursuant to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 450 have been duly authorized for issuance by the Trust.
2. When issued and paid for upon the terms provided in the Post-Effective Amendment No. 450, subject to compliance with the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and all other laws relating to the sale of securities, the Shares of the Fund to be issued pursuant to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 450 will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

This opinion is rendered solely for your use in connection with the filing of the Post-Effective Amendment No. 450. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the SEC in connection with Post-Effective Amendment No. 450.

 

Sincerely,

 

ALSTON & BIRD LLP

 

 

 

By:_ /s/David J. Baum____

A Partner

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Between

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

and

F/m INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

 

AGREEMENT, made as of October 11, 2019 between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), and F/m INVESTMENTS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Adviser"), located at 3050 K. Street NW, Suite W-170, Washington, D.C.

 

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 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 each Fund 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 each Fund 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) have discretionary authority to determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by each Fund, 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).

 

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:

 

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 the 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 the 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 Fund. Each Fund 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 Fund, 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 Fund's 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 the 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 the Fund's net asset value per share, including any equipment or services obtained for the purpose of pricing shares or valuing the 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.

 

2.2.7 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 the Fund under the Act and the registration of the Fund's 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 the Fund's shares under securities laws of various states or jurisdictions, and of registration and qualification of the 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 the 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 Fund's portfolio securities.

 

2.2.15 Taxes. All taxes or governmental fees payable by or with respect to the 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, a fee calculated by applying a monthly rate, based on an annual percentage rate, to the

 
 

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 a Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that Adviser or its delegee deems, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Fund and in accordance with Adviser’s or its delegee’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.

 

5.1 Tax Treatment. 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 or request 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.

 

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.

 

The term of this Agreement shall begin as of the date and year upon which the Fund listed on Appendix A commences 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 each Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund 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 the Fund.

 

16. Use of Name.

 

The Trust is named the Northern Lights Fund Trust II 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 and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund's portfolio 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 Fund's portfolio holdings.

 

19. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

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.

 

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 
 

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 II

 

 

 

By: _/s/ Kevin Wolf

Name: Kevin Wolf

Title: President

 

 

 

 

F/m INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

 

By: /s/ Alexander Morris

Name: Alexander Morris

Title:       President

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

APPENDIX A

 

FUNDS OF THE TRUST

 

 

NAME OF FUND

ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF

AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND

 

F/m INVESTMENTS EUROPEAN L/S SMALL CAP FUND

 

 

2.00%

 

 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Between

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

and

INNEALTA CAPITAL, LLC

 

AGREEMENT, made as of March 27, 2018 between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), and INNEALTA CAPITAL, LLC a Texas limited liability company (the "Adviser"), located at 12117 FM 2244, Building 3, Suite 170, Austin, TX 78738.

 

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 each Fund 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 each Fund 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 each Fund, 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).

 

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:

 

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 the 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 the 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 Fund. Each Fund 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 Fund, 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 Fund's 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 the 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 the Funds’ net asset value per share, including any equipment or services obtained for the purpose of pricing shares or valuing the 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.

 

2.2.7 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 the Fund under the Act and the registration of the Fund's 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 the Fund's shares under securities laws of various states or jurisdictions, and of registration and qualification of the 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 the 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 Fund's 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 as noted in Appendix A of the 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 each Fund, the aforesaid fee shall be prorated for the portion of such month during which this Agreement is in effect for each 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 Adviser deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of each Fund and in accordance with its 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

The term of this Agreement shall begin as of the date and year upon which the Fund listed on Appendix A commences 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 each Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund affected by such amendment as 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 the Fund.

 

16. Use of Name.

 

The Trust is named the Northern Lights Fund Trust II 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 and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund's portfolio 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 Fund's portfolio holdings.

 

19. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

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.

 

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 
 

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 II

 

 

 

By: ____________________________

Name: Kevin Wolf

Title: President

 

 

 

INNEALTA CAPITAL, LLC

 

By:_____________________________

Name: Vito Sciaraffia

Title:

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

APPENDIX A

 

 

NAME OF FUND

 

ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF

AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND

   
Dynamic Global Diversified Fund 0.47%
   
Dynamic International Opportunity Fund 1.00%
   
Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund 1.00%
   
Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund 0.55%
   
Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund 0.55%
   
Acclivity Mid Cap multi-Style Fund 0.45%
   
Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund 0.35%

 

 

 

The parties hereto agree to the terms of this Appendix A effective as of the 14th day of October 2019.

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II INNEALTA CAPITAL, LLC

 

 

By: /s/ Kevin Wolf By: /s/ Vita Sciaraffia

Kevin Wolf Vito Sciaraffia

President CEO

SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the 11th day of October, 2019 by and between F/m INVESTMENTS, LLC (the “Adviser”), a Delaware limited liability company registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and S.W. MITCHELL CAPITAL LLP, a limited liability partnership incorporated in England and Wales (the “Subadviser”) and also registered under the Advisers Act, with respect to F/m INVESTMENTS EUROPEAN L/S SMALL CAP FUND (the “Fund”), a series of the NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

WHEREAS, the Adviser has, pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust dated as of the 25th day of July, 2019 (the “Advisory Agreement”), been retained to act as investment adviser for the Fund;

WHEREAS, the Adviser represents that the Advisory Agreement permits the Adviser to delegate certain of its duties under the Advisory Agreement to other investment advisers, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act; and

WHEREAS, the Adviser desires to retain Subadviser to assist it in the provision of a continuous investment program for that portion of the Fund’s assets that the Adviser will assign to the Subadviser (“Subadviser Assets”), and Subadviser is willing to render such services subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.,

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties do mutually agree and promise as follows with respect to each Fund:

1.                  Appointment as Subadviser. The Adviser hereby appoints the Subadviser to act as investment adviser for and to manage the Subadviser Assets subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust and subject to the terms of this Agreement; and the Subadviser hereby accepts such appointment. In such capacity, the Subadviser shall be responsible for the investment management of the Subadviser Assets. It is recognized that the Subadviser and certain of its affiliates may act as investment adviser to one or more other investment companies and other managed accounts and that the Adviser and the Trust do not object to such activities. The Adviser will notify the Subadviser of any additional Subadviser appointments.

 

 
 

2.                  Duties of Subadviser.

(a)         Investments. The Subadviser is hereby authorized and directed and hereby agrees, subject to the stated investment policies and restrictions of the Fund as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus (“Prospectus”) and statement of additional information (“SAI”) as currently in effect and, as soon as practical after the Trust, the Fund or the Adviser notifies the Subadviser thereof, as supplemented or amended from time to time and subject to the directions of the Adviser and the Trust’s Board of Trustees, but without the need for further approval of the Trust or the Adviser, to monitor on a continuous basis the performance of the Subadviser Assets and to conduct a continuous program of investment, evaluation and, if appropriate, sale and reinvestment of the Subadviser Assets. Accordingly, the Adviser hereby appoints the Subadviser as the agent and attorney-in-fact of the Trust and the Adviser with full power and authority to buy, sell and otherwise deal in assets and contracts relating to the Subadviser Assets, to take all day to day decisions in relation thereto and otherwise to act as the Subadviser judges appropriate in relation to the investment management of the Subadviser Assets. The Adviser agrees to provide the Subadviser with such assistance as may be reasonably requested by the Subadviser in connection with the Subadviser’s activities under this Agreement, including, without limitation, providing information concerning the Fund, its funds available, or to become available, for investment and generally as to the conditions of the Fund’s or the Trust’s affairs.

The Subadviser is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”). Nothing in this Agreement shall exclude any liability of the Subadviser to the Adviser under the United Kingdom Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) or the rules of the FCA (the “FCA Rules”). The Subadviser will treat the Adviser as a professional client for the purposes of the FCA Rules. While the Adviser may request re-categorisation, it is the Subadviser’s policy to provide services only to professional clients or eligible counterparties.

 

The parties acknowledge that, since the Adviser does not qualify as an Eligible Claimant (as defined in the FCA Rules), no compensation will be available to the Adviser or the Fund under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme established under Section 213 of the FSMA where the Subadviser is unable, or is likely to be unable, to satisfy any claims against it.

 

For the purposes of the EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (No. 2011/61/EU), including the laws and FCA Rules implementing that directive in the United Kingdom, (the “AIFMD”), the Adviser agrees and confirms that, for so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, it shall serve as the alternative investment fund manager (“AIFM”) of the Fund and shall not delegate its functions to the extent that it becomes a letter-box entity.

 

The Adviser undertakes not to deal, except through the Subadviser, with any Subadviser Assets, nor to authorize anyone else so to deal.

 

The instruments and strategies the Subadviser will use in managing the Subadviser Assets, together with the related risk factors, are indicated in the Prospectus and the SAI. When managing the Subadviser Assets, the Subadviser will consider any product or service envisaged by the Prospectus, the SAI and this Agreement as “suitable” for the Fund.

 
 

 

(b)         Compliance with Applicable Laws and Governing Documents. In the performance of its services under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the Prospectus, SAI and the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws as currently in effect and, as soon as practical after the Trust, the Fund or the Adviser notifies the Subadviser thereof, as supplemented, amended and/or restated from time to time (referred to hereinafter as the “Declaration of Trust” and “By-Laws,” respectively) and with the instructions and directions received in writing from the Adviser or the Trustees of the Trust and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act and, subject as otherwise provided in this Section 2, Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Notwithstanding the preceding, the Adviser shall remain responsible for ensuring the Fund’s and the Trust’s overall compliance with the 1940 Act, the Code and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations and shall notify the Subadviser as to any act or omission of the Subadviser hereunder that the Adviser reasonably deems to constitute or to be the basis of any noncompliance or nonconformance with any of the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Prospectus and the SAI, the instructions and directions received in writing from the Adviser or the Trustees of the Trust, the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The Subadviser is only obligated to comply with this subsection (b) with respect to the Subadviser Assets. The Adviser will provide the Subadviser in a timely manner with a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Trust to the extent they may affect the Fund or the services of the Subadviser, copies of any financial statements or reports made by the Fund to its shareholders, and any further materials or information which the Subadviser may reasonably request to enable it to perform its functions under this Agreement.

The Adviser shall perform quarterly and annual tax compliance tests to ensure that the Fund is in compliance with Subchapter M of the Code. In this regard, the Adviser acknowledges that the Subadviser shall rely completely upon the Adviser’s determination of whether and to what extent the Fund is in compliance with Subchapter M of the Code and that the Subadviser has no separate and independent responsibility to test the Fund for such compliance. In connection with such compliance tests, the Adviser shall inform the Subadviser at least ten (10) business days prior to a calendar quarter end if the Subadviser Assets are out of compliance with the diversification requirements under Subchapter M. If the Adviser notifies the Subadviser that the Subadviser Assets are not in compliance with such requirements noted above, the Subadviser will take prompt action to bring the Subadviser Assets back into compliance within the time permitted under the Code thereunder.

The Adviser will provide the Subadviser with reasonable advance notice of any change in the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in the Prospectus and SAI, and the Subadviser shall, in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, manage the Subadviser Assets consistent with such changes, provided that the Subadviser has received prompt notice of the effectiveness of such changes from the Trust or the Adviser and is given a reasonable period within which to bring the Subadviser Assets into compliance with any amendments to the Fund’s objectives, polices and restrictions, taking into account then-current market conditions. In addition to such notice, the Adviser shall provide to the Subadviser a copy of a modified Prospectus and SAI reflecting such changes. The Adviser acknowledges and will ensure that the

 
 

Prospectus and SAI will at all times be in compliance with all disclosure requirements under all applicable federal and state laws and regulations relating to the Trust or the Fund, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and that the Subadviser shall have no liability in connection therewith, except as to the accuracy of material information furnished in writing by the Subadviser to the Trust or to the Adviser specifically for inclusion in the Prospectus and SAI. The Subadviser hereby agrees to provide to the Adviser in a timely manner such information relating to the Subadviser and its relationship to, and actions for, the Trust as may be required to be contained in the Prospectus, SAI or in the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and any amendments thereto.

(c)         Voting of Proxies. The Adviser shall retain full discretionary authority to exercise voting rights with to the securities and other investments of the Subadviser Assets. The Adviser, including without limitation its designee, shall have the power to vote, either in person or by proxy, all securities in which the Subadviser Assets may be invested from time to time, and shall not be required to seek or take instructions from the Subadviser or take any action with respect thereto. The Subadviser may provide input to the proxy vote process not later than 5 days prior to the proxy vote deadline. The Adviser will establish a written procedure for proxy voting in compliance with current applicable rules and regulations, including but not limited to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act. The Adviser or its designee will provide a copy of such procedure to the Subadviser and establish a process for the timely distribution of the voting record with respect to the Fund’s securities and other information necessary for the Fund to complete information required by Form N-1A under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Form N-PX under the 1940 Act, and Form N-CSR under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, respectively.

(d)         Agent. Subject to any other written instructions of the Adviser or the Trust, the Subadviser is hereby appointed the Adviser’s and the Trust’s agent and attorney-in-fact for the limited purposes of negotiating and executing account documentation, agreements, contracts, deeds and other documents as the Subadviser shall be requested by brokers, dealers, counterparties and other persons in connection with its management of the Subadviser Assets. The Subadviser agrees to provide the Adviser and the Trust with copies of any such agreements executed on behalf of the Adviser or the Trust.

(e)         Brokerage. The Subadviser is authorized, subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the plenary authority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, to establish and maintain accounts on behalf of the Fund with, and place orders for the investment and reinvestment, including without limitation purchase and sale of the Subadviser Assets with or through, such persons, brokers (including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any broker affiliated with the Subadviser) or dealers (collectively “Brokers”) as Subadviser may elect and negotiate commissions to be paid on such transactions. The Subadviser, however, is not required to obtain the consent of the Adviser or the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to establishing any such brokerage account. The Subadviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio investments for the Fund’s account with Brokers selected by the Subadviser and will do so in accordance with its execution policy. A copy of the Subadviser’s execution policy has been provided to the Adviser and, by signing this Agreement, the Adviser hereby expressly consents to the terms thereof. Specific instructions from the Adviser or the Trust may prevent

 
 

the Subadviser from following its execution policy in respect of the elements of execution covered by such instructions. In the selection of such Brokers and the placing of such orders, the Subadviser shall seek to obtain for the Fund the most favorable price and execution available, except to the extent it may be permitted to pay higher brokerage commissions for brokerage and research services, as provided below and subject always to the Subadviser’s policy relating to dealing commission arrangements under the FCA Rules, as set out at Appendix B hereto. In using its reasonable efforts to obtain for the Fund the most favorable price and execution available, the Subadviser, bearing in mind the best interests of the Fund at all times, shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including price, the size of the transaction, the breadth and nature of the market for the security, the difficulty of the execution, the amount of the commission, if any, the timing of the transaction, market prices and trends, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the Broker involved, and the quality of service rendered by the Broker in other transactions. The Subadviser shall not consider a Broker’s sale of Fund shares when selecting the Broker to execute trades. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Trust, the Fund nor the Adviser shall instruct the Subadviser to place orders with any particular Broker(s) with respect to the Subadviser Assets. Subject to such policies as the Trustees may determine and communicate to the Subadviser, or as may be mutually agreed to by the Adviser and the Subadviser, the Subadviser is authorized but not obligated to cause, and shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused, the Fund to pay a Broker that provides brokerage and research services (within the meaning of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to the Subadviser an amount of commission for effecting a Subadviser Assets investment transaction that is in excess of the amount of commission that another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Subadviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such Broker viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibility of the Subadviser with respect to the accounts as to which it exercises investment discretion and was otherwise in compliance with the Subadviser’s policy on dealing commission arrangements.

The Adviser agrees that the Subadviser may execute trades for the Fund outside a Regulated Market or Multilateral Trading Facility (as those terms are defined in the FCA Rules). The Adviser instructs the Subadviser not to make public client limit orders in respect of shares admitted to trading on a Regulated Market which are not immediately executed under prevailing market conditions.

 

It is recognized that the services provided by such Brokers may be useful to the Subadviser in connection with the Subadviser’s services to other clients. On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of the Fund with respect to the Subadviser Assets as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, allocation of securities so sold or purchased, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such other clients and otherwise in accordance with the FCA Rules and without giving unfair

 
 

preference. It is recognized that in some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position obtainable for, or disposed of by, the Fund with respect to the Subadviser Assets and that, accordingly, the effect of aggregation and allocation may work on some occasions to the disadvantage of the Fund.

EU Transaction Reporting. The Adviser acknowledges that the FCA Rules implementing requirements of the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (No. 2004/39/EC) require the Subadviser to report to the FCA certain details of transactions executed by the Subadviser in: (1) any financial instrument admitted to trading on a Regulated Market or a Prescribed Market (as defined in the FCA Rules), whether or not the transaction was carried out on such a market; or (2) any OTC derivative the value of which is derived from, or which is otherwise dependent upon, an equity or debt-related financial instrument which is admitted to trading on a Regulated Market or on a Prescribed Market (“EU Transaction Reports”), and permits the Subadviser to rely on a third party acting on the Subadviser’s behalf to make EU Transaction Reports to the FCA.

(f)          Securities Transactions. The Subadviser and any affiliated person of the Subadviser will not purchase securities or other instruments from or sell securities or other instruments to the Fund; provided, however, the Subadviser or any affiliated person of the Subadviser may purchase securities or other instruments from or sell securities or other instruments to the Fund if such transaction is permissible under applicable laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

The Subadviser, on its own behalf and with respect to its Access Persons (as defined in subsection (a) of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act), agrees to observe and comply with Rule 17j-1 and its Code of Ethics (which shall comply in all material respects with Rule 17j-1), as the same may be amended from time to time. On at least an annual basis, the Subadviser will comply with the reporting requirements of Rule 17j-1, which include (i) certifying to the Adviser and the Trust that the Subadviser and its Access Persons have complied with the Subadviser’s Code of Ethics with respect to the Subadviser Assets and (ii) identifying any violations which have occurred with respect to the Subadviser Assets. The Subadviser will have also submitted its Code of Ethics for its initial approval by the Trust’s Board of Trustees no later than the date of execution of this agreement and subsequently within six months of any material change thereto.

(g)         Books and Records. The Subadviser shall maintain separate detailed records as are required by applicable laws and regulations of all matters hereunder pertaining to the Subadviser Assets (the “Fund’s Records”), including, without limitation, brokerage and other records of all securities transactions. The Subadviser acknowledges that the Fund’s Records are property of the Trust; except to the extent that the Subadviser is required to maintain the Fund’s Records under the Advisers Act or other applicable law and except that the Subadviser, at its own expense, is entitled to make and keep a copy of the Fund’s Records for its internal files. The Fund’s Records shall be available to the Adviser or the Trust at any time upon reasonable request during normal business hours and shall be available for telecopying promptly to the Adviser during any day that the Fund is open for business as set forth in the Prospectus.

 
 

(h)         Information Concerning Subadviser Assets and Subadviser. From time to time as the Adviser or the Trust reasonably may request in good faith, the Subadviser will furnish the requesting party reports on portfolio transactions and reports on the Subadviser Assets, all in such reasonable detail as the parties may reasonably agree in good faith. The Subadviser will also inform the Adviser in a timely manner of material changes in portfolio managers responsible for Subadviser Assets, any changes in the ownership or management of the Subadviser, or of material changes in the control of the Subadviser. Upon the Trust’s or the Adviser’s reasonable request, the Subadviser will make available its officers and employees to meet with the Trust’s Board of Trustees to review the Subadviser Assets via telephone on a quarterly basis and on a less frequent basis as agreed upon by the parties in person.

Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Subadviser will also provide such information or perform such additional acts with respect to the Subadviser Assets as are reasonably required for the Trust or the Adviser to comply with their respective obligations under applicable laws, including without limitation, the Code, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and the Securities Act, and any rule or regulation thereunder.

(i)           Custody Arrangements. The Trust or the Adviser shall notify the Subadviser of the identities of its custodian banks and the custody arrangements therewith with respect to the Subadviser Assets and shall give the Subadviser written notice of any changes in such custodian banks or custody arrangements. The Subadviser shall on each business day provide the Adviser and the Trust’s custodian such information as the Adviser and the Trust’s custodian may reasonably request in good faith relating to all transactions concerning the Subadviser Assets. The Trust shall instruct its custodian banks to (A) carry out all investment instructions as may be directed by the Subadviser with respect to the Subadviser Assets (which instructions may be orally given if confirmed in writing); and (B) provide the Subadviser with all operational information necessary for the Subadviser to trade the Subadviser Assets on behalf of the Fund. The Subadviser shall have no liability for the acts or omissions of the authorized custodian(s), unless such act or omission is required by and taken in reliance upon instructions given to the authorized custodian(s) by a representative of the Subadviser properly authorized (pursuant to written instruction by the Adviser) to give such instructions.

(j)           Potential Conflicts of Interest and Disclosures.

In accordance with the FCA Rules, the Subadviser has in place arrangements to manage conflicts of interest between itself and the Adviser and the Fund. Where the Subadviser does not consider that the arrangements under its conflicts of interest policy are sufficient to manage a particular conflict, it will inform the Adviser of the nature and/or sources of the conflict so that it can decide how to proceed. In addition, the Adviser should be aware of the following disclosures.

 

The Subadviser and any Associate (as defined in the FCA Rules) may, without prior reference to the Adviser, recommend and/or effect transactions in which or provide services in circumstances where the Subadviser or Associate has, directly or indirectly, a material interest or a relationship of any description with another party which may involve a potential conflict with

 
 

the Subadviser’s duty to the Adviser. Neither the Subadviser nor any Associate shall be liable to account to the Adviser for any profit, commission, remuneration made or received from or by reason of such transactions or any connected transactions and the Subadviser's fees shall not, unless otherwise provided, be abated thereby. The Subadviser shall take reasonable steps to ensure fair treatment for the Adviser in relation to any such transactions.

 

(k)         (j) Exclusivity. Except as set forth herein or otherwise agreed in writing by the Adviser and the Subadviser, during the term of this Agreement, the subadviser shall not provide investment advisory, supervisory and other services to any investment company registered under the 1940 Act other than the Fund. Such exclusivity is for the Subadviser’s European Small Cap strategy, and does not apply: (1) if the total contributed capital in the Subadviser Assets (after giving effect to any redemptions but excluding market fluctuations) is less than $25 million; and/or (2) if the Adviser engages a second subadviser to provide services for the Fund.

3.                  Independent Contractor. In the performance of its services hereunder, the Subadviser is and shall be an independent contractor and unless otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise authorized in writing, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Fund, the Trust or the Adviser in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund, the Trust or the Adviser.

4.                  Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, Subadviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement. The Subadviser shall, at its sole expense, employ or associate itself with such persons as it believes to be particularly fitted to assist it in the execution of its duties under this Agreement. The Subadviser shall not be responsible for the Trust’s, the Fund’s or Adviser’s expenses, which shall include, but not be limited to, the cost of securities, commodities and other investments (including brokerage commissions and other transaction charges, if any) purchased for the Fund and any losses incurred in connection therewith, expenses of holding or carrying Subadviser Assets, including, without limitation, expenses of dividends on stock borrowed to cover a short sale and interest, fees or other charges incurred in connection with leverage and related borrowings with respect to the Subadviser Assets, organizational and offering expenses (which include, but are not limited to, out-of-pocket expenses, but not overhead or employee costs of the Subadviser); expenses for legal, accounting and auditing services; taxes and governmental fees; dues and expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; costs of printing and distributing shareholder reports, proxy materials, prospectuses, stock certificates and distribution of dividends; charges of the Fund’s custodians and sub-custodians, administrators and sub-administrators, registrars, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents and dividend reinvestment plan agents; payment for portfolio pricing services to a pricing agent, if any; registration and filing fees of the SEC; expenses of registering or qualifying securities of the Fund for sale in the various states; freight and other charges in connection with the shipment of the Fund’s portfolio securities; fees and expenses of non-interested Trustees; salaries of shareholder relations personnel; costs of shareholders meetings; insurance; interest; brokerage costs; and litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses. The Trust or the Adviser, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Subadviser for any expenses of the Fund or the Adviser as may be reasonably incurred by such Subadviser on behalf of the Fund or the

 
 

Adviser. The Subadviser shall keep and supply to the Trust and the Adviser reasonable records of all such expenses.

5.                  Investment Analysis and Commentary. The Subadviser will provide quarterly performance analysis and market commentary (the “Investment Report”) during the term of this Agreement. The Investment Reports are due within 10 days after the end of each quarter. In addition, interim Investment Reports shall be issued at such times as may be mutually agreed upon by the Adviser and Subadviser; provided however, that any such interim Investment Report will be due within 10 days of the end of the month in which such agreement is reached between the Adviser and Subadviser. The subject of each Investment Report shall be mutually agreed upon. The Adviser is freely able to publicly distribute the Investment Report.

6.                  Compensation. For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Subadviser is entitled to an annual fee as attached hereto in Appendix A. Such fee will be computed daily and paid no later than the seventh (7th) business day following the end of each month, from the Adviser, calculated at an annual rate based on the Subadviser Assets’ average daily net assets.

The method of determining the net asset value of the Subadviser Assets for purposes hereof shall be the same as the method of determining net asset value for purposes of establishing the offering and redemption price of the shares of the Trust as described in the Fund’s Prospectus and/or SAI. If this Agreement shall be effective for only a portion of a month with respect to the Fund, the aforesaid fee shall be prorated for the portion of such month during which this Agreement is in effect for the Fund.

7.   Representations and Warranties of Subadviser. The Subadviser represents and warrants to the Adviser and the Trust as follows:

(a)         The Subadviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act;

(b)         The Subadviser is a limited liability partnership duly organized and properly registered and operating under the laws of England and Wales with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted hereunder;

(c)         The execution, delivery and performance by the Subadviser of this Agreement are within the Subadviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary actions of its directors or shareholders, and no action by, or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Subadviser for execution, delivery and performance by the Subadviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Subadviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a violation of, or a material default under, (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Subadviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Subadviser; and

(d)         The Form ADV of the Subadviser provided to the Adviser and the Trust is a true and complete copy of the form, including that part or parts of the Form ADV filed with

 
 

the SEC, that part or parts maintained in the records of the Subadviser, and/or that part or parts provided or offered to clients, in each case as required under the Advisers Act and rules thereunder, and the information contained therein is accurate and complete in all material respects and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

8.   Representations and Warranties of Adviser. The Adviser represents and warrants to the Subadviser as follows:

(a)         The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act;

(b)         The Adviser is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted hereunder;

(c)         The execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement are within the Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its directors, shareholders or managing unitholder, and no action by, or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a violation of, or a material default under, (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Adviser;

(d)         The Form ADV of the Adviser provided to the Subadviser and the Trust is a true and complete copy of the form, including that part or parts of the Form ADV filed with the SEC, that part or parts maintained in the records of the Adviser, and/or that part or parts provided or offered to clients, in each case as required under the Advisers Act and rules thereunder, and the information contained therein is accurate and complete in all material respects and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(e)         The Adviser acknowledges that it received a copy of the Subadviser’s Form ADV prior to the execution of this Agreement;

(f)          The Trust is a statutory trust duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the state of Delaware and is registered with the SEC as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act and the Fund has been established as a series of the Trust and the Trust has the power to own and possess the assets of the Fund and carry on its business and that of the Fund as it is now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted hereunder;

(g)               The Adviser and the Trust have duly entered into the Advisory Agreement pursuant to which the Trust authorized the Adviser to delegate certain of its duties under the Advisory Agreement to other investment advisers, including without

 
 

limitation, the appointment of a subadviser with respect to assets of the Fund, including without limitation the Adviser’s entering into and performing this Agreement;

(h)               The Adviser is currently and, for so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, shall be the AIFM of the Fund and shall not delegate its functions to the extent it becomes a letterbox entity;

(i)                 The Fund is not subject to the provisions of Title I of the US Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) nor is it subject to the plan assets rules enacted under ERISA or similar rules under Section 4975 of the US Internal Revenue Code;

(j)                 The Fund is free of all liens, charges or other encumbrances and no liens, charges or other encumbrances shall arise from the acts and omissions of the Trust or the Adviser, except as disclosed to the Subadviser in writing; and

(k)               The Adviser undertakes not to deal, except through the Subadviser, with any Subadviser Assets, nor to authorize anyone else so to deal.

9.   Survival of Representations and Warranties; Duty to Update Information. All representations and warranties made by the Subadviser and the Adviser pursuant to the recitals above and Sections 7 and 8, respectively, shall survive for the duration of this Agreement and the parties hereto shall promptly notify each other in writing upon becoming aware that any of the foregoing representations and warranties are no longer true or accurate in all material effects.

10.                       Liability and Indemnification.

(a)         Liability. The Subadviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering its services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, but, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Subadviser or a reckless disregard of its duties hereunder, the Subadviser, each of its affiliates and all respective partners, officers, directors and employees (“Subadviser Affiliates”) and each person, if any, who within the meaning of the Securities Act controls the Subadviser (“Subadviser Controlling Persons”), if any, shall not be subject to any expenses or liability to the Adviser, the Trust or the Fund or any of the Fund’s shareholders, in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, including without limitation for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of Subadviser Assets. The Adviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering its obligations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, but (except as set forth in Sections 10(b) and (c) below), in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser or a reckless disregard of its duties hereunder, the Adviser, any of its affiliates and all respective partners, officers, directors and employees (“Adviser Affiliates”) and each person who within the meaning of the Securities Act controls the Adviser(“Adviser Controlling Persons”), if any, shall not be subject to any liability to the Subadviser, for any act or omission in the case of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of Subadviser Assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall relieve the Adviser

 
 

and the Subadviser from any of their obligations under applicable law, including, without limitation, the federal and state securities laws.

The Subadviser shall have no liability for any action or omission taken in compliance with an instruction given to the Subadviser by the Adviser or the Trust.

 

The Adviser acknowledges and agrees that the Trust and the Adviser remain responsible for the management of the Fund’s affairs for tax purposes.

 

(b)         Indemnification. The Subadviser, Subadviser Affiliates and Subadviser Controlling Persons, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Adviser against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented attorneys’ and accountants’ fees and disbursements) (collectively, “Losses”):

(i)                 arising from the Trustees’, Fund’s or the Adviser’s directions to the Subadviser or the Fund’s custodian, or brokers, dealers or others in connection with the Subadviser Assets; or

(ii)              arising from the acts or omissions of the Adviser, the Fund’s custodian or the Fund, their respective affiliates, agents or employees;

(iii)            as a result of any error of judgment by the Subadviser with respect to the Subadviser Assets, except as may otherwise be provided by the 1940 Act or any other federal securities law or commodities law and except as provided below in (iv); or

(iv)             arising from the services of the Subadviser hereunder for the Subadviser Assets, except for any such liability or loss which is due to gross negligence, willful misfeasance or bad faith of the Subadviser, a Subadviser Affiliate or Subadviser Controlling Person, or the Subadviser’s reckless disregard of its duties and obligations.

The Adviser shall indemnify the Subadviser and each Subadviser Affiliate and Subadviser Controlling Person and hold them harmless from, any and all Losses asserted by any third party in so far as such Losses (or actions with respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon (i) any actual material misstatement or omission in the Fund’s registration statement, any proxy statement, or communication to current or prospective investors in the Fund (other than a misstatement or omission relating to disclosure specifically approved in writing by the Subadviser for inclusion in such documents); (ii) any action or inaction by the Subadviser that the Subadviser has made or refrained from making, as applicable, in good faith pursuant to and consistent with the Adviser’s instructions to the Subadviser; or (iii) the bad faith, willful misfeasance or gross negligence of the Adviser, an Adviser Affiliate or Adviser Controlling Person in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or the Adviser’s reckless disregard of its obligations or duties hereunder.

The Subadviser shall indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, Adviser Affiliates and Adviser Controlling Persons and the Fund, each of its affiliates and all respective trustees, directors, partners, officers, and employees (“Fund Affiliates”) and each person, if any, who within the meaning of the Securities Act controls the Fund (“Fund Controlling Persons” and

 
 

collectively with the Fund and Fund Affiliates, the “Fund Parties” and each a “Fund Party”) against any Losses due to the Subadviser’s gross negligence, willful misfeasance, bad faith, or reckless disregard of its duties and obligations hereunder; provided, however, that the Subadviser shall only be required to indemnify and hold harmless a Fund Party to the extent the Losses of such Fund Party were caused by the Subadviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its obligations or duties hereunder.

If indemnification is to be sought hereunder by a party covered by this Section 10 (as the “Indemnified Party”), then the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the party against whom indemnity is being sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) of the assertion of any claim or the commencement of any action or proceeding in respect thereof; provided, however, that the failure so to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability that it may otherwise have to the Indemnified Party if it does not affect in a material adverse manner the position of the Indemnifying Party or the Indemnified Party with respect to such claim. Following such notification, the Indemnifying Party may elect in writing to assume the defense of such action or proceeding and, upon such election, it shall not be liable for any legal costs incurred by the Indemnified Party (other than reasonable costs of investigation previously incurred) in connection therewith, unless (i) the Indemnifying Party has failed to provide counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party in a timely manner or (ii) counsel which has been provided by the Indemnifying Party reasonably determines that its representation of the Indemnified Party would present it with a conflict of interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to employ separate counsel at its own expense and, in such event, the Indemnified Party may participate in such defense as it deems necessary.

Expenses incurred by an Indemnified Party in defending a threatened or asserted claim or a threatened or pending action shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party in advance of final disposition or settlement of such matter upon the undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party to repay the advance unless it is ultimately determined that the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification, provided (1) the Indemnified Party provides a security for his undertaking, (2) the Fund is insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advance, or (3) the vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees who are non-parties nor interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) thereof, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, determines, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the Indemnified Party ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

The provisions of this paragraph 10 shall not apply in any action where the Indemnified Party is the party adverse to the other party.

(c)         The Subadviser shall not be liable to the Adviser for acts of the Subadviser which result from acts of the Adviser, the Fund’s Trustees or the Fund including, but not limited to, a failure of the Adviser to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by the Adviser, which records are not also maintained by or otherwise available to the Subadviser upon reasonable request.

 

 
 

11.                       Duration and Termination.

(a)         Duration. Unless sooner terminated, this Agreement shall continue for an initial period of no more than two years following the date and year upon which the Fund commences investment operations, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods with respect to the Fund, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Trust’s Board of Trustees or vote of the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting if holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present in person or by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund; provided that in either event its continuance also is approved by a majority of the Trust’s Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

(b)         Termination. Notwithstanding whatever may be provided herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to the Fund, without payment of any penalty:

(i)                 By vote of a majority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, or by “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), or by the Adviser, in each case, upon 60 days’ written notice to the Subadviser;

(ii)              By any party hereto upon written notice to the other party in the event of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party and, if capable of remedy, the breach is not cured within 15 days of notice of the breach;

(iii)            By the Subadviser upon 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Trust; or

(iv)             By the Subadviser immediately on written notice to the Adviser if, in the reasonable judgment of the Subadviser, the Adviser is no longer the AIFM of the Fund or has delegated its functions to the extent that it has become a letterbox entity.

This Agreement shall not be assigned (as such term is defined in or interpreted under the 1940 Act) and shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment or upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement, in which event the Adviser shall notify the Subadviser in writing immediately.

12.                       Duties of the Adviser. The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Subadviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall obligate the Adviser to provide any funding or other support for the purpose of directly or indirectly promoting investments in the Fund.

13.                       Reference to Adviser and Subadviser.

(a)         The Subadviser grants, subject to the conditions below, the Adviser non-exclusive rights to use, display and promote trademarks of the Subadviser in conjunction with

 
 

any activity associated with the Fund. In addition, the Adviser may promote the identity of and services provided by the Subadviser to the Adviser, which references shall not differ in substance from those included in the Prospectus, SAI and this Agreement, in any advertising or promotional materials. The Adviser shall protect the goodwill and reputation of the Subadviser in connection with marketing and promotion of the Fund. The Adviser shall submit to the Subadviser for its review and approval all such public informational materials relating to the Fund that refer to any recognizable variant or any registered mark or logo or other proprietary designation of the Subadviser. Approval shall not be unreasonably withheld by the Subadviser and notice of approval or disapproval will be provided in a timely manner. Subsequent advertising or promotional materials having very substantially the same form as previously approved by the Subadviser may be used by the Adviser without obtaining the Subadviser’s consent unless such consent is withdrawn in writing by the Subadviser.

(b)         Neither the Subadviser nor any Affiliate or agent of Subadviser shall make reference to or use the name of the Adviser or any of its Affiliates, or any of their clients, except references concerning the identity of and services provided by the Adviser to the Fund or to the Subadviser, which references shall not differ in substance from those included in the Prospectus, SAI and this Agreement, in any advertising or promotional materials without the prior approval of Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Subadviser hereby agrees to make all reasonable efforts to cause any Affiliate of the Subadviser to satisfy the foregoing obligation.

14.                       Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the parties, provided that the terms of any material amendment shall be approved by: (a) the Trust’s Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as required by the 1940 Act), and (b) the vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, if such approval is required by applicable law.

15.                       Confidentiality. Subject to the duties of the Adviser, the Trust and the Subadviser to comply with applicable law, including any demand of any regulatory or taxing authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential and shall not disclose any and all information pertaining to the Fund and the actions of the Subadviser, the Adviser and the Fund in respect thereof; except to the extent:

(a)         Authorized. The Adviser or the Trust has authorized such disclosure;

(b)         Court or Regulatory Authority. Disclosure of such information is expressly required or requested by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction or applicable federal or state regulatory authorities;

(c)         Disclosure to Trading Counterparties, Banks and Custodians. Disclosure is made to any broker, counterparty, bank, custodian or sub-custodian or any other entity with or through whom transactions are conducted in respect of Subadviser Assets.

 
 

(d)         Publicly Known Without Breach. Such information becomes known to the general public without a breach of this Agreement or a similar confidential disclosure agreement regarding such information;

(e)         Already Known. Such information already was known by the party prior to the date hereof;

(f)          Received From Third Party. Such information was or is hereafter rightfully received by the party from a third party (expressly excluding the Fund’s custodian, prime broker and administrator) without restriction on its disclosure and without breach of this Agreement or of a similar confidential disclosure agreement regarding them; or

(g)         Independently Developed. The party independently developed such information.

In addition, the Subadviser and its officers, directors and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of the Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The Subadviser agrees, consistent with its Code of Ethics, that neither it nor its officers, directors or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on non-public information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

 

16.                       Use of Track Record. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the Adviser hereby authorizes the Subadviser to disclose in third party communications made by it:

 

(a)       a statement that the Subadviser acts (or, after termination of this Agreement, acted) as sub-adviser in respect of the Fund;

 

(b)       a presentation of the past performance of the Subadviser Assets over any period;

 

(c)       a statement of the most recent net asset value and net asset value per unit of the Fund;

 

(the “Track Record”).

 

In connection therewith, the Adviser shall provide the Subadviser with any written materials supporting the Track Record reasonably requested by the Subadviser.

 

The Subadviser will receive approval from the Adviser prior to distribution for any third party communications related to the Fund or the Track Record.

 

This Section 16 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

 
 

17.                       Notice. Any notice that is required to be given by the parties to each other under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing, delivered, or mailed postpaid to the other parties, or transmitted by facsimile with acknowledgment of receipt, to the parties at the following addresses or facsimile numbers, which may from time to time be changed by the parties by notice to the other party:

(a)         If to the Subadviser:

S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP

38 Jermyn Street

London

SW1Y 6DN

Phone: +44 20 7290 3588

Email: jamie@swmitchellcapital.com

 

(b)         If to the Adviser:

F/m Investments, LLC

Attn:

3050 K. Street NW, Suite W-170

Washington, D.C.

Phone:

Email:

18.                       Force Majeure. The Subadviser shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing any of its obligations under or pursuant to this Agreement, and any such failure or delay in performing its obligations will not constitute a breach of this Agreement, if such failure or delay is due to any cause whatsoever outside its reasonable control and it shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of the time for performing such obligations as a result of such cause. Causes and/or events outside the Subadviser’s reasonable control shall include without limitation: acts of God; any change to the law, order or regulation of a government, supranational or regulatory body; currency restrictions, devaluations and fluctuations; any act of terrorism; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets; failure or breakdown of communications not reasonably within the Subadviser’s control; and the failure of any relevant exchange or clearing house and shall include any event or circumstance that the Subadviser is unable, using reasonable skill and care, to avoid.

19.                       Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware without reference to choice of law principles thereof and in accordance with the 1940 Act. In the case of any conflict, the 1940 Act shall control.

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

 
 

21.                       Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement and except as otherwise provided herein, “interested person,” “affiliated person,” and assignment shall have their respective meanings as set forth in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC.

22.                       Captions. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof.

23.                       Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision or applicable law, the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected adversely and shall remain in full force and effect.

24.                       Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with all exhibits, attachments and appendices, contains the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

 
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first written above.

 

F/m INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

By:_____/s/ Alexander Morris__

Name: Alexander Morris

Title: President

 

 

 

S.W. MITCHELL CAPITAL LLP

 

 

By: /s/ Stuart Mitchell

Name: Stuart Mitchell

Title: Founder

  

 
 

APPENDIX A

SUB-ADVISORY FEES

 

 

 

Fund   Annual Fee Rate
     
F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund   1.00%
 
 

APPENDIX B

USE OF DEALING COMMISSION

 

It is the normal policy of the Subadviser to use full service brokerage houses, both in the United Kingdom and overseas, which will, in addition to routine order execution, provide a range of other services. The precise nature of such services will vary, but where the Subadviser executes orders in respect of the Fund through such a Broker or other person, passes on that person’s charges to the Fund, and receives in return any good or service additional to that execution service, it will satisfy itself on reasonable grounds that such additional good or service (i) will reasonably assist the Subadviser in the provision of its services to the Fund; (ii) does not, and is not likely to, impair the Subadviser’s compliance with its duty to act in the best interests of the Fund; and (iii) is either directly related to the execution of trades on behalf of its customers or amounts to the provision of substantive research. Such goods and services might include, by way of example, substantive research in the form of periodic and one-off newsletters, reports and market analyses, and execution facilities such as access to particular markets or trading forums, market-making, block trading and stock-lending facilities, trade confirmation and settlement services, and execution-related information and advice.

 

The reasons for selecting individual brokers will vary, but will include factors such as the quality of research, financial security, quality and range of execution services, charges, and reliability and responsiveness to client demands. In some cases the value of the services provided may depend upon a minimum threshold of broker commissions or a percentage of such commissions. The receipt of these benefits assists the Subadviser in providing a better service to its clients but also assists it in containing its costs and ultimately its charges to clients. The Subadviser is able to enter into such arrangements and obtain such benefits, inter alia, due to its ability to deal collectively and aggregate transactions on behalf of clients and obtain benefits which would not be available to an individual investor.

 

The Subadviser will provide the Adviser with periodic disclosure in accordance with the FCA rules of the arrangements entered into including details of the goods and services relating to execution and to substantive research respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

THIRD AMENDMENT TO

FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

THIS THIRD Amendment TO FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is effective as of April 1, 2020, and is made by and between Gemini Fund Services, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (“GFS”), and Northern Lights Fund Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”).

 

WHEREAS, GFS and the Trust are parties to that certain Fund Services Agreement dated May 17, 2011, as amended (the “Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted new rules and forms to modernize the reporting and disclosure of information by registered investment companies (the “Reporting Modernization Rules”); and

 

WHEREAS, GFS seeks the Trust’s approval of additional fees associated with the preparation and filing of Forms N-PORT and N-CEN as required by the Reporting Modernization Rules to cover the increased cost to GFS of providing such services; and

 

WHEREAS, the Trust’s Board of Trustees is agreeable to the aforementioned additional fees.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.       Amendments.

 

(a) Appendix IV to the Agreement hereby is amended by deleting in its entirety paragraph d. under Fund Administration Fees, Section 3 and replacing it with the following new paragraph d.:

 

d.       Reporting Modernization fees.

 

[REDACTED – schedule has been excluded because it is both (1) not material and (2) would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed]

 

2. Miscellaneous.

 

(a)       Except as hereby amended, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the date and year first above written.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

 

 

By: /s/ Kevin Wolf

Name: Kevin Wolf

Title: President

GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC

 

 

By: /s/ Gary Tenkman

Name: Gary Tenkman

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

FOURTH AMENDMENT TO

FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

THIS FOURTH Amendment TO FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is effective as of January 1, 2020, and is made by and between Gemini Fund Services, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (“GFS”), and Northern Lights Fund Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”).

 

WHEREAS, GFS seeks the Trust’s approval of a change in the fees charged for securities quotations as set forth in Appendix IV to that certain Fund Services Agreement dated May 17, 2011, as amended, by and between GFS and the Trust (the “Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, GFS seeks the Trust’s approval of a reduction in fees charged for state registration (Blue Sky) fees as set forth in Appendix IV to the Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Trust’s Board of Trustees is agreeable to the aforementioned fee changes.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.       Amendments.

 

(a)               Appendix IV to the Agreement hereby is amended by deleting all references to “Price Quotes” and the fees charged to obtain securities quotations and replacing such references with the following:

 

Price Quotes. The charges for securities/commodity price quotes are determined by GFS’s cost of obtaining such quotes and, therefore, are subject to change. Current charges (presented as per security/per day unless otherwise noted) are as follows:

 

[REDACTED – schedule has been excluded because it is both (1) not material and (2) would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed]

 

 

(b)               Appendix IV to the Agreement hereby is amended by deleting all sections with the heading “State Registration (Blue Sky) Fees” and replacing such sections with the following:

 

State Registration (Blue Sky) Fees:

 

[REDACTED – schedule has been excluded because it is both (1) not material and (2) would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed]

 
 

 

 

Each Fund shall pay its allocated federal and state regulatory filing fees. In addition, each Fund shall pay GFS the following fees per state registration:

 

 

2.       Miscellaneous.

 

(a)       Except as hereby amended, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

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

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the date and year first above written.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

 

 

By: /s/ Kevin Wolf

Name: Kevin Wolf

Title: President

GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC

 

 

By: /s/ Gary Tenkman

Name: Gary Tenkman

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

APPENDIX IV-26

LIST OF FUNDS

SERVICES & FEES

 

This Appendix IV-26 is part of the Fund Services Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated May 17, 2011, between Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the “Trust”) and Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”). Set forth below are the Services elected by the Fund(s) identified on this Appendix IV-26 along with the associated Fees. Capitalized terms used herein that are not otherwise defined shall have meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

The Effective Date for the Fund(s) set forth on this Appendix IV-26 shall be the later of the date of this Agreement or upon commencement of operations.

 

COVERED FUNDS

 

The Fund(s) to be covered under this Agreement include:

 

Fund Name
F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund

 

Funds with the same investment adviser are collectively referred to as a “Fund Family.”

 

SELECTED SERVICES and FEES

 

The Fund(s) shall pay to GFS the following fees: (unless otherwise specified, all basis point fees will be calculated based upon the average net assets of a Fund Family for the previous month).

 

[REDACTED – schedule has been excluded because it is both (1) not material and (2) would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed]

 

 

(signatures on following page)

 
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Appendix IV-26 to the Fund Services Agreement effective as of October 11, 2019.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II   GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC
     
     
By: /s/ Kevin Wolf   By: /s/ Gary Tenkman
Kevin Wolf   Gary Tenkman
President   Chief Executive Officer

 

The undersigned investment adviser (the “Adviser”) hereby acknowledges and agrees to the terms of this Agreement and further acknowledges and agrees that:

(1) GFS expends substantial time and money, on an ongoing basis, to recruit and train its employees; (2) GFS's business is highly competitive and is marketed throughout the United States, and (3) if the Adviser were to hire any GFS employees who are involved in the procurement of the Services under this Agreement then GFS may suffer lost sales and other opportunities and would incur substantial 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.

 

F/m Investments, LLC

3050 K. Street NW, Suite W-170

Washington, D.C. 20007

 

By:_/s/ Alexander Morris

Name: Alexander Morris

Title: President

 
 

 

Shareholder Desktop Web Package

Proprietary Secure Web-Based Direct Interface With Transfer Agent Data

 

Supports Five Levels of Access

* Fund Administrator
* Broker/Dealer
* Broker/Dealer Branch
* Registered Representative
* Shareholder

 

Customizable Look And Feel (Logo And Color Scheme)

 

Account Inquiry

* Portfolio Summary
* Account Position
* Transaction History
* General Account Information

 

Online Transactions (Must have this reflected in the prospectus to offer this functionality)

* Exchanges
* Purchases
* Redemptions
* Prospectus and SAI Access

 

Account Maintenance

* Change of Shareholder Information
o Address
o Phone Number
o Email Address

Online Statement Access

* Quarterly Statements and Confirms
* Electronic Delivery (Should have this reflected in the prospectus and application to offer this functionality)
o Statements
o Confirms
o Regulatory Mailings
 

 

Shareholder Desktop Online New Accounts

 

* Allows clients the ability to set up a new account online if they provide valid ACH information and agree to all disclaimers and agreements on site.
* E-Signature capability
 
 

 

 

Fund Data Web Package

Performance Web Page

 

Holdings web page

 

Historical NAV web page

 

Fulfillment web page

 

GFS reporting utilizes the next generation secure web-based report delivery vehicle which allows for direct request or subscription based delivery reports available in multiple formats (PDF, Excel, XML, CSV)

 

 

APPENDIX IV-32

LIST OF FUNDS

SERVICES & FEES

 

This Appendix IV-32 is part of the Fund Services Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated May 17, 2011, between Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the “Trust”) and Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”) and supersedes and replaces any existing Appendix IV to the Agreement relating to the Fund(s) identified below. Set forth below are the Services elected by the Fund(s) identified on this Appendix IV-32 along with the associated Fees. Capitalized terms used herein that are not otherwise defined shall have meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

The Effective Date for the Fund(s) set forth on this Appendix IV-32 shall be the later of the date of this Agreement or upon commencement of operations.

 

COVERED FUNDS

 

The Fund(s) to be covered under this Agreement include:

 

Fund Name Board Approval Date
Dynamic International Opportunity Fund January 23, 2018
Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund January 23, 2018
Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund July 24, 2018
Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund July 24, 2018
Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund July 24, 2018
Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund October 15, 2019
Dynamic Global Diversified Fund October 15, 2019

 

Funds with the same investment adviser are collectively referred to as a “Fund Family.”

 

SELECTED SERVICES and FEES

 

The Fund(s) shall pay to GFS the following fees: (unless otherwise specified, all basis point fees will be calculated based upon the average net assets of a Fund Family for the previous month).

 

[REDACTED – schedule has been excluded because it is both (1) not material and (2) would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed]

 

 

 

(signatures on following page)

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Appendix IV-32 to the Fund Services Agreement effective as of October 15, 2019.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II   GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC
     
     
By: /s/ Kevin Wolf_   By: /s/ Gary Tenkman
Kevin Wolf   Gary Tenkman
President   Chief Executive Officer

 

The undersigned investment adviser (the “Adviser”) hereby acknowledges and agrees to the terms of this Agreement and further acknowledges and agrees that:

(1) GFS expends substantial time and money, on an ongoing basis, to recruit and train its employees; (2) GFS's business is highly competitive and is marketed throughout the United States, and (3) if the Adviser were to hire any GFS employees who are involved in the procurement of the Services under this Agreement then GFS may suffer lost sales and other opportunities and would incur substantial 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.

 

Innealta Capital, LLC

13215 Bee Cave Parkway

Building A, Suite 240

Austin, TX 78738-0064

 

 

By:/s/ Vito Sciaraffia

Name: Vito Sciaraffia

Title: CIO

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Shareholder Desktop Web Package

Proprietary Secure Web-Based Direct Interface With Transfer Agent Data

 

Supports Five Levels of Access

* Fund Administrator
* Broker/Dealer
* Broker/Dealer Branch
* Registered Representative
* Shareholder

 

Customizable Look And Feel (Logo And Color Scheme)

 

Account Inquiry

* Portfolio Summary
* Account Position
* Transaction History
* General Account Information

 

Online Transactions (Must have this reflected in the prospectus to offer this functionality)

* Exchanges
* Purchases
* Redemptions
* Prospectus and SAI Access

 

Account Maintenance

* Change of Shareholder Information
o Address
o Phone Number
o Email Address

Online Statement Access

* Quarterly Statements and Confirms
* Electronic Delivery (Should have this reflected in the prospectus and application to offer this functionality)
o Statements
o Confirms
o Regulatory Mailings
 

 

Shareholder Desktop Online New Accounts

 

* Allows clients the ability to set up a new account online if they provide valid ACH information and agree to all disclaimers and agreements on site.
 
 
* E-Signature capability
 

 

Fund Data Web Package

Performance Web Page

 

Holdings web page

 

Historical NAV web page

 

Fulfillment web page

 

GFS reporting utilizes the next generation secure web-based report delivery vehicle which allows for direct request or subscription based delivery reports available in multiple formats (PDF, Excel, XML, CSV)

 

 

APPENDIX IV-33

LIST OF FUNDS

SERVICES & FEES

 

This Appendix IV-33 is part of the Fund Services Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated May 17, 2011, between Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the “Trust”) and Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”). Set forth below are the Services elected by the Fund(s) identified on this Appendix IV-33 along with the associated Fees. Capitalized terms used herein that are not otherwise defined shall have meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

The Effective Date for the Fund(s) set forth on this Appendix IV-33 shall be the later of the date of this Agreement or upon commencement of operations.

 

COVERED FUNDS

 

The Fund(s) to be covered under this Agreement include:

 

Fund Name Board Approval Date
Invenomic Fund April 18, 2017

 

Funds with the same investment adviser are collectively referred to as a “Fund Family.”

 

SELECTED SERVICES and FEES

 

The Fund(s) shall pay to GFS the following fees: (unless otherwise specified, all basis point fees will be calculated based upon the average net assets of a Fund Family for the previous month).

 

 

[REDACTED – schedule has been excluded because it is both (1) not material and (2) would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant if publicly disclosed]

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

(signatures on following page)

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Appendix IV-33 to the Fund Services Agreement effective as of July 1, 2019.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II   GEMINI FUND SERVICES, LLC
     
     
By: __/s/ Kevin Wolf___   By: /s/ Gary Tenkman
Kevin Wolf   Gary Tenkman
President   Chief Executive Officer

 

The undersigned investment adviser (the “Adviser”) hereby acknowledges and agrees to the terms of this Agreement and further acknowledges and agrees that:

(1) GFS expends substantial time and money, on an ongoing basis, to recruit and train its employees; (2) GFS's business is highly competitive and is marketed throughout the United States, and (3) if the Adviser were to hire any GFS employees who are involved in the procurement of the Services under this Agreement then GFS may suffer lost sales and other opportunities and would incur substantial 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.

 

Invenomic Capital Management LP

211 Congress Street, 7th Floor

Boston, MA 02110

 

 

 

By: /s/ Ben Deschaine

Name: Ben Deschaine

Title: President

 
 

 

Shareholder Desktop Web Package

Proprietary Secure Web-Based Direct Interface With Transfer Agent Data

 

Supports Five Levels of Access

* Fund Administrator
* Broker/Dealer
* Broker/Dealer Branch
* Registered Representative
* Shareholder

 

Customizable Look And Feel (Logo And Color Scheme)

 

Account Inquiry

* Portfolio Summary
* Account Position
* Transaction History
* General Account Information

 

Online Transactions (Must have this reflected in the prospectus to offer this functionality)

* Exchanges
* Purchases
* Redemptions
* Prospectus and SAI Access

 

Account Maintenance

* Change of Shareholder Information
o Address
o Phone Number
o Email Address

Online Statement Access

* Quarterly Statements and Confirms
* Electronic Delivery (Should have this reflected in the prospectus and application to offer this functionality)
o Statements
o Confirms
o Regulatory Mailings
 

 

Shareholder Desktop Online New Accounts

 

* Allows clients the ability to set up a new account online if they provide valid ACH information and agree to all disclaimers and agreements on site.
* E-Signature capability
 
 

 

 

Fund Data Web Package

Performance Web Page

 

Holdings web page

 

Historical NAV web page

 

Fulfillment web page

 

GFS reporting utilizes the next generation secure web-based report delivery vehicle which allows for direct request or subscription based delivery reports available in multiple formats (PDF, Excel, XML, CSV)

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II
OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AGREEMENT

 

DYNAMIC GLOBAL DIVERSIFIED FUND

DYNAMIC INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FUND

DYNAMIC U.S. OPPORTUNITY FUND

ACCLIVITY SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

ACCLIVITY SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

ACCLIVITY MID CAP MULTI-STYLE FUND

ACCLIVITY BROAD EQUITY MULTI-STYLE FUND


THIS OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is effective March 27, 2018 as amended July 25, 2018, and October 15, 2019 by and between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the DYNAMIC GLOBAL DIVERSIFIED FUND, DYNAMIC INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FUND, DYNAMIC U.S. OPPORTUNITY FUND,
ACCLIVITY SMALL CAP VALUE FUND, ACCLIVITY SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND, ACCLIVITY MID CAP MULTI-STYLE FUND and the ACCLIVITY BROAD EQUITY MULTI-STYLE FUND (the “Funds”) each a series of the Trust and the Advisor of such Fund, INNEALTA CAPITAL, LLC (the “Advisor”).

 

WITNESSETH:


WHEREAS, the Advisor renders advice and services to the Funds pursuant to the terms and provisions of an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor dated as of March 27, 2018, as amended October 14, 2019 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”); and


WHEREAS, the Funds are responsible for, and have assumed the obligation for, payment of certain expenses pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement that have not been assumed by the Advisor; and


WHEREAS, the Advisor desires to limit each Fund’s Operating Expenses (as that term is defined in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement) pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Trust (on behalf of the Funds) desires to allow the Advisor to implement those limits;


NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:


1. Limit on Operating Expenses. The Advisor hereby agrees to limit each Fund’s current Operating Expenses to an annual rate, expressed as a percentage of each Fund’s average annual net assets, to the amounts listed in Appendix A (the “Annual Limit”). In the event that the current Operating Expenses of each Fund, as accrued each month, exceed its Annual Limit, the Advisor will pay to that Fund, on a monthly basis, the excess expense within 30 days of being notified that an excess expense payment is due.


2. Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Operating Expenses” with respect to the Funds, is defined to include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the operation of each Fund

1 
 

and including the Advisor’s investment advisory or management fee detailed in the Investment Advisory Agreement, any Rule 12b-l fees and other expenses described in the Investment Advisory Agreement, but does not include any front-end or contingent deferred loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes and extraordinary expenses such as litigation.

 

3. Reimbursement of Fees and Expenses. The Advisor retains its right to receive reimbursement of any excess expense payments paid by it pursuant to this Agreement in future years on a rolling three year basis, if such reimbursement can be achieved within the Operating Expense Limitations listed in Appendix A.


4. Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall remain in effect until the termination date noted in Appendix A, unless sooner terminated as provided in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement, 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 Trustees of the Trust.


5. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, and without payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Advisor. This Agreement may not be terminated by the Advisor without the consent of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. This Agreement will automatically terminate, with respect to the Funds listed in Appendix A if the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund is terminated, with such termination effective upon the effective date of the Investment Advisory Agreement’s termination for the Fund.


6. Assignment. This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned without the written consent of the other party.


7. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute or rule, or shall be otherwise rendered invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.


8. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or rule, including the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and year first above written.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II INNEALTA CAPITAL, LLC.
on behalf of the above referenced Funds  
By: /s/ Kevin Wolf By: _/s/ Vito Sciaraffi
Name: Kevin Wolf Name: Vito Sciaraffi
Title: President    Title:   CIO
2 
 



 

 

 


Appendix A

 

Fund Operating Expense Limit Termination Date
     

Dynamic Global Diversified Fund

Class N

Class I

 

 

0.74%

0.49%

 

April 30, 2021

Dynamic International Opportunity Fund

Class N

Class I

 

 

1.49%

1.24%

 

April 30, 2021

Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund

Class N

Class I

 

 

1.49%

1.24%

 

 

April 30, 2021

Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund

Class I

Class N

 

 

0.67%

0.92%

April 30, 2021

Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund

Class I

Class N

 

 

0.67%

0.92%

Fund not operational

Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund

Class I

Class N

 

 

0.55%

0.80%

Fund not operational

Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund

Class I

Class N

 

 

0.39%

0.64%

April 30, 2021



 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II


OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION

AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

F/m INVESTMENTS EUROPEAN L/S SMALL CAP FUND



THIS OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is effective as October 11, 2019, by and between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II, a Delaware business trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the F/m INVESTMENTS EUROPEAN L/S SMALL CAP FUND (the “Fund”) a series of the Trust, and the advisor of the Fund, F/m INVESTMENTS, LLC (the “Advisor”).

 

RECITALS:


WHEREAS, the Advisor renders advice and services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and provisions of an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor dated as of the October 10, 2019 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”); and


WHEREAS, the Fund is responsible for, and has assumed the obligation for, payment of certain expenses pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement that have not been assumed by the Advisor; and


WHEREAS, the Advisor desires to limit each of the Fund’s Operating Expenses (as that term is defined in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement) pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Trust (on behalf of the Fund) desires to allow the Advisor to implement those limits; and

 

WHEREAS, as a condition to the continuation of its contractual relationship with the Advisor, the Trust has required that Advisor grant to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to a designated account established with Gemini Fund Services, LLC, Transfer Agent to the Fund, or its successor and assigns (the “Securities Intermediary”);


NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:


1. Limit on Operating Expenses. The Advisor hereby agrees to limit the Fund’s current Operating Expenses to an annual rate, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average annual net assets, to the amounts listed in Appendix A (the “Annual Limit”). In the event that the current Operating Expenses of the Fund, as accrued each month, exceed its Annual Limit, the Advisor will pay to the Fund, on a monthly basis, the excess expense within the first ten days of the month following the month in which such Operating Expenses were incurred (each payment, a “Fund Reimbursement Payment”).

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2. Definition. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Operating Expenses” with respect to the Fund is defined to include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the operation of the Funds and including the Advisor’s investment advisory or management fee detailed in the Investment Advisory Agreement, any Rule 12b-l fees and other expenses described in the Investment Advisory Agreement, but does not include any front-end or contingent deferred loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes and extraordinary expenses such as litigation.


3. Reimbursement of Fees and Expenses. The Advisor retains its right to receive reimbursement of any excess expense payments paid by it pursuant to this Agreement in future years on a rolling three year basis, if such reimbursement can be achieved within the Operating Expense Limitations listed in Appendix A.

 

4. Security Interest. The Advisor, for value received, hereby pledges, assigns, sets over and grants to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to an account to be established by the Advisor with the Securities Intermediary and designated as a collateral account (the “Collateral Account”), including any replacement account established with any successor, together with all dividends, interest, stock-splits, distributions, profits and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof and any and all other rights as may now or hereafter derive or accrue therefrom (collectively, the “Collateral”) to secure the payment of any required Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses (as defined in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement). For so long as this Agreement is in effect, any redemptions of Collateral shall require the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”).

 

5. Collateral Event. In the event that either (a) the Advisor does not make the Fund Reimbursement Payment due in connection with a particular calendar month by the tenth day of the following calendar month or (b) the Board enacts a resolution calling for the liquidation of the Fund (either (a) or (b), a “Collateral Event”), then, in either event, the Board shall have absolute discretion to redeem any shares or other Collateral held in the Collateral Account and utilize the proceeds from such redemptions or such other Collateral to make any required Fund Reimbursement Payment, or to cover any costs or expenses which the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, estimates will be required in connection with the liquidation of the Fund (the “Liquidation Expenses”). Pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, upon authorization from the Board, no further instructions shall be required from the Advisor for the Securities Intermediary to transfer any Collateral from the Collateral Account to the Fund. The Advisor acknowledges that in the event the Collateral available in the Collateral Account is insufficient to cover the full cost of any Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses, the Fund shall retain the right to receive from the Advisor any costs in excess of the value of the Collateral.

 

6. Control Agreement; Appointment of Attorney-in-Fact. The Advisor agrees to execute and deliver to the Board, in form and substance satisfactory to the Board, a Control Agreement by, between and among the Trust, the Advisor and the Securities Intermediary pursuant to and

2 
 

consistent with Section 8-106(c) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code. Without limiting the foregoing, the Advisor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Trust, through any officer thereof, with full power of substitution, as Advisor's true and lawful Attorney-in-Fact, with full irrevocable power and authority in place and stead of the Advisor and in the name of the Advisor or in the Trust's own name, from time to time, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate actions and to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments which the Board deems necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Agreement, which power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trust shall have the right and power following any Collateral Event to receive, endorse and collect all checks and other orders for the payment of money made payable to the Advisor representing any interest payment, dividend, or other distribution payable in respect of/to the Collateral, or any part thereof, and to give full discharge for the same. Upon such Collateral Event, the Board, in its discretion, may direct the Advisor or Advisor's agent to transfer the Collateral in certificated or uncertificated form into the name and account of the Trust or its designee.

 

7. Covenants. So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, the Advisor represents and covenants as follows:

 

(a) No later than 120 days after the Fund becomes operational, the Advisor shall invest at least $30,000 in the Collateral Account, unless Fund assets have reached $15 million (in which case no Collateral Account is required) until Fund assets fall below $15 million for more than 30 days). Once the Collateral Account is established: (i) the Advisor will maintain at least $30,000 in said account, such that additional amounts will be deposited by the Advisor where Fund outflows or negative Fund performance reduce the Collateral Account below $30,000 for a period of more than thirty days; (ii) when the Fund reaches $15 million or more in net assets, the Advisor may withdraw all assets from said account, less the minimum amount required to maintain the account open; and (iii) the Advisor hereby agrees to deposit and maintain $30,000 in the Collateral Account within 30 days of Fund assets falling below $15 million, where assets have not risen above $15 million at the end of that 30-day period. The Collateral Account may be closed completely upon Fund assets reaching $25 million.

 

(b)        To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Advisor agrees not to challenge any action taken by the Board or the Trust in executing the terms of this Agreement.


8. Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall remain in effect until at least February 28, 2022 unless sooner terminated as provided in Paragraph 9 of this Agreement, 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 Trustees of the Trust.


9. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, and without payment of any penalty, by the Board, on behalf of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Advisor. This Agreement may not be terminated by the Advisor without the consent of the Board. This Agreement will automatically terminate, with respect to the Fund listed in Appendix A if the

3 
 

Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund is terminated and the Fund continues to operate under the management of a new investment adviser, with such termination effective upon the effective date of the Investment Advisory Agreement’s termination for the Fund.


10. Assignment. This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned without the written consent of the other party.


11. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute or rule, or shall be otherwise rendered invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.


12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or rule, including the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 

[Signature Page Follows]



4 
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and year first above written.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II F/m INVESTMENTS, LLC

on behalf of the F/m Investments European

L/S Small Cap Fund

 
   
   
By:  /s/ Kevin Wolf By:  /s/ Alexander Morris
Name: Kevin Wolf Name: Alexander Morris
Title: President Title: President

 



5 
 

 


Appendix A

 

Fund Operating Expense Limit
   
   
   
   

F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund

Institutional Class Shares

Investor Class Shares

 

2.24%

2.54%

   



 

 

 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

 

 

We consent to the references to our firm in the Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of the Northern Lights Fund Trust II and to the use of our report dated December 30, 2019 on the financial statements and financial highlights of F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund, a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust II. Such financial statements and financial highlights appear in the 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP

 

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 25, 2020

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

RULE 18f-3 MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN

 

This Multiple Class Plan (the “Plan”) is adopted in accordance with Rule 18f-3 (the “Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), by Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the “Trust”) on behalf of each series of the Trust that has multiple classes of shares (each a “Fund”). A majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act), having determined that the Plan is in the best interests of the shareholders of each class of each Fund and the shareholders of the Trust as a whole, have approved the Plan.

 

The provisions of the Plan are:

 

1. General Description of Classes. Each class of shares of a Fund shall represent interests in the same portfolio of investments of such Fund, shall have no exchange privileges or conversion features within that Fund unless an exchange or conversion feature is described in the Fund’s Prospectus, and shall be identical in all respects, except that, as provided for in such Fund’s Prospectus, each class shall differ with respect to: (i) Rule 12b-1 Plans that may be adopted with respect to the class; (ii) distribution and related services and expenses; (iii) differences relating to sales loads, purchase minimums, eligible investors and exchange privileges; and (iv) the designation of each class of shares. The classes of shares designated by each Fund are set forth in Appendix A.
2. Allocation of Income and Class Expenses.

 

a. Each class of shares shall have the same rights, preferences, voting powers, restrictions and limitations, except as follows:
(i) expenses related to the distribution of a class of shares or to the services provided to shareholders of a class of shares shall be borne solely by such class;
(ii) the following expenses attributable to the shares of a particular class will be borne solely by the class to which they are attributable:
(a) asset-based distribution, account maintenance and shareholder service fees;
(b) extraordinary non-recurring expenses including litigation and other legal expenses relating to a particular class; and
(c) such other expenses as the Trustees determine were incurred by a specific class and are appropriately paid by that class.
(iii) Income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses, and expenses that are not allocated to a specific class pursuant to this Section 2, shall be allocated to each class of a Fund on the basis of the net asset value of that class in relation to the net asset value of the Fund.
1 
 
b. Investment advisory fees, custodial fees, and other expenses relating to the management of a Fund’s assets shall not be allocated on a class-specific basis.
3. Voting Rights. Each class of shares will have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that exclusively affect such class and separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class.
4. Exchanges. Shares of a Fund may be exchanged without payment of any exchange fee for shares of another Fund of the same class at their respective net asset values, provided said Funds are advised by the same adviser.
5. Class Designation. Subject to the approval by the Trustees of the Trust, each Fund may alter the nomenclature for the designations of one or more of its classes of shares.
6. Additional Information. This Plan is qualified by and subject to the terms of each Fund’s then current Prospectus for the applicable class of shares of the Fund; provided, however, that none of the terms set forth in any such Prospectus shall be inconsistent with the terms of this Plan. Each Fund’s Prospectus contains additional information about each class of shares of such Fund and any multiple class structure of such Fund.
7. Effective Date. This Plan is effective on May 17, 2011, provided that this Plan shall not become effective with respect to a Fund or a class of shares of a Fund unless first approved by a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act). This Plan may be terminated or amended at any time with respect to a Fund or a class of shares thereof by a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act).
8. Miscellaneous. Any reference in this Plan to information in a Fund’s Prospectus shall mean information in such Fund’s Prospectus, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in such Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this Multi-Class Plan as of the 17th day of May 2011.

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

 

By: /s/ Andrew Rogers

Andrew Rogers, President

 

 

 

 

2 
 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST II

RULE 18f-3 MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN

APPENDIX A

 

 

Acclivity Mid Cap Multi-Style Fund – Class N and Class I

*Acclivity Small Cap Growth Fund – Class N and Class I

Acclivity Small Cap Value Fund – Class N and Class I

*Acclivity Broad Equity Multi-Style Fund – Class N and Class I

Al Frank Fund - Advisor and Investor Shares

*Dynamic Global Diversified Fund – Class N and Class I

Dynamic International Opportunity Fund - Class N and Class I

Dynamic U.S. Opportunity Fund - Class N and Class I

Essential 40 Stock Fund - Class I

F/m Investments European L/S Small Cap Fund - Institutional Class and Investor Class

FomulaFolios U.S. Equity Fund - Institutional Class and Investor Class

FormulaFolios U.S. Equity Portfolio – Class 1

Invenomic Fund - Institutional Class, Investor Class, Super Institutional Class

Longboard Managed Futures Strategy Fund - Class A, Class I and Class N

Longboard Alternative Growth Fund – Class A, Class I and Class N

North Star Opportunity Fund - Class A, Class I and Class R

North Star Dividend Fund – Class A, Class I and Class R

North Star Micro Cap Fund – Class A, Class I and Class R

North Star Bond Fund - Class A, Class I and Class R

Orchard Small Cap Value Fund - Class A, Class I and Class N

PCS Commodity Strategy Fund - Class A, Class C, Class I, Class N and Class R

Two Oaks Diversified Growth and Income Fund - Class A

WOA All Asset I - Class I

*WOA US All Cap I – Class I

 

 

* Not operational

 

 

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

A. CODE OF ETHICS

F/M has established this Code of Ethics (the “Code”) pursuant to Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act. As an investment adviser, F/M has an undivided duty of loyalty to act solely in the best interests of its clients, an obligation which includes the responsibility to make full and fair disclosure of all material facts, especially where F/M’s interests may conflict with those of its clients. In carrying on its daily affairs, F/M and all Supervised Persons must act in a fair, lawful and ethical manner, in accordance with all applicable federal security laws as well as any other rules and regulations imposed by F/M’s governing regulatory authority.

All Supervised Persons must review this Code, as well as F/M’s internal policies and procedures, in an effort to be aware of their responsibilities pertaining to client service. To the extent that any term within the Manual, or any other F/M policy, is inconsistent with any term contained within this Code, the Code will control. Any violation by a Supervised Person of this Code or any other F/M policy and/or procedure will subject the Supervised Person to F/M’s disciplinary procedures, which may include termination of employment.

All Supervised Persons must act in accordance with the requirements of all applicable federal securities laws and regulations including, but not limited to, the Advisers Act, which sets forth numerous policies and procedures pertaining to F/M’s advisory business. F/M, as a fiduciary, has an obligation to act consistent with the Advisers Act, but to also place clients’ interests above those of the Company. In a similar vein, it is against F/M policy for any Supervised Person to use the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to:

· Employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud a client or prospective client;
· Engage in any transaction, practice, or course of business which defrauds or deceives a client or prospective client; and
· Engage in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative practices.

Finally, it is the policy of F/M that it and each such Supervised Person comply with the aforementioned standards and to recognize that the Company has a fiduciary obligation towards its clients. Supervised Persons must be fully aware of the high value F/M has placed and continues to place on the adherence by all Supervised Persons to ethical conduct at all times, and all Supervised Persons are urged to comply not only with the letter of their respective fiduciary duties, but also to the ideals of F/M. In addition, all Supervised Persons are required to comply with those federal securities laws which apply to the business of the Company, and each Supervised Person’s execution of the Annual Acknowledgment of the Policies and Procedures constitutes his or her agreement that they have complied, and will continue to comply, with such applicable laws.

1 
 
1. Provision of the Code and Acknowledgement of Receipt
a. Initial Provision - Acknowledgment of Receipt

All Supervised Persons, within ten (10) days of becoming a Supervised Person, are required to certify in writing that they have:

· Received a copy of the Code;
· Read and understand all provisions of the Code; and
· Agree to comply with the provisions set forth in the Code.

The CCO is responsible for delivery of the Code and the receipt of the required acknowledgments.

b. Amendments

The CCO will provide all Supervised Persons with any amendments to the Code. All Supervised Persons will provide to the CCO the acknowledgment of receipt of the amended Code, as described above for the initial provision of the Code, within ten (10) days of being provided with an amendment.

c. Annual Certification of Compliance

On an annual basis, all Supervised Persons are required to certify that they have received and read the provisions of the Code. Such certification will also include a statement that the Supervised Person has complied with the requirements of the Code and applicable laws, rules, statutes, and regulations. The CCO is responsible for delivery of the annual certification and the receipt of the executed annual certification.

2. Personal Securities Transactions

All Access Persons must submit for the Company’s review a report of his/her personal securities transactions and securities holdings as described below. The review of personal securities transactions assists an adviser in recognizing such things as “scalping” (i.e., a practice whereby the owner of shares of a security recommends that security for investment and then immediately sells it at a profit upon the rise in the market price which follows the recommendation), as well as potentially abusive “soft dollar” or brokerage practices. In addition, this requirement can help detect insider trading, “front-running” (i.e., personal trades executed prior to those of F/M’s clients) and other potentially abusive practices.

2 
 
a. Initial and Annual Holdings Reports

Each Access Person must provide to the CCO, for review, a report no later than ten (10) days after the person becomes an access person, and at least once each 12-month period thereafter on a date selected by the Adviser. The information contained in the holdings report must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report was submitted. Reportable Securities are those over which the Access Person directly, or indirectly, has Beneficial Ownership.

Each Reportable Securities holdings report must provide, at a minimum, the following information:

· The title and type of security, and, as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each Reportable Security in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership;
· The name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit; and
· The date the Access Person submits the report.
b. Transaction Reports

Each Access Person must provide to the CCO, for review, a record of his/her personal Reportable Securities transactions no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter, which report must cover all transactions in Reportable Securities (other than those pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan) during the quarter. The report must provide, at a minimum, the following information about each transaction in which the Access Person had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership:

· The date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares, and principal amount of each Reportable Security involved;
· The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
· The price of the security at which the transaction was effected;
· The name of the broker, dealer, or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and
· The date the Access Person submits the report.
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c. Brokerage Accounts

Access Persons must disclose to the CCO all brokerage accounts for which they have Beneficial Ownership.

3. Preclearance of IPO and Limited Offering Transactions

All Access Persons are prohibited from acquiring any security distributed in an Initial Public Offering, without obtaining the prior approval of the CCO. In addition, All Access Persons are prohibited from acquiring any securities for their personal accounts distributed in a Limited Offering, without the express prior approval of the CCO. In instances where Access Persons, after receiving prior approval, acquire additional securities in a Limited Offering, Access Persons have an affirmative obligation to disclose this investment to the CCO.

4. Restricted List of Securities

F/M does not currently maintain a list of securities, other than Initial Public Offerings or Limited Offerings, that are subject to pre-clearance before purchase by an Access Person. If the need for a restricted list were to arise, the CCO would maintain the restricted list and ensure that the list was made available to all Access Persons. All Supervised Persons are required to inform the CCO of any new or prospective clients that may hold an executive position at a company requiring the addition of that company’s securities on the restricted list.

B. INSIDER TRADING

The securities laws prohibit trading by a person while in the possession of Material Nonpublic Information about a company or about the market for that company’s securities. The securities laws also prohibit a person who is in possession of material nonpublic information from communicating any such information to others. Section 204A of the Advisers Act requires that investment advisers maintain and enforce written policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of Material Nonpublic Information by the investment adviser or any person associated with the investment adviser. Insider trading violations are likely to result in harsh consequences for the individuals involved, including exposure to investigations by the SEC and criminal and civil prosecution.

1. Trading on Material Nonpublic Information

No employee of an investment adviser who is in possession of Material Nonpublic Information about a company, or about the market for that company’s securities, is permitted to purchase or sell those securities until the information becomes public and the market has had time to react to it. Should you have any doubt regarding the propriety of a proposed securities transaction, you should seek advice from the CCO, who has been designated by F/M to handle such matters.

4 
 
2. Disclosure of Material Nonpublic Information

No person associated with F/M may disclose Material Nonpublic Information about a company or about the market for that company’s securities:

· To any person except to the extent necessary to carry out the legitimate business obligations of F/M; or
· In circumstances in which the information is likely to be used for unlawful trading.
3. Questions About F/M’s Insider Trading Policy

While compliance with the law and with F/M’s policies and procedures described above is each individual’s responsibility, interpretive questions may arise, such as whether certain information is Material Nonpublic Information, or whether trading restrictions should be applicable in a given situation. Any questions should immediately be addressed with the CCO, who has been designated by F/M to respond to such questions.

4. Violations

Violations of the Company’s policies and procedures relative to prohibitions against insider trading will be regarded with the utmost seriousness and will subject personnel to disciplinary action.

C. REPORTING OF VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE

All personnel of F/M must promptly report improper or suspicious activities, including any suspected violations of the Code and/or this Manual. Issues may be reported in accordance with F/M’s whistleblower policy, as contained in the Compliance Manual. In addition, issues may be reported to the CCO in person, by telephone, email or written letter. Any reports of potential violations will be thoroughly investigated by the CCO, who will report directly to the CEO on the matter. Information can also be submitted directly to the SEC.

D. RETENTION OF CERTAIN RECORDS

A record of each securities holdings report and transaction report, including any duplicate broker trade confirmation or account statements provided by an Access Person will be maintained by F/M for the time period required by the Advisers Act. In addition, a record of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, Access Persons of FM will be maintained. See also Recordkeeping.