Securities Act Registration No. 333-178833

Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-22655

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 2021

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ý

¨ Pre-Effective Amendment No.
ý Post-Effective Amendment No. 511

 

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ý

ý Amendment No. 514

 

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (631) 490-4300

The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, DE 19801

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

With copy to:

JoAnn M. Strasser, Esq.

Thompson Hine LLP

41 South High Street, Suite 1700

Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-469-3265 (phone)

614-469-3361 (fax)

Richard Malinowski

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110

Hauppauge, New York 11788

(631) 470-2600

 

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

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

¨ Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

ý On August 1, 2021 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.

 
 

 

 

Ticker: TEBRX

 

PROSPECTUS

 

August 1, 2021

 

 

Adviser:

First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc.

5161 Miller Trunk Highway

Duluth, Minnesota 55811

 

 

www.tebergfund.com                                            1-866-209-1964

 

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

 

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

 

 
 

Table of Contents

Page

FUND SUMMARY 1
Investment Objective 1
Fees and Expenses of the Fund 1
Principal Investment Strategies 1
Principal Investment Risks 2
Performance 3
Investment Adviser 4
Portfolio Manager 4
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares 4
Tax Information 4
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries 4
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS 5
Investment Objective 5
Principal Investment Strategies 5
Principal Investment Risks 6
Non-Principal Risks of Investment 8
Temporary Investments 8
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure 9
Cybersecurity 9
MANAGEMENT 9
Investment Adviser 9
Portfolio Manager 9
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED 10
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES 11
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES 12
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES 14
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 15
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES 16
Distributor 16
Distribution Fees 16
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries 16
Householding 16
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 17
PRIVACY NOTICE 18

 

 
 

FUND SUMMARY

 

Investment Objective: The Teberg Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to maximize total return (capital appreciation plus income).

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund : This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and example below.

 


Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
 
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)
None
Redemption Fee
(as a % of amount redeemed)
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees 1.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.25%
Other Expenses 0.66%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(1) 0.27%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2.43%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(2) (0.41)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver & Reimbursements 2.02%
(1) Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies. The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the Fund’s financial highlights because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Fund, not the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies.
(2) First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fees and pay expenses of the Fund to ensure that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver & Reimbursement (excluding any front-end or contingent deferred loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses; borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes, and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser))) do not exceed 1.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Expense Cap”). The Expense Cap will remain in effect through at least July 31, 2022, and may be terminated only by the Board of Trustees. The Adviser may request recoupment of previously waived fees and paid expenses from the Fund for three years from the date they were waived or paid, if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits or within the expense limits in place at the time of recoupment, whichever is lower.

 

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.

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

1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
$205 $718 $1,259 $2,735

 

Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 1.13% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies: To achieve the Fund’s investment objective, the Adviser invests the Fund’s assets primarily in shares of any number of other no-load and load-waived mutual funds, which may include exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), sometimes referred to in this Prospectus as “Underlying Funds.” The Underlying Funds pursue their own investment objectives by investing in particular types of securities (e.g., equity or debt), emphasizing a particular investment style (e.g., value or growth), or emphasizing certain industries or sectors. Some of the Underlying Funds invest in the stocks of small, medium and large capitalization domestic or international companies while others invest in fixed-income securities of varying maturities (e.g., short-term, intermediate or long-term) and credit qualities (e.g., investment grade or lower than investment grade), including government and corporate bonds, as well as high-yield

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securities or “junk bonds.” Over time, the Fund’s asset mix is likely to consist of a combination of equity, fixed-income, or money market funds; however, the Fund reserves the right to invest all of its assets in any one of these asset classes depending upon market conditions and to actively trade in Underlying Funds. Additionally, the Fund may commit up to 80% of its net assets at any given time to Underlying Funds that invest in high-yield or “junk bond” securities. Although not its primary investment focus, the Fund also may purchase shares of international and global Underlying Funds that invest in securities of companies located outside of the U.S. when they meet the Adviser’s selective criteria. Such investments, however, will not comprise more than 5% of the Fund’s portfolio at any given time.

 

The Adviser is responsible for constructing and maintaining the allocation of the Fund’s assets in a timely combination of Underlying Funds that maximizes the Fund’s total return. The Adviser uses a “top down” approach to select Underlying Funds that begins with an analysis of the general economic outlook. The next step is to analyze historical market patterns with the goal of determining which categories and sectors are likely to perform well in certain economic conditions. Next, the Adviser analyzes the historical returns of a broad universe of mutual funds and selects those that exhibit the potential for superior growth based on factors including, but not limited to, their exposure to risk, historical performance, downside records, and competitive position.

 

To determine when to sell Underlying Funds, the Adviser analyzes how the general economic outlook could impact certain categories and sectors based on historical market patterns. The Adviser continuously monitors the pricing of each Underlying Fund to identify if it is performing as anticipated with the goal of selling an Underlying Fund when it appears to have reached its expected growth potential. The Adviser may sell an Underlying Fund prior to reaching this growth level if the economic outlook changes or it appears that the Underlying Fund is not reacting to current conditions as it has to similar periods in the past.

 

Because the Fund is a “fund of funds,” you will indirectly bear your proportionate share of any fees and expenses charged by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests in addition to the expenses of the Fund. Actual Underlying Fund expenses are expected to vary with changes in the allocation of the Fund’s assets among various Underlying Funds.

 

The Fund’s investment strategy can result in a high portfolio turnover rate primarily due to the Adviser’s active management of the Fund’s investments during periods when there appears to be potential of heightened market risk.  

 

Principal Investment Risks: As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and performance.

 

· Cash Position Risk: If the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in money market instruments for extended periods of time, including while the Fund is investing for temporary defensive purposes, it could reduce the Fund’s potential return and prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective, as the limited returns of cash or money market instruments may lag other investments in a strong market.
· Fixed Income Risk: Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities. The value of fixed income securities typically falls when an issuer’s credit quality declines and may even become worthless if an issuer defaults. Recently, interest rates have been historically low. Current conditions may result, in a rise in interest rates, which in turn may result in a decline in the value of the bond investments held by the Fund. As a result, for the present, interest rate risk may be heightened.

·         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.

· Industry or Sector Emphasis Risk: To the extent that an Underlying Fund invests a substantial portion of its portfolio in a particular industry or sector, such Underlying Fund’s shares may be more volatile and fluctuate more than shares of an Underlying Fund investing in a broader range of securities.
· Junk Bond Risk: Lower-quality bonds, known as “high yield” or “junk” bonds, present greater risk than bonds of higher quality, including an increased risk of default. An economic downturn or period of rising interest rates could adversely affect the market for these bonds and reduce the Fund’s ability to sell its bonds. The lack of a liquid market for these bonds could decrease the Fund’s share price. These bonds are speculative investments.

·         Management Risk: The Adviser’s judgment about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular Underlying Funds, asset classes and securities in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.

· Large Capitalization Risk: Large-capitalization companies may be less able than smaller capitalization companies to adapt to changing market conditions. Large-capitalization companies may be more mature and subject to more
2 
 

limited growth potential compared with smaller capitalization companies. During different market cycles, the performance of large capitalization companies has trailed the overall performance of the broader securities markets.

 

· Market and Geopolitical Risk. The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, climate change and climate-related events, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets

·         Small and Medium Capitalization Company Risk: Securities of small and medium capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.

·         Underlying Fund Risk: Underlying Funds are subject to investment advisory and other expenses, which will be indirectly paid by the Fund. As a result, the cost of investing in the Fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in other investment companies and may be higher than other mutual funds that invest directly in securities. The market value of ETF shares may differ from their NAV. The strategy of investing in Underlying Funds could affect the timing, amount and character of distributions to you and therefore may increase the amount of taxes you pay. When the Fund invests in Underlying Funds that use margin, leverage and short sales, an investment in the Fund may be more volatile than investments in other mutual funds. Each investment company and ETF is subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the fund.

 

Performance : The bar chart and performance table show the variability of the Fund’s returns, over time which is some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows performance of the Fund’s shares for each of the past 10 full calendar years. The performance table compares the performance of the Fund’s shares over time to the performance of a broad-based market index and a supplemental index. You should be aware that the Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) may not be an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund acquired all of the assets and liabilities of The Teberg Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”) in a tax-free reorganization on December 13, 2013. In connection with this acquisition, shares of the Predecessor Fund were exchanged for shares of the Fund. The performance information set forth below includes the historical performance of the Predecessor Fund shares. Updated information on the Fund’s results can be obtained by visiting www.tebergfund.com.

 

Calendar Year Total Returns (%) as of December 31

 

The Fund’s year-to-date return as of June 30, 2021, was 15.67%. During the period of time displayed in the bar chart, the Fund’s highest quarterly return was 19.19% for the quarter ended 6/30/2020, and the Fund’s lowest quarterly return was (20.35)% for the quarter ended 3/31/2020.

 

Average Annual Total Returns

(For the years ended December 31, 2020)

 

 

One

Year

Five

Years

Ten

Years

Return Before Taxes 20.61% 10.35% 7.11%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions 20.48% 10.18% 5.99%
Return After Taxes on Distributions
and Sale of Fund Shares
12.30% 8.18% 5.11%

S&P 500® Index(1)

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

18.40% 15.22% 13.88%

Dow Jones Industrial Average(2)

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

9.72% 14.65% 12.97%
(1) The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to represent the broad domestic economy. Investors may not invest in the index directly.
(2) The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally the leaders in their industry. It has been a widely followed indicator of the stock market since October 1, 1928. Investors may not invest in the index directly.

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the historically highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).

 

Investment Adviser: First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc.

 

Portfolio Manager: Curtis A. Teberg has been the portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception. Mr. Teberg is the co-founder of the Adviser and has been its President since its inception in 1988.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. Redemption requests may be made in writing, by telephone or through a financial intermediary and will be paid by ACH, check or wire transfer. The minimum initial and minimum subsequent investment amounts are shown below:

 

Type of Account To Open
Your Account
To Add to
Your Account
Regular Accounts $2,000 $100
IRAs (Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs) $2,000 $100
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts $2,000 $100
Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act Accounts $2,000 $100

 

Tax Information: Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund, whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash, are taxable to you at either ordinary income or capital gains tax rates unless you are investing through a tax-deferred plan such as an IRA or 401(k) plan. However, these dividend and capital gain distributions may be taxable upon their eventual withdrawal from tax-deferred plans.

 

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

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

 

Investment Objective:

 

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek to maximize total return (capital appreciation plus income). This objective and the investment strategies described below are non-fundamental, which means that they may be changed by action of the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

 

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Principal Investment Strategies:

 

The Fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in shares of any number of Underlying Funds. The Underlying Funds purchased by the Fund likely will have certain investment policies and use certain investment practices that may be different from those of the Fund. These other policies and practices may subject the Underlying Funds’ (and, by extension, the Fund’s) assets to varying or greater degrees of risk. The Adviser selects primarily equity mutual funds that the Adviser believes offer superior prospects for capital growth, attractive high-yield bond mutual funds and money market mutual funds (the Fund reserves the right to invest all of its assets in either equity, fixed-income or money market mutual funds depending upon market conditions). The Adviser uses a “top down” approach to actively select Underlying Funds that begins with an analysis of the general economic outlook. The next step is to analyze historical market patterns with the goal of determining which categories and sectors are likely to perform well in certain economic conditions. Next, the Adviser analyzes the historical returns of a broad universe of mutual funds and selects those that exhibit the potential for superior growth based on factors including, but not limited to, their exposure to risk, historical performance, downside records, and competitive position.

 

In selecting the Underlying Funds, the Adviser seeks to construct a portfolio of Underlying Funds that invest across the range of the total market, including stocks of domestic and international companies with small, medium and large average capitalizations, and at various times emphasizes either value or growth styles of investing or a combination. The Adviser also seeks to include Underlying Funds that invest in fixed-income securities with varying maturities (e.g., short-term, intermediate or long-term) and credit qualities (e.g., investment grade or lower than investment grade); provided, however, that at any given time up to 80% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in Underlying Funds that invest in high-yield (or “junk bond”) securities. The term “investment grade” refers to the credit quality of fixed-income securities as established by a recognized rating agency, such as Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or Fitch, Inc. Securities that are rated lower than investment grade (commonly known as “junk bonds”), or high-yield securities, generally provide high income in an effort to compensate investors for their higher risk of default, which is the failure to make required interest or principal payments. High-yield bond issuers include small or relatively new companies lacking the history or capital to merit investment grade status, former blue chip companies downgraded because of financial problems, companies electing to borrow heavily to finance or avoid takeover or buyout, and firms with heavy debt loads. In addition, although not its primary investment focus, the Fund also may purchase shares of international and global Underlying Funds that invest in securities of companies located outside of the U.S. when they meet the Adviser’s selective criteria. Such investments, however, will not comprise more than 5% of the Fund’s portfolio at any given time.

 

The Adviser believes that investing in other mutual funds provides the Fund with opportunities to achieve greater diversification of portfolio securities and investment techniques than the Fund could achieve by investing directly in individual portfolio securities. However, the Adviser believes that the best investment returns can be attained by moving assets into funds that currently exhibit the potential for superior growth within a given asset class or fund category. Continually monitoring and re-balancing the Fund’s investments (if necessary) may help ensure that returns are maximized while maintaining diversification to avoid dependence on one area of the market. The Adviser also regularly evaluates the macroeconomics of the categories for shifts that may necessitate a re-evaluation of the entire allocation process. Such trading, however, may result in realization of capital gains that would not otherwise be realized and may also lead to higher transaction costs, which could negatively affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund’s investment strategy can result in a high portfolio turnover rate. The Fund cannot accurately predict its future annual portfolio turnover rate. A comparatively high portfolio turnover rate may affect the Fund’s performance because it results in higher brokerage commissions, and higher portfolio turnover rates may result in taxable capital gain distributions to the Fund’s shareholders. Additionally, there is no limit on, and the Adviser cannot control, the portfolio turnover rates of the Underlying Funds.

 

The Fund is independent from any of the Underlying Funds in which it invests and has little voice in or control over the investment practices, policies or decisions of those Underlying Funds. If the Fund disagrees with those practices, policies or decisions, it may have no choice other than to liquidate its investment in that Underlying Fund, which may entail losses. An Underlying Fund may limit the Fund’s ability to sell its shares of the Underlying Fund at certain times. In these cases, such investments will be considered illiquid and subject to the Fund’s overall limit on illiquid securities. For example, no Underlying Fund is required to redeem any of its shares owned by the Fund in an amount exceeding 1% of the Underlying Fund’s shares during any period of less than 30 days. As a result, to the extent that the Fund owns more than 1% of an Underlying Fund’s shares, the Fund may not be able to liquidate those shares promptly in the event of adverse market conditions or other considerations.

 

To determine when to sell Underlying Funds, the Adviser analyzes how the general economic outlook could impact certain categories and sectors based on historical market patterns. The Adviser continuously monitors the pricing of each Underlying Fund to identify if it is performing as anticipated, with the goal of selling a fund when it appears to have reached its expected growth potential. The Adviser may sell an Underlying Fund prior to reaching this growth level if the economic outlook changes or it appears that the Underlying Fund is not reacting to current conditions as it has to similar periods in the past.

 

As a means to pursue its investment objective, the Fund generally intends to limit its investments to shares of Underlying Funds. The Fund may, however, to a limited extent invest its assets directly in securities in lieu of indirect investments through other mutual funds. The Fund’s direct investments would remain consistent with its asset allocation strategy and would typically be close or identical to those securities held by one or more of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund currently invests.

 

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The Fund will invest, whenever possible, in Underlying Funds that do not impose up-front sales loads, deferred sales loads, or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees of more than 0.25%. If the Fund invests in an Underlying Fund that charges a sales load, it will use available sales load waivers and quantity discounts to minimize or eliminate the sales load.

 

As a complement to its primary strategy of investing in mutual funds, the Fund may also purchase shares of other types of investment companies, such as closed-end funds and ETFs.

 

Principal Investment Risks:

 

The following risks may apply to the Fund’s direct investments as well the Fund’s indirect risks through investing in Underlying Funds.

· Market and Geopolitical Risk: The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, climate change and climate-related events, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the world, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund’s portfolio. The current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, has had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your Fund investment. Therefore, the Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments. In times of severe market disruptions you could lose your entire investment.
o ETF Tracking Risk: Investment in the Fund should be made with the understanding that the passive ETFs in which the Fund invests will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices they track because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of the securities. In addition, the passive ETFs in which the Fund invests
7 
 

will incur expenses not incurred by their applicable indices. Certain securities comprising the indices tracked by the passive ETFs may, from time to time, temporarily be unavailable, which may further impede the passive ETF’s ability to track their applicable indices.

o Management Risk: When the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, there is a risk that the investment advisers of those Underlying Funds may make investment decisions that are detrimental to the performance of the Fund.
o Mutual Fund Risk: The strategy of investing in Underlying Funds that are mutual funds could affect the timing, amount and character of distributions to you and therefore may increase the amount of taxes you pay. In addition, certain prohibitions on the acquisition of mutual fund shares by the Fund may prevent the Fund from allocating its investments in the manner the Adviser considers optimal. The Fund intends to purchase mutual funds that are either no-load or waive the sales load for purchases made by the Fund. The Fund will not purchase mutual funds that charge a sales load upon redemption, but the Fund may purchase mutual funds that have an early redemption fee. In the event that a mutual fund charges a redemption fee, then you will indirectly bear the expense by investing in the Fund. Investment companies whose shares are purchased by the Fund will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the mutual fund’s outstanding shares during any period of less than 30 days. Shares held by the Fund in excess of 1% of an investment company’s outstanding shares therefore, may be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of the Fund’s total assets. This liquidity risk is reduced, however, as many of the investment companies in which the Fund may invest have a policy of not taking advantage of this 1% threshold and, in fact, go so far as to encourage frequent purchases and redemptions of any size. In addition, certain investment companies have exemptive orders in place that allow the Fund to own up to 25% of the assets of said fund. When the Fund focuses its investments in certain mutual funds, the Fund’s portfolio will have a risk profile for such investments that will correspond to that of such mutual funds, and Management Risk, described above, increases proportionately.
o NAV and Market Price Risk: The market value of ETF shares may differ from their NAV. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for fund shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying basket of securities. Accordingly, there may be times when shares trade at a premium or discount to NAV.
o Strategies Risk: Each Underlying Fund is subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the fund. These risks could include liquidity risk, sector risk, and foreign currency risk, as well as risks associated with fixed income securities and commodities.

 

Non-Principal Risks of Investment

· Government Obligations Risk: The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so by law.
· Portfolio Turnover Risk: A higher portfolio turnover will result in higher transactional and brokerage costs associated with the turnover, which may reduce the Fund’s return, unless the securities traded can be bought and sold without corresponding commission costs. Active trading of securities will also increase the Fund’s realized capital gains or losses, which may affect the taxes you pay as a Fund shareholder. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is expected to be greater than 100% annually.

 

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

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure: A description of the Fund’s policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

Cybersecurity: The computer systems, networks and devices used by the Fund and its service providers to carry out routine business operations employ a variety of protections designed to prevent damage or interruption from computer viruses,

8 
 

network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches. Despite the various protections utilized by the Fund and its service providers, systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of a cybersecurity breach.

 

Cybersecurity breaches can include unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices; infection from computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut down, disable, slow, or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, or website access or functionality. Cybersecurity breaches may cause disruptions and impact the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV; impediments to trading; the inability of the Fund, the Adviser, and other service providers to transact business; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs; as well as the inadvertent release of confidential information.

 

Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issuers of securities in which the Fund invests; counterparties with which the Fund engages in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities; exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and service providers for the Fund’s shareholders); and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the future.

 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Investment Adviser: First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc., 5161 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, Minnesota 55811, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for management of the Fund’s investment portfolio. The Adviser is responsible for assuring that investments are made according to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Adviser was established in 1988 for the purpose of advising individuals and institutions. As of March 31, 2021, the Adviser had approximately $36 million in assets under management. Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser, the Adviser is entitled to receive, on a monthly basis, an annual advisory fee equal to 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive management fees and to make payments to limit Fund expenses, at least until July 31, 2022, so that the total annual operating expenses (excluding any front-end or contingent deferred loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses; borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes, and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser))) of the Fund do not exceed 1.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may request recoupment of previously waived fees and paid expenses from the Fund for three years from the date they were waived or paid, if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits or within the expense limits in place at the time of recoupment, whichever is lower. This agreement may be terminated only by the Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the advisory agreement is available in the Fund’s March 31, 2021 annual report to shareholders. For the most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, the Fund incurred advisory fees totaling 0.84% of its average net assets, after waiver.

 

Portfolio Manager: The Fund is managed on a day to day basis by Curtis A. Teberg (the “Portfolio Manager”). The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager, and the Portfolio Manager’s ownership in the Fund.

 

Mr. Teberg has been responsible for the Fund’s overall day-to-day management since its inception and has been in the investment management business for more than 35 years. He is the co-founder of the Adviser and has been its President since its inception in 1988. From August 1988 to February 2002, Mr. Teberg was a registered representative with Walnut Street Securities, Inc., a securities brokerage firm in St. Louis, Missouri. From February 2002 to April 2011, he was a registered representative with Askar Corp., a securities brokerage firm in Bloomington, Minnesota. Since May 2011, he has been a registered representative with Polar Investment Counsel, Inc., a securities brokerage firm in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Mr. Teberg holds series 7, 24, and 63 licenses.

 

 

HOW SHARES ARE PRICED

 

Shares of the Fund are sold at 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

9 
 

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 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 of Trustees. 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 of Trustees has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value committee composed of one or more officers from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) Adviser. The committee may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board of Trustees 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 may be priced using alternative market prices provided by a pricing service. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV, alternative market prices may be used to value the security. 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 NAV, 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 NAV is calculated based upon the NAVs of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

 

HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

 

Shares of the Fund are offered at the public offering price, which is NAV per share. The Fund has a minimum initial investment requirement of $2,000 and a minimum subsequent investment requirement of $100. You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form to the following address:

 

Regular Mail

THE TEBERG FUND

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

P.O. Box 541150

Omaha, Nebraska 68154

Express/Overnight Mail

THE TEBERG FUND

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474

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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 only a P.O. Box will not be accepted. This information will assist the Fund in verifying your identity. Until such verification is made, the Fund may temporarily limit additional share purchases. In addition, the Fund may limit additional share purchases or close an account if it is unable to verify a shareholder’s identity. As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.

 

Purchase through Brokers: You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. 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.

 

Purchase by Wire: If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-866-209-1964 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 $100 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-866-209-1964 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan.

 

The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares. Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institutions, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased. After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address. Make all checks payable to “The Teberg Fund.” The Fund will not accept payment in cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, or credit cards. Also, to prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, U.S. Treasury checks, credit card checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares.

 

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

 

When Order is Processed: All shares will be purchased at the NAV per share (plus applicable sales charges, if any) next determined after the Fund receives your application or request in good order. All requests received in good order by the Fund before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be processed on that same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed on the next business day.

 

Good Order: When making a purchase request, make sure your request is in good order. “Good order” means your purchase request includes:

  • the name of the Fund;
  • the dollar amount of shares to be purchased;
  • a completed purchase application or investment stub; and

·         check payable to the “The Teberg Fund.”

 

Retirement Plans: You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans. Please call the Fund at 1-866-209-1964 for the most current listing and appropriate disclosure documentation on how to open a retirement account.

 

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

 

Redeeming Shares: The Fund typically expects that it will take up to three business days following the receipt of your redemption request to pay out the redemption proceeds by check or electronic transfer. The Fund typically expects to pay redemptions from cash, cash equivalents, proceeds from the sale of Fund shares, any lines 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:

 

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Regular Mail

THE TEBERG FUND

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

P.O. Box 541150

Omaha, Nebraska 68154

Express/Overnight Mail

THE TEBERG FUND

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474

 

Redemptions by Telephone: The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new 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 1-866-209-1964.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Automatic Withdrawal Plan: If your individual accounts, IRA or other qualified plan account have a current account value of at least $10,000, you may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers. You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $50 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at 1-866-209-1964 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

 

Redemptions in Kind: The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders by making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities (“redemption in kind”) if the amount is greater than the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s assets. The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued under the Fund’s NAV procedures. A shareholder will be exposed to market risk until these securities are converted to cash and may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.

 

When Redemptions are Sent: Once the Fund receives your redemption request in “good order” as described below, it will issue a check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in “good order.” If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank.

 

 

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.

 

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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 Trust, on behalf of the Fund;

· you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Trust, on behalf of 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 in the Fund falls below $250, the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to at least $250 within 60 days of the notice; your account could be closed. After the notice period, the Fund may redeem all of your shares and close your account by sending you a check to the address of record. Your account will not be closed if the account balance drops below $250 due to a decline in NAV.

 

 

13 
 

 

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

 

The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of the Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Fund’s investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change. The Fund currently uses several methods to reduce the risk of market timing. These methods include, but are not limited to, committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy.

 

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

 

Based on the frequency of redemptions in your account, the Adviser or transfer agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to (i) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases into the Fund and/or (ii) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future exchanges or redemptions out of the Fund.

 

The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase requests for any reason, particularly when the shareholder’s trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase orders. The Adviser may also bar an investor who has violated these policies (and the investor’s financial adviser) from opening new accounts with the Trust, on behalf of 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 funds. While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers who invest indirectly in the Fund, the Fund is limited in its ability to monitor the trading activity or enforce the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy with respect to customers of financial intermediaries. For example, should it occur, the Fund may not be able to detect market timing that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or made difficult to identify in the omnibus accounts used by those intermediaries for aggregated purchases, exchanges and redemptions on behalf of all their customers. More specifically, unless the financial intermediaries have the ability to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions and monitoring trading activity for what might be market timing, the Fund may not be able to determine whether trading by customers of financial intermediaries is contrary to the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy. Brokers maintaining omnibus accounts with the Trust on behalf of 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.

 

 

14 
 

 

TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund’s shares.

 

 

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DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

 

Distributor: Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474, is the distributor for the shares of the Fund. Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.

 

Distribution Fees: The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan (the “Plan”) under Rule 12b-1, pursuant to which the Fund pays the Fund’s distributor an annual fee for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses of 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

 

The Fund’s distributor and other entities are paid under the Plan for services provided and the expenses borne by the distributor and others in the distribution of Fund shares, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of dealers and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the offering of the Fund’s shares to other than current shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials. In addition, the distributor or other entities may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to compensate dealers or other entities for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any un-reimbursed expenses.

 

Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries: The Fund’s distributor, its affiliates, and the Adviser and its affiliates may, at their own expense and out of their own assets including their legitimate profits from Fund-related activities, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund or assist in the marketing of the Fund. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments may be in addition to the Rule 12b-1 fees and any sales charges that are disclosed elsewhere in this Prospectus. These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support. Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs. These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders. The distributor may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives to certain investment firms. Such incentives may, at the distributor’s discretion, be limited to investment firms who allow their individual selling representatives to participate in such additional compensation.

 

Householding : To reduce expenses, the Fund mails only one copy of a Prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by accounts that have elected to receive paper copies of these documents. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 1-866-209-1964 on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The following financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five years. 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). The information for the years ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 has been audited by BBD, LLP, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Fund’s annual report dated March 31, 2021, which is available upon request. The Fund’s financial statements for the years ended March 31, 2018 and earlier were audited by the Fund’s former Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The annual reports for those periods are available upon request.

 
The Table below sets forth financial data for one share of beneficial interest throughout each year presented

 

    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    March 31, 2021     March 31, 2020     March 31, 2019     March 31, 2018     March 31, 2017  
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 10.37     $ 11.52     $ 11.13     $ 10.20     $ 9.24  
                                         
Income from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income (loss) (1,2)     (0.01 )     0.07       0.07       0.07       0.11  
Net realized and unrealized gain/ (loss) on investments     6.70       (1.14 )     0.40       0.96       0.85  
Total from investment operations     6.69       (1.07 )     0.47       1.03       0.96  
                                         
Less distributions:                                        
From net investment income     (0.07 )     (0.08 )     (0.08 )     (0.10 )      
Total distributions     (0.07 )     (0.08 )     (0.08 )     (0.10 )      
                                         
Net asset value, end of year   $ 16.99     $ 10.37     $ 11.52     $ 11.13     $ 10.20  
                                         
Total return (3)     64.61 %     (9.44 )%     4.31 %     10.12 %     10.39 %
                                         
Ratios/supplemental data:                                        
Net assets, at end of year (000s)   $ 36,101     $ 23,946     $ 27,732     $ 29,816     $ 29,464  
                                         
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (4):                                        
                                         
Before expense waiver     2.16 %     2.22 %     2.21 %     2.18 %     2.14 %
After expense waiver     1.75 %     1.75 %     1.75 %     1.75 %     1.75 %
                                         
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets (1,4):                                        
                                         
Before expense waiver     (0.45 )%     0.09 %     0.17 %     0.22 %     0.70 %
After expense waiver     (0.04 )%     0.56 %     0.63 %     0.65 %     1.10 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate     1.13 %     1.44 %     1.80 %     41.03 %     101.03 %
                                         

 

  (1) Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

  (2) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

  (3) Total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any.

 

  (4) Does not include expenses of investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

 

 

17 
 

Rev. June 2021

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

FACTS

WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL

INFORMATION?

   
Why? Financial companies choose how they share your personal information.  Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing.  Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information.  Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
   
What? The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us.  This information can include: § Social Security number § Purchase History § Assets § Account Balances § Retirement Assets § Account Transactions § Transaction History § Wire Transfer Instructions § Checking Account Information     When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.
   
How? All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business.  In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Northern Lights Fund Trust III chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
       
Reasons we can share your personal information Does Northern Lights Fund Trust III share? Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

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

Yes No

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

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

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

No We don’t share.

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

No We don’t share.
For nonaffiliates to market to you No We don’t share.
   
Questions? Call (631) 490-4300
         
18 
 

 

 Who we are
Who is providing this notice?

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

 

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

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

 

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

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

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

§  Open an account

§  Provide account information

§  Give us your contact information

§  Make deposits or withdrawals from your account

§  Make a wire transfer

§  Tell us where to send the money

§  Tells us who receives the money

§  Show your government-issued ID

§  Show your driver’s license

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

§  Sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

§  Affiliates from using your information to market to you

§  Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

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

Definitions
Affiliates

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

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

Nonaffiliates

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

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

Joint marketing

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

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

19 
 

THE TEBERG FUND

 

Adviser

First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc.

5161 Miller Trunk Highway

Duluth, MN 55811

Distributor

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022-3474

Independent Registered Public Accountant

BBD, LLP

1835 Market Street, 3rd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal Counsel

Thompson Hine LLP

41 S. High Street, Suite 1700

Columbus, OH 43215

Custodian

U.S. Bank National Association, LLC

1555 N. River Center Drive

Milwaukee, WI 53212

Transfer Agent

Gemini Fund Services, LLC
4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, NE 68022-3474

 

Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information dated August 1, 2021. The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (i.e., legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Fund’s policies and management. Additional information about the Fund’s investments is also 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 the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call 1-866-209-1964 or visit www.tebergfund.com. You may also write to:

 

THE TEBERG FUND

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474

 

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

 

Investment Company Act File # 811-22655

 
 

 

The Teberg Fund

a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III

 

TEBRX

 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

August 1, 2021

 

 

This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of The Teberg Fund (the "Fund") dated August 1, 2021, which is incorporated by reference into this SAI (i.e., legally made a part of this SAI). Copies may be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund's transfer agent, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474 or by calling 1-866-209-1964. You may also obtain a prospectus by visiting the Fund's website at www.tebergfund.com.

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE FUND 1
INVESTMENTS AND RISKS 2
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 22
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 22
INVESTMENT ADVISER 24
PORTFOLIO MANAGER 25
ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE 26
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 27
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 28
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 31
LEGAL COUNSEL 31
DISTRIBUTOR 31
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES 33
CODE OF ETHICS 34
PROXY VOTING POLICIES 34
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF FUND SHARES 35
TAX STATUS 38
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM 44
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES 45
MANAGEMENT 45
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 50
APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 51

 

 
 

THE FUND


 

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

 

The Fund acquired all of the assets and liabilities of The Teberg Fund (“Predecessor Fund”), a series of the Advisors Series Trust, in a tax-free reorganization on December 13, 2013 (the “Reorganization”). In connection with the Reorganization, shares of the Predecessor Fund were exchanged for shares of the Fund of equal value.

 

The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges. Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares, on a class-specific basis, (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of the Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable 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.

 

First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc. (the "Adviser") is the Fund's investment adviser. The Fund's investment objective, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the Prospectus. The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.

 

The Fund offers one class of shares. The Board of Trustees may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of shares at a future date.

 

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

 

 

1 
 

 

INVESTMENTS AND RISKS


 

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

 

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

 

Equity Securities

 

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

 

Common Stock

 

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

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Fund may invest in preferred stock with no minimum credit rating. Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the debt securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.

 

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

 

Fixed Income/Debt/Bond Securities

 

Yields on fixed income securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. An investment in the Fund will be

2 
 

subjected to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Fund's portfolio are paid in full at maturity. All fixed income securities, including U.S. government securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates or the issuer's actual or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.

 

There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In other words, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security. Obligations of issuers of fixed income securities (including municipal securities) are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of municipal issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or referenda extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market's perception of an issuer's creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. The possibility exists, therefore, that, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities may become impaired.

 

The corporate debt securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate bonds and notes and short-term investments such as commercial paper and variable rate demand notes. Commercial paper (short-term promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their or their affiliate's current obligations and is frequently unsecured. Variable and floating rate demand notes are unsecured obligations typically redeemable upon not more than 30 days' notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days' notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.

 

The Fund may invest in debt securities, including non-investment grade debt securities. The following describes some of the risks associated with fixed income debt securities:

 

Interest Rate Risk. Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and mortgage securities can be more sensitive to interest rate changes although they usually offer higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risks. The longer the maturity of the security, the greater the impact a change in interest rates could have on the security's price. In addition, short-term and long-term interest rates do not necessarily move in the same amount or the same direction. Short-term securities tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates and long-term securities tend to react to changes in long-term interest rates.

 

Credit Risk. Fixed income securities have speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of those issuers to make principal or interest payments, as compared to issuers of more highly rated securities.

 

3 
 

Extension Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as mortgage-backed securities) later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise in interest rates. These events may lengthen the duration (i.e., interest rate sensitivity) and potentially reduce the value of these securities.

 

Prepayment Risk. Certain types of debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity when the entire principal amount comes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed securities may include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, payments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans.

 

Securities subject to prepayment are less effective than other types of securities as a means of "locking in" attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.

 

At times, some of the mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest will have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at a premium above their par value. Prepayments may cause losses in securities purchased at a premium, as unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, will cause the Fund to experience a loss equal to any unamortized premium.

 

Certificates of Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances

 

Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity.

 

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

 

Bankers' acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then "accepted" by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting

4 
 

bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.

 

Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes

 

The Fund may invest in fixed time deposits, whether or not subject to withdrawal penalties. The commercial paper obligations, which the Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a "Master Note") permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between the Fund as lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to the Fund's investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.

 

Commercial Paper

 

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

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as the Fund) purchases a security (known as the "underlying security") from a securities dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to the Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund generally will

5 
 

be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be "fully collateralized," in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.

 

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

 

High Yield Securities

 

The Fund may invest in high yield securities. High yield, high risk bonds are securities that are generally rated below investment grade by the primary rating agencies (BB+ or lower by S&P and Ba1 or lower by Moody's). Other terms used to describe such securities include "lower rated bonds," "non-investment grade bonds," "below investment grade bonds," and "junk bonds." These securities are considered to be high-risk investments. The risks include the following:

 

Greater Risk of Loss. These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower rated securities will default than issuers of higher rated securities. Issuers of lower rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.

 

Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes. The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn

 

Valuation Difficulties. It is often more difficult to value lower rated securities than higher rated securities. If an issuer's financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher rated securities.

 

Liquidity. There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, the Fund may be required to

6 
 

sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer's financial condition is deteriorating.

 

Credit Quality. Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.

 

New Legislation. Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on the Fund's investments in lower rated securities.

 

High yield, high risk investments may include the following:

 

Straight fixed-income debt securities. These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.

 

Zero-coupon debt securities. These bear no interest obligation but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.

 

Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities. These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to interest-bearing debt securities.

 

Pay-in-kind bonds. These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. These are bonds sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), usually to a relatively small number of institutional investors.

 

Convertible Securities. These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.

 

Preferred Stock. These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.

 

Loan Participations and Assignments. These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed countries.

 

Securities issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructurings. In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its debt securities. The Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest in such securities.

 

7 
 

 

Municipal Government Obligations

 

In general, municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Certain types of municipal obligations are issued in whole or in part to obtain funding for privately operated facilities or projects. Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial development bonds, notes and municipal lease obligations. Municipal obligations also include additional obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax that may become available in the future as long as the Boarddetermines that an investment in any such type of obligation is consistent with the Fund's investment objectives. Municipal obligations may be fully or partially backed by local government, the credit of a private issuer, current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or domestic or foreign entities providing credit support such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance.

 

Bonds and Notes. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of interest and principal. Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a project or facility or from the proceeds of a specified revenue source. Industrial development bonds are generally revenue bonds secured by payments from and the credit of private users. Municipal notes are issued to meet the short-term funding requirements of state, regional and local governments. Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, construction loan notes, short-term discount notes, tax-exempt commercial paper, demand notes and similar instruments.

 

Municipal Lease Obligations. Municipal lease obligations may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase or a conditional sales contract. They are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land, equipment and facilities, such as vehicles, telecommunications and computer equipment and other capital assets. The Fund may invest in underlying funds that purchase these lease obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such lease obligations (See "Participation Interests" section). States have different requirements for issuing municipal debt and issuing municipal leases. Municipal leases are generally subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds because they usually contain a "non-appropriation" clause, which provides that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year. Such non-appropriation clauses are required to avoid the municipal lease obligations from being treated as debt for state debt restriction purposes. Accordingly, such obligations are subject to "non-appropriation" risk. Municipal leases may be secured by the underlying capital asset and it may be difficult to dispose of any such asset in the event of non-appropriation or other default.

 

Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”)

 

The Fund may invest in ETNs, which are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities whose returns are linked to the performance of a particular market benchmark or strategy, minus applicable fees. ETNs are traded on an exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) during normal trading hours; however, investors also can hold ETNs until they mature. At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to the principal amount, subject to the day‘s market benchmark or strategy factor. ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments or provide principal protection. ETNs are subject to credit risk, including the credit risk of the issuer, and the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer‘s credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining

8 
 

unchanged. The value of an ETN also may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer‘s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When the Fund invests in ETNs, it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. A decision by the Fund to sell ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing, and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN.

 

ETNs also are subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Fund characterizes and treats ETNs for tax purposes.

 

An ETN that is tied to a specific market benchmark or strategy may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the applicable market benchmark or strategy. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid, and thus they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form. The market value of ETNs may differ from their market benchmark or strategy. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETNs at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities, commodities or other components underlying the market benchmark or strategy that the ETN seeks to track. As a result, there may be times when an ETN trades at a premium or discount to its market benchmark or strategy.

 

United States Government Obligations

 

These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis. The Fund may also invest in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”). TIPS are special types of treasury bonds that were created in order to offer bond investors protection from inflation. The values of the TIPS are automatically adjusted to the inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). If the CPI goes up by half a percent, the value of the bond (the TIPS) would also go up by half a percent. If the CPI falls, the value of the bond does not fall because the government guarantees that the original investment will stay the same. TIPS decline in value when real interest rates rise. However, in certain interest rate environments, such as when real interest rates are rising faster than nominal interest rates, TIPS may experience greater losses than other fixed income securities with similar duration.

 

United States Government Agency Obligations

 

These consist of debt securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), Farmer's Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii)

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guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association). On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Authority (the "FHFA") announced that FNMA and FHLMC had been placed into conservatorship, a statutory process designed to stabilize a troubled institution with the objective of returning the entity to normal business operations. The U.S. Treasury Department and the FHFA at the same time established a secured lending facility and a Secured Stock Purchase Agreement with both FNMA and FHLMC to ensure that each entity had the ability to fulfill its financial obligations. The FHFA announced that it does not anticipate any disruption in pattern of payments or ongoing business operations of FNMA and FHLMC.

 

Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

 

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

 

Securities of Other Investment Companies

 

The Fund's investments in exchange traded funds ("ETFs"), mutual funds and closed-end funds involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in the underlying fund. Generally, the Fund will not purchase securities of another investment company if, as a result: (i) more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of other investment companies, (ii) such purchase would result in more than 3% of the total outstanding voting securities of any such investment company being held by the Fund, or (iii) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in any one such investment company. However, many ETFs have obtained exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to permit

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unaffiliated funds to invest in the ETF’s shares beyond the above statutory limitations, subject to certain conditions and pursuant to a contractual arrangement between the particular ETF and the investing fund. The Fund may rely on these exemptive orders to invest in unaffiliated ETFs. In the alternative, the Fund intends to rely on Rule 12d1-3, which allows unaffiliated mutual funds and ETFs to exceed the 5% limitation and the 10% limitation, provided the aggregate sales loads any investor pays (i.e., the combined distribution expenses of both the acquiring fund and the acquired fund) does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by FINRA for funds of funds. In addition to ETFs, the Fund may invest in other investment companies such as open-end mutual funds or exchange-traded closed-end funds, within the limitations described above.

 

Closed-End Investment Companies

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

Open-End Investment Companies

 

The Fund and any "affiliated persons," as defined by the 1940 Act, may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding securities of any underlying fund.  Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying fund, the Fund's ability to invest fully in shares of those funds is restricted, and the Adviser must then, in some instances, select alternative investments that would not have been its first preference.  The 1940 Act also provides that an underlying fund whose shares are purchased by the Fund when relying on certain exemptions to limitations on investments in other investment companies will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the underlying fund's outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Therefore, shares held by the Fund when relying on certain exemptions to limitations on investments in other investment companies under the 1940 Act in excess of 1% of an underlying fund's outstanding securities will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of the Fund's total assets.

 

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

 

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

 

Exchange Traded Funds

 

ETFs are generally passive funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts. ETFs typically have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap "creation units" in block-multiples of, for example, 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the NAV is calculated. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.

 

 

 

 

 

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Foreign Securities

 

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

 

To the extent the Fund's currency exchange transactions do not fully protect the Fund against adverse changes in currency exchange rates, decreases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund will invest relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding decrease in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets denominated in those currencies (and possibly a corresponding increase in the amount of securities required to be liquidated to meet distribution requirements). Conversely, increases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund invests relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding increase in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets (and possibly a corresponding decrease in the amount of securities to be liquidated).

 

Securities Options

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

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

Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option.

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This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 100®. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the NYSE Arca Oil Index. Options on stock indices are currently traded on the NYSE, the NYSE American, and NASDAQ OMX PHLX.

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

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

Certain Risks Regarding Options.

There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

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

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

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

Cover for Options Positions.

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

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

 

Options on Futures Contracts

 

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

 

Dealer Options

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Futures Contracts

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Swap Agreements

 

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The Fund may enter into swap agreements for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to equity, debt, commodities or other asset markets without actually purchasing those assets, or to hedge a position. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one year. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are calculated with respect to a "notional amount," i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a "basket" of securities representing a particular index.

 

Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis." Consequently, the Fund's current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the "net amount"). Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term.

 

Swap agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets. Accordingly, if a swap is entered into on a net basis, if the other party to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund's risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any.

 

The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund's obligations over its entitlements with respect to a swap agreement entered into on a net basis will be accrued daily and an amount of cash or liquid asset having an aggregate NAV at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in an account with the Custodian. The Fund will also establish and maintain such accounts with respect to its total obligations under any swaps that are not entered into on a net basis. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be "senior securities" for purposes of the Fund's investment restriction concerning senior securities.

 

Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund's illiquid investment limitations. The Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counter-party.

 

The Fund may enter into a swap agreement in circumstances where the Adviser believes that it may be more cost effective or practical than buying the securities represented by such index or a futures contract or an option on such index. The counter-party to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer. The counter-party will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks represented in the index, plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. The Fund will agree to pay to the counter-party a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks. Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.

 

The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are traded in the over-the-counter market.

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Regulation as a Commodity Pool Operator

 

The Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, has filed with the National Futures Association, a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to the Fund’s operations.  Accordingly, the Fund is not currently subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator. 

When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

 

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

19 
 

secondary market. Foreign securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.

 

Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from shareholders. The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

 

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

Under guidelines adopted by the Board, the Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security (e.g., debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the Adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, and (2) is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSROs") or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality.

 

Rule 144A securities and Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Adviser to determine if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund's assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.

 

Lending Portfolio Securities

 

For the purpose of achieving income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. government securities or cash or cash equivalents (cash, U.S. government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances

20 
 

or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of securities loaned, (3) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends received on the loaned securities, and (4) the aggregate value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of the Fund.

 

Short Sales

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

The Fund may make a short sale as a hedge, when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by the Fund (or a security convertible or exchangeable for such security). In such case, any future losses in the Fund’s long position should be offset by a gain in the short position and, conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced

21 
 

by a loss in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses are reduced will depend upon the amount of the security sold short relative to the amount the Fund owns. There will be certain additional transaction costs associated with short sales “against the box,” but the Fund will endeavor to offset these costs with the income from the investment of the cash proceeds of short sales.

 

If the Fund effects a short sale of securities at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the securities, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the securities (as a “constructive sale”) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may

not apply if a Fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the extent to which the Fund may effect short sales.

 

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER


 

The Fund may sell a portfolio investment soon after its acquisition if the Adviser believes that such a disposition is consistent with attaining the investment objective of the Fund. Portfolio investments may be sold for a variety of reasons, such as a more favorable investment opportunity or other circumstances bearing on the desirability of continuing to hold such investments. A high rate of portfolio turnover (over 100%) may involve correspondingly greater transaction costs, which must be borne directly by the Fund and ultimately by its shareholders. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of substantial net capital gains. To the extent short-term capital gains are realized, distributions attributable to such gains will be deemed ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. For the past two fiscal years ended March 31, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rates were as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020
1.13% 1.44%

 

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS


 

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

 

1. Purchase or otherwise acquire interests in real estate, real estate mortgage loans or interests therein, except that the Fund may purchase (either directly or via the underlying funds in which the Fund invests) securities issued by issuers, including real estate investment trusts, which invest in real estate or interests therein.

 

2. Make loans if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets would be loaned to other parties, except that the Fund may (i) purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objective and policies; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements; (iii) lend its securities and/or (iv) loan money to other funds within the Trust in accordance with the terms of any applicable rule or regulation or exemptive order pursuant to the 1940 Act.

 

22 
 

3. Act as an underwriter except to the extent the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter when disposing of securities it owns or when selling its own shares.

 

4. Issue senior securities to the Fund’s presently authorized shares of beneficial interest, except that this restriction shall not be deemed to prohibit the Fund from (i) making any permitted borrowings, loans, mortgages, or pledges, (ii) entering into options, futures contracts, forward contracts, repurchase transactions or reverse repurchase transactions, or (iii) making short sales of securities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and any rule or order thereunder, or SEC staff interpretation thereof.

 

5. Borrow money in an amount exceeding 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets, provided that the Fund may borrow money from other funds within the Trust in accordance with the terms of any applicable rule or regulation or exemptive order pursuant to the 1940 Act; and

 

6. Invest 25% or more of the market value of its assets in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry. (This limitation does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities).

 

7. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity futures contracts, except that the Fund may purchase and sell foreign currency contracts in accordance with any rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

With respect to 75% of the Fund’s total assets, the Fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, (1) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer; or (2) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.

 

The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental and which may be changed without shareholder vote. The Fund may not:

 

1. Invest in securities of other investment companies except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

 

2. Invest in securities or other assets that the Board determines to be illiquid if more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in such securities.

 

If a restriction on the Fund's investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund's investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund's total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.

 

 

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INVESTMENT ADVISER


 

The Adviser. First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc., 5161 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth, Minnesota 55811, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the oversight of the Board, the Adviser is responsible for management of the Fund's investment portfolio. The Adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund's investments according to the Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Adviser was established in 1988 for the purpose of advising individuals and institutions. As of March 31, 2021, the Adviser had approximately $36 million in assets under management. Curtis A. Teberg is the President and sole controlling shareholder of the Adviser. 

 

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Fund pays the Adviser, on a monthly basis, an annual advisory fee equivalent to 1.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The Advisory Agreement’s initial term was two years and thereafter continues from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on no more than 60 days written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees or the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Trust's outstanding shares. The Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment. The Advisory Agreement for the Fund was renewed by the Board of Trustees at a meeting held on November 23-24, 2020.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees and reimburse expenses of the Fund, at least until July 31, 2022, to ensure that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement (excluding any front-end or contingent deferred loads; brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses; borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); taxes; and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, and contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser))) will not exceed 1.75% of average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may request recoupment of previously waived fees and paid expenses from the Fund for three years from the date they were waived or paid, if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits or within the expense limits in place at the time of recoupment, whichever is lower. This agreement may be terminated only by the Board on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease a Fund's expenses and boost its performance.

 

The table below provides information about the advisory fees paid to the Adviser by the Fund for the fiscal years shown:

 

Fees

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

March 31, 2021

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

March 31, 2020

For the Fiscal

Year Ended

March 31, 2019

Management Fee 1.25% 1.25% 1.25%
Management Fees Accrued $386,707 $354,558 $356,061
Management Fees Waived ($127,699) ($133,023) ($131,258)
Management Fee Paid $259,008 $221,535 $224,803
Expenses Reimbursed None None None
Amount Subject to Recoupment ($127,699) ($133,023) ($131,258)
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PORTFOLIO MANAGER


 

Portfolio Manager. As described in the Prospectus, the portfolio manager listed below (the “Portfolio Manager”) is responsible for the management of the Fund and, as of March 31, 2021, the other accounts set forth in the following tables.

 

Portfolio Manager   Other Registered Investment Companies   Other Pooled Investment Vehicles   Other Accounts
  Number   Total Assets   Number   Total Assets   Number   Total Assets
Curtis A. Teberg   None   $0   None   $0   None   $0

 

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

 

Portfolio

Manager

  Other Registered Investment Companies   Other Pooled Investment Vehicles   Other Accounts
  Number   Total Assets   Number   Total Assets   Number   Total Assets
Curtis A. Teberg   None   $0   None   $0   None   $0

 

Conflicts of Interest.

 

In general, when the Portfolio Manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or it could receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. The procedures to address conflicts of interest, if any, are described below.

 

The Adviser attempts to avoid conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of the management of multiple client accounts. From time to time, the Adviser may recommend or cause a client to invest in a security in which another client of the Adviser has an ownership position. The Adviser has adopted certain procedures intended to treat all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. To the extent that the Adviser seeks to purchase or sell the same security for multiple client accounts, the Adviser may aggregate, or bunch, these orders where it deems this to be appropriate and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. When a bunched order is filled in its entirety, each participating client account will participate at the average share prices for the bunched order. When a bunched order is only partially filled, the securities purchased will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to each account participating in the bunched order based upon the initial amount requested for the account, subject to certain exceptions. Each participating account will receive the average share price for the bunched order on the same business day. In the event a single block transaction cannot be affected across all custodial platforms, a trade rotation policy shall be implemented to ensure fairness of execution. The trade rotation policy sequences each directed client that was not aggregated into the block order onto a rotating list defining the timing of order releases. The list is made up of all such directed accounts along with the block order. For purposes of speed, all directed clients who share a

25 
 

particular broker are assumed to be a single block on the trade rotation schedule. The execution of trades is rotated among the block order and the directed clients. If a trade for a particular rotation is not completed during the trading day, any remaining portion of the trade will be completed on the following day(s) before any trade in the same security may be initiated for the next rotation. After the trades have been completed, the schedule is moved up in order and the next broker is put first on the list for the next implementation of trades.

 

In addition, the Portfolio Manager may receive a portion of the Rule 12b-1 fees from the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

 

Compensation.

 

For services as Portfolio Manager to the Fund, the Portfolio Manager may receive wages and/or a bonus from the Adviser.  The Portfolio Manager does not have a deferred compensation plan, and compensation is not determined based upon Fund assets or performance.  The Portfolio Manager compensation is based on the Adviser’s profitability. No part of the Portfolio Manager’s compensation is based on the performance of the Fund, the performance of public or privately managed accounts, or assets under management.  The Portfolio Manager has a 401(k) retirement plan with a fixed employer-contribution component, which includes a voluntary employee salary deferral and a Safe Harbor match.

 

Ownership of Securities.

 

As of March 31, 2021, the Portfolio Manager owned the following securities in the Fund:

 

Name of Portfolio Manager Dollar Range of Shares Beneficially Owned
Curtis A. Teberg Over $1,000,000

 

 

ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE


 

Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the Portfolio Manager, who is an employee of the Adviser. Generally, the Adviser is authorized to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Adviser for the Fund's use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.

 

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

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

Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage and research services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other

26 
 

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 March 31, 2021, March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019, the Fund paid $100, $12 and $237, respectively, in broker-dealer commissions.

 

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS


 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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 SEC on Form N-CSR or Form N-PORT. In each case, a determination has been made by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose of the Fund and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential and not trade on any material, non-public information.

 

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

 

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

 

U.S. Bank National Association, LLC. U.S. Bank National Association, LLC 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.

27 
 

BBD, LLP. BBD, LLP is the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund's portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund's annual financial statements, providing tax services and review of other SEC filings.

Counsel to the Trust and Counsel to the Independent Trustees. Counsel to the Trust and Counsel to the Independent Trustees, together with their respective personnel, have access to the Fund's portfolio holdings in connection with the review of the Fund's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.

 

Additions to List of Approved Recipients

 

The Trust's Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the 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 in connection with the operation or administration of the Fund, as determined by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential and not trade on material, non-public information. 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 of Trustees with respect to compliance with the Fund's portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.

 

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

 

 

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS


 

Fund Administration, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agent Services

Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”), which has its principal office at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022-3474, serves as administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Fund pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust and subject to the supervision of the Board. GFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. GFS is an affiliate of the Distributor. GFS may also provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of GFS or its affiliates.

 

 

The Agreement became effective on February 23, 2012, and remained in effect for two years from the applicable effective date for the Fund, and continues in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board.  The Agreement is terminable by the Board or GFS on 90 days’ written notice and may be assigned by either party, provided that the Trust may not assign this agreement without the prior written

28 
 

consent of GFS. The Agreement provides that GFS shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the Agreement.

 

Under the Agreement, GFS performs administrative services, including: (1) monitoring the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Trust by others service providers; (2) monitoring Fund holdings and operations for post-trade compliance with the Fund’s registration statement and applicable laws and rules; (3) preparing and coordinating the printing of semi-annual and annual financial statements; (4) preparing selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses; (5) preparing and disseminating materials for and attend and participate in meetings of the Board; (6) determining income and capital gains available for distribution and calculating distributions required to meet regulatory, income, and excise tax requirements; (7) reviewing the Trust's federal, state, and local tax returns as prepared and signed by the Trust's independent public accountants; (8) preparing and maintaining the Trust's operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to the Fund to calculate its daily net asset value; (9) assisting in and monitor the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of amendments to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, periodic reports to the Trustees, shareholders and the SEC, notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2, proxy materials and reports to the SEC on Forms N-CEN, N-CSR, N-PORT and N-PX; (10) coordinating the Trust's audits and examinations by assisting the Fund’s independent public accountants; (11) determining, in consultation with others, the jurisdictions in which shares of the Trust shall be registered or qualified for sale and facilitate such registration or qualification; (12) monitoring sales of shares and ensure that the shares are properly and duly registered with the SEC; (13) monitoring the calculation of performance data for the Fund; (14) preparing, or causing to be prepared, expense and financial reports; (15) preparing authorization for the payment of Trust expenses and pay, from Trust assets, all bills of the Trust; (16) providing information typically supplied in the Investment Company industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment companies; (17) upon request, assisting the Fund in the evaluation and selection of other service providers, such as independent public accountants, printers, EDGAR providers and proxy solicitors (such parties may be affiliates of GFS); and (18) performing other services, recordkeeping and assistance relating to the affairs of the Trust as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request.

 

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

 

GFS also acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to the Agreement. Under the Agreement, GFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

 

For the each of the services rendered to the Fund by GFS, the Fund pays GFS the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses. For the fiscal years ended March 31, the Fund paid the following fees to GFS:

 

Service 2021 2020 2019
29 
 

 

Fund Administration $45,393 $37,962 $35,957
Fund Accounting $28,330 $28,154 $28,156
Transfer Agency $35,984 $30,451 $30,958

 

Effective February 1, 2019, NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC, the parent company of GFS, 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. 

 

Custodian

 

U.S. Bank National Association, LLC located at 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202, serves as the custodian (“Custodian”) of the Fund's assets pursuant to a custody agreement (the "Custody Agreement") by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund's investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. 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"), located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022-3474, an affiliate of GFS and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. NLCS’s compliance services consist primarily of reviewing and assessing the policies and procedures of the Trust and its service providers pertaining to compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act.  For the services rendered to the Funds by the NLCS, the Funds pay NLCS an annual fixed fee and an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon each Fund’s net assets.  The Fund also pays NLCS for any out-of-pocket expenses. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, the Fund incurred $21,979 of compliance service fees in total. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, the Fund incurred $22,000 of compliance service fees in total. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, the Fund incurred $19,440 of compliance service fees in total.

 

 

 

30 
 

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


 

The Fund has selected BBD, LLP (“BBD”), 1835 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, as its independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year. The firm provides services to the Fund including (i) audit of annual financial statements, and (ii) various tax services.

On May 31, 2018, upon the recommendation of the Board’s Audit Committee, the Board approved the engagement of BBD as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 and has renewed BBD’s engagement annually thereafter. During the Fund’s previous fiscal years, neither the Fund, nor anyone on its behalf consulted with BBD, on behalf of the Fund, regarding the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction (either completed or proposed), the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Fund’s financial statements, or any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the instructions thereto, or a “reportable event,” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

For the Fund’s previous fiscal years in which the Fund’s financial statements were audited by the Fund’s former independent registered public accounting firm (the “Former Auditor”), there were no disagreements between the Fund and the Former Auditor on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of the Former Auditor, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the financial statements of the Fund for such periods. The reports of the Former Auditor on the Fund’s financial statements for the previous fiscal years did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

 

 

LEGAL COUNSEL


 

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

 

 

DISTRIBUTOR


 

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022-3474 serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Fund pursuant to an underwriting agreement with the Trust (the "Underwriting Agreement"). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state's securities laws and is a member of FINRA. The offering of the Fund's shares are continuous. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, will use reasonable efforts to facilitate the sale of the Fund's shares.

 

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

31 
 

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

 

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

 

The following table sets forth the total compensation received by the Distributor from the Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021:

 


Fund
Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions Compensation on Redemptions and Repurchases Brokerage Commissions Other Compensation  
The Teberg Fund $0 $0 $0 *  
The Distributor also receives 12b-1 fees from the Fund as described under the following section entitled “Rule 12b-1 Plan”.

 

Rule 12b-1 Plan

 

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distributor's account maintenance services under this Plan, a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund's average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board and the Distributor. The Plan authorizes payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others ("Recipients") to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. The Fund will bear its own costs of distribution with respect to its shares. The Fund may make other payments such as contingent deferred sales charges imposed on certain redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant to the Plan.

 

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

 

The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the purposes for which such

32 
 

expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.

 

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

 

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

 

The following table shows the dollar amounts by category allocated to the Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, for distribution and servicing-related expenses:

 

 

Actual 12b-1 Expenditures Paid by
Teberg Shares
During the Fiscal Period Ended March 31, 2021
  THE TEBERG FUND
Advertising/Marketing None
Printing/Postage None
Payment to distributor $14,389
Payment to dealers $638
Compensation to sales personnel None
Other $62,314
Total $77,341

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES


 

Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.

 

33 
 

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

 

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

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS


 

The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust. Under the code of ethics adopted by the Trust, the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by the Fund.

 

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

 

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES


 

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

 

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

 

34 
 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll free, 1-866-209-1964 and by accessing the information on proxy voting filed by the Fund on Form N-PX on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures are also available by calling 1-866-209-1964 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.

 

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF FUND SHARES


 

Calculation of Share Price

 

As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading "How Shares are Priced," the 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.

 

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 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 debt securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less may be amortized to maturity, provided such valuations represent par 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

35 
 

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 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 NYSE 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 NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the "NYSE Close") on each day that the NYSE 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 committee composed of one of more officers from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) Adviser. The committee may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

36 
 

 

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. 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, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the 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 NAV. 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 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 is unable to obtain a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties, the fair value committee 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.

 

37 
 

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 committee 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 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.

 

The Board’s Determination. The Board 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 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 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.

  

Notice to Texas Shareholders

 

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 address below to obtain a form for providing written notice to the Trust:

 

The Teberg Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474

TAX STATUS


 

The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding their investment in the Fund.

 

38 
 

The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Tax 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 Tax Code.

 

Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund. The Fund’s net realized capital gains from securities transactions will be distributed only after reducing such gains by the amount of any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital loss carryforwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

 

The Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income, any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and any excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Tax Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of net investment income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.

 

At March 31, 2021, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes available to offset future capital gains and utilized capital loss carryforwards as follows:

 

Non-Expiring     Non-Expiring           CLCF  
Short-Term     Long-Term     Total     Utilized  
$ 2,105,635     $     $ 2,105,635     $ 1,868  
                             

 

To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Tax Code, the Fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain publicly traded partnerships and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the Fund's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) any one issuer, two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.

 

If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such, the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for

39 
 

income tax on the Fund's net investment income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund's net investment income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.

 

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

 

The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Tax Code.

 

Distributions of taxable net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, unless such distributions are attributable to “qualified dividend income” eligible for the reduced federal income tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.

 

Distributions of net capital gain ("capital gain dividends") generally are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders.

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

A redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder's tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. The gain or loss will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year and if not held for such period, as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.

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

 

40 
 

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

 

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

 

Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements

 

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

 

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

 

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

 

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

41 
 

 

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

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

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

 

Other Regulated Investment Companies

 

Generally, the character of the income or capital gains that the Fund receives from another investment company will pass through to the Fund’s shareholders as long as the Fund and the other investment company each qualify as a regulated investment company. However, to the extent that another investment company that qualifies as a regulated investment company realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the Fund will not be able to recognize its share of those losses until it disposes of shares of such investment company. Moreover, even when the Fund does make such a disposition, a portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss, which will not be treated as favorably for federal income tax purposes as an ordinary deduction. In particular, the Fund will not be able to offset any capital losses from its dispositions of shares of other investment companies against its ordinary income. As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, it is possible that the amounts of net investment income and net capital gains that the Fund will be required to distribute to shareholders will be greater than such amounts would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests, rather than investing in shares of the investment companies. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from the Fund (e.g., long-term capital gain, qualified dividend income, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests.

 

Foreign Taxation

 

Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-

42 
 

dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will "pass through" for that year.

 

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

 

Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

43 
 

elections applicable to debt securities having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

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

 

Payments to Foreign Shareholders

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM


 

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

 

44 
 

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

 

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

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES


 

A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders who have the power to vote a large percentage of shares (at least 25%) of the Fund can control the Fund and could determine the outcome of a shareholders’ meeting. The shareholder listed below was a principal shareholder of the Fund as of July 2, 2021:

 

Name and Address

Shares Percentage of Fund Record or Beneficial Owner

Curtis A. Teberg

5161 Miller Trunk Hwy

Duluth, MN 55811

354,869.585 16.86% Beneficial

 

Management Ownership Information.  As of July 2, 2021, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

 

MANAGEMENT


 

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

 

Board Leadership Structure. The Board is led by John V. Palancia, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since May 2014. The Board has not appointed a Lead Independent Trustee because all Trustees are Independent Trustees. Under the Governing Documents, the Chairman of

45 
 

the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, and (c) execution and administration of Trust policies, including (i) setting the agendas for Board meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership. The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, its Funds and each shareholder.

 

Board Risk Oversight. The Board is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees with an Audit Committee with a separate chair. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary. The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting the risk within its area of responsibilities. Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.

 

Trustee Qualifications.

 

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

 

Patricia Luscombe, CFA, has more than 30 years in financial advisory and valuation services. She has delivered a broad range of corporate finance advice including fairness opinions and valuations. Ms. Luscombe joined Lincoln International in 2007 as a Managing Director and co-head of Lincoln's Valuations & Opinions Group. In this position, she assists regulated investment funds, business development companies, private equity funds and hedge funds in the valuation of illiquid securities for fair value accounting purposes. Ms. Luscombe's clients range from closely-held businesses to large, publicly-traded companies. Previously, Ms. Luscombe spent 16 years with Duff & Phelps Corporation, as a Managing Director in the firm's valuation and financial advisory business. Prior to joining Duff & Phelps Corporation, Ms. Luscombe was an Associate at Smith Barney, a division of Citigroup Capital Markets, Inc., where she managed a variety of financial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and equity and debt financings. Ms. Luscombe is a member of the Chicago Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of Chicago and former president of the Chicago Finance Exchange. Ms. Luscombe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Stanford University, a Master's degree in economics from the University of Chicago and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In addition, Ms. Luscombe is licensed under the Series 24, 79 and 63 of FINRA.

 

John V. Palancia has over 40 years of business experience in the financial services industry including serving as the Director of Global Futures Operations for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”) Mr. Palancia possesses an in depth understanding of broker-dealer operations from having served in various management capacities and has held industry registrations in both securities and futures. Based on his service at Merrill Lynch, he also possesses a strong understanding of risk management, balance sheet analysis, compliance and the regulatory framework under which regulated financial entities must operate. Additionally, he is well versed in the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his service as a member of three other

46 
 

mutual fund boards. This practical and extensive experience in the securities industry provides valuable insight into fund operations and enhances his ability to effectively serve as chairman of the Board. Mr. Palancia is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors. Mr. Palancia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

 

Mark H. Taylor has 30 years of academic and professional experience in the accounting and auditing fields which makes him particularly qualified to serve as the Trust’s Audit Committee chair. He holds PhD, Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. Dr. Taylor is a Director of the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy at the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida. From 2017 to 2020, Dr. Taylor served a three-year term as Vice President-Finance on the Board of Directors of the American Accounting Association (AAA). From 2012 to 2015, he served a three-year term as President of the Auditing Section of the AAA (Vice-President 2012-2013, President 2013-2014, and Past President (2014-2015). Dr. Taylor serves as a member of two other mutual fund boards within the Northern Lights Fund Complex, and completed a fellowship in the Professional Practice Group of the Office of the Chief Accountant at the headquarters of the United States Securities Exchange Commission. He also served a three-year term on the AICPA’s Auditing Standards Board (2010-2012). Dr. Taylor is a member of two research teams that recently received grants from the Center for Audit Quality to study how auditors manage the process of auditing fair value measurements in financial statements and how accounting firms’ tone-at-the top messaging impacts audit performance. Dr. Taylor teaches corporate governance and accounting policy as well as auditing and assurance services and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies operate.

 

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

 

Trustees and Officers. The Trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal business occupations during the past five years and other information, are shown below. 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, NE 68154.

 

Independent Trustees
Name, Address, Year of Birth Position(s) Held with Registrant Length of Service and Term Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years Number of Funds Overseen In The Fund Complex* Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years**
47 
 

 

Patricia

Luscombe

1961

Trustee Since January 2015, Indefinite Managing Director of the Valuations and Opinions Group, Lincoln International LLC (since August 2007). 1 Northern Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2015); Monetta Mutual Funds (since November 2015).

John V.

Palancia

1954

Trustee, Chairman Trustee, since February 2012, Indefinite; Chairman of the Board since May 2014. Retired (since 2011); Formerly, Director of Global Futures Operations Control, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (1975-2011). 1 Northern Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2012); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2011); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2011); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2012).

Mark H.

Taylor

1964

Trustee, Chairman of the Audit Committee Since February 2012, Indefinite Director, Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida (since August 2019); Chair, Department of Accountancy and Andrew D. Braden Professor of Accounting and Auditing, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University (2009-2019); Vice President-Finance, American Accounting Association (2017-2020); President, Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association (2012-15); AICPA Auditing Standards Board Member (2009-2012).  Former Academic Fellow, United States Securities and Exchange Commission (2005-2006).   1 Northern Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2012); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2007); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2007); Alternative Strategies Fund (since June 2010).

Jeffery D. Young

1956

Trustee Since January 2015, Indefinite Co-owner and Vice President, Latin America Agriculture Development Corp. (since May 2015); Formerly Asst. Vice President - Transportation Systems, Union Pacific Railroad Company (June 1976 to April 2014); President, Celeritas Rail Consulting (since June 2014). 1 Northern Lights Fund Trust III (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2015); PS Technology, Inc. (2010-2013).

 

* As of March 31, 2021, the Trust was comprised of 32 active portfolios managed by 16 unaffiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the Fund. 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.

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

 

 

Officers of the Trust

 

Name, Address, Year of Birth Position(s) Held with Registrant Length of Service and Term Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
48 
 

 

Richard Malinowski

1983

President

Since

August 2017, indefinite

Senior Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, (since 2020); Senior Vice President Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2017-2020); Vice President and Counsel (2016-2017) and AVP and Staff Attorney (2012-2016).

Brian Curley

1970

Treasurer

Since

February 2013, indefinite

Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2015), Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012-2014); Senior Controller of Fund Treasury, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (2008-2012); Senior Associate of Fund Administration, Morgan Stanley (1999-2008).

Eric Kane

1981

Secretary

Since

November 2013, indefinite

Vice President and Managing Counsel, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2020); Vice President and Counsel, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2017-2020), Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2014- 2017), Staff Attorney, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2013-2014), Law Clerk, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2009-2013), Legal Intern, NASDAQ OMX (2011), Hedge Fund Administrator, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008), Mutual Fund Accountant/Corporate Action Specialist, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2006-2008).

William Kimme

1962

Chief Compliance Officer

Since

February 2012, indefinite

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

 

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

 

Compensation of Directors.

 

Effective January 1, 2021, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust receives a quarterly fee of $23,500, allocated among each of the various portfolios comprising the Trust, for his or her attendance at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, to be paid in advance of each calendar quarter, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred. From April 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020, each Trustee who was not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust received a quarterly fee of $21,500, allocated among each of the various portfolios comprising the Trust, for his or her attendance at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, to be paid in advance of each calendar quarter, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred. Since January 1, 2017, in addition to the quarterly fees and reimbursements, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly fee of $5,000, and the Audit Committee Chairman receives a quarterly fee of $3,750.

 

Additionally, in the event an in-person meeting of the Board other than its regularly scheduled meetings (a “Special Meeting”) is required, each Independent Trustee will receive a fee of $2,500 per

49 
 

Special Meeting, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred, to be paid by the relevant series of the Trust or its investment adviser depending on the circumstances necessitating the Special Meeting. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust.

 

The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the Fund during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.

 

Name and Position The Teberg Fund Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex* Paid to Trustees
James U. Jensen** $1,743.81 None None $1,743.81
Patricia Luscombe $2,457.14 None None $2,457.14
John V. Palancia $3,276.19 None None $3,276.19
Mark H. Taylor $3,003.16 None None $3,003.16
Jeffery D. Young $2,457.14 None None $2,457.14

* There are currently numerous 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 March 31, 2021, the aggregate independent Trustees’ fees paid by the entire Trust were $451,500.

**Mr. Jensen retired from the Board on December 31, 2020.

 

Trustees' Ownership of Shares in the Fund. As of December 31, 2020, the Trustees beneficially owned the following amounts in the Fund:

 

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

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


 

The financial statements and report of the independent registered public accounting firm required to be included in this SAI are hereby incorporated by reference to the Annual Report for the Fund for the period ended March 31, 2021, are incorporated by reference. You can obtain the Semi-Annual Report and the Annual Report without charge by calling the Fund at 1-866-209-1964.

50 
 

APPENDIX A

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

FIRST ASSOCIATED INVESTMENT ADVISORS, INC.

I. Overview

 

As a general matter, FAIA does not vote proxies on behalf of separately managed account clients. All proxy materials are sent directly to clients, who are responsible for voting the proxies. Upon client request, FAIA may provide advice and information to clients to assist them in making a determination of how to vote a specific proxy, but generally FAIA shall not accept responsibility for voting separately-managed account client proxies. However, FAIA is responsible for voting proxies on behalf of The Teberg Fund (Fund), a registered investment company for which FAIA serves as investment Adviser.

 

This proxy voting policy is designed to provide reasonable assurance that proxies are voted in the Fund’s best economic interest. FAIA will vote proxies for the Fund pursuant to the authority granted in the investment management agreement between FAIA and the Fund.

 

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO).

 

II. Conflicts of Interest

 

A. Overview

FAIA may encounter a material conflict in voting proxies. FAIA has a duty to recognize a material conflict and to resolve the conflict before voting the proxy. For purposes of this policy, material conflicts of interest are defined as those conflicts that, in the opinion of the CCO, a reasonable investor would view as important in making a decision regarding how to vote a proxy.

 

Examples of material conflicts include (but are not limited to):

1. FAIA provides investment management services to a publicly traded company and also holds that same security within client portfolios; and
2. An FAIA employee has a business or personal relationship (such as a close friend or spouse) with a member of executive management, a participant in the proxy contest, or a corporate director of the company.

 

B. Identifying Conflicts of Interest

1. FAIA shall maintain a listing of all material business conflicts of interests – those business relationships between the firm and other parties that are deemed to be material and may result in a conflict with respect to a future proxy contest.
2. All employees are required to disclose all personal and familial relationships that may present a material conflict of interest with respect to a future proxy contest. Employees who are unsure whether a relationship should be disclosed as a material conflict should consult the CCO for guidance.

 

 

 

 

51 
 
C. Resolving Material Conflicts of Interest

 

FAIA will take one of the following actions to ensure the proxy voting decision is based on the Fund’s best interests and is not a result of the conflict.

1. Engage an independent party to determine how to vote the proxy;
2. Prepare a report that (i) describes the conflict of interest; (ii) discusses procedures used to address such conflict of interest; (iii) discloses any contacts from outside parties (other than routine communications from proxy solicitors) regarding the proposal; and (iv) confirms the recommendation was made solely on the investment merits and without regard to any other consideration;
3. Refer the proxy to a representative of the Fund for voting purposes;
4. Disclose the conflict to the Fund and seek consent to vote the proxy prior to casting the vote; or
5. Vote in accordance with a pre-determined voting policy, as disclosed to the Fund.

 

III. Disclosures

 

A client may request FAIA to deliver this Proxy Voting Policy as well as a record of how FAIA has voted, if applicable. FAIA will use the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A to disclose:

 

A. How to obtain a copy of this policy;
B. How to obtain a record of how securities were voted, if applicable; and
C. A summary of the firm’s proxy voting policies.

 

IV. Voting Guidelines

 

FAIA strives to vote all proxies in the best economic interests of the Fund. The decision of how to vote follows the same criteria FAIA uses in managing client accounts – to vote for proposals in such a manner that, in FAIA’s opinion, will increase shareholder value.

 

A. General Overview

In evaluating a particular proxy proposal, FAIA takes into consideration, among other items:

1. Management’s assertions regarding the proxy proposal;
2. FAIA’s determination of how the proxy proposal will impact the Fund; and
3. FAIA’s determination of whether the proxy proposal will create dilution for shareholders.

 

B. Proxy Proposals Regarding Business Operations Matters

FAIA will generally support management’s recommendations on proxy issues related to business operations matters since management’s ability is a key factor FAIA considers in selecting equity securities for client portfolios. FAIA believes a company’s management should generally have the latitude to make decisions related to the company’s business operations. However, when FAIA believes the company’s management is acting in an inconsistent manner with the Fund’s best interests FAIA will vote against management’s recommendations.

 

C. Proxy Proposals Regarding Compensations Matters

 

1. FAIA will generally vote in favor of compensation plans unless, in FAIA’s opinion, such plans are structured to create serious dilution to shareholders.
52 
 

 

D. Proxy Proposals Regarding Control Matters

 

1. FAIA will generally vote in favor of proxy proposals regarding control matters (e.g., mergers and anti-takeover tactics) related to a company if the transaction appears to offer fair value;
2. FAIA generally opposes measures limiting the rights of shareholders; and
3. FAIA generally opposes measures preventing shareholders from accepting an offer of a sale of a company.

 

V. Form N-PX

 

By August 31 of each year on behalf of the Fund, FAIA will work with the appropriate agent of the Fund to file the Fund’s complete proxy voting record for the year ended June 30 on Form N-PX with the SEC. See the proxy voting policies and procedures applicable to the Fund for additional information.

 

VI. Record Retention Requirements

 

FAIA shall keep the following proxy voting records:

 

A. These proxy voting policies and procedures;
B. Proxy statements received regarding client securities;
C. Records of proxy votes cast on behalf of the Fund;
D. Records of client requests for proxy voting information, including a record of the information provided by FAIA; and
E. Documents prepared by FAIA that were material to making the decision of how to vote.

 

FAIA will keep these records in accordance with its Record Retention Policy.

 

Approved: August 14, 2013

Revised: October 24, 2013

August 1, 2016

53 
 

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28. Exhibits.

 

Each of the Exhibits incorporated by reference below are found in File Nos. 811-22655, 333-178833.

 

(a) Articles of Incorporation.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(d) Investment Advisory Contracts.

  

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

 

(ii) Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between Dakota Wealth, LLC, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund is filed herewith.

 

(iii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Marathon Value Portfolio is filed herewith.

 

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

 

(iv)(a) First Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on October 26, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 305, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(vi)(b) Second Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the RESQ Dynamic Allocation Fund and RESQ Strategic Income Fund as previously filed on July 24, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 468, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

 

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

 

(viii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and the Registrant with respect to the HCM Tactical Growth Fund as previously filed on April 24, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 465, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(xix)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund as previously filed on October 26, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 305, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

  

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(xxvi)(a) First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Growth Fund is filed herewith.

 

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

 

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

 

(xxix) Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and Registrant with respect to the HCM Defender 100 Index ETF and HCM Defender 500 Index ETF as previously filed on September 6, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 426, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxx) Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the CP High Yield Trend ETF as previously filed on December 27, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 439, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Centerstone Investors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund as previously filed on March 3, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 505, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

 

(e) Underwriting Contracts.

 

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

 

(ii) ETF Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC as previously filed on September 6, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 426, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. None.

 

(g) Custodial Agreement.

 

(i) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Huntington National Bank as previously filed on August 29, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(ii) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Union Bank, N.A. as previously filed on August 29, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 9, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(vi) Custody and Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. as previously filed on September 6, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 426, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(vii) Master Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company was previously filed on April 21, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 507, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(viii) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is filed herewith.

 

 

(h) Other Material Contracts.

 

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

 

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

 

(iii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Dakota Wealth, LLC, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund is filed herewith.

 

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

 

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

 

(v)(b) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to The Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on October 26, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 305, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(viii)(b) Second Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Horizon Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Issachar Fund as previously filed on January 20, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 484, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(xxix) ETF Fund Services Agreement between Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC as previously filed on September 6, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 426, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxx) Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the CP High Yield Trend ETF as previously filed on December 27, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 439, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xxxi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Centerstone Investors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund as previously filed on March 3, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 505, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

 

(i) Legal Consent is filed herewith.

 

(j) Other Opinions. Consent of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith.

 

(k) Omitted Financial Statements. None.

 

(l) Initial Capital Agreements. None.

 

(m) Rule 12b-1 Plans.

 

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

 

(i)(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A Shares as previously filed on April 21, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 507, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

 

(ii)(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C Shares as previously filed on April 21, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 507,and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

ETF as previously filed on December 27, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 439, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

 

(xi) Amended and Restated Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 Plan as previously filed on April 21, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post- Effective Amendment No. 507, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(n) Reserved.

 

(o) Code of Ethics.

 

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

 

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

 

(iii) Code of Ethics of Swan Capital Management, Inc. as previously filed on April 21, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 507, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(viii) Code of Ethics of RESQ Investment Partners, LLC as previously filed on April 24, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 465, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(xii) Code of Ethics of Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC is filed herewith.

 

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

 

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

  

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

 

(xvi) Code of Ethics of Boyd Watterson Asset Management, LLC ETF as previously filed on December 27, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 439, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xvii) Code of Ethics for Centerstone Investors, LLC as previously filed on March 3, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 505, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

(xviii) Code of Ethics for Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC is filed herewith.

 

(xix) Code of Ethics for Dakota Wealth, LLC is filed herewith.

 

(p) Powers of Attorney.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(iv) Power of Attorney for the Trust, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each executive officer, as previously filed on October 26, 2017 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 305, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

Item 29. Control Persons. None.

 

Item 30. Indemnification.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement between the Trust and Northern lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD”), the Trust agrees to indemnify, defend and hold NLD, its several officers and managers, and any person who controls NLD within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which NLD, its officers and managers, or any such controlling persons, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon: (i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any Prospectus,  (ii) the breach of any representations, warranties or obligations set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, (iii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in any of them not misleading, (iv) the Trust’s  failure to maintain an effective Registration statement and Prospectus with respect to Shares of the Funds that are the subject of the claim or demand, (v) the Trust’s failure to provide NLD with advertising or sales materials to be filed with the FINRA on a timely basis, (vi) the Trust’s failure to properly register Fund Shares under applicable state laws, or (vii) reasonable actions taken by NLD resulting from NLD’s reliance on instructions received from an officer, agent or legal counsel of the Trust.

 

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, NLD agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, its several officers and Board members, and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Trust, its officers or Board members, or any such controlling person, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that such liability or expense incurred by the Trust , its officers or Board members, or such controlling person results from such claims or demands: (i) arising out of or based upon any sales literature, advertisements, information, statements or representations made by NLD and unauthorized by the Trust or any Disqualifying Conduct in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares, or (ii) arising out of or based upon any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in information furnished in writing by NLD to the Fund  specifically for use in the Trust’s  Registration Statement and used in the answers to any of the items of the Registration Statement or in the corresponding statements made in the Prospectus, or shall arise out of or be based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with such information furnished in writing by NLD to the Trust  and required to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such information not misleading.  

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Good Harbor Financial, LLC, the Adviser of the Good Harbor Tactical Select Fund – File No. 801-71064.

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

RESQ Investment Partners, LLC, the Adviser of the RESQ Dynamic Allocation Fund and RESQ Strategic Income Fund – File No. 801-78822.

  

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

 

Newfound Research LLC the Adviser of the Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Growth Fund – File No. 801-73042.

 

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

 

Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC the Adviser of the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund, Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund, Counterpoint Tactical Municipal Fund and CP High Yield Trend ETF – File No. 801-80197.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Centerstone Investors, LLC the Adviser of the Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund – File No. 801-107361.

 

Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC the Adviser of the Marathon Value Portfolio File No. 801-107054.

 

Dakota Wealth, LLC the Interim Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund File No. 801-114097.

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriter.

(a) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD”), is the principal underwriter for all series of Mutual Fund & Variable Insurance Trust. NLD also acts as principal underwriter for the following:

 

NLD also acts as a principal underwriter to the following investment companies: Absolute Core Strategy ETF, Advisor One Funds, Arrow ETF Trust, 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, Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF, Boyar Value Fund Inc., Copeland Trust, Humankind Benefit Corporation, Miller Investment Trust, Mutual Fund and Variable Insurance Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust,  New Age Alpha Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, Northern Lights Variable Trust, PREDEX, Princeton Private Investment Access Fund, The North Country Funds, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, Tributary Funds, Inc., Two Roads Shared Trust, and Uncommon Investment Funds Trust.

 

(b) NLD is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The principal business address of NLD is 4221 North 203rd St., Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE  68022 NLD is an affiliate of Gemini Fund Services, LLC. Both NLD and Gemini Fund Services, LLC are under common ownership of The Ultimus Fund Group, LLC.  To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the following are the members and officers of NLD:

 

Name

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

Positions and Offices

with the Fund

Kevin Guerette President None
Stephen Preston Chief Compliance Officer, Financial Operations Principal, and AML Compliance Officer None
William J. Strait Manager, Secretary, and General Counsel None
David James Manager None

 

(c) Not Applicable. No underwriting commissions are paid in connection with the sale of Registrant’s Shares.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Good Harbor Financial, LLC, 215 N. Oak Ridge Road, Barrington, IL 60010, pursuant to the Advisory Agreements with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Select Fund.

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Newfound Research LLC, 380 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02481 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed Global Growth Fund.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Centerstone Investors, LLC 228 Park Avenue S, Suite 75938, New York, NY 10003 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Centerstone Investors Fund and Centerstone International Fund.

 

Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC 115 South Lasalle Street, 27th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Marathon Value Portfolio.

 

Dakota Wealth, LLC 11376 N. Jog Road Suite 101, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 pursuant to the Interim Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.

 

Item 34. Management Services. Not applicable.

 

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

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Smithtown, and State of New York, on the 22nd day of July, 2021.

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

 

By: /s/ Richard Malinowski

Richard Malinowski, President

 

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

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

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

 

*By: Date:

/s/ Eric D. Kane July 22, 2021

Eric D. Kane, Esq.

 

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

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Exhibit No.
Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between Dakota Wealth, LLC, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund (d)(ii)
Investment Advisory Agreement between Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Marathon Value Portfolio (d)(iii)
First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Growth Fund (d)(xxvi)(a)
Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (g)(viii)
Expense Limitation Agreement between Dakota Wealth, LLC, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund (h)(iii)
Legal Consent of Thompson Hine (i)
Consent of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (j)
Code of Ethics of Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC (o)(xii)
Code of Ethics for Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC (o)(xviii)
Code of Ethics for Dakota Wealth, LLC (o)(xix)

 

 

INTERIM INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Between

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

and

Dakota Wealth, LLC

 

This AGREEMENT is made as of June 17, 2021 between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and Dakota Wealth, LLC. a Florida Limited Liability Company (the “Adviser”) located at 11376 N. Jog Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418.

 

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 "1940 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 (the "Advisers Act");

 

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

 

WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into this Agreement, in part, as the result of the termination of a "Prior Advisory Agreement" upon the change of control of the investment adviser effecting an assignment of the Prior Advisory Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, have determined that the scope and quality of services to be provided to the Trust under this Agreement will be at least equivalent to the scope and quality of services provided under the Prior Advisory Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, a majority of the Trustees of the Trust are not interested persons of the Trust, and those Trustees select and nominate any other disinterested Trustees of the Trust;

 

WHEREAS, the legal counsel for the independent Trustees of the Trust is an independent legal counsel;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has voted in person to approve this Agreement before the Prior Advisory Agreement terminated;

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WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain Adviser to provide a continuous investment program for the assets of the Fund;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Services of the Adviser.

 

1.1 Investment Advisory Services. The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the 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 the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective(s), policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by the 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 the Fund's investments in accordance with applicable law and the investment objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in the 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.

 

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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 1940 Act. The Trust or the Adviser may elect not to make any such series subject to this Agreement.

 

2. Expenses of the Fund.

 

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 Fund under any separate agreement or arrangement between the parties.

 

2.2 Expenses to be Paid by the Fund. The 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.

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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 1940 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.

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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, the Fund shall pay the Adviser on the last day of each month, or as promptly as possible thereafter, a fee calculated by applying a monthly rate, based on an annual percentage rate, to the Fund's average daily net assets for the month. The annual percentage rate applicable to the 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. The fee to be received by the Adviser under this Agreement will be no greater than the fee received by the Adviser under the Prior Advisory Agreement.

 

The fee earned under this Agreement will be computed daily and held in an interest-bearing escrow account with the Trust's custodian or a bank. If a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities approve a long-term advisory agreement with the Adviser by the end of the duration of this Agreement, the amount in the escrow account earned with respect to the Fund, including interest earned (if any), will be paid to the Adviser. If a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities do not approve a long-term advisory agreement with the Adviser, the Adviser will be paid with respect to the Fund, out of the escrow account, the lesser of: any costs incurred in performing this Agreement (plus interest earned on that amount while in escrow); or the total amount in the escrow account earned with respect to the Fund (plus interest earned).

 

If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of any calendar month, the fee, subject to the escrow provisions of this Section, shall be pro-rated for the portion of any month in which this Agreement is in effect according to the proportion which the number of calendar days, during which this Agreement is in effect, bears to the number of calendar days in the month, and shall be payable within 10 days after the date of termination.

 

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 the Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that the Adviser deems, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the 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.

 

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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 the 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 1940 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 the 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 (“Code of Ethics”) under the 1940 Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the Code of Ethics 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 of Ethics 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 of Ethics.

 

9. Retention of Sub-Adviser.

 

Subject to the Trust's obtaining the initial and periodic approvals required under Section 15 of the 1940 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.

 

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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.

 

13.1 Duration. This Agreement, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall become effective on or about June 17, 2021 (the "Effective Date") with respect to the Fund and shall continue in effect until no longer than 150 days from the effective date (November 14, 2021); or 2) the date a definitive investment advisory agreement is approved by shareholders of the Fund.

 

13.2 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty by the vote from: (1) the Trustees of the Trust or (2) a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities, on not more than 10 calendar days' written notice to the Adviser.

 

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 at any time by either party hereto, without the payment of any penalty, upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the other party, except as provided in 13.2 above, PROVIDED, that in the case of termination by the Fund, such action shall have been

7 
 

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 III and the 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 the Fund, as the case may be, pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Trust or the 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 the 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 Fund as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law. In addition, 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 the Fund's portfolio holdings.

 

19. Governing Law.

 

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 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 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 1940 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 1940 Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted

8 
 

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]

9 
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

 

By: _/s/ Richard Malinowki_______________

 

Name: Richard Malinowski

 

Title: President

 

 

 

Dakota Wealth, LLC

 

 

By: __/s/ Gregory S. Horn_____________

 

Name: Gregory S. Horm

 

Title: Managing Director

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NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

INTERIM INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

APPENDIX A

 

 

 

NAME OF FUND

ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF

AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND

Persimmion Long/Short Fund 1.25%

 

11 
 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Between

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

and

KOVITZ INVESTMENT GROUP PARTNERS, LLC

 

 

AGREEMENT, made as of June 21, 2021 between Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Adviser"), located at 115 South Lasalle Street, 27th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603.

 

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 the “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) 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) provided the transaction complies with the Trust’s Rule 17e-1 policies and procedures.

 

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

 

1.2 Administrative Services. The Trust has engaged the services of an administrator unaffiliated with the Adviser (the “Administrator”). The Adviser shall provide such additional administrative services as reasonably requested in writing by the board of trustees of the Trust (the “Board of Trustees” and each member thereof a “Trustee”) 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 or between the Trust and its Administrator. 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 the Administrator or 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 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, compliance, 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 the Administrator in preparing 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”) where the Adviser serves as the investment adviser to such 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, including a majority Trustees who are not interested persons under the Act, 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 thirty (30) 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 Fund.

 

2. Expenses of the Fund.

 

2.1 Expenses to be Paid by Adviser. The Adviser shall pay all operating expenses of the Fund, including the compensation and expenses of any employees of the Fund and of any other persons rendering any services to the Fund; clerical and shareholder service staff salaries; office space and other office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with membership in investment company organizations; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; expenses of registering shares under federal and state securities laws, including expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with the organization and initial registration of shares of the Fund; insurance expenses; fees and expenses of the custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, shareholder service agent, plan agent, Administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and underwriter of the Fund; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption or repurchase of shares of the Fund; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing prospectuses and statements of additional information for delivery to shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing stock certificates, if any, or any other documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of shareholders’ meetings and proxy solicitations; advertising, promotion and other expenses incurred directly or indirectly in connection with the sale or distribution of the Fund’s shares, excluding expenses which the Fund is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”); and all other operating expenses not specifically assumed by the Fund.

 

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 pay: (a) all brokerage fees and commissions, indirect costs of investing in other investment companies, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (i) interest and (ii) dividend expenses on securities sold short); (b) fees and salaries payable to the Trust’s Trustees and officers who are not officers or employees of the Adviser or any underwriter of the Trust; (c) costs of any liability, uncollectible items of deposit and other

insurance or fidelity bonds; and (d) such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trust’s Trustees and officers with respect thereto. The Fund will also pay expenses that it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act.

 

The Adviser may obtain reimbursement from the Fund, at such time or times as it may determine in its sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by the Adviser, which the Fund is obligated to pay, and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part of the Adviser’s compensation pursuant to this Agreement.

 

 
 

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 business day of each month, or as promptly as possible thereafter, a fee calculated by applying a monthly rate, based on an annual percentage rate, to 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 the terms 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 the Adviser deems, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Fund and in accordance with your 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.

 

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 pursuant to the provisions or rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Trust or 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 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 (the “Code”) and will provide the Trust with a copy of the Code and evidence of its adoption. The Adviser will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust at least annually a written report that describes any issues arising under the Code 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, agent 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.

 

With respect to the existing Fund, the term of this Agreement shall begin as of June 21, 2021. With respect to each new Fund, the term of this Agreement shall begin as of the date and year upon which the Fund this Agreement is approved by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement

 
 

or interested persons of either party hereto, 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 Board of Trustees ; PROVIDED, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees 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 the Board of Trustees , 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 III and each Fund may be identified, in part, by the name “Northern Lights.”

 

17. Declaration of Trust.

 

The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, and its assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Trust. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of any Fund under the Declaration of Trust are separate and distinct from those of any and all other Funds. The Adviser further understands and agrees that no Fund of the Trust shall be liable for any claims against any other Fund of the Trust and that the Adviser must look solely to the assets of the pertinent Fund of the Trust for the enforcement or satisfaction of any claims against the Trust with respect to that Fund.

 

18. Confidentiality.

 

 
 

The Adviser agrees to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person, except for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that the Adviser may disclose such information as required by law or in connection with any requested disclosure to a regulatory authority with appropriate jurisdiction after prior notification to the Trust.. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser and the Adviser's officers, directors, members and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of a Fund, as a result of disclosing the 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. Governing Law.

 

This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

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 III

 

 

 

By: /s/ Richard A.Malinowskit_________________

 

Name: Richard A. Malinowski

 

Title: President

 

 

 

KOVITZ INVESTMENT GROUP PARTNERS, LLC

 

 

By: /s/ Robert A. Contreras_________________

 

Name: Robert A. Contreras

 

Title: Co-President

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

APPENDIX A

 

FUNDS OF THE TRUST

 

 

NAME OF FUND

ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF

AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND

Marathon Value Portfolio 0.99%

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

Between

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

and

SWAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of May 29, 2020, between Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and Swan Capital Managment, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (the “Adviser”) located at 1099 Main Avenue, Suite 206, Durango, CO 81301.

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, the parties previously entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement between Northern Lights Fund Trust III and the Adviser, dated as of August 22, 2018 (the “Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Agreement continues in effect with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Grwoth Fund (the “Fund”) from year to year; provided, such continuance is approved at least annually before December 27th, (“Expiration Date”) each year by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by the Trustees of the Trust;

 

WHEREAS, the purpose of this Amendment is to designate a new Expiration Date for the Agreement in order to align its annual renewal with other investment advisory agreements between the Adviser and the Trust;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. The Expiration Date in the Agreement is hereby amended to require annual approval to occur before July 30th each year, beginning in 2020.
2. The parties acknowledge and agree that all provisions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this First Amendment to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date and year first above written.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

By: ___/s/ Richard Malinowkit_____________

Name: Richard Malinowski

Title: President

 

SWAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

By: __/s/ Brad Ackerman_____________________

Name: Brad Ackerman

Title: Chief Compliance Officer

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of June 9, 2021, between Northern Lights Fund Trust III (the Fund, including on behalf of each of its separate series listed on Schedule A hereto, the Portfolios), a management investment company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and registered with the Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act), and BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO., a limited partnership formed under the laws of the State of New York (BBH&Co. or the Custodian). It is acknowledged and agreed that the terms of this Agreement shall apply separately and respectively to the Fund in respect of each Portfolio, and for purposes of this Agreement, references hereafter to the “Fund” shall mean the Fund and/or the respective Portfolio(s), as the context requires. All capitalized terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this Agreement.

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to employ BBH&Co. to act as custodian for each of the Portfolios and to provide related services, all as provided herein, and BBH&Co. is willing to accept such employment, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Fund and BBH&Co. hereby agree, as follows:

 

1. Appointment of Custodian. The Fund hereby appoints BBH&Co. as the Fund’s custodian, and BBH&Co. hereby accepts such appointment. All Investments of the Fund delivered to the Custodian or its agents or Subcustodians shall be dealt with as provided in this Agreement. The duties of the Custodian with respect to the Fund’s Investments shall be only as set forth expressly in this Agreement which duties are generally comprised of safekeeping and various administrative duties that will be performed in accordance with Instructions and as reasonably required to effect Instructions.

 

2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Fund. The Fund hereby represents, warrants and covenants each of the following:

 

2.1 This Agreement has been, and at the time of delivery of each Instruction such Instruction will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund. Neither this Agreement nor any Instruction issued thereunder violates any Applicable Law or conflicts with or constitutes a default under the Fund’s prospectus, organizational document or any agreement, judgment, order or decree to which the Fund is a party or by which it or its Investments is bound.

 

2.2 By providing an Instruction with respect to the first acquisition of an Investment in a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, the Fund shall be deemed to have confirmed to the Custodian that the Fund has (a) assessed and accepted all material Country Risk, Sovereign Risk and AML and Sanctions Risk and accepted responsibility for their occurrence, (b) made all determinations required to be made by the Fund under the 1940 Act except those appropriately delegated to the Custodian in the Delegation Schedule, and (c) if appropriate, adequately disclosed the material investment risks of such Investment, including Country Risk, Sovereign Risk or AML And Sanctions Risk. Nothing in this Section 2.2. shall relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities under Section 8.2 of this Agreement.

 

2.3 The Fund shall safeguard and shall solely be responsible for the safekeeping of any testkeys, identification codes, passwords, other security devices or statements of account with which the Custodian provides it. If the Fund uses any on-line or similar communications service made available by the Custodian, the Fund shall be solely responsible for ensuring the security of its access to the service and for the use of the service, and shall only attempt to access the service and the Custodian’s computer systems as directed by the Custodian. If the Custodian provides any computer software to the Fund relating to the services described in this Agreement, the Fund will only use the software for the purposes for which the Custodian provided the software to the Fund, and will abide by the license agreement accompanying the software and any other security policies which the Custodian provides to the Fund.

 

2.4 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to contrary effect, the Fund specifically represents and warrants to the Custodian that it shall at all times be principally liable for the repayment of any Advance made by the Custodian under this Agreement.

1

 

2.5 By providing an Instruction in respect of an Investment (which Instruction may relate to among other things, the processing of orders and/or settlement of transactions in funds), the Fund hereby (i) authorizes BBH&Co. to complete such documentation as may be required or appropriate to carry out the Instruction, and agrees to be contractually bound to the terms of such documentation “as is” without recourse against BBH&Co.; (ii) represents, warrants and covenants that the Fund (for itself and/or its customers) has accepted and agreed to comply with all Applicable Law, terms and conditions to which it and/or its Investment may be bound, including without limitation, requirements imposed by the Investment prospectus or offering circular, subscription agreement, any application or other documentation relating to an Investment (e.g., compliance with suitability requirements and eligibility restrictions and requirements that all such documentation relating to the investment has been received, read and understood); (iii) acknowledges and agrees that BBH&Co. will not be responsible for the accuracy of any information provided to BBH&Co. by or on behalf of the Fund, or for any underlying commitment or obligation inherent to an Investment; (iv) except as otherwise provided for in Section 2.5.1, represents, warrants and covenants that it will not effect any sale, transfer or disposition of Investment(s) held in BBH&Co.’s name by any means other than the issuance of an Instruction by the Fund to BBH&Co.; (v) acknowledges that collective investment pools (and/or their agent(s)) in which the Fund invests may pay to BBH&Co. certain fees (including without limitation, shareholder servicing and/or trailer fees) in respect of the Fund’s investments in such pools; (vi) agrees that BBH&Co. shall have no obligation or responsibility whatsoever to respond to, or provide capital in connection with any capital calls, letters of intent or other requirements as set out in the prospectus or offering circular of an Investment; (vii) represents, warrants and covenants that it will provide BBH&Co. with such information as is necessary or appropriate to enable BBH&Co.’s performance pursuant to an Instruction or under this Agreement; (viii) undertakes to inform BBH&Co. and to keep the same updated as to any tax withholding or benefit to which an Investment may be subject; (ix) authorizes BBH&Co. to furnish the customer due diligence records maintained by BBH&Co. on the Fund (for itself and/or its customers) and their beneficial owners upon request of the transfer agent or other agent of an issuer of an Investment; (x) represents and warrants that to the extent the Fund provides BBH&Co. with any personal data or personally identifiable information in connection with an Investment, the Fund will have obtained the consent of the applicable individuals to provide such data and information to BBH&Co. and the investment fund to the use of such data and information as described in the applicable account opening, subscription and related fund documentation; (xi) acknowledges that BBH&Co. shall have no obligation to fund any order placed by the Fund for which the Fund does not have sufficient cash on deposit with BBH&Co.; and (xii) agrees that BBH&Co. shall be held harmless for the acts, omissions or any unlawful activity of any agent of the Fund, or any transfer agent or other agent of an Investment in which the Fund may invest.

 

2.5.1 To the extent that the Fund holds Investments in an account opened in the name of BBH&Co. as custodian for and at the direction of the Fund, and the Fund requests that BBH&Co. provide the Fund with the capability to place orders in fund shares directly with such fund companies and/or their transfer agents which shall be settled in an account established with each such fund company or its transfer agent, the Fund hereby acknowledges that BBH&Co. is under no obligation to agree to such arrangement but if BBH&Co. so agrees, the Fund (i) acknowledges that all relevant terms under Section 2.4 above apply thereto, (ii) authorizes BBH&Co. as custodian, to grant a limited power of attorney to the Fund or its designated agent to enable the Fund to place orders in fund shares directly with the fund companies and/or their transfer agents, (iii) agrees to ensure that any instructions issued by the Fund or its designated agent shall also be concurrently submitted to BBH&Co., and (iv) shall adhere to any BBH&Co. procedures established with each such fund or its transfer agent with respect thereto including, but not limited to, the terms of the limited power of attorney. The Fund also acknowledges and agrees that (1) BBH&Co. is acting solely in its capacity as custodian and is not acting as a broker or introducing broker on behalf of the Fund, (2) BBH&Co. is not receiving compensation in connection with the Fund’s own execution hereunder of trades with each such fund other than its usual and customary custody fees and transaction charges, (3) it will provide such account opening information to each such fund and/or transfer agent as and when requested by such fund and/or transfer agent, and (4) BBH&Co. is not responsible for (a) providing information published by the relevant distributor of each such fund including, but not limited to, the prospectus for each such Investment in a fund or for resolving execution queries or complaints relative to any such Investment, and (b) assessing the suitability of any such Investment placed directly by the Fund.

2

 

2.6 The Fund represents and warrants that it is not resident in or organized under the laws of any country with which transactions or dealings are prohibited under a Sanctions Regime. The Fund further warrants that it is not owned or controlled by: (i) the government of any country with which transactions or dealings by any person are prohibited under a Sanctions Regime; (ii) a person or entity resident in or organized under the laws of any country with which transactions or dealings by any person are prohibited under a Sanctions Regime; or (iii) any person or entity on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons published by OFAC or any comparable Sanctions Regime lists.

 

2.6.1 The Fund represents and warrants that it conducts ongoing screening of its investors and its investors’ transactions against lists promulgated by a Sanctions Regime, as such lists are amended from time to time.

 

2.6.2 The Fund represents and warrants that it has implemented adequate risk management, control and compliance procedures and systems to ensure that it will not instruct or otherwise cause Custodian to hold any assets in custody that would violate a Sanctions Regime. The Fund further represents it will not invest in, engage in, or facilitate any transaction that would cause Custodian to violate any Sanctions Regime, including any transaction or dealing involving: (i) any country with which transactions or dealings by any person are prohibited under a Sanctions Regime; (ii) any person or entity subject to any Sanctions Regime; or (iii) any assets owned or controlled by a person or entity that is subject to any Sanctions Regime (collectively, “Sanctioned Property”). The Fund further represents and warrants that it will promptly notify the Custodian in writing if either it or any of its underlying investors whose assets are held by the Custodian becomes subject to a Sanctions Regime or holds assets that subsequently became Sanctioned Property.

 

2.7 The Fund represents and warrants that it has developed and implemented an anti-money laundering (“AML”) program (“AML Program”) that is designed to comply with all applicable AML and terrorist financing laws and regulations, including but not limited to: the United States Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, and the rules and guidance of any applicable self-regulatory organization (collectively, “applicable AML laws”). The Fund represents and warrants that its AML Program, or the AML Programs of its service providers, include a written Customer Identification Program (“CIP”) that identifies and verifies the Fund’s investors, including beneficial owners, as required by applicable AML laws. The Fund further represents and warrants that its AML Program, or the AML Programs of its service providers, include policies, procedures and controls designed to ensure that: (i) none of the Fund’s investors are prohibited banks that fail to maintain a physical presence in any country (a “Shell Bank”); (ii) enhanced due diligence is conducted on investors identified as Politically Exposed Persons, which includes ascertaining source of wealth for such investors; (iii) ongoing monitoring is conducted to identify and report suspicious activity; and (iv) the Fund or its service providers create and maintain all records and documentation required by applicable AML laws, including identification and verification records of the Fund’s investors.

 

2.7.1 The Fund acknowledges that the Custodian is obligated under applicable US AML Laws to obtain, verify and record identifying information about its customers prior to opening an account.

 

2.7.2 The Fund represents and warrants that upon request, it will provide the Custodian with information that the Custodian requires to comply with applicable AML Laws and Sanctions Regimes.

 

2.7.3 The Fund further represents and warrants that it will not instruct or otherwise cause Custodian to hold any assets in custody or engage in or facilitate any transaction that would cause Custodian to violate any applicable AML laws.

 

2.8 The Fund represents and warrants that it is not a “Plan” (which term includes (1) employee benefit plans that are subject to the United States (“US”) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), or plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (2) plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (3) entities the underlying assets of which are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts and arrangements), or an entity purchasing shares on behalf of, or with the “plan assets” of, a Plan, and further undertakes to inform BBH&Co. and to keep the same updated as to the status under

3

 

ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, each as amended, of the Fund, or (4) the assets of any plan or other retirement arrangement or account that is not subject to Section 4975 of the Code or Title I of ERISA but is subject to any U.S. federal, state or local law or regulation or any non-U.S. or other law or regulation that contains one or more provisions that are similar to any of the fiduciary responsibility or prohibited transaction provisions under Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

 

2.9 The Fund represents and warrants that it will promptly notify the Custodian in writing if any of the above representations cease to be true.

 

3. Representation and Warranty of BBH&Co. BBH&Co. hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by BBH&Co. and does not and will not violate any Applicable Law or conflict with or constitute a default under BBH&Co.’s limited partnership agreement or any agreement, instrument, judgment, order or decree to which BBH&Co. is a party or by which it is bound.

 

4. Instructions. Unless otherwise explicitly indicated herein, the Custodian shall perform its duties pursuant to Instructions. As used herein, the term Instruction shall mean a directive initiated by the Fund, acting through its board of directors or trustees or other Authorized Person, which directive shall conform to the requirements of this Section 4.

 

4.1 Authorized Persons. For purposes hereof, an Authorized Person shall be a person or entity authorized to give Instructions to the Custodian by written notices or otherwise for or on behalf of the Fund in accordance with procedures delivered to and acknowledged by the Custodian. The Custodian may treat any Authorized Person as having the full authority of the Fund to issue Instructions hereunder unless the notice of authorization contains explicit limitations as to said authority. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the authority of Authorized Persons until it receives appropriate written notice from the Fund to the contrary.

 

4.2 Form of Instruction. Each Instruction shall be transmitted by such secured or authenticated electro-mechanical means as the Custodian shall make available to the Fund from time to time unless the Fund shall elect to transmit such Instruction in accordance with Subsections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3 of this Section.

 

4.2.1 Fund Designated Secured-Transmission Method. Instructions may be transmitted through a secured or tested electro-mechanical means identified by the Fund or by an Authorized Person entitled to give Instruction and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian, it being understood that such acknowledgment shall authorize the Custodian to accept such means of delivery but shall not represent a judgment by the Custodian as to the reasonableness or security of the means utilized by the Authorized Person.

 

4.2.2 Written Instructions. Instructions may be transmitted in a writing that bears the manual signature of Authorized Persons.

 

4.2.3 Other Forms of Instruction. Instructions may also be transmitted by another means determined by the Fund or Authorized Persons and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian (subject to the same limits as to acknowledgements as are contained in Subsection 4.2.1, above) including Instructions given orally or by SWIFT or telefax (whether tested or untested).

 

When an Instruction is given by means established under Subsections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3, it shall be the responsibility of the Custodian to use reasonable care to adhere to any security or other procedures established in writing between the Custodian and the Authorized Person with respect to such means of Instruction, but the Authorized Person shall be solely responsible for determining that the particular means chosen is reasonable under the circumstances. Oral Instructions shall be binding upon the Custodian only if and when the Custodian takes action with respect thereto. With respect to telefax instructions, the parties agree and acknowledge that receipt of legible instructions cannot be assured, that the Custodian cannot verify that authorized signatures on telefax instructions are original or properly affixed, and that the Custodian shall not be liable for losses or expenses incurred through actions taken in reasonable reliance on inaccurately stated, illegible or unauthorized telefax instructions. The provisions of Section 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code shall apply to Funds Transfers performed in accordance with Instructions. The Funds Transfer Services Agreement and the BBH Online Terms and Conditions shall each comprise a designation of a means of delivering Instructions for purposes of this Section 4.2.

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4.3 Completeness and Contents of Instructions. The Authorized Person shall be responsible for assuring the adequacy and accuracy of Instructions. Particularly, upon any acquisition or disposition or other dealing in the Fund’s Investments and upon any delivery and transfer of any Investment or moneys, the person initiating the Instruction shall give the Custodian an Instruction with appropriate detail, including, without limitation:

 

4.3.1 The transaction date and the date and location of settlement;

 

4.3.2 The specification of the type of transaction;

 

4.3.3 A description of the Investments or moneys in question, including, as appropriate, quantity, price per unit, amount of money to be received or delivered and currency information. Where an Instruction is communicated by electronic means, or otherwise where an Instruction contains an identifying number such as a CUSIP, SEDOL or ISIN number, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on such number as controlling notwithstanding any inconsistency contained in the Instruction, particularly with respect to Investment description; and

 

4.3.4 The name of the broker or similar entity concerned with execution of the transaction.

 

If the Custodian determines that an Instruction is either unclear or incomplete, the Custodian may give prompt notice of such determination to the Fund, and the Fund shall thereupon amend or otherwise reform the Instruction. In such event, the Custodian shall have no obligation to take any action in response to the Instruction initially delivered until the redelivery of an amended or reformed Instruction.

 

4.4 Timeliness of Instructions. In giving an Instruction, the Fund shall take into consideration delays which may occur due to the involvement of a Subcustodian or agent, differences in time zones, and other factors particular to a given market, exchange or issuer. When the Custodian has established specific timing requirements or deadlines with respect to particular classes of Instruction and provided those requirements or deadlines to the Fund in writing, or when an Instruction is received by the Custodian at such a time that it could not reasonably be expected to have acted on such instruction due to time zone differences or other factors beyond its reasonable control, the execution of any Instruction received by the Custodian after such deadline or at such time (including any modification or revocation of a previous Instruction) shall be at the risk of the Fund.

 

5. Safekeeping of Fund Assets. The Custodian shall hold Investments delivered to it or Subcustodians for the Fund in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The Custodian shall not be responsible for (a) the safekeeping of Investments not delivered or that are not caused to be issued to it or its Subcustodians; or, (b) pre-existing faults or defects in Investments that are delivered to the Custodian or its Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby authorized to hold with itself or a Subcustodian, and to record in one or more accounts, all Investments delivered to and accepted by the Custodian, any Subcustodian or their respective agents pursuant to an Instruction or in consequence of any corporate action or income event. The Custodian shall hold Investments for the account of the Fund and shall segregate Investments from assets belonging to the Custodian and shall cause its Subcustodians to segregate Investments from assets belonging to the Subcustodian in an account held for the Fund or in an account maintained by the Subcustodian generally for non-proprietary assets of the Custodian.

 

5.1 Use of Securities Depositories. The Custodian may deposit and maintain Investments in any Securities Depository, either directly or through one or more Subcustodians appointed by the Custodian. Investments held in a Securities Depository shall be held (a) subject to the agreement, rules, statement of terms and conditions or other document or conditions effective between the Securities Depository and the Custodian or the Subcustodian, as the case may be, and (b) in an account for the Fund or in bulk segregation in an account maintained for the non-proprietary assets of the entity holding such Investments in the Depository. If market practice or the rules and regulations of the Securities Depository prevent the Custodian, the Subcustodian or any agent of either from holding its client assets in such a separate account, the Custodian, the Subcustodian or any agent of either shall as appropriate segregate such Investments for benefit of the Fund or for benefit of clients of the Custodian generally on its own books.

 

5.2 Certificated Assets. Investments which are certificated may be held in registered or bearer form: (a) in the

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Custodian’s vault; (b) in the vault of a Subcustodian or agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian; or (c) in an account maintained by the Custodian, Subcustodian or agent at a Securities Depository; all in accordance with customary market practice in the jurisdiction in which any Investments are held.

 

5.3 Registered Assets. Investments which are registered may be registered in the name of the Custodian, a Subcustodian, or in the name of the Fund or a nominee for any of the foregoing, and may be held in any manner set forth in Section 5.2 above.

 

5.4 Book Entry Assets. Investments which are represented by book-entry may be so held in an account maintained by the Book-Entry Agent on behalf of the Custodian, a Subcustodian, an Agent of the Custodian, or a Securities Depository.

 

5.5 Replacement of Lost Investments. In the event of a loss of Investments for which loss the Custodian is responsible under the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall replace such Investment, or in the event that such replacement cannot be effected, the Custodian shall pay to the Fund the fair market value of such Investment based on the last available price as of the close of business in the relevant market on the date that a claim was first made to the Custodian with respect to such loss, or such other lesser amount as shall be agreed by the parties.

 

6. Administrative Duties of the Custodian. The Custodian shall perform the following administrative duties with respect to Investments of the Fund.

 

6.1 Purchase of Investments. Pursuant to Instruction, Investments purchased for the account of the Fund shall be paid for (a) against delivery thereof to the Custodian or a Subcustodian, as the case may be, either directly or through a Clearing Corporation or a Securities Depository (in accordance with the rules of such Securities Depository or such Clearing Corporation), or (b) otherwise in accordance with an Instruction, Applicable Law, generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Investment.

 

6.2 Sale of Investments. Pursuant to Instruction, Investments sold for the account of the Fund shall be delivered (a) against payment therefor in cash, by check or by bank wire transfer, (b) by credit to the account of the Custodian or the applicable Subcustodian, as the case may be, with a Clearing Corporation or a Securities Depository (in accordance with the rules of such Securities Depository or such Clearing Corporation), or (c) otherwise in accordance with an Instruction, Applicable Law, generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Investment.

 

6.3 Delivery and Receipt in Connection with Borrowings of the Fund or other Collateral and Margin Requirements. Pursuant to Instruction, the Custodian may deliver or receive Investments or cash of the Fund in connection with borrowings or loans by the Fund and other collateral and margin requirements.

 

6.4 Futures and Options. If, pursuant to an Instruction, the Custodian shall become a party to an agreement with a Fund and a futures commission merchant regarding margin (Tri-Party Agreement), the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the purchase or sale by the Fund of exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options, (b) when required by such Tri-Party Agreement, deposit and maintain in an account opened pursuant to such Agreement (Margin Account), segregated either physically or by book-entry in a Securities Depository for the benefit of any futures commission merchant, such Investments as the Fund shall have designated as initial, maintenance or variation “margin” deposits or other collateral intended to secure the Fund’s performance of its obligations under the terms of any exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options; and (c) thereafter pay, release or transfer Investments into or out of the margin account in accordance with the provisions of such Agreement. Alternatively, the Custodian may deliver Investments, in accordance with an Instruction, to a futures commission merchant for purposes of margin requirements in accordance with Rule 17f-6 under the 1940 Act. The Custodian shall in no event be responsible for the acts and omissions of any futures commission merchant to whom Investments are delivered pursuant to this Section; for the sufficiency of Investments held in any Margin Account; or, for the performance of any terms of any exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options.

 

6.5 Contractual Obligations and Similar Investments. From time to time, the Fund’s Investments may include Investments that are not ownership interests as may be represented by certificate (whether registered or bearer),

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by entry in a Securities Depository or by Book-Entry Agent, registrar or similar agent for recording ownership interests in the relevant Investment. If the Fund shall at any time acquire such Investments, including without limitation deposit obligations, loan participations, repurchase agreements and derivative arrangements, the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the arrangement; and (b) perform on the Fund’s account in accordance with the terms of the applicable arrangement, but only to the extent directed to do so by Instruction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility for agreements running to the Fund as to which it is not a party other than to retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, documents or copies of documents evidencing the arrangement and, in accordance with Instruction, to include such arrangements in reports made to the Fund.

 

6.6 Exchange of Securities. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall: (a) exchange securities held for the account of the Fund for other securities in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, conversion, stock split, change of par value of shares or similar event, and (b) deposit any such securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization or protective plan.

 

6.7 Surrender of Securities. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian may surrender securities: (a) in temporary form for definitive securities; (b) for transfer into the name of an entity allowable under Section 5.3; and (c) for a different number of certificates or instruments representing the same number of shares or the same principal amount of indebtedness.

 

6.8 Rights, Warrants, Etc. Pursuant to Instruction, the Custodian shall (a) deliver warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar securities to the issuer or trustee thereof, or to any agent of the issuer or trustee, for purposes of exercising such rights or selling such securities, and (b) deliver securities in response to any tender offer.

 

6.9 Mandatory Corporate Actions. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall: (a) comply with the terms of all mandatory or compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions or similar rights of securities ownership affecting securities held on the Fund’s account and promptly notify the Fund of such action; and (b) collect all stock dividends, rights and other items of like nature with respect to such securities.

 

6.10 Income Collection. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall collect any amount due and payable to the Fund with respect to Investments and promptly credit the amount collected to a Principal or Agency Account; provided, however, that the Custodian shall not be responsible for: (a) the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to Investments that are in default or (b) the collection of cash or share entitlements with respect to Investments that are not registered in the name of the Custodian or its Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby authorized to endorse and deliver any instrument required to be so endorsed and delivered to effect collection of any amount due and payable to the Fund with respect to Investments.

 

6.11 Corporate Action Information. In fulfilling the duties set forth in Sections 6.6 through 6.10 above, the Custodian shall provide to the Fund such material information pertaining to a corporate action which the Custodian actually receives; provided that the Custodian shall not be responsible for the completeness or accuracy of such information. Information relative to any pending corporate action made available to the Fund via any of the services described in the BBH Online Terms and Conditions shall constitute the delivery of such information by the Custodian. Any advance credit of cash or shares expected to be received as a result of any corporate action shall be subject to actual collection and may be reversed by the Custodian.

 

6.12 Proxy Materials. The Custodian shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Fund proxy forms, notices of meeting, and any other notices or announcements materially affecting or relating to Investments received by the Custodian. Information relative to any pending proxy, meeting or other announcement described in the preceding sentence made available to the Fund via any of the services described in the BBH Online Terms and Conditions shall constitute the delivery of such information by the Custodian.

 

6.13 Ownership Certificates and Disclosure of the Fund’s Interest. The Custodian is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the Fund ownership certificates, affidavits or other disclosure required under Applicable Law or established market practice in connection with the receipt of income, capital gains or other payments by the Fund with respect to Investments, or in connection with the sale, purchase or ownership of Investments.

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With respect to securities issued in the United States of America, the Custodian [     ] may [     ] may not release the identity of the Fund to an issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Shareholder Communications Act of 1985 for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and the Fund. IF NO BOX IS CHECKED, THE CUSTODIAN SHALL RELEASE SUCH INFORMATION UNTIL IT RECEIVES CONTRARY INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE FUND. With respect to securities issued outside of the United States of America, information shall be released in accordance with law or custom of the particular country in which such security is located.

 

6.14. Taxes. The Custodian shall, where applicable, assist the Fund in the reclamation of taxes withheld on dividends and interest payments received by the Fund. In the performance of its duties with respect to tax withholding and reclamation, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on the advice of others pursuant to Section 12.11 below and upon information and advice regarding the Fund’s tax status that is received from or on behalf of the Fund without duty of separate inquiry.

 

6.15 Other Dealings. The Custodian shall otherwise act as directed by Instruction, including without limitation effecting the free payments of moneys or the free delivery of securities, provided that such Instruction shall indicate the purpose of such payment or delivery and that the Custodian shall record the party to whom the payment or delivery is made.

 

6.16 Nondiscretionary Details and Minor Expenses. The Custodian shall attend to all nondiscretionary details in connection with the sale or purchase or other administration of Investments, except as otherwise directed by Instruction, and may make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of administering Investments under this Agreement, provided that the Fund shall have the right to request an accounting with respect to such expenses.

 

6.17 Use of Agents. The Custodian may appoint (and may remove) any affiliate, bank, trust company or subcontractor as its agent (each an “Agent” and collectively, the “Agents”), in addition to Subcustodians, to carry out such provisions of this Agreement. The Custodian shall exercise reasonable care in the selection and monitoring of such Agents and Subcustodians. The appointment of an Agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

6.18 Registration Document Completion Service. Each Fund may appoint the Custodian to further provide registration document completion services for account openings, name changes, conversions, mergers, market-specific licensing renewals, account closings and other events, and for such markets, as may be agreed between each Fund and the Custodian from time to time (the “Registration Services”). Each Fund shall pay Custodian such fees as may be agreed between the parties from time to time with respect to the Registration Services in accordance with Section 14 hereof. Each Fund further acknowledges and agrees that: (i) as part of the Registration Services, the Custodian will complete registration documentation for the agreed markets on behalf of the Fund and then forward such documentation to the Fund or an Authorized Person for final review and signature on behalf of the Fund; (ii) by the Fund or an Authorized Person signing and submitting the aforementioned documentation to the Custodian on behalf of the Fund (the “Submitted Documents”), the Fund shall be deemed to have confirmed to the Custodian that the Fund has reviewed the Submitted Documents and has determined that all of the information contained therein is accurate and complete; (iii) the submission of the Submitted Documents to the Custodian, shall be deemed an Instruction under Section 4 hereof to open one or more accounts in the referenced market (in accordance with the information provided in the Submitted Documents) and to provide the Submitted Documents and/or the information contained therein to the Subcustodian in the referenced market (and where applicable, for further submission to the relevant Securities Depository, exchanges, regulatory and tax authorities, tax agents and/or brokers in the referenced market).

 

7. Cash Accounts, Deposits and Money Movements. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to open and maintain, with itself or with Subcustodians, cash accounts in United States Dollars, in such other currencies as are the currencies of the countries in which the Fund maintains Investments or in such other currencies as the Fund shall request by Instruction, including standing Instructions for Principal Accounts to participate in a BBH&Co. cash management vehicle. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Fund shall be liable as principal for any overdrafts occurring in any cash accounts.

 

7.1 Types of Cash Accounts. Cash accounts opened on the books of the Custodian (Principal Accounts) shall

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be opened in the name of the Portfolio or the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio. Such accounts collectively shall be a deposit obligation of the Custodian and shall be subject to the terms of this Section 7 and the general liability provisions contained in Section 9. Cash accounts opened on the books of a Subcustodian may be opened in the name of the Portfolio or the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of the Custodian for the Portfolio or for the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of the Custodian for its customers generally (Agency Accounts). Such deposits shall be obligations of the Subcustodian and shall be treated as an Investment of the Fund. Accordingly, the Custodian shall be responsible for exercising reasonable care in the administration of such accounts, but shall not be liable for their repayment in the event the Subcustodian, by reason of its bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise, fails to make repayment.

 

7.1.1 Administrative Accounts. In connection with the services provided hereunder, the Custodian is hereby directed to open cash accounts on its books and records from time to time for the purposes of receiving subscriptions and/or processing redemptions on behalf of the Fund and/or for the purposes of aggregating, netting and/or clearing transactions (including, without limitation foreign exchange, repurchase agreements, capital stock activity, expense payment) or other administrative purposes, each on behalf of the Fund (each an “Account”). Each such Account shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Fund shall be liable for the satisfaction of its obligations in connection with each Account.

 

7.2 Payments and Credits with Respect to the Cash Accounts. The Custodian shall make payments from or deposits to any of the cash accounts in the course of carrying out its administrative duties, including but not limited to income collection with respect to the Fund’s Investments, and otherwise in accordance with Instructions. The Custodian and its Subcustodians shall be required to credit amounts to the cash accounts only when moneys are actually received in cleared funds in accordance with banking practice in the country and currency of deposit. Any credit made to any Principal or Agency Account before actual receipt of cleared funds shall be provisional and may be reversed by the Custodian in the event such payment is not actually collected. Unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Custodian or any Subcustodian, all deposits shall be payable only at the branch of the Custodian or Subcustodian where the deposit is made or carried.

 

7.3 Currency and Related Risks. The Fund bears the risks of holding or transacting in any currency, including any mark to market exposure associated with a foreign exchange transaction undertaken with the Custodian. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, which may delay or affect the transferability, convertibility or availability of any currency in the country (a) in which such Principal or Agency Accounts are maintained or (b) in which such currency is issued, and in no event shall the Custodian be obligated to make payment of a deposit denominated in a currency during the period during which its transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected by any such law, regulation or event. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be required to repay any deposit made at a foreign branch of either the Custodian or Subcustodian if such branch cannot repay the deposit due to a cause for which the Custodian would not be responsible in accordance with the terms of Section 9 of this Agreement unless the Custodian or such Subcustodian expressly agrees in writing to repay the deposit under such circumstances. All currency transactions in any account opened pursuant to this Agreement are subject to exchange control regulations of the United States and of the country where such currency is the lawful currency or where the account is maintained. Any taxes, costs, charges or fees imposed on the convertibility of a currency held by the Fund shall be for the account of the Fund.

 

7.4 Foreign Exchange Transactions. The Custodian shall, subject to the terms of this Section, settle foreign exchange transactions (including contracts, futures, options and options on futures) on behalf and for the account of the Fund with such currency brokers or banking institutions, including Subcustodians, as the Fund may direct pursuant to Instructions. The Custodian may act as principal in any foreign exchange transaction with the Fund in accordance with Section 7.4.2 of this Agreement. The obligations of the Custodian in respect of all foreign exchange transactions (whether or not the Custodian shall act as principal in such transaction) shall be contingent on the free, unencumbered transferability of the currency transacted on the actual settlement date of the transaction.

 

7.4.1 Third Party Foreign Exchange Transactions. The Custodian shall process foreign exchange transactions (including without limitation contracts, futures, options, and options on futures), where any

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third party acts as principal counterparty to the Fund on the same basis it performs duties as agent for the Fund with respect to any other of the Fund’s Investments. Accordingly the Custodian shall only be responsible for delivering or receiving currency on behalf of the Fund in respect of such contracts pursuant to Instructions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the failure of any counterparty (including any Subcustodian) in such agency transaction to perform its obligations thereunder. The Custodian (a) shall transmit cash and Instructions to and from the currency broker or banking institution with which the Fund has executed a foreign exchange contract or option, (b) may make free outgoing payments of cash in the form of Dollars or foreign currency without receiving confirmation of a foreign exchange contract or option or confirmation that the countervalue currency completing the foreign exchange contract has been delivered or received or that the option has been delivered or received, (c) may, in connection with cash payments made to third party currency brokers/dealers for settlement of the Fund’s foreign exchange spot or forward transactions, foreign currency swap transactions and similar foreign exchange transactions, process settlements using the facilities of the CLS Bank according to CLS Bank’s standard terms and conditions, and (d) shall hold in safekeeping all confirmations, certificates and other documents and agreements received by the Custodian and evidencing or relating to such foreign exchange transactions. The Fund accepts full responsibility for its use of third-party foreign exchange dealers and for execution of the foreign exchange contracts and options and understands that the Fund shall be responsible for any and all costs and interest charges which may be incurred by the Fund or the Custodian as a result of the failure or delay of third parties to deliver foreign exchange.

 

7.4.2 Foreign Exchange with the Custodian as Principal. The Custodian may enter into foreign exchange transactions with the Fund. If a foreign exchange transaction with the Custodian as principal is initiated by Instruction and the parties have not otherwise entered into an agreement specific to such transaction(s), the transaction will be performed and subject to the FX Terms and Conditions (available at: http://www.bbh.com/fxtermsandconditions) incorporated into the BBH Online Terms and Conditions ( the “FX Terms and Conditions”), which terms may be updated from time to time in accordance with the procedures set forth in the BBH Online Terms and Conditions. Foreign exchange transactions that occur or are placed on or after the effective date of such updates, as stated in the applicable notice, shall be governed by the FX Terms and Conditions, as so modified. The Fund represents and warrants, each and every time an Instruction to execute a foreign exchange transaction with the Custodian as principal is initiated, that it is an eligible contract participant, as that term is used under the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder, as amended from time to time.

 

7.5 Delays. If no event of Force Majeure shall have occurred and be continuing and in the event that a delay shall have been caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian in carrying out an Instruction to credit or transfer cash, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund: (a) with respect to Principal Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Custodian on overnight deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected; and, (b) with respect to Agency Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Subcustodian on overnight deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected. The Custodian shall not be liable for delays in carrying out Instructions to transfer cash which are not due to the Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct.

 

7.6 Advances. If, for any reason in connection with this Agreement the Custodian or any Subcustodian makes an Advance to facilitate settlement or otherwise for the benefit of the Fund (whether or not any Principal or Agency Account shall be overdrawn either during, or at the end of, any Business Day), the Fund hereby does:

 

7.6.1 acknowledge that the Fund shall have no right, title or interest in or to any Investments purchased with such Advance or proceeds of such Investments, and that any credit of Investments to an account of Fund shall be provisional, until: (a) the debit of the Principal or Agency Account by Custodian for an amount equal to Advance Costs; and/or (b) if such debit produces an overdraft in such account, reimbursement to the Custodian or Subcustodian for the amount of such overdraft;

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7.6.2 acknowledge that the Custodian has an automatically perfected statutory security interest in Investments purchased with any such Advance pursuant to Section 9-206 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York from time to time;

 

In addition, in order to secure the obligations of the Fund to pay or perform any and all obligations of the Fund pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation to repay any Advance made pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund grants to the Custodian a security interest in all Investments and proceeds thereof (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as currently in effect in the State of New York); and agrees to take, and agrees that the Custodian may take, in respect of the security interest referenced above, any further actions that the Custodian may reasonably require.

 

7.7 Custodian’s Rights Neither the Custodian nor any Subcustodian shall be obligated to make any Advance or to allow an Advance to occur to the Fund, and in the event that the Custodian or any Subcustodian does make or allow an Advance, any such Advance and any transaction giving rise to such Advance shall be for the account and risk of the Fund and shall not be deemed to be a transaction undertaken by the Custodian for its own account and risk. If such Advance shall have been made or allowed by a Subcustodian or any other person, the Custodian may assign all or part of its security interest referenced above and any other rights granted to the Custodian hereunder to such Subcustodian or other person. If the Fund shall fail to repay the Advance Costs when due, the Custodian or its assignee, as the case may be, shall be entitled to a portion of the available cash balance in any Agency or Principal Account equal to such Advance Costs, and the Fund authorizes the Custodian, on behalf of the Fund, to pay an amount equal to such Advance Costs irrevocably to such Subcustodian or other person, and to dispose of any property in such Account to the extent necessary to make such payment. Any Investments credited to accounts subject to this Agreement created pursuant hereto shall be treated as financial assets credited to securities accounts under Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York from time to time. Accordingly, the Custodian and any Subcustodian shall have the rights and benefits of a secured creditor that is a securities intermediary under such Articles 8 and 9.

 

7.8 Integrated Account. For purposes hereof, deposits maintained in all Principal Accounts (whether or not denominated in Dollars) shall collectively constitute a single and indivisible current account with respect to the Fund’s obligations to the Custodian or its assignee, and balances in the Principal Accounts shall be available for satisfaction of the Fund’s obligations under this Section 7. The Custodian shall further have a right of offset against the balances in any Agency Account maintained hereunder to the extent that the aggregate of all Principal Accounts is overdrawn.

 

8. Subcustodians and Securities Depositories. Subject to the provisions hereinafter set forth in this Section 8, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to utilize Securities Depositories to act on behalf of the Fund and to appoint from time to time and to utilize Subcustodians. With respect to securities and cash held by a Subcustodian, either directly or indirectly (including by a Securities Depository or Clearing Corporation), notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, payment for securities purchased and delivery of securities sold may be made prior to receipt of securities or payment, respectively, and securities or payment may be received in a form in accordance with (a) governmental regulations, (b) rules of Securities Depositories and Clearing Corporations, (c) generally accepted trade practice in the applicable local market, (d) the terms and characteristics of the particular Investment, or (e) the terms of Instructions.

 

8.1 Domestic Subcustodians and Securities Depositories. The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain, either directly or through one or more Agents appointed by the Custodian, Investments of the Fund in any Securities Depository in the United States, including The Depository Trust Company, provided such Depository meets applicable requirements of the Federal Reserve Bank or of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian may, from time to time, appoint any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder to act on behalf of the Fund as a Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund in the United States.

 

8.2 Foreign Subcustodians and Securities Depositories. Unless instructed otherwise by the Fund, the Custodian may deposit and/or maintain non-U.S. Investments of the Fund in any non-U.S. Securities Depository provided such Securities Depository meets the requirements of an “eligible securities depository” under Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act, or any successor rule or regulation (“Rule 17f-7”) or which by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom. Prior to the time that securities are placed

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with such depository, but subject to the provisions of Section 8.5 below, the Custodian shall have prepared and provided to the Fund an assessment of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Securities Depository and shall have established a system to monitor such risks on a continuing basis in accordance with Section 8.5. Additionally, the Custodian may, from time to time, appoint (a) any bank, trust company or other entity meeting the requirements of an “eligible foreign custodian” under Rule 17f-5 or which by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom, or (b) any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act on behalf of the Fund as a Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund outside the United States.

 

8.3 Delegation of Board Review of Subcustodians. From time to time, the Custodian may agree to perform certain reviews of Subcustodians and of Subcustodian Contracts as the delegate of the Fund’s Board. In such event, the Custodian’s duties and obligations with respect to this delegated review will be performed in accordance with the terms of the attached 17f-5 Delegation Schedule to this Agreement.

 

8.4 Board Approval of Foreign Subcustodians. Unless and except to the extent that the Board has delegated to the Custodian and the Custodian has accepted delegation of review of certain matters concerning the appointment of Subcustodians pursuant to Subsection 8.3, the Custodian shall, prior to the appointment of any Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund outside the United States, obtain written confirmation of the approval of the Board of Trustees or Directors of the Fund with respect to (a) the identity of a Subcustodian, and (b) the Subcustodian agreement which shall govern such appointment, such approval to be signed by an Authorized Person. An Instruction to open an account in a given country shall comprise authorization of the Custodian to hold assets in such country in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Custodian shall not be required to make independent inquiry as to the authorization of the Fund to invest in such country.

 

8.5 Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Securities Depositories. Prior to the placement of any assets of a Fund with a Foreign Securities Depository, the Custodian: (a) shall provide to the Fund or its authorized representative a written assessment of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets within such Securities Depository; and (b) shall have established a system to monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Securities Depository on a continuing basis and to promptly notify the Fund or its Investment Adviser of any material changes in such risk. In performing its duties under this subsection, the Custodian shall use reasonable care and may rely on such reasonable sources of information as may be available including but not limited to: (i) published ratings; (ii) information supplied by a Subcustodian that is a participant in such Securities Depository; (iii) industry surveys or publications; (iv) information supplied by the depository itself, by its auditors (internal or external) or by the relevant Foreign Financial Regulatory Authority. It is acknowledged that information procured through some or all of these sources may not be independently verifiable by the Custodian and that direct access to Securities Depositories is limited under most circumstances. Accordingly, the Custodian shall not be responsible for errors or omissions in its duties hereunder provided that it has performed its monitoring and assessment duties with reasonable care. The risk assessment shall be provided to the Fund or its Investment Advisor by such means as the Custodian shall reasonably establish. Advices of material change in such assessment may be provided by the Custodian in the manner established as customary between the Fund and the Custodian for transmission of material market information.

 

8.6 Responsibility for Subcustodians. Except as provided in the last sentence of this Section 8.6, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund caused by or resulting from the acts or omissions of any Subcustodian to the extent that such acts or omissions would be deemed to be negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with the terms of the relevant subcustodian agreement under the laws, circumstances and practices prevailing in the place where the act or omission occurred. The liability of the Custodian in respect of the countries and Subcustodians designated by the Custodian, from time to time on the Global Custody Network Listing shall be subject to the additional condition that the Custodian actually recovers such loss or damage from the Subcustodian.

 

8.7 New Countries. The Fund shall be responsible for informing the Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment which is to be held in a country in which no Subcustodian is authorized to act in order that the Custodian shall, if it deems appropriate to do so, have sufficient time to establish a subcustodial arrangement in accordance herewith. In the event, the Custodian is unable to establish such arrangements prior to the time the

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investment is to be acquired, the Custodian is authorized to designate at its discretion a local safekeeping agent, and the use of the local safekeeping agent shall be at the sole risk of the Fund, and accordingly the Custodian shall be responsible to the Fund for the actions of such agent if and only to the extent the Custodian shall have recovered from such agent for any damages caused the Fund by such agent.

 

9. Responsibility of the Custodian. In performing its duties and obligations hereunder, the Custodian shall use reasonable care under the facts and circumstances prevailing in the market where performance is effected, but shall not be required to take any action which, in the Custodian’s reasonable judgment, is in contravention of any Applicable Law, rule or regulation or any order or judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction. Subject to the specific provisions of this Section, the Custodian shall be liable for any direct damage incurred by the Fund in consequence of the Custodian’s negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. In no event shall the Custodian be liable hereunder for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages arising out of, pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement even if the Custodian has been advised of the possibility of such damages. It is agreed that the Custodian shall have no duty to assess the risks inherent in the Fund’s Investments or to provide investment advice with respect to such Investments and that the Fund as principal shall bear any risks attendant to particular Investments such as failure of counterparty or issuer.

 

9.1 Limitations of Performance.

 

9.1.1 Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, BBH&Co. shall not be responsible or liable for any failure, hindrance or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of, or for any damages caused by, a Force Majeure event. BBH&Co. will use reasonable efforts to perform its obligations under this Agreement notwithstanding such Force Majeure event.

 

9.1.2 Country Risk; Sovereign Risk; AML and Sanctions Risk. The Custodian shall not be responsible under this Agreement for any failure to perform its duties, and shall not be liable hereunder for any loss or damage in association with such failure to perform, for or in consequence of the following causes: Country Risk, Sovereign Risk or AML and Sanctions Risk.

 

Country Risk shall mean, with respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of Investments in a jurisdiction, all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of, systemic and markets factors affecting the acquisition, payment for or ownership of Investments including (a) the prevalence of crime and corruption, (b) the inaccuracy or unreliability of business and financial information, (c) the instability or volatility of banking and financial systems, or the absence or inadequacy of an infrastructure to support such systems, (d) custody and settlement infrastructure of the market in which such Investments are transacted and held, (e) the acts, omissions and operation of any Securities Depository, (f) the risk of the bankruptcy or insolvency of banking agents, counterparties to cash and securities transactions, registrars or transfer agents, and (g) the existence of market conditions which prevent the orderly execution or settlement of transactions or which affect the value of assets.

 

Sovereign Risk shall mean, in respect of any jurisdiction, including the United States of America, where an Investment is acquired or held hereunder or under a subcustody agreement, (a) any act of war, terrorism, riot, insurrection or civil commotion, (b) the imposition of any investment, repatriation or exchange control restrictions by any Governmental Authority, (c) the confiscation, expropriation or nationalization of any Investments or cash deposits by any Governmental Authority, whether de facto or de jure, (d) any devaluation or revaluation of the currency, (e) the imposition of taxes, levies or other charges affecting Investments or cash deposits, (f) any change in the Applicable Law, or (g) any other economic or political risk incurred or experienced.

 

AML and Sanctions Risk shall mean, with respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of Investments, all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of the Custodian complying with one or more Sanctions Regimes or applicable AML Laws, including, but not limited to, the risk that if Custodian reasonably believes it has come in contact with a sanctioned party, or has come into possession or control of any Sanctioned Property as a result of its performance of this Agreement, Custodian may be required by one or more Sanctions Regime to block (i.e. prevent further movement of) such Sanctioned Property and report any related activity to relevant government authorities. The Fund acknowledges that if multiple Sanctions Regimes apply (including OFAC), the Custodian will

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comply with the most restrictive of the applicable regimes. The Fund also acknowledges that the Custodian shall not be liable hereunder for any loss or damage caused by any delays or refusals to process a transaction that result from Custodian’s obligation to ensure compliance with applicable AML Laws and Sanctions Regimes.

 

9.2. Limitations on Liability.

 

9.2.1 Failure of Third Parties. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, claim, damage or other liability arising from the failure of any third party including: (a) any issuer of Investments or Book-Entry Agent or other agent of an issuer; (b) any counterparty with respect to any Investment, including any issuer of exchange-traded or other futures, option, derivative or commodities contract; (c) failure of an Investment Advisor, foreign custody manager or other agent of the Fund; or (d) failure of other third parties similarly beyond the control or choice of the Custodian.

 

9.2.2 Information Sources. The Custodian may rely upon information received from issuers of Investments or agents of such issuers, information received from Subcustodians and from other commercially reasonable sources such as commercial data bases and the like, but shall not be responsible for specific inaccuracies in such information, provided that the Custodian has relied upon such information in good faith, or for the failure of any commercially reasonable information provider.

 

9.2.3 Reliance on Instruction; Restricted Securities. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, claim, damage or other liability arising from (a) action by the Custodian or the Subcustodian in accordance with an Instruction, even when such action conflicts with, or is contrary to any provision of, the Fund’s declaration of trust, certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other constitutive document, Applicable Law, or actions by the trustees, directors or shareholders of the Fund, or (b) limitations inherent in the rights, transferability or similar investment characteristics of a given Investment of the Fund.

 

10. Indemnification. The Fund hereby indemnifies the Custodian and each Subcustodian, and their respective Agents, nominees and the partners, employees, officers and directors, and agrees to hold each of them harmless from and against all claims and liabilities, including counsel fees and taxes, incurred or assessed against any of them in connection with the performance of this Agreement and any Instruction. If a Subcustodian or any other person indemnified under the preceding sentence, gives written notice of claim to the Custodian, the Custodian shall promptly give written notice to the Fund.

 

11. Reports and Records. The Custodian shall:

 

11.1 create and maintain records relating to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement;

 

11.2 make available to the Fund, its auditors, agents and employees, upon reasonable request and during normal business hours of the Custodian, all records maintained by the Custodian pursuant to Section 11.1 above, subject, however, to all reasonable security requirements of the Custodian then applicable to the records of its custody customers generally; and

 

11.3 make available to the Fund all Electronic Reports; it being understood that the Custodian shall not be liable hereunder for the inaccuracy or incompleteness thereof or for errors in any information included therein.

 

11.4 The Fund shall examine all records, howsoever produced or transmitted, promptly upon receipt and notify the Custodian promptly of any discrepancy or error. Unless the Fund delivers written notice of any such discrepancy or error within a reasonable time after its receipt of the records, the records shall be deemed to be true and accurate.

 

11.5 The Fund acknowledges that the Custodian obtains information on the value of assets from outside sources which may be utilized in certain reports made available to the Fund. The Custodian deems such sources to be reliable but the Fund acknowledges and agrees that the Custodian does not verify such information nor make any representations or warrantees as to its accuracy or completeness and accordingly shall be without liability in selecting and using such sources and furnishing such information.

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12. Miscellaneous.

 

12.1 Powers of Attorney, etc. The Fund will promptly execute and deliver, upon request, such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may be necessary or desirable for the Custodian to provide, or to cause any Subcustodian to provide, custody services.

 

12.2 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto and supersedes any other oral or written agreements heretofore in effect between the Fund and the Custodian with respect to the subject matter hereof. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or terminated except by a statement in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the amendment or termination is sought, provided, however, that an Instruction shall, whether or not such Instruction shall constitute a waiver, amendment or modification for purposes hereof, be deemed to have been accepted by the Custodian when it commences actions pursuant thereto or in accordance therewith. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of a service level agreement or other operating agreement in place between the parties from time to time, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

 

12.3 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Custodian and the Fund and their successors and assignees, provided that the Fund may not assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Custodian. Each party agrees that only the parties to this Agreement and/or their successors in interest shall have a right to enforce the terms of this Agreement. Accordingly, no client of the Fund or other third party shall have any rights under this Agreement and such rights are explicitly disclaimed by the parties.

 

12.4 GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION AND VENUE. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN. THE FUND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. FURTHERMORE, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THAT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

12.5 Notices. Notices and other writings contemplated by this Agreement, other than Instructions, shall be delivered (a) by hand, (b) by first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (c) by a nationally recognized overnight courier, or (d) by facsimile transmission, provided that any notice or other writing sent by facsimile transmission shall also be mailed, postage prepaid, to the party to whom such notice is addressed. All such notices shall be addressed, as follows:

 

If to the Fund: Gemini Fund Services c/o Northern Lights Fund Trust III
  80 Arkay Drive
  Hauppauge, New York 11788
     
  Attn: Richard Malinowski
     
  Telephone:  631-470-2734
     
If to the Custodian: Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
  50 Post Office Square
  Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1548
  Attn: Office of the General Counsel
  Telephone:  (617) 772-1818
  Facsimile: (617) 772-2235,

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or such other address as the Fund or the Custodian may have designated in writing to the other. Notices given by the Custodian pursuant to Section 12.13 may also be given by electronic mail to the email address of any Authorized Person. The Fund agrees that such notices given by electronic mail shall be conclusively presumed to have been delivered and received by the Fund as of the date such electronic mail was sent by the Custodian, as recorded by the Custodian’s systems.

 

12.6 Headings. Paragraph headings included herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not modify, define, expand or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

12. 7 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.

 

12.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by the Fund and the Custodian. A photocopy or telefax of the Agreement shall be acceptable evidence of the existence of the Agreement and the Custodian shall be protected in relying on the photocopy or telefax until the Custodian has received the original of the Agreement.

 

12.9 Confidentiality. The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering or obtaining services pursuant to this Agreement (and offering, rendering or obtaining related BBH&Co. services) and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement (including, without limitation, disclosure to Subcustodians or Agents appointed by the Custodian), shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by or to any regulator of the Custodian or any Agent or Subcustodian, any Regulatory Authority, any auditor or attorney of the parties hereto, or by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by Applicable Law.

 

12.10 Tape-recording. The Fund on behalf of itself and its Customers authorizes the Custodian to tape record any and all telephonic or other oral instructions given to the Custodian by or on behalf of a Fund, including from any Authorized Person. This authorization will remain in effect until and unless revoked by the Fund in writing.

 

12.11 Counsel/ Certified Public Accountant. In fulfilling its duties hereunder, the Custodian shall be entitled to receive and act upon the advice of (i) counsel and/or a certified public accountant regularly retained by the Custodian in respect of such matters, (ii) counsel and/or a certified public accountant for the Fund or (iii) such counsel or certified public accountant as the Fund and the Custodian may agree upon, with respect to all matters, and the Custodian shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice.

 

12.12 Conflict. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Custodian and its associates from (i) dealing as a principal or an intermediary in the sale, purchase or loan of the Fund’s Investments to, or from the Custodian or its associates; (ii) acting as a custodian, a subcustodian, a trustee, an agent, securities dealer, an investment manager or in any other capacity for any other client whose interests may be adverse to the interest of the Fund; or (iii) buying, holding, lending, and dealing in any way in any assets for the benefit of its own account, or for the account of any other client whose interests may be adverse to the Fund notwithstanding that the same or similar assets may be held or dealt in by, or for the account of the Fund by the Custodian. The Fund hereby voluntarily consents to, and waives any potential conflict of interest between the Custodian and/or its associates and the Fund, and agrees that:

 

(a) the Custodian’s and/or its associates’ engagement in any such transaction shall not disqualify the Custodian from continuing to perform as the custodian of the Fund under this Agreement;

 

(b) the Custodian and/or its associates shall not be under any duty to disclose any information in connection with any such transaction to the Fund;

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(c) the Custodian and/or its associates shall not be liable to account to the Fund for any profits or benefits made or derived by or in connection with any such transaction; and

 

(d) the Fund shall use all reasonable efforts to disclose this provision, among other provisions in this Agreement, to its shareholders.

 

12.13 BBH Online Terms and Conditions. Use of the BBH Infuse™ (f/k/a WorldView®) portal, any future release thereof or successor thereto (the “Portal”), and the products and services available through the Portal (the “Online Services”) are subject to additional terms and conditions, which are available at: bbh.com/onlineterms, as such may be updated from time to time (the “BBH Online Terms and Conditions”) and which are incorporated herein by reference. Without limiting any provision of this Agreement or the BBH Online Terms and Conditions, the Fund is responsible for all use of the Online Services by its authorized users (including employees, officers, directors, agents, consultants, contractors and any third parties given access to the Online Services by or on behalf of the Fund), and for ensuring that all such persons comply with the BBH Online Terms and Conditions. BBH&Co. will inform the Fund of any updates to the BBH Online Terms and Conditions in accordance with the procedures set forth therein.

 

13. Definitions. The following defined terms will have the respective meanings set forth below.

 

13.1 Advance(s) shall mean any extension of credit by or through the Custodian or by or through any Subcustodian and shall include, without limitation, amounts due to the Custodian as the principal counterparty to any foreign exchange transaction with the Fund as described in Section 7.4.2 hereof, or paid to third parties for account of the Fund or in discharge of any expense, tax or other item payable by the Fund.

 

13.2 Advance Costs shall mean any Advance, interest on the Advance and any related expenses, including without limitation any mark to market loss of the Custodian or Subcustodian on any Investment to which Section 7.6.1 applies.

 

13.3 Agency Account(s) shall mean any deposit account opened on the books of a Subcustodian or other banking institution in accordance with Section 7.1 hereof.

 

13.4 Agent(s) shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.17 hereof.

 

13.5 Applicable Law shall mean with respect to each jurisdiction, all (a) laws, statutes, treaties, regulations, guidelines (or their equivalents); (b) orders, interpretations, licenses and permits; and (c) judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs, orders and similar actions by a court of competent jurisdiction; compliance with which is required or customarily observed in such jurisdiction.

 

13.6 Authorized Person(s) shall mean any person or entity authorized to give Instructions on behalf of the Fund in accordance with Section 4.1 hereof.

 

13.7 BBH Online Terms and Conditions shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.13 hereof.

 

13.8 Book-Entry Agent(s) shall mean an entity acting as agent for the issuer of Investments for purposes of recording ownership or similar entitlement to Investments, including without limitation a transfer agent or registrar.

 

13.9 Clearing Corporation shall mean any entity or system established for purposes of providing securities settlement and movement and associated functions for a given market(s).

 

13.10 Delegation Schedule shall mean any separate schedule entered into between the Custodian and the Fund or its authorized representative with respect to certain matters concerning the appointment and administration of Subcustodians delegated to the Custodian pursuant to Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.

 

13.11 Electronic Reports shall mean any reports prepared by the Custodian and remitted to the Fund or its authorized representative via the internet or electronic mail.

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13.12 Force Majeure shall mean (a) acts of God, earthquakes, fires, floods, storms, water or wind damage, or other elements of nature; accidents or explosions; wars or acts of war, enemy actions, insurrections, rebellions, riots, terrorism, sabotage, revolutions, or civil commotions or disorders or other acts attributable to economic or political factors or other civil or military disturbances; outbreaks, epidemics, pandemics (including but not limited to COVID-19), public health emergencies, any governmental order or corporate order or any requirement relating thereto; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, transportation, computer (hardware or software), or communications service(s); any strikes, lock-outs, work stoppages, or other labor disputes; governmental actions; any provision of any present or future law, regulation or order of a federal, state, municipal, local, territorial, provincial or other governmental department, regulatory authority, self-regulatory organization or legislative, judicial or administrative body, including any political subdivision thereof, or of any securities depository or clearing agency; inability to obtain material, equipment or transportation; any disruption of, or suspension of trading in, the securities, commodities or foreign exchange markets or transactions; or any encumbrance on the transferability of, convertibility, or ability to hold a currency or a currency position; or any delay or disruption resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country Risk, AML and Sanctions Risk or Sovereign Risk, or (b) any other circumstance or event which is unforeseeable or beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian, regardless of whether such circumstance or event is of a nature or type described in (a) above.

 

13.13 Foreign Custody Manager shall mean the Fund’s foreign custody manager appointed pursuant to Rule 17f-5 of the 1940 Act.

 

13.14 Foreign Financial Regulatory Authority shall have the meaning given by Section 2(a)(50) of the 1940 Act.

 

13.15 Funds Transfer Services Agreement shall mean any separate agreement entered into between the Custodian and the Fund with respect to certain matters concerning the processing of payment orders from Principal Accounts of the Fund.

 

13.16 Global Custody Network Listing shall mean the Countries and Subcustodians approved for Investments in Foreign Markets.

 

13.17 Instruction(s) shall have the meaning assigned in Section 4 hereof.

 

13.18 Investment Advisor shall mean any person or entity who is an Authorized Person to give Instructions with respect to the investment and reinvestment of the Fund’s Investments.

 

13.19 Investment(s) shall mean any investment asset of the Fund, including without limitation securities, bonds, notes, and debentures as well as receivables, derivatives, contractual rights or entitlements and other intangible assets, but shall not include any Principal Account.

 

13.20 Margin Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4 hereof.

 

13.21 OFAC shall mean the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

 

13.22 Principal Account(s) shall mean deposit accounts of the Fund carried on the books of BBH&Co. as principal in accordance with Section 7 hereof.

 

13.23 Safekeeping Account shall mean an account established on the books of the Custodian or any Subcustodian for purposes of segregating the interests of the Fund (or clients of the Custodian or Subcustodian) from the assets of the Custodian or any Subcustodian.

 

13.24 Sanctions or Sanctions Regime(s) shall mean any governmental sanctions against countries, persons and entities that are imposed at any time by the US, the European Union and its member states, the United Nations, the UK or any other jurisdiction, which Custodian must comply with.

 

13.25 Securities Depository shall mean a central or book entry system or agency established under Applicable Law for purposes of recording the ownership and/or entitlement to investment securities for a given market that, if a foreign Securities Depository, meets the definitional requirements of Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.

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13.26 Subcustodian(s) shall mean each foreign bank appointed by the Custodian pursuant to Section 8 hereof, but shall not include Securities Depositories.

 

13.27 Tri-Party Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4 hereof.

 

13.28 1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

14. Compensation. The Fund agrees to pay to the Custodian (a) a fee in an amount set forth in the fee letter between the Fund and the Custodian in effect on the date hereof or as amended from time to time, and (b) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Custodian, including the fees and expenses of all Subcustodians and other amounts paid by the Custodian to a third party for account or benefit of the Fund, and payable from time to time. Amounts payable by the Fund under and pursuant to this Section 14 shall be payable by wire transfer to the Custodian at BBH&Co. in New York, New York.

 

15. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by either party in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The provisions of this Agreement and any other rights or obligations incurred or accrued by any party hereto prior to termination of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

15.1 Term, Notice and Effect. This Agreement shall have an initial term of three (3) years from the date hereof. Thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one (1) year periods unless either party terminates this Agreement by written notice effective no sooner than seventy-five (75) days following the date that notice to such effect shall be delivered to the other party at its address set forth in Section 12.5 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, either party may terminate this Agreement at any time (a) for cause, which is a material breach of the Agreement not cured within 60 days, in which case termination shall be effective upon written receipt of notice by the non-terminating party, or (b) upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other party in the event that either party is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or there shall be commenced against such party a case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar law now or hereafter in effect.

 

15.2 Notice and Succession. In the event a termination notice is given by a party hereto, all reasonable costs and expenses associated with any required systems, facilities, procedures, personnel, and other resourced modifications as well as the movement of records and materials and the conversion thereof shall be paid by the Fund for which services shall cease to be performed hereunder. Furthermore, to the extent that it appears impracticable given the circumstances to effect an orderly delivery of the necessary and appropriate records of Custodian to a successor within the time specified in the notice of termination as aforesaid, Custodian and the Fund agree that this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for such reasonable period as may be required to complete necessary arrangements with a successor.

 

15.3 Successor Custodian. In the event of the appointment of a successor custodian, it is agreed that the Investments of the Fund held by the Custodian or any Subcustodian shall be delivered to the successor custodian in accordance with reasonable Instructions. The Custodian agrees to cooperate with the Fund in the execution of documents and performance of other actions necessary or desirable in order to facilitate the succession of the new custodian. If no successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall in like manner transfer the Fund’s Investments in accordance with Instructions.

 

15.4 Delayed Succession. If no Instruction has been given as of the effective date of termination, Custodian may at any time on or after such termination date and upon ten (10) consecutive calendar days written notice to the Fund either (a) deliver the Investments of the Fund held hereunder to the Fund at the address designated for receipt of notices hereunder; or (b) deliver any investments held hereunder to a bank or trust company having a capitalization of $2,000,000 USD equivalent and operating under the Applicable Law of the jurisdiction where such Investments are located, such delivery to be at the risk of the Fund. In the event that Investments or moneys of the Fund remain in the custody of the Custodian or its Subcustodians after the date of termination owing to the failure of the Fund to issue Instructions with respect to their disposition or owing to the fact that such disposition could not be accomplished in accordance with such Instructions despite diligent efforts of the Custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to compensation for its services with respect to such Investments and moneys during such period as the Custodian or its Subcustodians retain possession of such items and the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until disposition in accordance with this Section is accomplished.

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16. Compliance Policies and Procedures. To assist the Fund in complying with Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act, BBH&Co. represents that it has adopted written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws in fulfilling its obligations under the Agreement and that it has in place a compliance program to monitor its compliance with those policies and procedures. BBH&Co will upon request provide the Fund with information about our compliance program as mutually agreed.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

The undersigned acknowledges that (I/we) have received a copy of this document.

 

BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO.   NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III

 

By:  (-S- ERUCH A. MODY)   By:  (-S- ERIC KANE)
Name: Eruch A. Mody   Name: Eric Kane
Title: Senior Vice President   Title: Secretary
Date:   Date: 6/23/21

20

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III


OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION

AGREEMENT

 

Persimmon Long/Short Fund



THIS OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is effective as of the 17th day of June, 2021, by and between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund (the “Fund”) a series of the Trust, and the Advisor of the Fund, DAKOTA WEALTH, 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 17th day of June, 2021 (the “Advisory Agreement”); and


WHEREAS, the Fund is responsible for, and has assumed the obligation for, payment of certain expenses pursuant to the Advisory Agreement that have not been assumed by the Advisor; and


WHEREAS, the Advisor desires to limit 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 of the Advisor established with Gemini Fund Services, LLC, Transfer Agent to the Fund, or its successor and assigns (the “Securities Intermediary”), for so long as a Fund’s assets remain below $15 million;


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 daily net assets for the month, 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”).

1 
 

 

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 Fund and including the Advisor’s investment advisory or management fee detailed in the Advisory Agreement, any Rule 12b-l fees and other expenses described in the Advisory Agreement, but does not include: (i) any front-end or contingent deferred loads; (ii) brokerage fees and commissions, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses; (iii) borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); (iv) taxes; and (v) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Advisor)).

 

3. Reimbursement of Fees and Expenses. The Advisor retains its right to receive in future years on a rolling three year basis, reimbursement of any Fund Reimbursement Payments paid by the Advisor pursuant to this Agreement, if such reimbursement can be achieved within the Operating Expense Limitations listed in Appendix A.

 

4. Collateral Account and Security Interest. At any time when the Fund’s assets are below $15 million, 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 and maintained 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 transfers or conveyances of Collateral to any party shall require the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), except as specified in Section 7(a)(ii) of this Agreement, below. In addition, the Trust will not issue entitlement orders, redeem or otherwise take any action with respect to the Collateral or Collateral Account unless a Collateral Event (defined below under Section 5 of this Agreement) has occurred or is continuing.

 

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, but subject to the provisions of the Control Agreement, no further instructions shall be required from the Advisor for the Securities Intermediary to transfer any

2 
 

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 (the “Control Agreement”) pursuant to and consistent with Section 8-106(c) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, which shall terminate when the Collateral Account is no longer required under this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, for so long as the Collateral Account is required under the Agreement, 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 or to the Collateral, or any part thereof, and to give full discharge for the same. So long as a Collateral Event has occurred and is continuing, 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 to the Fund as follows:

 

(a) No later than 120 days after the Agreement takes effect, the Advisor shall invest at least $30,000 in the Collateral Account, unless Fund assets have reached $15 million by that time (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
3 
 

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; provided that the action does not constitute willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties of the Board under this Agreement, the Advisory Agreement, or to Fund shareholders.

 

(c) The Trust will not issue entitlement orders, redeem or otherwise take any action with respect to the Collateral or Collateral Account unless a Collateral Event (defined above under Section 5 of this Agreement) has occurred or is continuing.

 

8. Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall remain in effect until at least July 31, 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 and the Control Agreement will automatically terminate, with respect to the Fund listed in Appendix A if the 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 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, as amended, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 

 

 

4 
 

(Signature Page follows)

 

 

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 III DAKOTA WEALTH, LLC
on behalf of Persimmon Long/Short Fund  
   

 

By: _/s/ Richard Malinowski         __ By: _ Gregory S. Horn           ____
Name: Richard Malinowski Name: Gregory S. Horn
Title: President Title:   Managing Director



5 
 


Appendix A

 

Fund Operating Expense Limit
   
Persimmon Long/Short Fund  
     Class I 1.99%                     



6 
 

 

 

July 22, 2021

 

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust III

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

 

Re:       Northern Lights Fund Trust III - File Nos. 333-178833 and 811-22655

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

A legal opinion (the “Legal Opinion”) that we prepared was filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 505 to the Northern Lights Fund Trust III Registration Statement. We hereby give you our consent to incorporate by reference the Legal Opinion into Post-Effective Amendment No. 511 under the Securities Act of 1933 (Amendment No. 514 under the Investment Company Act of 1940) (the “Amendment”) and consent to all references to us in the Amendment.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Thompson Hine LLP

 

THOMPSON HINE LLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

 

 

We consent to the references to our firm in the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of the Northern Lights Fund Trust III and to the use of our report dated May 27, 2021 on the financial statements and financial highlights of The Teberg Fund, a series of shares of beneficial interest in Northern Lights Fund Trust III. Such financial statements and financial highlights appear in the March 31, 2021 Annual Report to Shareholders which is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information.

 

BBD, LLP

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

July 22, 2021

 

CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT

 

1. Introduction

 

Pursuant to Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“the Advisers Act”), an investment adviser is required to establish, maintain, and enforce a written code of ethics that must set forth standards of conduct expected of advisory personnel and address conflicts that arise from personal trading by advisory personnel.

 

Similar requirements to adopt a written code of ethics exist under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”) for investment advisers to registered investment companies.

 

As an investment advisory firm registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) under the Advisers Act, Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC (“Counterpoint,” “we,” “our,” “the firm” or “us”) has adopted the following Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Conduct (the “Code”), which will govern the activities of all Supervised Persons of the firm.

 

2. Definitions

 

Defined terms used throughout this Code have the following meanings:

 

Access Person

 

An “Access Person” is defined as follows:

 

  1. Counterpoint’s managers, partners, officers, and directors;
  2. Any Supervised Person who has access to nonpublic information regarding any clients’ purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any reportable fund;
  3. Any Supervised Person who is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic; or
  4. A Fund Access Person.

 

Fund Access Person

 

A “Fund Access Person” means:

1. Any Advisory Person of a Fund or of a Fund's investment adviser. If an investment adviser's primary business is advising Funds or other advisory clients, all of the investment adviser's directors, officers, and general partners are presumed to be Access Persons of any Fund advised by the investment adviser. All of a Fund's directors, officers, and general partners are presumed to be Access Persons of the Fund.
2. Any director, officer or general partner of a principal underwriter who, in the ordinary course of business, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding, the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Fund for which the principal underwriter acts, or whose functions or duties in the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to the Fund regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities.

 

 
 

Advisory Person of a Fund

 

An “Advisory Person of a Fund” or of a Fund's investment adviser means:

1. Any director, officer, general partner or employee of the Fund or investment adviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Fund or investment adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding, the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by a Fund, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; and
2. Any natural person in a control relationship to the Fund or investment adviser who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Fund with regard to the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Fund.

 

 

Beneficial Owner

 

An individual is a “beneficial owner” of an account if the individual has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the securities in the account. A pecuniary interest means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the securities. An indirect pecuniary interest includes but is not limited to: securities held by members of a person’s immediate family sharing the same household, a person’s interest in securities held by a trust, and a person’s right to acquire equity securities through the exercise or conversion of any derivative security, whether or not presently exercisable.

 

The definition of “beneficial ownership” is complex. If you have any question whether you have a beneficial interest in a security, please consult with our Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”).

 

Federal Securities Laws

 

“Federal securities laws” means the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”), the Advisers Act, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the Commission or the Department of the Treasury.

 

Immediate Family

 

“Immediate family” means any of the following persons who reside in the same household as the Access Person:

 

Child Grandparent Son-In-Law

Stepchild Spouse Daughter-In-Law

Grandchild Sibling Brother-In-Law

Parent Mother-In-Law Sister-In-Law

Stepparent Father-In-Law

 

Immediate family includes adoptive relationships and any other relationship (whether or not recognized by law or shown above), which the CCO determines could lead to possible conflicts of interest,

 
 

diversions of corporate opportunity, or appearances of impropriety, which this Code is intended to prevent.

 

Limited Offering

 

“Limited offering” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to section 4(2) or section 4(6) or pursuant to Regulation D §§ 230.504, 230.505, or 230.506.

 

This includes transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering; transactions involving offers by an issuer solely to one or more accredited investors, if the aggregate offering price of an issue of securities offered in reliance on the registration exemption does not exceed the amount allowed under regulation, if there is no advertising or public solicitation in connection with the transaction by the issuer or anyone acting on the issuer’s behalf, and if the issuer files notice with the Commission as the Commission prescribes; or transactions that meet exemptions as provided under Regulation D.

 

Reportable Security

 

A “Reportable Security” includes any interest or instrument that is commonly considered a “security,” including, but not limited to:

 

  1. An equity security including common and preferred stock;
  2. A debt security including corporate, municipal, and mortgage/asset backed bonds, but excluding exempted government obligations;
  3. An investment convertible into, or exchangeable for, equity or debt securities;
  4. Any derivative instrument relating to any of the above securities, including warrants, options and futures;
  5. Any pooled investment vehicle, excluding open-end investment companies;
  6. Shares of closed-end investment companies;
  7. Reportable funds (registered investment companies for which Counterpoint serves as an investment adviser or whose investment adviser or principal underwriter controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with Counterpoint)
  8. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs); and
  9. Any private placement.

 

A “Reportable Security” does not include securities that are:

 

  1. Direct obligations of the Government of the United States;
  2. Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements;
  3. Shares issued by money market funds;
  4. Shares issued by open-end investment companies (other than reportable funds);
  5. Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end investment companies, none of which are reportable funds; and
  6. Interests in 529 Plans not managed, distributed, marketed, or underwritten by Counterpoint or a control affiliate.

 

 
 

Supervised Person

 

Counterpoint’s “Supervised Persons” are:

 

1. Counterpoint’s managers, partners, officers, and directors (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions);
2. Counterpoint’s employees; and
3. Any other persons who provide advice on behalf of Counterpoint and are subject to Counterpoint’s supervision and control.

 

3. Scope of the Code

 

Supervised Persons

 

1. All Supervised Persons of Counterpoint are subject to and required to comply with the Code at all times.

 

2. “You” are a Supervised Person of the firm.

 

3. The Code and subsequent Compliance Policies & Procedures (“P&P”) make use of functional titles/roles to identify Supervised Persons and their responsibilities. As a Supervised Person, you should be mindful that you may have multiple functional roles and must take care to identify all of the policies and procedures for which you are responsible. Wholesalers are not considered Supervised Persons of the firm, but are subject to oversight as outlined in the P&P.

 

  1. At times Counterpoint may have temporary personnel, such as independent contractors or clerical personnel provided by an agency. Generally, the nature of those individuals’ engagements and activities will not be such that they would be Supervised Persons. Counterpoint will decide the status of those personnel on a case-by-case basis.

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

  1. Michael B. Krause is the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) for Counterpoint. The CCO is responsible for the administration of Counterpoint’s compliance program. Any questions regarding the Code should be addressed with the CCO.

 

  1. The Code requires Supervised Persons to report or disclose to and/or seek approval from the CCO for certain activities. In the case of the CCO, the CCO will report to and seek approval from the Associate Compliance Officer (“ACO”), who will review such activities. The ACO will also serve as a backup to the CCO in the absence of the CCO during vacations, extended illness, or incapacity. However, the ACO may never approve his/her own activities.

 

Supervision

 

  1. Supervised Persons with supervisory responsibility, authority, or the ability to influence the conduct of others must exercise reasonable supervision over those subject to their supervision
 
 

or authority, in order to prevent violation of applicable statutes, regulations, or provisions of the Code.

 

  1. In performing supervisory activities, Supervised Persons may rely on procedures established by Counterpoint that are designed to prevent and detect violations.

 

  1. The Michael B. Krause, Manager, is responsible for the general supervision of all Supervised Persons of Counterpoint.

 

Amendments

 

  1. The Code does not attempt to anticipate every ethical dilemma that Supervised Persons might face. Instead, it sets forth general guidelines on certain issues for maintaining Counterpoint’s high ethical standards.

 

  1. Counterpoint recognizes the need to respond flexibly to ever-changing business needs and circumstances. Accordingly, Counterpoint reserves the right to revoke, modify, interpret, and apply our guidelines, policies, or procedures at our sole discretion, and without prior notice.

 

  1. Counterpoint will periodically, at least annually, review the Code and make amendments as needed.

 

  1. For any registered fund to which Counterpoint provides investment management services, Counterpoint will submit a copy of the Code for approval by the fund’s board of directors:
a. Initially, before it is retained as an investment adviser to the fund; and
b. With each material change, no later than six months after adoption of the change.

 

Code of Ethics Acknowledgements

 

  1. Counterpoint will provide to each Supervised Person a copy of the Code and any amendments to the Code at time of hire and each time it is amended.

 

  1. Each Supervised Person must acknowledge with each version, in writing, that he or she has received a copy of the Code, has read and understood it, has had an opportunity to ask questions about what it means and how it applies to him/her, and that he/she will abide by it.

 

4. Fiduciary Duty

 

Counterpoint is an investment adviser and as such is a fiduciary that owes our clients a duty of undivided loyalty. Counterpoint and our Supervised Persons will:

 

  1. Act for the benefit of our clients and place our clients’ interests before our own;
  2. Act in a position of trust and fiduciary responsibility to clients and do nothing to violate that trust;
  3. Conduct ourselves with integrity and dignity, and act in an ethical manner in our dealings with the public, clients, prospects, employer, and fellow Supervised Persons;
  4. Act with competence, use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment;
  5.  
     
  6. Exercise independence when making investment decisions for clients;
  7. Conduct personal securities transactions in a manner that is consistent with the Code and act to avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest or abuse of our position of trust and responsibility;
  8. Eliminate and/or disclose all material conflicts of interest;
  9. Safeguard and keep confidential nonpublic personal information of clients; and
  10. Comply with applicable federal securities laws.

 

Counterpoint and our Supervised Persons will not:

 

  1. Employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud a client;
  2. Make any untrue statement to a client or omit to state any material fact that a client would reasonably require in order to make sound decisions;
  3. Engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on a client; or
  4. Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to a client.
  5. Make statements, orally or in writing, that misrepresent:
    1. The services that Supervised Persons or the firm is capable of performing;
    2. Supervised Persons’ qualifications or the qualifications of the firm; or
    3. Supervised Persons’ academic or professional credentials.
  6. Make or imply, orally or in writing, any assurances or guarantees regarding any investment, except to communicate accurate information regarding the terms of the investment and the issuer’s obligations.

 

5. Standards of Business Conduct

 

This Code summarizes the standards of conduct for Supervised Persons of Counterpoint. Its purpose is to promote and maintain the highest level of professional conduct and business ethics among all Supervised Persons, so that we do not compromise our clients’ well-being and interests.

 

Compliance with Securities Laws & Rules

 

  1. Supervised Persons must comply with all applicable federal securities laws.

 

  1. Supervised Persons must not engage in any professional conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

  1. Counterpoint considers a “conflict of interest” to be any situation in which the Supervised Person’s own interests could interfere with the Supervised Person’s responsibilities as a representative of Counterpoint.

 

  1. Supervised Persons must make best efforts to identify actual and potential conflicts of interest and must report all known actual or potential conflicts of interest to the CCO.

 

     
     
  1. Supervised Persons must seek to avoid conducting personal or private business that conflicts with, or gives the appearance of conflicting with, the interests of the firm and/or our clients. The appearance alone of a conflict of interest can be as damaging to the firm as an actual conflict.

 

  1. Where potential conflicts cannot be eliminated, Supervised Persons must fully disclose those to Counterpoint, and Counterpoint will fully disclose material facts concerning the conflict(s) to the client(s).

 

  1. Each Supervised Person must also comply with requirements to disclose conflicts of interest as imposed by rule or regulation of any professional organization governing your activities and must comply with any prohibitions on your activities if conflicts of interest exist.

 

  1. The CCO and the ACO are responsible for reviewing for potential conflicts of interest. They will periodically review for any conflict that might arise out of, but are not limited to:
    1. The operation of non-investment management businesses in which Counterpoint or an affiliated person of Counterpoint engages;
    2. Counterpoint engaging in a new business;
    3. Counterpoint making available a new investment product or service;
    4. Counterpoint making significant changes in which we operate;
    5. Any examination, enforcement action, or investigation by a regulator;
    6. Any criminal or civil litigation or other court action;
    7. Any violations by Counterpoint or any affiliate of the registered fund policies of any registered fund advised by Counterpoint.

 

Outside Business Activities

 

  1. Each Supervised Person has a duty of loyalty to the firm, and your efforts should be devoted to the firm’s business. Counterpoint encourages your participation in outside business activities that are civic, charitable, and/or professional in nature and that enhance your professionalism and the reputation of the firm. Simultaneously, Counterpoint recognizes that outside business activities may create conflicts of interest.

 

  1. Each Supervised Person must disclose, at the time you become a Supervised Person of Counterpoint and upon any change thereafter, all outside business activities, whether for compensation or not.

 

  1. Supervised Persons may not engage in any outside business activity without first receiving prior written approval from the CCO.

 

  1. Material changes in the role with, time devoted to, or amount of compensation received from a previously-approved outside business activity must similarly be pre-cleared with the CCO.

 

  1. All pre-approvals must be sought in writing with a clear description of the activities to be performed and any compensation to be received.

 

  1. Outside business activity disclosures and decisions by the CCO will be maintained in an appropriate file, and applicable outside business activities will be disclosed to clients, if applicable.
 
 

 

  1. Outside business activities include, but are not limited to:

 

a. Being employed by or compensated by any other entity;
b. Being active in any other business, including part-time, evening, or weekend employment;
c. Serving as an officer, director or partner in any other entity;
d. Serving on the board of a public company;
e. Ownership interest in any non-publicly traded company or other private, non-real property investment;
f. Engaging in any public speaking or writing activities related to investment management;
g. Acting as a trustee for client accounts, with the exception of immediate or close family accounts;
h. Acting as a general partner of a client limited partnership, or acting as a managing member of a client limited liability company;
i. Holding a seat in public office, or committing to a candidacy or a formal position on a campaign committee;
j. Operating a hedge fund or sponsoring or participating in an association or group formed to invest in securities (e.g., an investment club); or
k. Recommending another firm’s financial planning, investment management, brokerage or similar services for a referral fee.

 

Maintenance of Independence and Objectivity

 

  1. Supervised Persons must use particular care and good judgment to achieve and maintain independence and objectivity in the performance of your roles and responsibilities.

 

  1. Supervised Persons must avoid giving or receiving any gift, donation, benefit, service or other favor that might affect, or be seen to potentially affect, the performance of your roles and responsibilities, or which might compromise the credibility of Counterpoint.

 

Gifts and Entertainment

 

  1. Counterpoint recognizes the potential conflicts of interest when Supervised Persons of the firm give and/or receive gifts, entertainment, or other items of value to/from any person or entity that does business with the firm.

 

  1. The overriding principle is that Supervised Persons may not accept inappropriate gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations, or others things of material value that could influence decision-making or make the Supervised Person feel beholden to another person or firm.

 

  1. Similarly, Supervised Persons may not offer gifts, favors, entertainment, or other things of value that may be viewed as overly generous or aimed at influencing decision-making or making a client or prospective client feel beholden to the firm.

 

  1. Counterpoint has adopted the following policies and procedures to implement these principles:

 

a. Supervised Persons may not give any gift (including reimbursements or other items of value) to any client, vendor, potential vendor or anyone else that does business or seeks
 
 

to do business with the firm that is in excess of $200 per calendar year per person/entity, without prior approval from the CCO.

 

b. Supervised Persons may not make gifts (including reimbursements or other items of value) to potential clients with the exception of de minimis items that would be considered exclusions under these policies (see below).

 

c. Supervised Persons may not accept any gift (including reimbursements or other items of value) from any client, potential client, vendor, potential vendor, or anyone else that does business or seeks to do business with the firm that is in excess of $200 per calendar year per person/entity, without approval from the CCO.

 

d. Cash and/or cash equivalents may never be offered or accepted, regardless of the amount. For purposes of this policy, merchant gift cards are not considered cash equivalents.

 

e. Supervised Persons may not provide or accept extravagant or excessive entertainment to or from a client, prospective client, or any person or entity that does or seeks to do business with the firm. Supervised Persons may occasionally provide or accept a business entertainment event, such as a dinner, sporting event, or concert of reasonable value, as well as any transportation and/or lodging accompanying or related to such activity or event. Normally, the person or entity providing the entertainment will be present. Counterpoint does not consider these occasional entertainment expenses to be gifts and therefore does not count them toward the annual gift allowance. However, no entertainment event should be given or accepted in such frequency or amount that would violate Counterpoint’s overriding principle as stated above. Generally, business entertainment of not more than $500 per individual per year is considered reasonable. All entertainment events in excess of $500 given or received must be pre-approved by the CCO.

 

f. From time to time, Supervised Persons may receive offers to attend conferences, seminars, due diligence meetings, or similar events provided by or sponsored by a person or entity that does or seeks to do business with Counterpoint, such as a mutual fund company, issuer, vendor, custodian, or broker-dealer. In addition, the sponsors may offer to cover or reimburse Counterpoint for the costs associated with the attendance of these events such as travel, lodging, meals, and conference fees. Supervised Persons may not accept transportation or lodging offers; rather the cost for these expenses will be borne by the Supervised Person or Counterpoint. Offers for any other expense coverage must be submitted for pre-approval to the CCO, who will make a determination on whether the event and/or any covered or reimbursed expenses associated with the event would present Counterpoint with related real or perceived conflicts of interest. In considering granting approval for such events, the CCO will consider, among other things, the extent to which the event enhances the firm’s management of client accounts or supports the firm’s due diligence process of reviewing securities and issuers.

 

g. Supervised Persons must report all gifts and entertainment in excess of the limits set forth above to the CCO, who will maintain a record of such items, including the name of the
 
 

person or company giving/receiving the item, the date the item was given/received, a description of the item, and its approximate value.

 

  1. If a third party would reasonably perceive a gift as being improper or as compromising the integrity of Supervised Persons and/or Counterpoint, the gift should be respectfully declined. If there is any question as to whether a payment or consideration may be accepted, the Supervised Person should contact the CCO.

 

Exclusions

 

The following items are not subject to Counterpoint’s Gifts and Entertainment policies:

 

  1. Infrequent gifts of a personal nature, such as wedding gifts or congratulatory gifts for the birth of a child;
  2. Gifts and entertainment given to or received from individuals who are also family members of Supervised Persons of Counterpoint (gifts to and from family members are not required to be reported to the CCO); and
  3. Items of de minimis value given or received such as pens, mugs, shirts, golf balls, and other similar promotional items (de minimis items are not required to be reported to the CCO).

 

Additional Standards

 

Supervised Persons may be subject to additional codes of conduct mandated by professional organizations of which the Supervised Person is a member or designation holder. As a matter of professional integrity and responsibility, Supervised Persons must always abide by the higher standard in situations where varying procedures among multiple entities exist. Supervised Persons may be subject to an additional Code of Ethics and professional responsibilities as it relates to any professional designations held by each Supervised Person. The provisions of any additional standards are not incorporated into this Code, but examples of other professional standards that may apply are noted below.

 

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

 

Certain Supervised Persons of Counterpoint have earned the right to use the CFA designation and are members of the CFA Institute. In addition to the firm’s Code, all such Supervised Persons are also subject to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

 

6. Personal Trading

 

  1. Counterpoint permits Access Persons, as that term is defined above, to transact in personal securities accounts provided that investing by Access Persons is consistent with Counterpoint’s fiduciary duty to our clients and with regulatory requirements.

 

  1. The personal trading policies and procedures, including the subsections outlined below, also apply to accounts of immediate family members (as defined above) of the Access Person living
  2.  
     
  3. in the same household and any account of which the Access Person is a beneficial owner (as defined above). The Access Person must comply with these policies for all such accounts.

 

  1. Personal securities transactions must never adversely affect clients.

 

  1. Counterpoint will monitor trading activity of our Access Persons to confirm that the interests of clients come first and that their trading activity complies with applicable securities laws. Securities transactions and holdings in any account of an Access Person, including accounts for which the Access Person is considered a beneficial owner (see definition above), are subject to review by Counterpoint.

 

5. The CCO will generally consider the following factors when reviewing Reportable Security holdings and transactions reports as well as pre-clearance requests:
a. Whether the investment opportunity should be directed to a client’s account;
b. Whether the amount or nature of the transaction affected the price or market for the security;
c. Whether the Access Person benefited from purchases or sales being made for clients;
d. Whether the transaction harmed any client; and
e. Whether the transaction has the appearance of impropriety.

 

  1. The CCO will conduct a quarterly review of personal trades of Access Persons against the trades executed for clients. In the event that Counterpoint’s personal trading policies were violated, even if inadvertently, the trade may be canceled and any profits disgorged depending on the perceived or actual breach of fiduciary duty to clients.

 

Current Access Persons

 

  1. Counterpoint maintains a record of our current and former Access Persons in accordance with recordkeeping requirements of the Advisers Act.

 

  1. All Supervised Persons, with the exception of persons who are sales persons only, of Counterpoint are considered to be Access Persons for purposes of these policies. Sales persons do not make, participate in or obtain information regarding, the purchase or sale of Reportable Securities by registered funds.

 

Personal Securities Transactions Policy

 

  1. Counterpoint and our Access Persons are permitted to personally invest in securities that are also recommended for client accounts.

 

  1. For personal transactions in a Reportable Security (as defined above), Access Persons must follow the procedures under Pre-Clearance of Trades, below, before transacting.

 

  1. All pre-approval requests and responses will be maintained in accordance with applicable books and records rules.

 

 
 

Pre-Clearance of Trades

 

  1. Access Persons must obtain the prior written approval from the CCO for any transaction:
a. That involves the purchase of an initial public offering (“IPO”), both in new issues and secondary offerings,
b. That involves the purchase of a limited offering (defined above), including all private placements, or
c. In any Reportable Security (as defined above) with the exception of:
i. broad market index ETFs and broad market futures and derivatives (such as futures options, options) that track such broad market index ETFs and broad market futures; or
ii. individual municipal bonds; or
iii. sector and commodity-related ETFs and derivatives (such as futures options, options) that track such sector and commodity-related ETFs and futures

 

  1. Pre-clearance is not required for the following transactions:
a. For subsequent purchases of securities effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan that was previously approved or exempt pursuant to these policies; or
b. Reportable funds (registered investment companies for which Counterpoint serves as an investment adviser or whose investment adviser or principal underwriter controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with Counterpoint)

 

  1. Access Persons desiring to transact in a security requiring pre-clearance must submit a request for pre-approval to the CCO in advance of the trade.
a. Pre-approval requests must be submitted using the firm’s Pre-Approval for Securities Transaction Form or other written request (including e-mail) containing the same information as the form. Any pre-approval requests sent via e-mail must be copied to the “trading” e-mail for recordkeeping purposes.
b. Only upon the receipt of written approval may the Access Person execute the desired transaction.
c. Pre-approvals for limited offerings are granted for 30 days. If the Access Person does not purchase a limited offering within the 30 days, the Access Person must submit a new request if desiring to participate on a later date.

 

  1. In the event of the CCO’s absence or for personal trading activity of the CCO, the ACO is responsible for reviewing pre-approval requests and issuing an appropriate response.

 

  1. Reasons the CCO may not grant approval for personal securities transactions include:
a. The proposed transaction is a violation of the Code;
b. The proposed transaction is a violation of the P&P; or
c. The proposed transaction creates a conflict of interest that may reasonably affect the ability of that Access Person to provide independent, objective advice and to act in the best interest of the client.

 

  1. The purpose of pre-clearance is so that Counterpoint may adhere to our fiduciary duty to clients. However, there is no guarantee under this policy that clients will always receive more favorable pricing than Access Persons for trades in like positions.

 

 
 

Personal Account Reporting

 

  1. Access Persons must disclose to Counterpoint holdings and transactions in securities for which the Access Person is a beneficial owner.

 

Personal Holdings Reports

 

  1. Access Persons must, within ten (10) days of becoming an Access Person and at least annually during each calendar year thereafter, report to the CCO all personal securities holdings of Reportable Securities (including limited offering holdings) on the firm’s Holdings Report or a supplemental report containing the same information.

 

  1. Each Holdings Report must contain, at a minimum, the following information:
a. 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;
b. 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
c. The date the Access Person submits the report.

 

  1. The required information must be current as of a date not more than 45 days prior to the employee becoming an Access Person (for initial reports) or the date the report is submitted (for annual reports).

 

  1. The CCO will conduct a periodic review of the holdings reports and brokerage statements for potential conflicts of interest or violations of the Code. The ACO will review the holdings of the CCO.

 

Personal Security Transaction Reports

 

  1. Access Persons must report all personal securities transactions in Reportable Securities (including limited offering transactions) on a quarterly basis. Access Persons must also report on a quarterly basis any account that was established in which any securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person.

 

  1. Access Persons must provide a signed Quarterly Securities Transaction Report to the CCO no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter.

 

  1. Each transaction report must contain, at a minimum, the following information about each transaction involving a Reportable Security in which the Access Person had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:
a. The date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares, and principal amount of each Reportable Security involved;
b. The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
 
 
c. The price of the security at which the transaction was effected;
d. The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and
e. The date the Access Person submits the report.

 

  1. Each transaction report must also contain the following information with respect to any account established by the Access Person in which any securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person:
    1. The name of the broker, dealer, or bank with which the Access Person established the account;
    2. The date the account was established; and
    3. The date the Access Person submits the report.

 

  1. The CCO will review the personal transaction activity for violations of insider trading, front running, pre-clearance of trades (as described above), and other potentially abusive practices. The ACO will review the transactions of the CCO.

 

7. Insider Trading

 

The Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988 requires an investment adviser to establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures designed to prevent the misuse of material nonpublic information by its directors, officers and employees.

 

Counterpoint has adopted the following policies and procedures to reasonably prevent the misuse of material nonpublic information. All Supervised Persons of Counterpoint are required to adhere to the firm’s policy.

 

Background

 

Pursuant to Section 204A of the Advisers Act, registered investment advisers are required to maintain and enforce written policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material nonpublic information by the adviser or any person associated with the adviser.

 

The securities laws prohibit improper disclosure or use of nonpublic information relative to publicly traded securities. Violations of the prohibitions against “insider trading” are punishable by severe sanctions, including criminal penalties. In general, 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.

 

Insider trading violations are likely to result in harsh consequences for the individuals involved, including exposure to investigations by the Commission, criminal and civil prosecution, disgorgement of any profits realized or losses avoided through the use of the nonpublic information, civil penalties of up to $1 million or three times such profits or losses, whichever is greater, exposure to additional liability in private actions, and incarceration.

 

 
 

Insider

 

The term “insider” includes both traditional insiders and temporary insiders. A traditional insider is generally any officer, director, partner, manager, or employee of a company who obtains material nonpublic information about that company by virtue of his/her position or relationship with the company. A traditional insider who acts on inside information breaches a duty of trust and confidence to the shareholders of his/her corporation. A temporary insider is any person who receives material nonpublic information about a company in the course of performing services for the company. Temporary insiders may include, but are not limited to, accountants, lawyers, consultants, underwriters, or the immediate family members of traditional insiders. A temporary insider who acts on inside information breaches a duty of loyalty and confidentiality to the person who shared the confidential information with him/her. An insider who becomes aware of and uses or discloses material nonpublic information about a company obtained as the result of his/her relationship with another company may be deemed to have misappropriated such information.

 

Material

 

The term “material information” is generally defined as information that a reasonable investor would consider important in making his/her investment decision with respect to a company’s securities or information that is reasonably certain to affect the market price of the company’s securities, regardless of whether the information is directly related to the company’s business. Material information may include, but is not limited to: dividend changes, earnings estimates, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant new products or discoveries, significant mergers or tender offer proposals or agreements, developments regarding major litigation by or against the company, liquidity or solvency problems, extraordinary management developments, or similar major developments.

 

Nonpublic

 

Information is to be considered “nonpublic” until it has been effectively disseminated to the marketplace for a sufficient period of time to be reflected in the security’s price. Information remains nonpublic until it has been publicly disclosed, meaning that it has been broadly distributed to the public in a non-exclusionary manner, such as via a filing with the Commission, or by appearance in publications of general circulation.

 

Policies

 

All Supervised Persons must adhere to the following:

 

  1. Any Supervised Person having doubts regarding the propriety of a proposed securities transaction should seek advice from the CCO, who has been designated by Counterpoint to handle such matters.

 

  1. No Supervised Person, who as a company “insider” has come into possession of material nonpublic information about a company or about the market for that company’s securities, may for your portfolio or for the portfolios of others buy or sell the securities of that company, or derivatives of such securities (e.g., options, warrants, etc.), until that information becomes publicly disseminated and the market has had an opportunity to react.
 
 

 

  1. No Supervised Person may benefit and/or trade on any material non-public information gained from interaction with portfolio companies or counter-parties.

 

  1. No Supervised Person may communicate or “tip” material nonpublic information about a company to any person except for lawful purposes.

 

  1. No Supervised Person may disclose material nonpublic information about a company or the market for that company’s securities to any person except to the extent necessary to carry out the legitimate business obligations of Counterpoint.

 

  1. Fund holdings are considered nonpublic until they have been disseminated to the public (such as through publicly available filings with the Commission). No Supervised Person may disclose the holdings of any fund advised by Counterpoint until the holdings have become public. Supervised Persons should check with the CCO before disclosing any holdings of Counterpoint advised funds.

 

Procedures and Responsible Party

 

  1. Every Supervised Person is required to disclose any outside business activities to the CCO.

 

  1. Every Supervised Person must disclose to the CCO any other activities they engage in that may reasonably cause them to have access to inside information.

 

  1. If necessary, the CCO will develop and maintain “restricted lists” and “watch lists” which identify the securities that may not be traded in client, employee and proprietary accounts without prior approval from the CCO.

 

  1. Every Supervised Person, before trading or making investment recommendations, for themselves or others, in the securities of a company about which the Supervised Person may have potential insider information, must consider whether the information is material and nonpublic. If after consideration, the information is determined to be material and nonpublic, or the Supervised Person is unable to determine whether the information is material and nonpublic, the Supervised Person must do the following:
a. Report the matter immediately to the CCO;
b. Not purchase, sell or recommend securities on behalf of yourself or others, including accounts managed by Counterpoint;
c. Not communicate the information inside or outside Counterpoint other than to the CCO or senior management.

 

After the CCO has reviewed the matter, the Supervised Person will be instructed as to the proper course of action to take.

 

  1. Counterpoint will distribute to our Supervised Persons at time of hire, and at least with each newly updated version, the firm’s insider trading policy, by providing this Code. Every Supervised Person will be required to certify that they have received the Code.

 

     
     
  1. Counterpoint will periodically review and update our insider trading policies as necessary to reflect regulatory, business, or industry changes.

 

  1. Counterpoint’s CCO will review Access Persons’ holdings and transaction reports for potential violations of the policy.

 

Questions about Counterpoint’s Insider Trading Policy

 

While compliance with the law and with Counterpoint’s policies and procedures described in this manual is each individual’s responsibility, interpretive questions may arise, such as whether certain information is material or nonpublic, or whether trading restrictions should be applicable in a given situation. Any questions should immediately be addressed to the CCO, who has been designated by Counterpoint to respond to such questions.

 

Violations of Insider Trading

 

Violations of Counterpoint’s policies and procedures relative to prohibitions against insider trading will be regarded with the utmost seriousness and will constitute grounds for immediate dismissal and/or reporting to all applicable legal authorities.

 

8. Preserving Confidentiality

 

Counterpoint has implemented policies and procedures, which are outlined in Counterpoint’s P&P, to limit the sharing of and access to nonpublic personal information regarding the firm’s clients to Counterpoint personnel and third parties, as applicable, who need that information to provide services to those clients.

 

Supervised Persons must preserve the confidentiality of information communicated by clients, prospects, or employees unless you receive information concerning illegal activities. If a Supervised Person becomes aware of illegal activity, the information should be given directly to the CCO for further action.

 

9. Violations of the Code

 

Supervised Persons must promptly report any violation or suspected violation of the Code or of any securities laws or rules to the CCO. Such reports will be treated confidentially to the extent permitted by law and investigated promptly and appropriately. Reporting may be on an anonymous basis. No retaliation or retribution of any kind will be taken against a Supervised Person for reporting a violation or potential violation in good faith. Retaliation against a person for reporting an alleged violation is also a violation of this Code.

 

If the CCO is not available or is suspected of being involved in the reported violation, Supervised Persons may report the violation to the ACO, provided the CCO receives a copy of the report.

All reports will be promptly investigated and, if deemed necessary, appropriate action will be taken. The CCO will be responsible for leading any investigations and reporting violations and investigative findings to the appropriate supervisor and senior management.

 

 
 

Nothing in this section or anywhere else in the Code prohibits any Supervised Person from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the SEC, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. Supervised Persons are not required to seek or obtain the prior authorization of Counterpoint before making any such report or disclosure, and Supervised Persons are not required to notify Counterpoint that they have made such a report or disclosure.

 

Reports to Mutual Fund

 

Per Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act, investment advisers to registered funds must annually provide to the fund’s board of directors a written report that:

 

  1. Describes any issues arising under the code of ethics or procedures since the last report to the board of directors, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code or procedures and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and
  2. Certifies that the investment adviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Fund Access Persons from violating the code.

 

Sanctions/Disciplinary Policy

 

Counterpoint and senior management may use any or all of the following sanctions against any Supervised Person found to have violated either the Code or the firm’s P&P.

 

  1. Cancel trades, disgorge profits and/or sell positions
  2. Letter of caution
  3. Admonishment
  4. Fine, disgorgement
  5. Suspension of personal trading privileges
  6. Suspension of employment
  7. Termination of employment
  8. Report violation to regulatory authorities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code of Ethics

 

Dakota Wealth, LLC

Effective Date: May 17, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIDENTIAL – NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE THE FIRM

 

 

This Code of Ethics is the property of Dakota Wealth, LLC

and its contents are confidential and may not be distributed without the prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

 

Using this Manual

Each Supervised Person ofDakota Wealth, LLCmust read and understand the Code of Ethics and comply with all of the policies and procedures herein.

 
 

Table of Contents

1. Background 3
2. Individuals Covered by the Code 3
3. Standards of Business Conduct 3
4. Duty of Confidentiality 5
5. Gifts and Entertainment 5
6. Outside Business Activities and Outside Business Investments 6
7. Political Contributions 7
8. Insider Trading 8
9. Personal Securities Transactions 9
10. Required Reports, Certifications, and Disclosures 11
11. Reporting Violations 12
12.  Sanctions 12
13. Review of Compliance Reports on the Code of Ethics 12
14. Books & Records 12
15. Exceptions to the Code of Ethics 12
16. Certification of the Code of Ethics 13
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1. Background

TheCode of Ethics (herein the “COE”) for Dakota Wealth, LLC(“Dakota Wealth Management” or the “Advisor”) defines the fiduciary commitment to each client and sets forth the standard of business conduct for the Advisor and its owners, employees, independent contractors and other insiders (herein each a “Supervised Person”).

 

The Code has been adopted in compliance with the requirements of Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) and other applicable state and federal regulations (collectively the “Securities Laws”).

 

Supervised Persons of the Advisorare bound by the provisions of the COE and shall be required to certify their understanding and willingness to comply with the COE.

 

PLEASE NOTE: The Chief Operating Officer will review all reports and disclosures made by the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

Throughout the COE there are references to various disclosure forms and resources which are made available through ComplySci, the Advisor’s compliance repository.

 

Key Definitions

The following definitions are integral to the understanding of the COE. Additional terms are defined throughout the COE.

 

Supervised Person.A Supervised Personmeans any of the Advisor’s owners, employees, independent contractors and other insiders (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), ALLemployees, and/or any other person who provides investment advice on behalf of the Advisor and is subject to supervision and control of the Advisor, or ANY person maintaining an email address through the Advisor’s system.

 

Access Person. Any Supervised Person that has “access” to nonpublic information regarding the purchase or sale of securities for any Client. Any Supervised Person that is an Investment Advisor Representative (“IAR”) of the Advisor must be classified as an “Access Person” due to access to Client information.

 

ComplySci. A compliance engine utilized by Dakota Wealth, LLC. ComplySciwill be utilized to access various disclosure forms including disclosures related to Gifts and Entertainment, Political Contributions, Outside Business Activities, Outside Business Investments, Personal Accounts, and Personal Trading.

 

2. Individuals Covered by the Code

The Advisor has determined that ALL Supervised Persons are also Access Persons based on the Advisor's business model and access to Client information.

 

3. Standards of Business Conduct

 

The COE is based on the overriding principle that the Advisor is a fiduciary to every Client and must act in the best interests of its Client at all times. The confidence and trust placed in the Advisor by Clients is something the Advisormust value and endeavor to protect. Accordingly, the Advisor has adopted this COE and implemented policies and procedures to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and manipulative acts or practices and to ensure compliance with the Securities Laws and the fiduciary duties owed to our Clients.

 

All Supervised Persons must conduct themselves in accordance with the following tenets:

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Client Interests

Client interests must always take priority. In the course of performing one’s duties and responsibilities, Supervised Persons must, at all times, place the interests of its Clients ahead of their own personal interests.

 

Conflicts of Interest

Supervised Persons must not take advantage of the trust that Clients have placed in them or the Advisor. The Advisor should make every attempt to avoid conflicts of interest (or even the appearance of conflicts). The Advisor and its Supervised Persons should ensure situations that present an actual or perceived conflict of interest are properly disclosed and reflect how the conflict is mitigated. The Advisor and its Supervised Persons must avoid situations that might be interpreted as an impropriety or a compromise to their fulfillment of their duties and responsibilities to Clients.

 

Advisor and Client Opportunities

Supervised Persons are prohibited from taking personal advantage of an opportunity properly belonging to the Advisor or its Clients. Supervised Persons are required to advance the interests of the Advisor when a Supervised Person becomes aware of a financial opportunity as a result of that person’s relationship with the Advisor, or through the use of the Advisor’s property. No Supervised Person may take for themselves an opportunity for the sale or purchase of goods and services, or interests that belongs to the Advisor without the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). If a Supervised Person is presented with an investment opportunity in their capacity as a representative of the Advisor, the Supervised Person may personally take advantage of the opportunity only if the investment is approved in writing by the CCO.

 

Treating All Clients Fairly

Neither the Advisor nor its Supervised Persons shall favor the interests of any Client[s] over another. In particular, they will not favor large accounts over small accounts, or personal or family accounts over the accounts of other Clients. Although it may not be possible to treat each Client identically in every transaction, no Client or group of Clients will be disadvantaged to benefit another Client or group of Clients.

 

Guarantees

No Supervised Person shall warrant or guarantee the future value of or return on a security. In addition, no Supervised Person shall warrant or guarantee the success or profitability of investment advice that the Advisor renders or trading strategy that the Advisor employs.

 

Confidential Information

Supervised Persons may be in a position to know about Clients’ identities, investment objectives, funding levels, and future plans as well as information about the transactions that the Advisor implements on their behalf and the securities holdings, if any, in their accounts. All of this information is considered confidential and must not be shared with persons outside the Advisor, such as vendors, family members, or market participants unless specifically permitted. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all Supervised Persons shall not share information relating to the Advisor’s investment activities with an affiliate unless specifically permitted.

 

Fair Dealing

The Advisor is committed to dealing fairly with its Clients, vendors, competitors, and Supervised Persons. No Supervised Person may take unfair advantage of any other person or business through any unfair business practice, including through improper coercion, manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, or misrepresentation of material fact.

 

Client Complaints

Supervised Persons are prohibited from making any payments or account adjustments to Client accounts in order to resolve a Client complaint, without the prior approval of the CCO. All Client complaints must be promptly reported to the CCO. Please refer to the Advisor’s Compliance Manual for further details on policies and procedures regarding Client complaints.

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Personal Trading

Even where there is no misuse of material nonpublic information (“MNPI”), the purchase or sale of securities by the Advisor or its Access Persons for their own accounts may create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. The Advisor is compensated to render investment advice to its Clients; fiduciary concerns may arise where Access Persons also trade for their own accounts. Therefore, Access Persons must conduct any personal securities trading in a manner that avoids not only actual improprieties, but also the appearance of impropriety. In order to achieve these goals, Access Persons must strictly comply with the requirements in the Code regarding personal trading.

 

These core standards are meant as overriding guidelines to be adhered to in all current and emerging situations and are not limited to the specificbehavior discussed explicitly in the COE.

 

4. Duty of Confidentiality

As Supervised Persons may come in contact with nonpublic information, they must, at all times, keep confidential any nonpublic information that they may obtain as a result of their duties and responsibilities with the Advisor.

This includes, but is not limited to, information concerning Clients or prospective clients, including their identities, investments, and/or account activity. This also includes any recommendations and actions made to or on behalf of Clients, except communications with third parties in the ordinary course of business. No confidential or nonpublic information is to be released without first consulting the CCO and receiving approval. Supervised Persons should be diligent in ensuringthat information is not released and that it is also protected from unlawful or inappropriate third-party access. See Item 9 for additional information.

 

Nothing in this Duty of Confidentiality precludes a Supervised Person from reporting any potential violations of the Advisor’s policies and procedures and applicable laws, including the policiesdescribed in this COE. Please refer to the Advisor’s Compliance Manual for details on the Advisor’s Whistleblower policy.

 

5. Gifts and Entertainment

Supervised Persons must not offer, give, solicit, or accept, in the course of business, any inducements, which may lead to conflicts of interest.

 

Due to the various relationships, the Advisor may have with its Clients, vendors and other entities, Supervised Persons generally must not solicit gifts or gratuities nor give inducements, except in accordance with these policies and procedures. Gifts or entertainment of an extraordinary or extravagant nature to a Supervised Person are to be declined or returned so as not to compromise the reputation of the Supervised Person or the Advisor. Gifts of nominal value, as defined below, are generally acceptable.

 

Business Entertainment vs. Business Gifts

Business Entertainment. Entertainment if a representative of the Advisor is in attendance and there is a specific business purpose for the event. For example, if a Supervised Person invites a Client or prospective client to dinner, this activity would be permissible entertainment, as long as there is no conflict of interest. Reasonable and customary business entertainment, such as an occasional dinner, a ticket to a sporting event, or comparable entertainment, which is neither so frequent nor so extensive as to raise any question of propriety, is appropriate. Events that do not meet the definitions above are to be declined and reported to the CCO. If the individual or firm providing the entertainment is not present, the Advisor considers the event to be a “gift” [as defined below].

 

Business Gifts. Gifts of nominal value (generally, up to $150) are appropriate. Also, perishable items received, such as fruit baskets, other food as well as corporate logo apparel are excluded from these requirements, as long as such items do not otherwise conflict with the policies herein.Gifts of extraordinary or extravagant nature to a Supervised Person are to be declined or returned.

 

A relaxation of, or exemption from, these limits may only be granted by the CCO. The CCO or delegate shall maintain a log of all gifts and entertainment given or received in the course of business, except for any de

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minimis gifts or entertainment. ALL gifts and entertainment above the de minimis must be reported to the CCO promptly via ComplySci.

 

Prohibitions

Supervised Persons of the Advisor must not:

· Solicit any Gift or Entertainment;
· Accept cash or a gift certificate valued more significant than the de minimis value, as noted below;
· Accept any form of loan from a Client;
· Accept any Gift or Entertainment that might influence an investment decision or that might make the Supervised Person feel beholden to any person or firm;
· Accept any Business Gift or Entertainment on a standing, recurring or on-going basis; or
· Receive Business Gifts at home.

 

Key Definitions

Entertainment. An event (e.g. a dining or social event) is considered entertainment if a representative of the Advisor is in attendance and there is a specific business purpose for the event. For example, if a Supervised Person invites a Client or prospective client to dinner, this activity would be permissible entertainment, as long as there is no conflict of interest.

 

Inducements. The term “inducements” means gifts, entertainment and similar benefits which are offered to or given by Supervised Persons.

 

De Minimis Gifts and Entertainment. De minimis gifts and entertainment are defined as any gifts or entertainment with an estimated value under $25. Also, perishable items received, such as fruit baskets, other food as well as corporate logo apparel from an unaffiliated party are excluded from these requirements as long as such item does not otherwise conflict with the policies herein.

 

6. Outside Business Activities and Outside Business Investments

Any and all business activities and investments aside from one’s role as a Supervised Person of the Advisor must be approved in advance by the CCO.

 

PLEASE NOTE: The Advisor differentiates between an Outside Business Activity (“OBA”) and an Outside Business Investment (“OBI”). Please carefully review the Advisor’s definitions below.

 

Outside Business Activities

Any and all OBAs, aside from one’s role as a Supervised Person of the Advisor, require the completion of an OBA Disclosure Form via ComplySciand prior approval from the CCO before engaging or starting with the OBA. The CCO will determine if the activities interfere with any of the Supervised Person’s responsibilities with the Advisor and address any conflicts of interests. The Supervised Person must notify the CCO when an OBA is no longer active.

 

The OBA Disclosure Form will provide the following information to the CCO:

(1) the name and address of the outside business organization;
(2) a description of the business of the organization;
(3) compensation and ownership, if any, to be received;
(4) a description of the activities to be performed; and
(5) the amount of time per month that will be spent on the outside activity.

 

Records of requests for approval along with the reasons such requests were granted or denied are maintained by the CCO. If there is any perceived or actual conflict of interest, the CCO will manage this on the Advisor’s Conflicts of Interest Log. In addition, on an annual basis, all Supervised Persons will be required to complete an OBA Certification. Finally, each Supervised Person is under a continuing obligation to report any updates of disclosed OBAs on their Form U4 and Form ADV Part 2B (“Brochure Supplement”).

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Outside Business Investments

Any and all investments in outside businesses (i.e., non-publicly traded business, corporation, or partnership, including passive investments in private companies), aside from one’s investments in securities that are held at a qualified custodian or in pooled investment vehicles, require the completion of an OBI Disclosure Form via ComplySciand prior approval from the CCO before investing in any OBI so that a determination may be made that the investment will not create any conflicts of interest with the Advisor or its Clients. The Supervised Person must also notify the CCO when an OBI is terminated.

 

The OBI Disclosure Form will provide the following information to the CCO:

(1) the legal name and mailing address of the outside investment opportunity;
(2) the type of investment (i.e., non-publicly traded business, partnership, etc.);
(3) a description of the business of the organization; and
(4) compensation and ownership, if any, to be received.

 

Records of requests for approval along with the reasons such requests were granted or denied are maintained by the CCO. If there is any perceived or actual conflict of interest, the CCO will manage this on the Advisor’s Conflicts Log. Finally, each Supervised Person is under a continuing obligation to report any updates or discrepancies of disclosed OBIs on their Form U4 and Brochure Supplement.

 

Key Definitions

Outside Business Activity (“OBA”). Any employment or other outside activity by a Supervised Person may result in possible conflicts of interest for the Supervised Person and/or for the Advisor. Examples of OBAs include the following:

· Serving as a director, officer, general partner or trustee of, or as a consultant to, a business, corporation or partnership, including family-owned businesses and charitable, non-profit, and political organizations. This includes serving as a director of a publicly-traded company, serving as a general partner to a limited partnership, the managing member of a limited liability company, the trustee of a trust, or the executor of an estate if such limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, or estate is a Client of the Advisor;
· Serving as a registered representative of a broker-dealer or an insurance agent;
· Serving as a Trustee, Executor or Power of Attorney;

·         Accepting a second job or part-time job of any kind, or engaging in another business outside of the duties relating to the Advisor; or

·         Receiving compensation of any nature, directly or indirectly, from any person, firm, corporation, estate, trust, or association, other than the Advisor, whether as a fee, commission, bonus, or other consideration such as stock, options, or warrants. This includes any public speaking or writing activities.

 

Outside Business Investments (“OBI”). Any monetary investment in any non-publicly traded business, corporation, or partnership, including passive investments in private companies. OBIs may create the appearance of or actual conflict of interest and must be monitored.

 

The following investments would NOT be deemed an OBI, but are subject to the Personal Securities Policy as presented in section 9 below:

· securities held at a qualified custodian; and
· limited offerings such as pooled investment vehicles.

 

7. Political Contributions

 

 

Any political campaign support or activity performed by Supervised Persons of the Advisor must be in one’s individual, personal capacity and may not entangle the Advisor in any way. ALL political contributions must be reported to the CCO via ComplyScibefore making such contributions.

 

Rule 206(4)-5 of the Advisers Act defines requirements for Political Contributions made by the Advisor and its Supervised Persons. As such, the de minimis contribution amount to avoid this prohibition is $350 or less to officials for whom the Supervised Person was entitled to vote at the time of the contribution, or $150 to officials

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for whom the Supervised Person was not entitled to vote, per election.

 

The Advisor is prohibited from accepting a government entity as a Client within two (2) years after a contribution is made, above the de minimis amount noted below, to an official of the government entity by the Advisor or its Supervised Persons. This includes government entities receiving contributions by individuals that become Supervised Persons of the Advisor within two years of the individual contributing (i.e., contributions before employment).

 

The Advisor does not engage, as a matter of policy, in any advisory relationship where there is a requirement to compensate an unaffiliated third party in order to obtain the privilege to conduct business with a political entity or individual. These practices are commonly referred to as “Pay to Play” and are considered prohibited transactions under the Securities Laws and the Advisor’s policies. Pay to Play situations are typically equated with political contributions, but actually, include ANY entity where such compensation arrangement exists.

 

In addition, any solicitors or third parties engaged by the Advisor will be required to disclose any solicitation activities involving Pay to Play arrangements or any activities involving government entities to the Advisor.

 

Key Definition

Political Contribution. A political contribution is defined as any gift, subscription, loan, advance, a deposit of money, or anything of value made to influence any election for federal, state or local office. This definition includes any payment of debt incurred in connection with any such election; or transition or inaugural expenses incurred by the successful candidate for state or local office.

 

This includes not only monetary contributions, but also in-kind contributions such as payment for services or use of facilities, personnel or other resources to benefit any federal, state or local candidate campaign, political party committee, or other political committee or political organization exempt from federal income taxes under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code (such as the Republican or Democratic Governors Association); or the inaugural committee or transition team of a successful candidate.

 

Volunteer services provided to a campaign by Supervised Persons on their own personal time are not treated as Contributions. However, all-volunteer activities on behalf of a candidate or a campaign must be pre-cleared by the CCO as an outside activity.

 

8. Insider Trading

 

 

Supervised Persons may come into possession of MNPI, which is highly sensitive and confidential. The misuse of MNPI is illegal and violates Securities Laws and other regulatory requirements as well as, in most cases, contractual obligations of the Advisor.

 

The Advisor forbids any Supervised Person from trading, either personally or on behalf of others, on material nonpublic information (“MNPI”) or communicating MNPI to others in violation of the Securities Laws. This conduct is frequently referred to as “insider trading.”If a Supervised Person comes into the possession of MNPI, whether from a public company, an insider at a public company who might also be a Client, or by any other means, they should contact the CCO immediately. The Supervised Person is strictly prohibited from disclosing either the potential MNPI or the possession of the potential MNPI to any other person.

 

Sources of Information

Advisors gain insight into investments from a variety of sources. Some Advisors may have access to individuals who are deemed to have unique expertise in specific industries/sectors. These individuals can include academics, scientists, engineers, doctors, lawyers, suppliers, and professional participants in the relevant industry, including in some cases, former employees of the company of interest. If appropriately used, access to these individuals can be a valuable and legitimate research tool that facilitates efficient access by Clients to persons with specialized and valued expertise.

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To help reduce the risk of accidentally receiving MNPI, the Advisor or Supervised Persons shall begin discussions with any contacts by reviewing the scope and purpose of the contact’s role. Use of these specialized individuals should only be undertaken after these individuals are vetted.

 

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest & Tracking Restricted Securities

As a fiduciary to Clients, Supervised Persons may encounter situations where there is a potential for a conflict of interest, such as having a personal relationship with an Executive-Level Officer of a publicly traded company

or through the possession of material non-public information ("MNPI") as described in the Code.

 

These conflicts are primarily mitigated by restricting trading activity when in possession, or even having the potential of being in possession of MNPI, therefore it is critical that all Supervised Persons disclose potential security restrictions via ComplyScito the CCO for further review and analysis. Periodically the CCO will review the Restricted List to ensure that all securities are still required to remain on the list.

 

Penalties

Penalties for trading on or communicating MNPI can be severe, both for firms and individuals involved in such unlawful conduct. An individual can be subject to some or all of the penalties below, even if there is no personal benefit from the violation. Penalties may include:

· civil injunctions;
· treble damages;
· disgorgement of profits;

·         jail sentences and fines for the individual who committed the violation of up to three (3) times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the individual benefited; and/or

· fine[s] for the Advisor and/or other controlling person of up to the greater of $1,000,000 or three (3) times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided.

 

Key Definitions

Insider Trading. The use of MNPI when engaging in securities transactions on behalf of the Supervised Person or others or communicating MNPI to others.

 

Material Information. Information for which there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions, or information that is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities. Material Information includes, but is not limited to, dividend changes, earnings estimates, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidation problems, and extraordinary management developments.

 

Nonpublic Information. Information that has not been effectively communicated to the marketplace. One must be able to point to some fact to show that the information is generally public. For example, the information found in a report filed with the SEC, or appearing in Dow Jones, Reuters Economic Services, The Wall Street Journal, or other publications of general circulation would be considered public.

 

9. Personal Securities Transactions

The Advisor seeks to ensure that the personal trading of its Access Persons does not conflict with the interests of any Client. The Advisor has adopted these policies and procedures designed to ensure that trading by Access Persons complies with the Advisor’s legal and fiduciary obligations. The purchase or sale of securities by the Advisor or its Access Persons for their accounts may create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. The Advisor is compensated for rendering investment advice to Clients; fiduciary concerns may arise where Access Persons also trade for their own accounts.

 

This Personal Securities Transactions Policy applies to ALL Access Persons and covers ALL covered accounts held by an Access Person, their immediate family members, any other adult members in their household, any trusts of which they are a trustee or beneficiary and any other account for which the Access Person has a “direct

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or indirect beneficial interest”. The Advisor must maintain a record of all transactions in Reportable Securities in which an Access Person has a Direct or Indirect Beneficial Interest. The CCO will maintain personal trading records and transactions in keeping with the Advisor’s fiduciary and recordkeeping responsibilities.

 

To guard against any potential conflicts of interest with our Clients, Access Persons are required to disclose ALL Covered Accounts to the CCO or delegate.

 

The Advisor allows Access Persons to establish and maintain all accounts away from the Advisor's designated custodian[s] as long as statements are provided to the CCO or delegate at least quarterly.

 

Supervised Persons shall be required to complete an annual and quarterly certification as detailed in Item 10 below.

 

The Advisor generally does not require the pre-approval of personal trades. However, the Advisor requires pre- approval before acquiring direct or indirect beneficial ownership in any initial public offering (IPO) or limited offering. Further, the Advisor requires pre-approval of any trades in a security that is listed on the Advisor’s Restricted List. Pre-approval submissions are good for ONLY one (1) business day. Pre-Approval requests can be submitted via ComplySci.

 

The Advisor or its Access Persons may invest in similar securities that are recommended to Clients. As long as such investments do not result in the supervised person’s interest over clients.

 

Key Definitions

Direct or Indirect Beneficial Interest. A Direct or Indirect Beneficial Interest is any direct ownership or an indirect pecuniary interest through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, including immediate family members (person who is supported directly or indirectly to a material extent by such person), partners in a partnership or beneficiaries of a trust. The term pecuniary interest means the opportunity (directly or indirectly) to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in Reportable Securities.

 

Reportable Securities. Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act defines Reportable Securities.generally as listed (which includes ETFs) and unlisted securities, private transactions (which include private placements, non-public stock or warrants), EXCEPT:

· Direct obligations of the United States Government;
· Bankers’ Acceptances;
· Bank Certificates of Deposit (“CDs”);
· Commercial Paper;
· Other High-Quality Short-term Debt Instruments, including Repurchase Agreements;
· Shares issued by Money Market Funds;
· Physical certificates (i.e., shares of Disney)
· Open-end Mutual Funds; and
· Unit Investment Trusts (“UITs”).

 

Covered Accounts. Covered Accounts include ALL brokerage accounts for which the Access Person has a direct or indirect beneficial interest, and such account[s] have the ability to trade in Reportable Securities (as defined above).Types of accounts may include:

·         brokerage accounts that hold or have the ability to purchase Reportable Securities (i.e., equities, derivatives, fixed income products, ETFs, commodities and/or futures); and/or

·         all accounts for which an Access Person serves as a trustee and are the ultimate beneficial owner, and/or exercise investment discretion;and/or

·         Accounts where an Access Person has given full discretion to a broker to undertake transactions on the Access Person’s behalf unless the Access Person can demonstrate that they have no control over the trading in the account[s].

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10. Certifications, and Disclosures

Holdings Reports.Holdings reports must include: (1) the title and type of security, and (as applicable) 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; (2) the name of any broker-dealer or custodian with which the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit; and (3) the date the report is submitted.

 

Initial holdings reports are required to be submitted no later than ten (10) days after an individual becomes an Access Person and must be current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days prior to the date the individual became an Access Person.

 

Annual holdings reports must be submitted by ALL Access Persons no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar year.

 

Transaction Reports. Transaction reports, covering all transactions in Reportable Securities during the prior quarter, must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter. Transaction reports must contain the following information about each transaction in any reportable security in which the Access Person had, or by reason of the transaction acquired, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership: (1) 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; (2) the nature of the transaction; (3) the price of the security at which the transaction was effected; (4) the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and (5) the date of the report.

 

Exceptions from Reporting Requirements. Reports are not required: (1) with respect to securities held in accounts over which the Access Person had no direct influence or control; (2) with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan; or (3) accounts that can hold ONLY open-end mutual funds (A brokerage account that only has mutual funds, but could purchase or sell stocks, bonds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are “Covered Accounts” and must be reported.)

 

Review of Reports. Upon receipt of each Holding Report or Transaction Report, the CCO or delegate will review it to determine whether or not there are any questions about the contents, including the securities referenced, size, timing or other aspects of the holding or transaction that require further inquiry.

 

In particular, these personal securities reports will be reviewed for unauthorized trading relating (but not limited) to the following issues:

· securities currently on the Restricted List;
· initial public offerings;
· private placements;
· any securities that may be potentially affected by inside information that the Advisor or Access Person may possess;
· market timing;
· front running;
· participating in block trades to the disadvantage of Clients;
· trading activity in contravention to the advice given to Clients.

 

Personal Securities Holdings and Transaction Reports will be reviewed by the CCO or delegate within a time period specified by the CCO. If a problem or concern is detected, the CCO will immediately take appropriate action on any items that may conflict or potentially cause a conflict with the COE. Documentation of any actions taken, including any resolution or remediation, will be created and maintained by the CCO. The CCO shall retain documentation of all reviews with the Advisor’s books and records.

 

Code of Ethics Certification.All Supervised Persons must certify, upon becoming a Supervised Person of the Advisor and annually thereafter, to the CCO that they have read and understood the COE; that they have

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complied with ALL requirements of the COE and that they have provided the CCO with all transactions required to be reported under the COE. The CCO will ensure that each Supervised Person has continued access to the current copy of the COE along with required certifications.

 

Background Verification. All Supervised Persons must communicate any legal, regulatory, or financial matters to the CCO immediately. The CCO will also administer, at least annually, a certification that each Supervised Person shall be required to complete.

 

Quarterly Personal Securities Certification. All Access Persons are required to submit copies of quarterly brokerage statements of Covered Accounts for compliance review. Each Access Person will be required to complete a quarterly certification regarding their personal accounts and trading activity.

 

Outside Business ActivitiesDisclosure. All Supervised Persons are required to certify, and disclose, upon becoming a Supervised Person of the Advisor, before undertaking any such activity or investments and annually thereafter, all Outside Business Activities, at the direction of the CCO or delegate.

 

11. Reporting Violations

The Advisorrequires all Supervised Persons to promptly disclose concerns of suspected wrongdoing or violations of the COE. Suspected wrongdoing and violations may include, but are not limited to:

· violation[s] of the Securities Laws;
· misuse of corporate assets;
· use of material nonpublic information;
· misuse of Client nonpublic information; and/or

·         failure to follow any provisionoutlinedin the COE. Reports of any violations should be made directly to the CCO.

12. Sanctions

In the event of a violation of this Code, the CCO will impose such sanctions as deemed necessary and appropriate. Sanctions range from a letter of censure, suspension of employment without pay, referral to the appropriate regulatory agency or permanent termination of employment.

 

13. Review of Compliance Reports on the Code of Ethics

The COE is a dynamic document that is subject to periodic review by the CCO or delegate[s] as the Advisor's business evolves. The CCO will capture in its records, all issues including, but not limited to, the following:

· a description of issues that have arisen under the COE since the last reporting period including such items as any violations of the COE;
· sanctions imposed in response to the violations; and
· changes in the COE and any recommended changes.

 

14. Books & Records

Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act defines requirements for maintaining Books & Records.The CCO or delegate will maintain all records required, including copies of the COE, records of violations and sanctions, if applicable, holdings and transactions reports, copies of Supervised Persons certifications, a list of all Access Persons within the last five (5) years, and copies of the annual reports.

 

15. Exceptions to the Code of Ethics

The CCO may grant exceptions to certain substantive restrictions in appropriate circumstances (e.g., personal hardship) and will maintain records to justify such limitations.

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16. Certification of the Code of Ethics

Supervised Persons are required to read and certify their understanding and willingness to comply with the COE. Certifications are provided online through ComplySci.

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(KOVITZ LOGO) Guided by value.
   

 

KOVITZ INVESTMENT GROUP PARTNERS, LLC

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS  
   
Policy 2
   
Background 2
   
Responsibility 2
   
Definitions 2
   
Code of Ethics 3
   
A.     Standards of Business Conduct, Principles and Goals 3
   
B.     Specific Procedures 5
   
l.      Reporting Obligation 5
   
2.     Acknowledgement of Receipt 5
   
3.     Personal Securities Transactions 6
   
4.     Ancillary Policies Included by Reference 9
   
5.     Political Contributions 10
   
6.     Outside Activities 10
   
7.     Insider Trading, Information Barrier, and Restricted List 10
   
8.     Gifts and Entertainment 13
   
9.     Confidentiality of Client information 15
   
C.     Enforcement 17
   
D.     Recordkeeping 17

 

 

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POLICY

 

This policy constitutes the Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC (“Kovitz” or the “Company” or the “firm”) Code of Ethics pursuant to the Rule (hereinafter defined) and is binding upon each of our supervised persons/employees.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Advisers Act requires advisers to identify “advisory representatives,’’ the reporting of personal investments on a quarterly basis and the maintenance of records of personal securities transactions. Advisers to registered investment companies are required to adopt a Code of Ethics regarding personal investment activities under the Investment Company Act.

 

In July 2004, the SEC adopted a new rule (the “Rule”) (Rule 204 A-1), similar to Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act, requiring SEC registered advisers to adopt a code of ethics that would require, among other things, setting ethical standards for its supervised persons relating to compliance with the securities laws, safeguarding material non-public information about clients’ transactions and portfolio holdings, filing of initial and annual reports of securities holdings for access persons, and providing Form ADV Part 2A summary disclosure about the adviser’s code of ethics.

 

Given its size, the nature of its advisory activities, and its organizational structure, the Company considers all of its supervised persons/employees to also be “Access Persons” for purposes of compliance with Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act. Such terms are used interchangeably. That is, all of the Company’s supervised persons/employees, in connection with their functions and duties, make, participate, or obtain information regarding the purchase or sale of securities in client accounts (or recommendation thereof), including clients that are registered investment companies (mutual funds).

 

An investment adviser’s policies and procedures, including its code of ethics, and reviews thereof, should be designed to detect and prevent among other things, possible insider trading, conflicts of interests and regulatory violations.

 

From time to time, Kovitz utilizes third-party vendors to assist with certain compliance responsibilities. Kovitz’s compliance department uses such systems to monitor personal accounts and trading along with receiving affirmations and certifications from employees.

 

RESPONSIBILITY

 

The compliance staff has the primary responsibility for the implementation, maintenance and enforcement of our Code of Ethics (the “Code”) and our policy on personal securities transactions and activities, practices, disclosures and recordkeeping, including an annual review thereof.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

For the purposes of this Code, the following definitions shall apply:

 

“Access person” means any supervised person who: has access to non-public information regarding any clients’ purchase or sale of securities, or non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of any

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fund the adviser or its control affiliates manage; or is involved in making securities recommendations (or has access to such recommendations) to clients that are non-public.

 

“Account” means accounts of any employee and includes accounts of the employee’s immediate family members (any relative by blood or marriage living in the employee’s household), and any account in which he or she has a direct or indirect beneficial interest, such as trusts and custodial accounts or other accounts in which the employee has a beneficial interest or exercises investment discretion.

 

“Beneficial ownership” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of Section 16 of such Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Federal securities laws” means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Advisers Act of 1940, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules by the Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to mutual funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the Commission or the Department of Treasury.

 

“Reportable security” means any security as defined in Section 202(a)(18) of the Advisers Act, except that it does not include: (i) Transactions and holding in direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (ii) Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; (iii) Shares issued by money market funds; (iv) Transactions and holdings in shares of other types of open-end registered mutual funds, unless Kovitz or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund; and (v) Transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in mutual funds, unless Kovitz or a control affiliate acts as the investment adviser or principal underwriter for the fund.

 

“Supervised person” means directors, officers and partners of Kovitz (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); employees, independent contractors, officers and directors of Kovitz; and any other person who provides advice on behalf of Kovitz and is subject to Kovitz’s supervision and control.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

Kovitz has adopted the following Code and procedures.

 

A. STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT, PRINCIPLES AND GOALS

 

We recognize that we have a fiduciary duty to our clients in connection with providing professional and unbiased investment advisory services to our clients, which includes a duty of honesty, good faith, fair dealing and acting solely in the best interest of our clients. Conflicts of interest, perceived or actual, whereby the interests of the Company or our employees may not be aligned with the interests of our clients, must be identified, addressed, disclosed (where appropriate), and resolved (in favor of our clients). To this end, we are committed to establishing, implementing, reviewing and enforcing a set of procedures which are reasonably designed to prevent violations of applicable securities laws, detect any such violations which might occur, and correct any such violations. It is the goal of this Code to memorialize our commitment to ethical conduct and to provide guidance to our supervised persons/employees as to our expectations of their behavior. We expect our supervised persons/employees to:

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(LOGO)

 

Be guided in their actions at all times by a moral compass and by what is best for our clients.

 

Protect our clients’ interests, first and foremost.

 

Protect our firm’s reputation.

 

Detect and prevent the violation of the securities laws and comply with securities laws.

 

Remain educated and familiar with this Code and applicable securities laws and attend all required applicable training sessions.

 

Ensure that their personal securities transactions are consistent with this Code and applicable securities laws so as not to exploit (or give the appearance of exploiting) their position of trust, including with respect to possession of non- public information about clients, securities holdings or securities transactions.

 

In connection with any securities transaction for or on behalf of a client, refrain from misleading, engaging in manipulative conduct, or employing any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud such client.

 

Identify, disclose, and avoid conflicts of interest.

 

Not inappropriately favor the interests of one client over another (whether based on size of the account, revenue generated by the account, the potential for performance fees, accounts closely related to the employee, or otherwise).

 

Not recommend or participate in any investment advice or decision (including related to affiliated hedge fund and private equity offerings) without disclosing to the client any material personal (to the employee) beneficial ownership, relationship or other interest (i.e. in the issuer, the holding, etc.).

 

Keep confidential the identity, financial circumstances, and all personal information of (and status as) clients, the identity of client security holdings and transactions, and the Company’s securities recommendations, trading strategies and client investment advice.

 

Where the Company provides advisory services to clients that are mutual funds, the Company expects its supervised persons/employees/Access Persons to adhere to additional standards of business conduct and principles. We expect our supervised persons/employees/Access Persons to:

 

Refrain from making untrue statements of a material fact to such mutual fund clients, or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to such mutual fund clients, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

 

Refrain from engaging in any act, practice or course of business that operates as a fraud or deceit on the mutual fund client.

 

Refrain from engaging in any manipulative practice with respect to such mutual fund clients.

 

We recognize that, in particular, conflicts of interest and securities law violations are particularly possible in connection with the securities holdings and transactions of employees, particularly those employees with access to non-public information about client holdings or transactions. We allow employees to maintain personal securities accounts, provided that any personal investing by an employee in any accounts in which the employee has a beneficial interest, including any accounts for any immediate family or household members, is consistent with our fiduciary duty to our clients and consistent with regulatory requirements. To this end, each employee must identify any personal investment accounts and report all reportable

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holdings, transactions, and investment activity on at least a quarterly basis to our Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), or other designated officer, all as more specifically set forth below.

 

SPECIFIC PROCEDURES

 

1. REPORTING OBLIGATION

 

Each supervised person/employee is required to promptly report each violation of this Code of which he or she is aware to the Chief Compliance Officer or alternate designee. All such reports made in good faith will be treated confidentially to the extent permitted by law. Retaliation against a supervised person/employee who in good faith reports a violation of this Code is prohibited.

 

The CCO shall promptly report to senior management all apparent material violations of the Code. When the CCO finds that a violation otherwise reportable to senior management could not be reasonably found to have resulted in a fraud, deceit, or a manipulative practice in violation of Section 206 of the Advisers Act, he or she may, in his or her discretion, submit a written memorandum of such finding and the reasons therefore to a reporting file created for this purpose in lieu of reporting the matter to senior management.

 

Senior management shall consider reports made to it hereunder and shall determine whether or not the Code has been violated and what sanctions, if any should be imposed. Possible sanctions may include reprimands, monetary fine or assessment, or suspension or termination of the employee’s employment with the firm.

 

2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT

 

Initial Certification

 

All supervised persons will be provided with a copy of the Code and must initially certify in writing to the CCO that they have: (i) received a copy of the Code; (ii) read and understand all provisions of the Code; (iii) agreed to abide by the Code; and (iv) reported all account holdings as required by the Code.

 

Acknowledgement of Amendments

 

All supervised persons shall receive any amendments to the Code and must certify to the CCO in writing that they have: (i) received a copy of the amendment; (ii) read and understood the amendment; (iii) and agreed to abide by the Code as amended.

 

Annual Certification

 

All supervised persons must annually certify in writing to the CCO that they have: (i) read and understood all provisions of the Code; (ii) complied with all requirements of the Code; and (iii) submitted all holdings and transaction reports as require by the Code.

 

Further Information

 

Supervised persons should contact the CCO regarding any inquiries pertaining to the Code established herein.

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3. PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

 

Definitions

 

“Security Transaction Designate:” The Kovitz employee who has been designated to approve securities transactions by employees and maintain records of trade requests resolutions. The primary Security Transaction Designate is the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

Policy Guidelines

 

1. This policy applies to all employees of Kovitz.

 

2. Trading restrictions are dependent on the role the employee serves within Kovitz.

 

a. Investment Team members, Financial Advisors and Associate Financial Advisors:

 

1. Employees can only trade in mutual funds, ETFs, and fixed income securities for their Account(s).

 

2. Trading equity securities within an employee Account is prohibited, unless:

 

a. the Account is managed by Kovitz and all trades are at the direction of one of Kovitz’ investment teams (i.e., core holdings for a Kovitz investment strategy): or

 

b. the employee has no direct or indirect influence or control over trading in the Account (i.e., the Account is managed by a third- party advisor).

 

3. Preclearance of trades in employee Accounts is not required if they comply with the above guidelines. Employees can request preclearance of the following trades:

 

a. selling a legacy equity position; or

 

b. buying or selling any securities of Focus Financial Partners, Inc. (FOCS).

 

c. option trading on core securities of the employee’s investment team.

 

b. All other Kovitz employees (e.g. operations, human resources, information technology, etc.)

 

1. Employees can trade in mutual funds, ETFs, and fixed income securities for their Account(s).

 

2. Trading of equity securities and options within an employee Account is allowed as long as:

 

a. The equity and option underlying security is NOT a core security of the investment team you service (e.g. Chicago, Wisconsin, California);

 

b. Employee has submitted a pre-clearance of the security and received approval, and

 

c. The employees Account is established with an electronic feed within the third-party compliance system.

 

3. Employees can also request preclearance of the following trades:

 

a. selling a legacy equity position; or

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b. buying or selling any securities of Focus Financial Partners, Inc. (FOCS).

 

3. In certain extraordinary situations, an employee may also be able to purchase an equity security for their Account(s) outside of the parameters described above. Employee will need to submit a pre-clearance request through SCT detailing the reasoning and wait for Compliance approval prior to execution.

 

4. Preclearance of trades should be done through our third-party compliance system, Schwab Compliance Technologies (“SCT”). Where applicable, prior approval from Compliance is required.

 

5. Each employee of Kovitz shall, from time to time, provide the Chief Compliance Officer with an updated list of all of their Account(s). For each such Account(s), such employee shall arrange for Kovitz to receive duplicate trade confirmations and/or account statements.

 

6. When an employee buys or sells for their own accounts (employee or employee-related) the same securities that are bought and sold for KIG clients, there are potential conflicts of interests inherent in these activities. In such event, the employee is prohibited from disadvantaging KIG clients, such as buying or selling a security prior to buying or selling the same security for KIG clients. For purchases or sales of securities that occur on the same day in client accounts and employee/employee-related accounts, the firm will generally apply an average price, so no accounts receive an advantage over others. Any advantage which results notwithstanding the above described policies and procedures will be resolved in favor of affected KIG client accounts.

 

7. Notwithstanding the policies and procedures contained herein, each employee must also comply with Kovitz’s procedures pertaining to insider trading, use of material non-public information, Restricted/Watch lists, and Kovitz’s Code.

 

Considerations

 

1. In implementing these policies and procedures, the Chief Compliance Officer will give primary consideration to (a) not violating Kovitz procedures and applicable law; and (b) not disadvantaging Kovitz clients or taking unfair advantage of Kovitz clients (i.e. buying before a larger purchase or selling before Kovitz exits a large position).

 

2. The firm acknowledges that there may be events, tax situations, or other personal reasons that lead to, for example, an employee’s need to liquidate securities for cash (for the purchase of home, etc.) or to take advantage of tax losses/gains. Conversely, the employee may desire to purchase securities after depositing cash (in connection with receipt of salary, bonuses, settlements, tax refunds, or other sources). Such situations are similar to clients’, but the employees’ activities may not coincide with the firm’s investment decisions with respect to client accounts or the firm’s affiliated private funds.

 

Supervisory Responsibility

 

The CCO will have general supervisory responsibility with respect to these Personal Account Trading Guidelines.

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Holdings Reports

 

Within ten (to) days of becoming a supervised person/employee, each employee will submit to the Chief Compliance Officer an initial Holdings Report which shall include the following:

 

the title, ticker symbol and type of reportable security (excludes money market funds and unaffiliated mutual funds) held, the CUSIP number, and the number of shares or principal amount of the security held (list of reportable securities)

 

the name of any broker-dealer or bank at which securities (not limited to “reportable” securities) accounts are held (list of accounts), and the date the account is opened (unless opened prior to joining the Company)

 

the date the Holdings Report is submitted

 

Each supervised person/employee must submit a Holdings Report containing the above- referenced information annually, as of December 31st of each year.

 

Transaction Reports

 

Each supervised person/employee must submit a Transaction Report no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter, which shall include the following with respect to transactions in reportable securities (the same securities covered by Holdings Reports) during the applicable calendar quarter:

 

transaction date, title, type, CUSIP number and ticker symbol of security, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares or principal amount

 

nature of transaction

 

price effected

 

name of effecting broker-dealer or bank

 

the date the Transactions Report is submitted

 

Miscellaneous

 

Supervised Persons/employees are to identify to the Chief Compliance Officer each personal investment account and each other account in which the supervised person/employee has a beneficial interest, including any accounts for immediate family and household members, upon hire, annually thereafter and upon opening or closing any such account(s).

 

All access persons are required to notify the compliance department when they open an Account. Employees should submit the Account information through SCT for compliance review.

 

Funds owned 25% or more by Company employees, officers and partners will be subject to this Code and be deemed to be a proprietary account.

 

Holdings Reports may not contain securities information that is more than 45 days old; in addition, Transaction Reports may not contain securities information that is more than 30 days old.

 

Holdings and Transactions Reports must be submitted for all securities in which the supervised person/employee has direct or indirect beneficial ownership or control, and will include, at a minimum, securities owned by spouses and children, and any other family member that resides with the supervised person/employee.

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The Chief Compliance Officer will review submitted Holdings and Transactions Reports for, among other things, evidence of the following, it being acknowledged that the Chief Compliance Officer will consider relevant factors (such as liquidity and market capitalization of the holdings, size of positions, type of holdings, etc.) in determining the scope of the review:

 

front running

 

trading on inside information

 

violation of this Code (i.e., failure to obtain approval)

 

fraudulent activity (i.e., market timing)

 

violation of Company Ancillary Policies (e.g., Restricted Lists)

 

It is contemplated that securities account statements and trade confirmations will in part be used for Holdings and Transactions Reports submissions.

 

Transactions by supervised persons/employees (including by spouses) in hedge funds, IPOs and other investments in private placements, limited offerings and limited partnerships will be covered by this Code. Investments in private placements not sponsored by Kovitz and IPOs must receive prior approval from compliance (any such transactions by the Chief Compliance Officer must be approved by a senior or independent person Compliance will take into consideration, among other things, whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for clients and whether the employee received the investment opportunity by reason of his or her position with the Company.

 

Reviews of investments in private placements will factor in the following:

 

Determination that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the access person’s activities on behalf of a client;

 

Whether or not the employee is misappropriating an investment opportunity that should first be offered to eligible clients, or whether a portfolio manager is receiving a personal benefit for directing client business or brokerage;

 

Whether or not the opportunity is being offered to an individual by virtue of his/her position with the company or its affiliates, or his/her relationship to a managed fund or account; Employees must comply with requests for information and/or documentation necessary to satisfy itself that no actual or potential conflict, or appearance of a conflict, exists between the proposed private placement purchase and the interests of any managed fund or account.

 

No supervised person/employee may knowingly personally engage in a securities transaction with a client.

 

4. ANCILLARY POLICIES INCLUDED BY REFERENCE

 

We have adopted and require compliance with the following Ancillary Policies, which are hereby incorporated as part of this Code:

 

Account Review and Management Guidelines

 

The average pricing and prohibition on front running contained in our Trading Policies and Procedures and disclosed in our ADV Part 2A.

 

Our Gifts, Insider Trading, Trading, and Privacy procedures referenced herein.

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NOTE: With respect to the above-referenced insider trading policy, material non-public information concerning our security recommendations and our clients’ securities holdings and transactions are covered.

 

5. POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

Supervised persons/employees (a) are prohibited from making political contributions for the purpose of obtaining or retaining advisory contracts with government entities, and (b) should not consider our current or anticipated business relationships as a factor in soliciting political or charitable donations. Please refer to the Kovitz Compliance Manual for more policies and procedures related to Political Contributions.

 

6. OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES

 

Due to the significant potential for conflicts of interest, supervised persons/employees must obtain the prior approval of the Compliance to serve on the Board of Directors of a publicly traded company through SCT.

 

Supervised persons/employees are discouraged from engaging in outside businesses or investment activities that may interfere with their duties to the Company or their fiduciary duty to clients, including directorships of private companies, consulting engagements, public/charitable positions, and acceptance as executor, trustee or power of attorney, and any such activity or position must be disclosed in advance to the Company through SCT.

 

Supervised persons/employees must disclose to the Company all activities and personal interests that might present a conflict of interest.

 

7. INSIDER TRADING, INFORMATION BARRIER, AND RESTRICTED LIST

 

General – Background

 

Certain information received by the Company in the course of its activities may be “inside” information within the meaning of federal securities laws that prohibit the fraudulent misuse of such information in connection with the purchase or sale of securities. For purposes of the Company’s policies and procedures, “inside” information includes “material, non-public” information provided to the Company by an external source such as a client, prospective client, or other third party with the expectation that the Company will keep the information confidential and use it only for the benefit of the client or prospective client.

 

No employee of the Company may trade in a security, either personally or on behalf of any client, employee, or employee-related account, while in possession of material, non-public information regarding that security; nor may any partner, officer, or employee of the firm communicate material, non-public information to others in violation of the law.

 

No employee may disclose inside information to others, except disclosures made in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures to other Company personnel or persons outside the Company (such as the Company’s outside legal counsel or the client’s attorneys or accountants) who have a valid business reason for receiving such information. Any person that may become privy to inside information is

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restricted from acting upon such information and should bring such information to the direct attention of the Compliance department.

 

To the extent applicable, the Company expects its employees to only share material information about security issuers that is substantiated, consistent, and can be corroborated with independent sources.

 

Additional information can be found in the firm’s stand-alone insider trading, information barrier, and restricted list policies and procedures.

 

Definitions

 

Employee: Includes all officers, directors, registered representatives, clerks, secretaries, etc. of the Company.

 

Employee Account: Includes any personal account of an employee, any joint account in which the employee has an interest, any account in which the employee is a tenant in common with another person; and any other account over which the employee has investment discretion or may otherwise exercise control or in which the employee has a direct or indirect beneficial or financial interest, including the accounts of entities controlled directly or indirectly by the employee, trusts for the benefit of the employee or for which the employee acts as trustee, executor or custodian.

 

Employee-Related Account: Includes the following accounts if maintained by the Company: the accounts of an employee’s family members including but not limited to, an employee’s spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings and in-laws; the account of any person who resides with or receives support from the employee; and any account for the benefit of any member of an employee’s family other than an account defined by these policies and procedures as an employee account.

 

Information Barrier: is a policy and procedure within an organization that is erected in order to prevent exchanges or communication that could lead to conflicts of interest.

 

Material Information: Information is material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider the information important in deciding whether to purchase, hold or sell a security. In other words, there must be a substantial likelihood that disclosure of the information would have been viewed by a reasonable investor as having significantly altered the total mix of information made available. Information may be material even if it relates to speculative or contingent events.

 

Material information may include information about:

 

dividend increases or decreases;

 

earnings or earnings estimates;

 

changes in previously released earnings or earnings estimates;

 

write-downs of assets;

 

additions to reserves for bad debts;

 

expansion or curtailment of operations;

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increases or declines in orders, new products, or discoveries;

 

borrowing;

 

litigation;

 

liquidity problems;

 

bankruptcies or receiverships;

 

management developments;

 

contests for corporate control;

 

public offerings of securities;

 

changes of ratings of debt securities;

 

proposed transactions such as refinancings;

 

tender offers;

 

recapitalizations,

 

leveraged buy-outs,

 

acquisitions, mergers, restructurings, or purchases or sales of assets;

 

advance knowledge of unannounced government actions that is likely to have an effect on the market;

 

knowledge of unannounced events that will affect one or more companies in a significant way; or knowledge of unannounced inventions.

 

Non-public Information: Unless information has been publicly disclosed, such as by means of a press release, in the Dow Jones or Reuters press services, in a newspaper, in a public filing made with a regulatory agency, in materials sent to shareholders or potential investors such as a proxy statement or prospectus, or in materials available from public disclosure services, Company associated persons should assume that all information obtained in the course of their employment by the Company should be considered non-public information.

 

Proprietary Information: Certain information possessed by associated persons of the Company is proprietary to the Company. Such information may include unpublished research information, opinions, and recommendations; the Company’s security positions; the Company’s intentions with respect to trading in its proprietary accounts; the Company’s investment or trading strategies or decisions; pending or contemplated customer orders; unpublished analyses of companies, industries or economic forecasts; and analyses done by research personnel of companies that are potential acquirers of other companies or their assets or companies that are possible candidates for acquisition, merger, or sale of assets.

 

Restricted List: The List is comprised of accounts whose owners are on the boards of publicly traded entities, are insiders of such companies, or by virtue of their employment are restricted from transacting in certain publicly traded companies. The List also includes securities in which certain clients have directed the Company not to invest for personal reasons.

 

Securities: The term securities includes all forms of stock, notes, bonds, debentures, and other evidence of indebtedness, investment contracts, futures, and all securities derivative of such securities (i.e. options, warrants, stock index futures).

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8. GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

 

Kovitz acknowledges that if our firm or our employees participate in or sponsor sales contests or otherwise receive or give excessive gifts and entertainment from or to vendors, mutual funds and/or clients, we or they may be tempted to make business and investment decisions for reasons other than the best interests of our clients. In order to identify and mitigate these risks, we have adopted the following guidelines, policies and procedures.

 

Procedures

 

Gifts:

 

No employee may accept or give any gift or gratuity from or to any self-regulatory organization or governmental entity having jurisdiction over the Firm or its affiliates, or from or to any person, principal, proprietor, employee, agent or representative of any such entity.

 

No employee may give or accept any gift, payment, award, or gratuity in connection with any sales contest, or otherwise in connection with sales activities, without the prior approval of the Compliance department.

 

Reasonable (in amounts, value, and frequency) gifts and gratuities made or given by the Firm or its employees related to and in appreciation for investment-related services rendered (including referrals), or for personal reasons (birthdays, achievements, holidays, weddings, anniversaries, retirement, etc.) are permitted by these procedures; provided that such gifts or gratuities are not in relation to the business of the employer of the recipient thereof; provided however that such gifts and gratuities which are paid for by the Firm will be assumed to be made in relation to the business of the employer of the recipient, if such an interpretation is at all plausible (i.e., if there is such an “employer” to be considered). The existence of a pre-existing personal or family relationship will be considered.

 

Gifts made to executing broker-dealers or consultants (who might refer business to the Firm) must be approved by the Compliance department in advance through SCT.

 

These procedures do not prohibit or restrict the giving of promotional items which are valued below $100.

 

No employee may give or accept a cash gift or gratuity in relation to his or her employment with the Firm or its affiliates without the prior approval of the CCO or designated individual.

 

No employee may intentionally use his or her position with the Firm to solicit or obtain any gift for himself or herself or the Firm from a client, supplier, person to whom the employee refers business, or any entity with which the Firm does business.

 

Business Entertainment:

 

Reasonable (in amounts, value and frequency) business entertainment provided by or received by the Firm or its employees in connection with business development efforts or otherwise related to the business of the Firm are generally permitted by these procedures so long as it does not influence his or her business related judgment or decisions or investment recommendations.

 

Business entertainment provided to or received from executing broker-dealers or consultants (who might refer business to the Firm) must be approved by the Compliance department in advance through SCT.

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Generally, absent exigent circumstances, the person or entity providing the business entertainment must be present; otherwise it will generally be viewed as a gift.

 

For illustrative purposes, the following types of entertainment will generally be acceptable: sporting events, theater tickets, concert tickets, meals, resort experiences, and parties.

 

Business Entertainment in excess of $250 per expenditure per recipient must be approved by the Compliance department in advance through SCT.

 

Firm employees are prohibited from providing business entertainment to a customer representative (but not to a natural person customer itself) that is intended or designed to, or would be reasonably likely to, have the effect of causing such representative to act inconsistently with the customer’s best interests.

 

Generally, meals where business is discussed (i.e., a business lunch) but which are not part of a traditional entertainment event, will not be considered business entertainment.

 

General:

 

Gifts and business entertainment will generally be valued at the higher of cost and market value, and the value thereof shall be prorated equitably among multiple recipients.

 

ERISA Plan related gifts and business entertainment: Neither the Firm nor any employee thereof shall give any gift or gratuity to, or provide any business entertainment to any ERISA Plan, or any service provider thereto or senior personnel thereof (generally, a trustee or other individual with decision-making authority relating to investment matters), without the prior approval of the president or compliance staff, provided that any such gifts, gratuities or business entertainment unrelated to the ERISA Plan or transactions therewith (such as gifts otherwise permissible hereunder to a trustee who also is a client in his own capacity or who has referred business to the Firm) will not generally be prohibited by these procedures. Generally, the following will be considered in deciding whether or not to approve a request to makes such a gift or incur such a business entertainment expense:

 

Gifts and business entertainment provided to a union or union official that exceed de minimis amounts will not be approved

 

Subject to lower limits provided elsewhere herein, expenditures not valued in excess of $250 per individual recipient per year will be treated as de minimis

 

The gifts and business entertainment policies of the recipient or his or her employer will be considered

 

Gifts and gratuities and business entertainment made or received must be consistent with customary business practice, not violate of any laws, and not capable of being construed as a bribe or payoff.

 

All questions relating to the making or acceptance of gifts or gratuities or business entertainment should be addressed to the Compliance department, it being acknowledged that it shall not be the sole responsibility of the employee to determine whether a gift made is made in relation to the business of the employer of the recipient.

 

Additionally, no Firm employee shall accept, on his or her own behalf in relation to his or her position at the Firm, or on behalf of the Firm (“Firm Related Gift or Business Entertainment Received”), anything of value, including gifts, payments, or gratuities, or business

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entertainment, which influences his or her business related judgment or decisions or investment recommendations.

 

Acceptance of any Firm Related Gift or Business Entertainment Received in excess of $250 per donor per individual recipient per calendar year shall be approved in advance by the Compliance department through SCT. It is acknowledged that receipt of unsolicited gifts may not be able to be pre-approved, however such gifts should be entered as such in the Firm’s books and records and noted as unsolicited.

 

9. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CLIENT INFORMATION

 

In the course of doing business, the firm gains access to non-public information about its clients. Such information may include a person’s status as a client, personal financial and account information, the allocation of assets in a client portfolio, the composition of investments in any client portfolio, information relating to services performed for or transactions entered into on behalf of clients, advice provided by Kovitz to clients, and data or analyses derived from such non-public personal information (collectively referred to as “Confidential Client Information”). All Confidential Client Information, whether relating to Kovitz’s current or former clients, is subject to the Code. Any doubts about the confidentiality of information must be resolved in favor of confidentiality.

 

Non-Disclosure of Confidential Client Information

 

All information regarding Kovitz’s clients is confidential. Information may only be disclosed when the disclosure is consistent with the firm’s policy and the client’s direction. Kovitz does not share Confidential Client Information with any third parties, except in the following circumstances:

 

As necessary to provide service that the client requested or authorized, or to maintain and service the client’s account. Kovitz will require that any financial intermediary, agent or other service provider utilized by Kovitz (such as broker-dealers or sub-advisers) comply with substantially similar standards for non-disclosure and protection of Confidential Client Information and use the information provided by Kovitz only for the performance of the specific service requested by Kovitz;

 

As required by regulatory authorities or law enforcement officials who have jurisdiction over Kovitz, or as otherwise required by any applicable law. In the event Kovitz is compelled to disclose Confidential Client Information, the firm shall provide prompt notice to the clients affected, so that the clients may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. If no protective order or other appropriate remedy is obtained, Kovitz shall disclose only such information, and only in such detail, as is legally required;

 

To the extent reasonably necessary to prevent fraud, unauthorized transactions, or liability.

 

Employee Responsibilities

 

All persons are prohibited, either during or after the termination of their employment with Kovitz, from disclosing Confidential Client Information to any person or entity outside the firm, including family members, except under the circumstances described above. An access person is permitted to disclose Confidential Client Information only to such other access persons who need to have access to such information to deliver the Kovitz’s services to the client.

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All persons are also prohibited from making authorized copies of any documents or files containing Confidential Client Information and, upon termination of their employment with Kovitz, must return all such documents to Kovitz.

 

Any person who violated the non-disclosure policy described above will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible termination, whether or not he or she benefited from the disclosed information.

 

Security of Confidential Personal Information

 

Kovitz enforces the following policies and procedures to protect the security of Confidential Client Information:

 

The firm restricts access to Confidential Client Information to provide Kovitz’s services to clients;

 

Any person who is authorized to have access to Confidential Client Information in connection with the performance of such person’s duties and responsibilities is require to keep such information in a secure compartment, file or receptacle on a daily basis as of the close of each business day;

 

All electronic or computer files containing any Confidential Client Information shall be password secured and firewall protected from access by unauthorized persons;

 

Any conversations involving Confidential Client Information, if appropriate at all, must be conducted in private, and care must be taken to avoid any unauthorized person overhearing or intercepting such conversations.

 

The same policies are applicable to the confidential personal information of our employees, officers and directors.

 

Privacy Policy

 

As a registered investment adviser, Kovitz and all supervised persons must comply with SEC Regulation S-P, which requires investment advisers to adopt policies and procedures to protect the “non-public personal information” of natural person clients. “Non-public information,” under Regulation S-P, includes personally identifiable financial information and any list, description, or grouping that is derived from personally identifiable financial information. Personally identifiable financial information is defined to include information supplied by individual clients, information resulting from transactions, any information obtained in providing products or services. Pursuant to Regulation S-P, Kovitz has adopted policies and procedures to safeguard the information of natural person clients.

 

Enforcement and Review of Confidentiality and Privacy Policies

 

The CCO is responsible for reviewing, maintaining, and enforcing Kovitz’s confidentiality and privacy policies and is also responsible for conducting appropriate employee training to ensure adherence to these policies. Any exception to this policy requires the written approval of the CCO.

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B. ENFORCEMENT

 

Violations of this Code may result in disciplinary action, which could include warnings, fines, disgorgement of profit, suspension, regulatory disclosure, termination, and referral to civil or criminal authorities, where appropriate.

 

All approvals will be given by the compliance staff, unless expressly provided otherwise in an Ancillary Policy.

 

All deviations from, and exceptions to, the procedures and policies contained in this Code, are subject to the approval of the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

C. RECORDKEEPING

 

The Company will maintain the following records in accordance with the recordkeeping rules of the Investment Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act (where applicable) with respect to its Code, for the required length of time (generally, 5 years):

 

A copy of each Code in effect at any time during the time period;

 

A list of the Company’s supervised persons/employees/Access Persons at any time during the time period;

 

Initial holdings reports, quarterly transaction reports, and annual holdings reports of the Company’s supervised persons/employees/Access Persons;

 

Acknowledgements of receipt of the Company’s Code by each supervised person/employee/Access Person;

 

Records showing all Outside Activities of the Company’s supervised persons/employees/Access Persons;

 

Records showing investment accounts held by the Company’s supervised persons/employees/Access Persons (or accounts for which they have a beneficial interest) or by members of their immediate family and household, whether such accounts are held at the Company or elsewhere;

 

Records showing “pre-approval” (or disapproval) of personal securities transactions covered under this Code;

 

Records of violations of the Company’s Code, including records of actions taken with respect to such violations (e.g., remediation, discipline, termination, etc.).

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MANUAL REVISION GRID

 

This procedure document is reviewed at least annually and updated, if necessary, to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and Kovitz’s risk management strategies.

 

Version # Author Origination or Revision Date Reason for Change
1 Jeremy Wilson 1/2021 Update to personal trading section
       
       
       
       
Document Author(s): Jeremy Wilson
Document Approved by: Robert Contreras

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