Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 2, 2021
Securities Act of 19933 File No. 333-180308
Investment Company Act of 1940 File No. 811-22680
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.
FORM N-1A
| REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | [X] |
| Pre-Effective Amendment No. | |
| Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 | |
| REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | [X] |
| Amendment No. 198 |
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (513) 587-3400
David James
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
| / X / | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| / / | on 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(b) |
If appropriate, check the following box:
| / / | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
US VALUE ETF
(USVT)
Primary Listing Exchange for the Fund: NYSE Arca
Managed by
Lyrical Asset Management LP
250 West 55th Street
37th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Prospectus
September 2, 2021
| www.usvalueetf.com | 1-833-Valu-ETF (or 1-833-825-8383) |
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||
| RISK/RETURN SUMMARY SECTION | 1 | |||
| Investment Objective | 1 | |||
| Fees and Expenses | 2 | |||
| Principal Investment Strategies | 2 | |||
| Principal Risks | 5 | |||
| Performance | 5 | |||
| Management of the Fund | 5 | |||
| Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares | 5 | |||
| Tax Information | 5 | |||
| Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries | 5 | |||
| ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S | ||||
| PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS | 6 | |||
| Investment Objective | 6 | |||
| Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund | 6 | |||
| Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund | 7 | |||
| Changes in Investment Objective or Policies | 10 | |||
| Portfolio Holdings and Disclosure Policy | 11 | |||
| ACCOUNT INFORMATION | 11 | |||
| How to Buy and Sell Shares | 11 | |||
| Determination of Net Asset Value | 13 | |||
| Premium/Discount Information | 14 | |||
| Dividends, Distributions, and Taxes | 14 | |||
| FUND MANAGEMENT | 16 | |||
| Investment Adviser | 16 | |||
| Portfolio Manager | 17 | |||
| FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 17 | |||
| DISCLAIMERS | 18 | |||
| FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | Back Cover | |||
RISK/RETURN SUMMARY:
Investment Objective
The US Value ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results (before fees and expenses) of the Lyrical U.S. Value Index (the “Index”).
Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. Investors may pay brokerage commissions and incur other charges on their purchases and sales of exchange-traded fund shares, which are not reflected in the Expense Example, below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
| Management Fees | 0.45% |
| Other Expenses1 | 0.65% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.10% |
| Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement2 | (0.61)% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement) | 0.49% |
| 1 | Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. |
| 2 |
Lyrical Asset Management LP (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed, until July 30, 2023, to reduce Management Fees and reimburse Other Expenses to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of the Fund (exclusive of brokerage costs, taxes, interest, borrowing costs such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short, costs to organize the Fund, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and merger or reorganization costs and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) to an amount not exceeding 0.49% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s shares. Management Fee reductions and expense reimbursements by the Adviser are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of 3 years after the date that such fees and expenses were waived or reimbursed, provided that the repayments do not cause Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to exceed (i) the expense limitation then in effect, if any, and (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time the expenses to be repaid were incurred. Prior to July 30, 2023, this agreement may not be modified or terminated without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). This agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is terminated. |
Expense Example:
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, and the expense reduction/reimbursement described above remains in place for the contractual period only. This example does not include brokerage commissions that you may pay to buy and sell Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 year | 3 years | |
| $ 50 | $ 225 |
| 1 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual operating expenses or in the Example above, affect the Fund’s performance. This portfolio turnover rate excludes securities received or delivered from in-kind processing of creations or redemptions. As the Fund recently commenced operations, there is not yet any portfolio turnover to report.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Lyrical U.S. Value Index (the “Index”), developed by Lyrical Asset Management LP (the “Adviser”), seeks to
create a passively managed proxy for deep value investing by using propriety investment screens to identify 200 stocks from a universe
of potential investment candidates of the cheapest quintile (e.g., bottom one-fifth) of the top 1,000 US stocks by market capitalization,
based on one year forward median analyst projected price to earnings ratio, per FactSet Research Systems Inc. (“FactSet”).
Cheapest is defined as the lowest projected forward price-to-earnings ratio for the next twelve months (“NTM P/E”). The NTM
P/E is determined using the greater of the non-GAAP or GAAP median consensus estimate of forward price-to-earnings ratio available as
of each quarter-end. Each stock in the cheapest quintile is then equally weighted as compared to other stocks within the Index. As a
result, it is anticipated that the Index will be comprised primarily of mid-capitalization US companies.
GKD Index Partners LLC d/b/a Alerian (the “Index Provider”), who is not affiliated with the Adviser or the Fund, compiles and calculates the Index. The Index and the Fund are each reconstituted and rebalanced on a quarterly basis. The Index was established on August 27, 2021. The capitalization range of the Index was $5 billion to $500 billion as of June 30, 2021. The components of the Index, and the degree to which these components represent certain industries, may change over time.
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund attempts to replicate the Index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index, holding stock of each company in the Index in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the Index.
The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets) in securities of issuers in an industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Index reflects a concentration in that industry or group of industries. The components of the Index and the percentages represented by various sectors in the Index may change over time, thus the Fund’s portfolio holdings, and the extent to which it concentrates its investments, are likely to change over time. The Index’s methodology does not focus on industries and instead screens individual companies. As a result, it is possible, but not likely, that the Index may, at times, be concentrated in or more industries.
PRINCIPAL RISKS
All investments involve risks, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by any government agency. As with any mutual fund or
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exchange-traded Fund (“ETF”) investment, the Fund’s returns and share price will fluctuate, and you may lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the following principal risks:
Equity Securities Risk. Equity securities are subject to changes in value, and their values may be more volatile than those of other asset classes. The Index is comprised of common stocks, which generally subject their holders to more risks than preferred stocks and debt securities because common stockholders’ claims are subordinated to those of holders of preferred stocks and debt securities upon the bankruptcy of the issuer.
Large-Capitalization Company Risk. Large-capitalization companies are generally more mature and may be unable to respond as quickly as smaller companies to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes, and also may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Passive Strategy/Index Risk. The Fund is managed with a passive investment strategy that seeks to track the performance of the Index. This differs from an actively managed fund, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index. As a result, the Fund may hold constituent securities of the Index regardless of the current or projected performance of a specific security or the relevant sector as a whole. Maintaining investments in securities regardless of market conditions or the performance of individual securities could cause the Fund’s returns to be lower than if the Fund employed an active strategy. The Fund will seek to track the Index in all market conditions, including during adverse market conditions when other funds may seek to take temporary defensive measures (such as investing significantly in cash or cash equivalents). Accordingly, unless the Index allocates significant portions of its assets to cash and cash equivalents during times of adverse market or economic conditions, the Fund may be subject to a higher level of market risk during such times than other funds.
Index Style Risk. The Index tracks the performance of the equity securities of the “cheapest” quintile, based on NTM P/E, of the 1,000 largest (by market capitalization) US companies. The performance of the Index may trail the returns of the overall stock market. The Adviser believes that the nature of the Index corresponds with the performance of value investing generally, and therefore the Fund may be exposed to the risks associated with value investing, such as value stocks falling out of favor with the general market.
Index Tracking Risk. While the Adviser seeks to track the performance of the Index closely (i.e., to achieve a high degree of correlation with the Index), it will not seek to beat the performance of the Index. Further, the Fund’s return may not match or achieve a high degree of correlation with the returns of the Index due to operating expenses, transaction costs, cash flows, regulatory requirements and operational inefficiencies.
Calculation Methodology. The Index relies on various sources of information to assess the criteria of issuers included in the Index, including information that may be based on assumptions and estimates. The Fund, the Adviser, and the Index Provider cannot offer assurances that the Index will be determined, calculated or composed accurately or that the calculation methodology or sources of information will provide an accurate assessment of included issuers.
Market Risk. The return on and value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate in response to stock market movements. Stocks are subject to market risks, such as a rapid increase or decrease in a stock’s value or liquidity, fluctuations in price due to earnings, economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Adviser. During periods of market volatility, security prices (including securities held by the Fund) could fall drastically and rapidly and therefore adversely affect the Fund.
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Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. Only an Authorized Participant (as defined in the “How to Buy and Sell Shares” section of this prospectus) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that act as Authorized Participants. To the extent that these institutions exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create or redeem Creation Units (as defined in the “Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares” section of this prospectus), Fund shares may trade at a discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting.
Exchange-Traded Risk. Because the Fund’s shares are traded on an exchange, they are subject to additional risks:
| · | The Fund’s shares are listed for trading on NYSE Arca (“NYSE Arca” or the “Exchange”) and are bought and sold on the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of the Fund’s shares will typically approximate its net asset value (NAV), there may be times when the market price and the NAV differ significantly. Thus, you may pay more or less than NAV when you buy the Fund’s shares on the secondary market, and you may receive more or less than NAV when you sell those shares. |
| · | Although the Fund’s shares are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, it is possible that an active trading market may not develop or be maintained. |
| · | Trading of the Fund’s shares may be halted by the activation of individual or market-wide trading halts (which halt trading for a specific period of time when the price of a particular security or overall market prices decline by a specified percentage). Trading of the Fund’s shares may also be halted if 1) the shares are delisted from NYSE Arca without first being listed on another exchange, or 2) NYSE Arca officials determine that such action is appropriate in the interest of a fair and orderly market for the protection of investors. |
Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in mid-capitalization companies often involve higher risks than large-capitalization companies because these companies may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Therefore, the securities of mid-capitalization companies may be more susceptible to market downturns and other events, and their prices may be subject to greater price fluctuations.
Risk of Investing in the U.S. Certain changes in the U.S. economy, such as when the U.S. economy weakens or when its financial markets decline, may have an adverse effect on the securities to which the Fund has exposure.
Value Securities Risk. Securities issued by companies that may be perceived as undervalued may fail to appreciate for long periods of time and may never realize their full potential value. Value securities have generally performed better than non-value securities during periods of economic recovery (although there is no assurance that they will continue to do so). Value securities may go in and out of favor over time.
New Fund Risk. The Fund is newly formed and has no operating history as of the date of this Prospectus. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy or growing to an economically viable size.
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PERFORMANCE
Performance information will be available after the Fund completes a full calendar year of operations. Updated performance information, when available, will be available online at www.usvalueetf.com or by calling 1-833-Valu-ETF (or 1-833-825-8383).
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Lyrical Asset Management LP (“LAM”), is the Fund’s investment adviser, was formed in 2008 and began managing external assets as of January 1, 2009.
Portfolio Manager
Andrew Wellington, Co-Founder,Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer of Lyrical Asset Management (“LAM”) has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in 2021.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES
The Fund will issue and redeem shares at NAV only in large blocks of shares (each block of shares is called a “Creation Unit”) and only to Authorized Participants that have entered into agreements with the Fund’s distributor (the “Distributor”). Creation Units are issued and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind for securities. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.
Individual shares may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through a broker or dealer at a market price. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on NYSE Arca (“NYSE Arca” or the “Exchange”) under the ticker symbol USVT. Because the shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares of the Fund may trade at a price that is greater than (a premium), at, or less than (a discount) NAV. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”).
The Fund’s median bid-ask spread will be disclosed on the Fund’s website at www.usvalueetf.com.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are taxable and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred account, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan. Tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those accounts.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank or trust company), the Fund, the Adviser or their respective related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create conflicts of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to track the investment results (before fees and expenses) of the Index.
Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund
The Index, developed by Lyrical Asset Management LP (the “Adviser”), seeks to create a passively managed proxy for deep value investing by using propriety investment screens to identify 200 stocks from a universe of potential investment candidates of the cheapest quintile (e.g., bottom one-fifth) of the top 1,000 US stocks by market capitalization, based on one year forward median analyst projected price to earnings ratio, per FactSet. Cheapest is defined as the lowest projected forward price-to-earnings ratio for the next twelve months (“NTM P/E”). The NTM P/E is determined using the greater of the non-GAAP or GAAP median consensus estimate of forward price-to-earnings ratio available as of each quarter-end. Each stock in the cheapest quintile is then equally weighted as compared to other stocks within the Index. As a result, it is anticipated that the Index will be comprised primarily of mid-capitalization US companies.
The Index Provider, who is not affiliated with the Adviser or the Fund, compiles and calculates the Index. The Index and the Fund are each reconstituted and rebalanced on a quarterly basis. The Index was established on August 27, 2021. The capitalization range of the Index was $5 billion to $500 billion as of June 30, 2021. The components of the Index, and the degree to which these components represent certain industries, may change over time.
The Adviser believes that many “value indices” are constituted as much by growth “anti-factors” as by value
factors, which skews their constituents needlessly to companies who both are cheap and have lesser growth attributes. The Index was created
by the Adviser to provide a different approach to identify deep value within the top 1,000 US stocks and to focus more on deep value
as opposed to anti-growth. The Index’s holdings are reconstituted at the end of each fiscal quarter as companies may appreciate
out of the cheapest quintile and replaced with those newly in the cheapest quintile, and then the Index is rebalanced so holdings have
equal weights.
As with any investment, there are uncertainties regarding how a particular stock will perform overtime. The value of the stocks in the Index may not appreciate quickly or at all. However, the Adviser believes that over a longer period of time (i.e., at least 12-months), the cheapness of stock, in and of itself is, on the average, a substantial benefit to stock performance historically and, in the manager’s view, this tendency should persist over time. The median consensus determination is provided by a third-party source, FactSet based on analyst earnings data it gathers, and then verified by both the Index Provider and Lyrical. Companies that are expected not to be profitable would have infinite forward price-earnings ratios, precluding them from being in the cheapest quintile.
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Index. The Fund attempts to replicate the Index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index, holding stock of each company in the Index in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the Index.
The Adviser uses a “passive” or indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. The Fund does not try to “beat” the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued. Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform
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the Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by keeping portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.
The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets) in securities of issuers in an industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Index reflects a concentration in that industry or group of industries. The components of the Index and the percentages represented by various sectors in the Index may change over time, thus the Fund’s portfolio holdings, and the extent to which it concentrates its investments, are likely to change over time. The Index’s methodology does not focus on industries and instead screens individual companies. As a result, it is possible, but not likely, that the Index may, at times, be concentrated in or more industries.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund
All investments involve risks, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by any government agency. As with any mutual fund or ETF investment, the Fund’s returns and share price will fluctuate, and you may lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund is subject to the following principal risks:
Equity Securities Risk. Equity securities are subject to changes in value, and their values may be more volatile than those of other asset classes. The Index is comprised of common stocks, which generally subject their holders to more risks than preferred stocks and debt securities because common stockholders’ claims are subordinated to those of holders of preferred stocks and debt securities upon the bankruptcy of the issuer. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response.
Large-Capitalization Company Risk. Large-capitalization companies are generally more mature and may be unable to respond as quickly as smaller companies to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes, and also may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. In addition, there may be times when the returns for large capitalization companies generally trail returns of smaller companies or the overall stock market.
Passive Strategy/Index Risk. The Fund is managed with a passive investment strategy that seeks to track the performance of the Index. This differs from an actively managed fund, which typically seeks to outperform a benchmark index As a result, the Fund may hold constituent securities of the Index regardless of the current or projected performance of a specific security or the relevant sector as a whole. Maintaining investments in securities regardless of market conditions or the performance of individual securities could cause the Fund’s returns to be lower than if the Fund employed an active strategy. The Fund will seek to track the Index in all market conditions, including during adverse market conditions when other funds may seek to take temporary defensive measures (such as investing significantly in cash or cash equivalents). Accordingly, unless the Index allocates significant portions of its assets to cash and cash equivalents during times of adverse market or economic conditions, the Fund may be subject to a higher level of market risk during such times than other funds.
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Index Style Risk. The Index tracks the performance of the equity securities of the “cheapest” quintile, based on NTM P/E, of the 1,000 largest (by market capitalization) US companies. The performance of the Index may trail the returns of the overall stock market. The Adviser believes that the nature of the Index corresponds with the performance of value investing generally, and therefore the Fund may be exposed to the risks associated with value investing, such as value stocks falling out of favor with the general market.
Index Tracking Risk. While the Adviser seeks to track the performance of the Index closely (i.e., to achieve a high degree of correlation with the Index), it will not seek to beat the performance of the Index. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of the Index. Tracking error may occur because of differences between the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio and those included in the Index, pricing differences, transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in timing of the accrual of dividends or interest, changes to the Index or the need to meet various new or existing regulatory requirements. This risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions. Tracking error also may result because the Fund incurs fees and expenses, while the Index does not.
Calculation Methodology. The Index relies on various sources of information to assess the criteria of issuers included in the Index, including information that may be based on assumptions and estimates. The Fund, the Adviser, and the Index Provider cannot offer assurances that the Index will be determined, calculated or composed accurately or that the calculation methodology or sources of information will provide an accurate assessment of included issuers.
Market Risk. The return on and value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate in response to stock market movements. Stocks are subject to market risks, such as a rapid increase or decrease in a stock’s value or liquidity, fluctuations in price due to earnings, economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Adviser. A company’s share price may decline if a company does not perform as expected, if it is not well managed, if there is a decreased demand for its products or services, or during periods of economic uncertainty or stock market turbulence, among other conditions. In a declining stock market, stock prices for all companies (including those in the Fund’s portfolio) may decline, regardless of their long-term prospects. During periods of market volatility, stock prices can change drastically, and you could lose money over short- or long-term periods. Certain market events could increase volatility and exacerbate market risk, such as changes in governments’ economic policies, political turmoil, environmental events, trade disputes, and epidemics, pandemics or other public health issues. For example, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) resulted in closing borders, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity and financial markets, the broad effects of which are currently difficult to assess. Turbulence in financial markets, and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers domestically and around the world, and can result in trading halts, any of which could have an adverse impact on the Fund. During periods of market volatility, security prices (including securities held by the Fund) could fall drastically and rapidly and therefore adversely affect the Fund.
Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. Only an Authorized Participant (as defined in the “How to Buy and Sell Shares” section of this prospectus) may engage in creation and redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that act as Authorized Participants. To the extent that these institutions exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create or redeem Creation Units. Fund shares may trade at a discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting.
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Exchange-Traded Risk. Because the Fund’s shares are traded on an exchange, they are subject to additional risks:
Fluctuation of Net Asset Value Risk. While the Fund’s shares are listed on the Exchange and are bought and sold on the secondary market at market price, NAV of the Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the shares on the Exchange. The Adviser cannot predict whether the shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the Fund’s holdings trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time.
Market Trading Risk. The Fund faces numerous market trading risks, including disruptions to the creation and redemption processes of the Fund, losses from trading in secondary markets, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares. The NAV of shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s securities holdings. The market prices of shares will fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV and supply and demand on the Exchange. The Fund cannot predict whether shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses. Any of these factors, discussed above and further below, may lead to shares trading at a premium or discount to the Fund’s NAV. However, because shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units at NAV, the Adviser believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of the Fund are not likely to be sustained over the long term. While the creation-redemption feature is designed to make it more likely that the Fund’s shares normally will trade on the Exchange at prices close to the Fund’s next calculated NAV, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with the Fund’s NAV due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions, including disruptions at market makers, Authorized Participants, or other market participants, and during periods of significant market volatility, may result in trading prices for shares of the Fund that differ significantly from its NAV. Authorized Participants may be less willing to create or redeem Fund shares if there is a lack of an active market for such shares or its underlying investments, which may contribute to the Fund’s shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV.
Absence of Prior Active Market. While the Fund’s shares are listed on an Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares will develop or be maintained. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares.
Trading Issues. Trading in shares on an Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in shares on an Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange’s “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of an Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. Shares of the Fund, similar to shares of other issuers listed on a stock exchange, may be sold short and are therefore subject to the risk of increased volatility and price decreases associated with being sold short.
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Risk of Investing in the U.S. A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations and/or an economic recession in the U.S. may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the U.S. are changing many aspects of financial and other regulation and may have a significant effect on the U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. In addition, a continued rise in the U.S. public debt level or the imposition of U.S. austerity measures may adversely affect U.S. economic growth and the securities to which the Fund has exposure.
The U.S. has developed increasingly strained relations with a number of foreign countries. If relations with certain countries continue to worsen, it could adversely affect U.S. issuers as well as non-U.S. issuers that rely on the U.S. for trade. The U.S. has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord. If this trend were to continue, it may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the Fund invests.
Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in mid-capitalization companies often involve higher risks than large-capitalization companies because these companies may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Therefore, the securities of mid-capitalization companies may be more susceptible to market downturns and other events, and their prices may be subject to greater price fluctuations. In addition, in many instances, the securities of mid-capitalization companies are traded only OTC or on a regional securities exchange, and the frequency and volume of their trading is less than is typical of larger companies. Because mid-capitalization companies normally have fewer shares outstanding than larger companies, it may be more difficult to buy or sell significant amounts of such shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. Mid-capitalization companies are typically subject to greater changes in earnings and business prospects than larger, more established companies and also may not be widely followed by investors, which can lower the demand for their stock.
Value Securities Risk. Value
securities are those issued by companies that may be perceived as undervalued. Value securities may fail to appreciate for long periods
of time and may never realize their full potential value. Value securities have generally performed better than non-value securities
during periods of economic recovery (although there is no assurance that they will continue to do so). Although the Fund’s Index
uses a rules-based proprietary index methodology that is designed to identify stocks with attractive valuations, there is no guarantee
that this methodology will be successful or that these stocks will continue to be good “values.” “Value” stocks
can perform differently from the market as a whole and other types of stocks and can continue to be undervalued by the market for long
periods of time.
New Fund Risk. The Fund is newly formed and has no operating history as of the date of this Prospectus. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy or growing to an economically viable size.
In addition to the strategies and risks described above, the Fund may invest in other types of securities whose risks are described below and/or in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).
Changes in Investment Objective or Policies
The Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) may change the Fund’s investment objective without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders. The Fund’s other investment policies and strategies
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may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval unless otherwise provided in this prospectus or in the Statement of Additional Information.
Portfolio Holdings and Disclosure Policy
A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio holdings is available in the Fund’s SAI.
Industry Concentration.
The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets) in securities of issuers in an industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Index reflects a concentration in that industry or group of industries. The components of the Index and the percentages represented by various sectors in the Index may change over time, thus the Fund’s portfolio holdings, and the extent to which it concentrates its investments, are likely to change over time.
ACCOUNT INFORMATION
How to Buy and Sell Shares
Only certain financial institutions such as registered broker-dealers and banks that have entered into agreements with the Fund’s Distributor (“Authorized Participants” or “APs”) may acquire shares directly from the Fund and tender their shares for redemption directly to the Fund. Such purchases and redemptions are made at NAV per share and only in large blocks, or Creation Units, of shares. Purchases and redemptions directly with the Fund must follow the Fund’s procedures, which are described in the SAI.
A creation transaction, which is subject to acceptance by the Fund’s Distributor and the Fund, generally takes place when an AP deposits into the Fund a designated portfolio of securities (“Deposit Securities”) (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) and a specified amount of cash approximating the holdings of the Fund in exchange for a specified number of Creation Units. The composition of such portfolio generally corresponds pro rata to the holdings of the Fund. However, the Fund may, in certain circumstances, offer Creation Units partially or solely for cash. Similarly, shares can be redeemed only in Creation Units, generally for a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) held by the Fund and a specified amount of cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable. The prices at which creations and redemptions occur are based on the next calculation of NAV after a creation or redemption order is received in an acceptable form under the AP agreement.
The Fund charges APs standard creation and redemption transaction fees (“Transaction Fees”) to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. The standard creation and redemption transaction fees are set forth in the table below. The standard creation transaction fee is charged to the AP on the day such AP creates a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by the AP on the applicable business day. Similarly, the standard redemption transaction fee is charged to the AP on the day such AP redeems a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by the AP on the applicable business day. Creations and redemptions for cash (when cash creations and redemptions (in whole or in part) are available or specified) are also subject to an additional charge (up to the maximum amounts shown in the table below). This charge is intended to
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compensate for brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, price movement and other costs and expenses related to cash transactions (which may, in certain instances, be based on a good faith estimate of transaction costs).
The Transaction Fees for the Fund are listed in the table below.
| Fee for In-Kind and Cash Purchases | Maximum Additional Variable Charge for Cash Purchases* |
| $250 | 200 basis points (2.0)% |
*As a percentage of the amount invested.
The Fund reserves the right to make redemptions of shares for cash.
Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on NYSE Arca under the symbol USVT. Share prices are reported in dollars and cents per share. Shares can be bought and sold on the secondary market throughout the trading day like other publicly traded shares, and shares typically trade in blocks of less than a Creation Unit. There is no minimum investment. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the secondary market when the Exchange is open for trading. The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays, as observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
When buying or selling shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.
The Fund may liquidate and terminate at any time without shareholder approval.
Book Entry
Shares are held in book entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares of the Fund and is recognized as the owner of all shares for all purposes.
Investors owning shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book entry or “street name” form.
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Share Trading Prices
The trading prices of Shares on the Exchange may differ from the Fund’s daily NAV. Market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors may affect the trading prices of Shares.
Frequent Purchases And Redemptions Of Fund Shares
The Fund’s shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from the Fund in Creation Units by APs, and the vast majority of trading in the Fund’s shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the secondary market trades do not directly involve the Fund, it is unlikely those trades would cause the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the Fund’s trading costs and the realization of capital gains. With regard to the purchase or redemption of Creation Units directly with the Fund, to the extent effected in-kind (i.e., for securities), those trades do not cause the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent trades are effected in whole or in part in cash, those trades could result in dilution to the Fund and increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, direct trading by APs is critical to ensuring that the Fund’s shares trade at or close to NAV. The Fund also employ fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing. In addition, the Fund imposes transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Fund shares to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by the Fund in effecting trades. These fees increase if an investor substitutes cash in part or in whole for securities, reflecting the fact that the Fund’s trading costs increase in those circumstances. Given this structure, the Trust has determined that it is not necessary to adopt policies and procedures to detect and deter market timing of the Fund’s shares.
Investments by Other Investment Companies
Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Fund beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules. In order for a registered investment company to invest in shares of the Fund beyond the limitations of Section 12(d)(1), the registered investment company must enter into an agreement with the Trust and comply with certain terms and conditions as set forth in SEC rules.
Determination of Net Asset Value
The NAV of the Fund is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day that the NYSE is open for business. Currently, the NYSE is closed on weekends and in recognition of 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.
To calculate NAV, the Fund’s assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The Fund generally values its portfolio securities at its current market values determined based on available market quotations. However, if market quotations are not available or are considered to be unreliable due to market or other events, portfolio securities will be valued at their fair values, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by the Board. When fair value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by the Fund to calculate its NAV are
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based on the consideration by the Fund of a number of subjective factors and therefore may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.
Premium/Discount Information
Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund in secondary market transactions through brokers at market prices and the Fund’s shares will trade at market prices. The market price of shares of the Fund may be greater than, equal to, or less than NAV. Market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors may affect the trading prices of shares of the Fund.
Information regarding how often the shares of the Fund traded at a price above (at a premium to) or below (at a discount to) the NAV of the Fund during the past four calendar quarters, when available, can be found at www.usvalueetf.com.
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes
Ordinarily, dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually by the Fund. The Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders annually.
Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available.
Taxes
As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in shares will be taxed. The tax information in this prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in shares.
Unless your investment in shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:
| • | the Fund makes distributions, |
| • | you sell your shares listed on the Exchange, and |
| • | you purchase or redeem Creation Units. |
Taxes on Distributions
As stated above, dividends from net investment income, if any, ordinarily are declared and paid quarterly by the Fund. The Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of a calendar year to comply with federal tax requirements. Distributions from the Fund’s net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to you as ordinary income, except that the Fund’s dividends attributable to its “qualified dividend income” (i.e., dividends received on stock of most domestic and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions), if any, generally are subject to federal income tax for non-corporate shareholders who satisfy those restrictions with respect to their Fund shares at the rate for net capital gain -- a maximum of 15% for taxable years beginning before 2013. A part of the Fund’s dividends also may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations -- the eligible portion
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may not exceed the aggregate dividends the Fund receives from domestic corporations subject to federal income tax (excluding REITs) and excludes dividends from foreign corporations -- subject to similar restrictions. However, dividends a corporate shareholder deducts pursuant to that deduction are subject indirectly to the federal alternative minimum tax.
In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in the Fund (if that option is available). Distributions reinvested in additional shares of the Fund through the means of a dividend reinvestment service, if available, will be taxable to shareholders acquiring the additional shares to the same extent as if such distributions had been received in cash. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the shares.
Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in the shares and as capital gain thereafter. A distribution will reduce the Fund’s NAV per share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain (as described above) even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.
By law, the Fund is required to withhold 24% of your distributions and redemption proceeds if you have not provided the Fund with a correct social security number or other taxpayer identification number and in certain other situations.
Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales
Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct capital losses from sales of shares may be limited.
Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units
An AP who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus any Cash Component it pays. An AP who exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received plus any cash equal to the difference between the NAV of the shares being redeemed and the value of the securities. The Internal Revenue Service (“Service”), however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales” or for other reasons. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less.
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If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many shares you purchased or sold and at what price. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for a description of the newly effective requirement regarding basis determination methods applicable to Share redemptions and the Fund’s obligation to report basis information to the Service.
The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in the shares under all applicable tax laws. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for more information.
Fund Management
Investment Adviser
Lyrical Asset Management LP, with a principal address of 250 West 55th Street, 37th Floor, New York, New York 10019, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser (the “Advisory Agreement”) for the Fund, the Adviser provides the Fund with a continuous program of investing the Fund’s assets and determining the composition of the Fund’s portfolios. The Adviser was organized in 2008 and also provides investment advisory services to high net worth individuals, institutional investors, mutual funds, and an Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (“UCITS”) fund.
For its services, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly investment advisory fee (the “Management Fee”) computed at the annual rate of 0.45% of the Fund’s average daily net assets under the terms of its Advisory Agreement. The Adviser has contractually agreed under an expense limitation agreement (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”) with the Fund, until July 30, 2023, to reduce its Management Fee and to reimburse Fund expenses to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Operating Expenses of the Fund (exclusive of brokerage costs, taxes, interest, borrowing costs such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short, costs to organize the Fund, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and merger or reorganization costs and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) to an amount not exceeding 0.49% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
Management Fee reductions and expense reimbursements by the Adviser are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of three (3) years after the date that such fees and expense were waived or reimbursed, provided that the repayments do not cause the Fund’s Operating Expenses (exclusive of such reductions and reimbursements) to exceed (i) the expense limitation then in effect, if any, and (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time the expenses to be repaid were incurred. Prior to July 30, 2023, the Expense Limitation Agreement for the Fund may not be modified or terminated without the approval of the Board. It is expected that the Expense Limitation Agreement for the Fund will continue from year-to-year provided such continuance is approved by the Board. The Expense Limitation Agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser is terminated. As the Fund recently commenced operations, there are no Management Fees to report.
A discussion of the factors considered by the Board in its approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser, including the Board’s conclusions with respect thereto, will be available in the Fund’s Annual Report to shareholders for the year ending November 30, 2021.
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Portfolio Manager
Andrew Wellington co-founded Lyrical Asset Management and serves as the firm’s Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner. Mr. Wellington has been involved with active portfolio management for almost twenty years. He was a founding member of Pzena Investment Management, where he was the original equity research analyst, and later became a principal and portfolio manager. He then went on to Neuberger Berman where he became the sole portfolio manager for their institutional mid-cap value product, growing that product from $1 billion to $3.3 billion in AUM, and earning a five-star Morningstar rating. He also was a managing director at New Mountain Capital, where he played a key role in establishing and managing the $1.2 billion New Mountain Vantage Fund, a value-oriented, long-only, activist hedge fund. Early in his career, Mr. Wellington worked as a management consultant at Booz Allen & Hamilton and First Manhattan Consulting Group. Mr. Wellington graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania’s Management & Technology Program, earning both a Bachelor of Science from the Wharton School and a Bachelor of Science from the School of Engineering.
The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Manager’s compensation, other accounts that the Portfolio Manager manages and the Portfolio Manager’s ownership of Fund shares.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Because the Fund recently launched, there is no financial or performance information included in this prospectus for the Fund. The fiscal year-end of the Fund is November 30th each year. Once the information becomes available, you may request a copy of this information by calling the Fund at 1-833-Valu-ETF (or 1-833-825-8383).
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DISCLAIMERS
Shares of the Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”) The NYSE Arca makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of the Fund. The NYSE Arca is not responsible for, nor has it participated in, the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of the shares of the Fund to be issued, or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares are redeemable. The NYSE Arca has no obligation or liability to owners of the shares of the Fund in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the shares of the Fund. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the NYSE Arca have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages even if notified of the possibility thereof.
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For Additional Information
Additional information about the Fund is included in the SAI, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders. In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.
To obtain a free copy of the SAI, the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports or other information about the Fund, or to make inquiries about the Fund, please call Toll-Free: 1-833-Valu-ETF (or 1-833-825-8383).
This Prospectus, the SAI and the most recent shareholder reports are also available without charge on the Fund’s website at www.usvalueetf.com or upon written request to the Fund at:
US Value ETF
c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
P.O. Box 46707
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707
The Fund’s website will also provide information about the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads.
Only one copy of the Prospectus or the Annual or Semi-Annual Report will be sent to each household address. This process, known as “Householding,” is used for most required shareholder mailings. (It does not apply to confirmations of transactions and account statements, however). You may, of course, request an additional copy of the Prospectus or the Annual or Semi-Annual Report at any time by calling, writing the Fund or by downloading free of charge at www.usvalueetf.com. You may also request that Householding be eliminated from all your required mailings.
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 information on the SEC’s Internet site may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
Investment Company Act File No. 811-22680
Statement of Additional Information
September 2, 2021
US Value ETF
(USVT)
Primary Listing Exchange for the Fund: NYSE Arca
Series of
ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus for the US Value ETF (the “Fund”) dated September 2, 2021, which may be supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectus”). This SAI is incorporated by reference in its entirety into the Prospectus. Because this SAI is not itself a prospectus, no investment in shares of the Fund should be made solely upon the information contained herein. Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge, upon request, by writing the Fund at P.O. Box 46707, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707 or by calling toll-free 1-833-Valu-ETF (or 1-833-825-8383) or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.usvalueetf.com.
| 1 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES | 3 |
| ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RISKS | 11 |
| INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS | 24 |
| MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST | 26 |
| INVESTMENT ADVISER | 32 |
| PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS | 35 |
| THE DISTRIBUTOR | 36 |
| OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS | 36 |
| GENERAL INFORMATION | 38 |
| ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION | 43 |
| FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 47 |
| APPENDIX A | 48 |
| APPENDIX B | 52 |
| APPENDIX C | 55 |
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The US Value ETF (the “Fund”) is a diversified series of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company. The Trust is an unincorporated business trust that was organized under Ohio law on February 28, 2012. The Fund’s investments are managed by Lyrical Asset Management LP (the “Adviser”). For further information on the Fund, please call 1-833-Valu-ETF (or 1-833-825-8383) or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.usvalueetf.com.
The Fund issues and redeems shares solely to certain financial institutions such as registered broker-dealers and banks that have entered into agreements with the Fund’s distributor (“Authorized Participants” or “APs”) on a continuous basis at net asset value per share (“NAV”) in aggregations of a specified number of shares called “Creation Units.” Creation Units generally are issued in exchange for a basket of securities (“Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (“Balancing Amount”). Shares are not individually redeemable, but are redeemable only in Creation Unit aggregations, and generally in exchange for portfolio securities and a specified cash payment. A Creation Unit of the Fund consists of a block of shares.
Shares are listed and traded on NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca” or the “Exchange”). Shares trade in the secondary market at market prices that may differ from the shares’ NAV. Other than Authorized Participants, investors will not be able to purchase or redeem shares directly with or from the Fund. Instead, most investors will buy and sell shares in the secondary market through a broker.
Each share of a series represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to that series with each other share of that series and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of income belonging to the series as are declared by the Board. Each share has the same voting and other rights and preferences as any other shares of any series of the Trust with respect to matters that affect the Trust as a whole. The shares do not have cumulative voting rights or any preemptive or conversion rights, and the Board has the authority from time to time to divide or combine the shares of any series into a greater or lesser number of shares of that series so long as the proportionate beneficial interest in the assets belonging to that series and the rights of shares of any other series are in no way affected. The Fund currently offers only one class of shares. In case of any liquidation of a series, the holders of shares of the series being liquidated will be entitled to receive as a class a distribution out of the assets, net of the liabilities, belonging to that series. Expenses attributable to any series are borne by that series. Any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular series are allocated by or under the direction of the Board in such manner as the Board determines to be fair and equitable. No shareholder is liable to further calls or to assessment by the Trust without his or her express consent.
For information concerning the purchase and sale of shares of the Fund, see “How to Buy and Sell Shares” in the Fund’s Prospectus and in this SAI. For a description of the methods used to determine the share price and value of the Fund’s assets, see “Determination of Net Asset Value” in the Fund’s Prospectus and in this SAI.
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The performance of the Fund may be compared in publications to the performance of various indices and investments for which reliable performance data is available. The performance of the Fund may be compared in publications to averages, performance rankings, or other information prepared by recognized investment company statistical services. The Fund’s annual report contains additional performance information and will be made available to investors upon request and without charge.
HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES
Creation Units
The Fund will issue and redeem shares at NAV only in aggregations of large blocks of shares or Creation Units and only to Authorized Participants. In order to be an Authorized Participant the firm must be either a broker-dealer or other participant (“Participating Party”) in the Continuous Settlement System (“Clearing Process”) of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) or a participant in DTC with access to the DTC system (“DTC Participant”), and the firm must execute an agreement (“Participant Agreement”) with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, the Fund’s distributor (the “Distributor”) that governs transactions in the Fund’s Creation Units.
The Fund sells and redeems Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form on any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. The New York Stock Exchange is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and 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.
The Fund will issue and redeem Creation Units principally in exchange for an in-kind deposit of Deposit Securities, together with the deposit of a Cash Component, plus a transaction fee. The Fund is listed on NYSE Arca. Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above NAV. In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, a share split, reverse split or the like, the Trust may revise the number of shares in a Creation Unit.
The Fund reserves the right to offer creations and redemptions of shares for cash.
Exchange Listing and Trading
Shares of the Fund are available to the public on the NYSE Arca and trade at market prices rather than NAV. Shares of the Fund may trade at a price that is greater than, at, or less than NAV. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the NYSE Arca necessary to maintain the listing of shares of the Fund will continue to be met. The NYSE Arca may, but is not required to, remove the shares of the Fund from listing if, among other things: (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of Fund shares, there are fewer than 50 record and/or beneficial owners of shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days, or (ii) any other event shall occur or condition shall exist that, in the opinion of the NYSE Arca, makes further
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dealings on the NYSE Arca inadvisable. The NYSE Arca will also remove shares of the Fund from listing and trading upon termination of the Fund.
As in the case of other publicly-traded securities, when you buy or sell shares of the Fund through a broker, you may incur a brokerage commission determined by that broker, as well as other charges.
Transaction Fees
A fixed fee payable to the Custodian is imposed on each creation and redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units involved in the transaction (“Fixed Fee”). Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units for cash or involving cash-in-lieu (as defined below) are required to pay an additional variable charge to compensate the Fund and its ongoing shareholders for brokerage and market impact expenses relating to Creation Unit transactions (“Variable Charge,” and together with the Fixed Fee, the “Transaction Fees”). With the approval of the Board, the Adviser may waive or adjust the Transaction Fees, including the Fixed Fee and/or Variable Charge (shown in the table below), from time to time. In such cases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Fund for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Fund and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes. In addition, purchasers of Creation Units are responsible for the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities to the account of the Fund.
Investors who use the services of a broker, or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. The Transaction Fees for the Fund are listed in the table below.
| Fee for In-Kind and Cash Purchases | Maximum Additional Variable Charge for Cash Purchases* |
| $250 | 200 basis points (2.0)% |
* As a percentage of the amount invested.
The Clearing Process
Transactions by an Authorized Participant that is a Participating Party using the NSCC system are referred to as transactions “through the Clearing Process.” Transactions by an Authorized Participant that is a DTC Participant using the DTC system are referred to as transactions “outside the Clearing Process.” The Clearing Process is an enhanced clearing process that is available only for certain securities and only to DTC participants that are also participants in the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC. In-kind (portions of) purchase orders not subject to the Clearing Process will go through a manual clearing process run by DTC. Portfolio Deposits that include government securities must be delivered through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system (“Federal Reserve System”). Portfolio Deposits that include cash may be delivered through the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System. In-kind deposits of securities for orders outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through the Federal Reserve System (for government securities) or through DTC (for corporate securities).
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Purchasing Creation Units
Portfolio Deposit
The consideration for a Creation Unit generally consists of the Deposit Securities and a Cash Component. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Portfolio Deposit.” The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the Deposit Securities. Thus, the Cash Component is equal to the difference between (x) the net asset value per Creation Unit of the Fund and (y) the market value of the Deposit Securities. If (x) is more than (y), the Authorized Participant will pay the Cash Component to the Fund. If (x) is less than (y), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component from the Fund.
On each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the NYSE Arca (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the Adviser through the Custodian makes available through NSCC the name and amount of each Deposit Security in the current Portfolio Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund and the (estimated) Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per Creation Unit. The Deposit Securities announced are applicable to purchases of Creation Units until the next announcement of Deposit Securities.
Payment of any stamp duty or the like shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant purchasing a Creation Unit. The Authorized Participant must ensure that all Deposit Securities properly denote change in beneficial ownership.
Custom Orders and Cash-in-lieu
The Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (“cash-in-lieu”) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. The Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu when, for example, a Deposit Security may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, the Fund may permit or require cash in lieu of Deposit Securities when, for example, the Authorized Participant or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities laws or policies from transacting in one or more Deposit Securities. The Fund will comply with the federal securities laws in accepting Deposit Securities including that the Deposit Securities are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. All orders involving cash-in-lieu are considered to be “Custom Orders.”
Purchase Orders
An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable purchase order in proper form to the Distributor or its agent no later than the earlier of (i) 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or (ii) the closing time of the bond markets and/or the trading session on the Exchange, on any Business Day in order to receive that Business Day’s NAV (“Cut-off Time”). The Cut-off Time for Custom Orders is generally two hours earlier. The Business Day the order is deemed received by the Distributor is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” An order to create Creation Units is deemed received on a Business Day if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Cut-off Time on such day and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Persons
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placing or effectuating custom orders and/or orders involving cash should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, such as DTC and/or the Federal Reserve Bank wire system, which may impact the successful processing of such orders to ensure that cash and securities are transferred by the “Settlement Date,” which is generally the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date (“T+1”) for cash and the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date for securities (“T+3”).
Orders Using the Clearing Process
If available, (portions of) orders may be settled through the Clearing Process. In connection with such orders, the Distributor transmits, on behalf of the Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite Portfolio Deposit to the Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. Cash Components will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System.
Orders Outside the Clearing Process
If the Clearing Process is not available for (portions of) an order, Portfolio Deposits will be made outside the Clearing Process. Orders outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will be effected through DTC. The Portfolio Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of Deposit Securities (whether standard or custom) through DTC to the Fund account by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on T+1. The Cash Component, along with any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee, must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve System in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. If the Custodian does not receive both the Deposit Securities and the cash by the appointed time, the order may be canceled. A canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day but must conform to that Business Day’s Portfolio Deposit. Authorized Participants that submit a canceled order will be liable to the Fund for any losses incurred by the Fund in connection therewith.
Orders involving foreign Deposit Securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable purchase order, the Distributor will notify the Adviser and the Custodian of such order. The Custodian, who will have caused the appropriate local sub-custodian(s) of the Fund to maintain an account into which an Authorized Participant may deliver Deposit Securities (or cash -in-lieu), with adjustments determined by the Fund, will then provide information of the order to such local sub-custodian(s). The ordering Authorized Participant will then deliver the Deposit Securities (and any cash-in-lieu) to the Fund’s account at the applicable local sub-custodian. The Authorized Participant must also make available on or before the contractual settlement date, by means satisfactory to the Fund, immediately available or same day funds in U.S. dollars estimated by the Fund to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component and Transaction Fee. When a relevant local market is closed due to local market holidays, the local market settlement process will not commence until the end of the local holiday period. Settlement must occur by 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the contractual settlement date.
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Acceptance of Purchase Order
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Fund. The Fund’s determination shall be final and binding.
The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke acceptance of a purchase order transmitted to it by the Distributor if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Fund; (c) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the Deposit Securities for the applicable date; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Portfolio Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Portfolio Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust, Fund or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust, Fund or the rights of beneficial owners; or (g) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Distributor and the Adviser make it for all practical purposes impossible to process purchase orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems resulting in telephone, telecopy or computer failures; fires, floods or extreme weather conditions; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other informational systems affecting the Trust, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Adviser, the Fund’s Custodian, a sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process; and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify an Authorized Participant of its rejection of the order. The Fund, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Portfolio Deposits, and they shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
Issuance of a Creation Unit
Once the Fund has accepted an order, upon next determination of the Fund’s NAV, the Fund will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Distributor will transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order.
Except as provided below, a Creation Unit will not be issued until the Fund obtains good title to the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component, along with any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee. Except as otherwise provided, the delivery of Creation Units will generally occur no later than T+2.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.
The Fund may issue a Creation Unit prior to receiving good title to the Deposit Securities, under the following circumstances. Pursuant to the applicable Participant Agreement, the Fund may issue a Creation Unit notwithstanding that (certain) Deposit Securities have not been delivered, in reliance on an undertaking by the relevant Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking is secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery to and maintenance with the Custodian of collateral having a value equal to at least 115%
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of the value of the missing Deposit Securities (“Collateral”), as adjusted by time to time by the Adviser. Such Collateral will have a value greater than the NAV of the Creation Unit on the date the order is placed. Such collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. The only Collateral that is acceptable to the Fund is cash in U.S. Dollars.
While (certain) Deposit Securities remain undelivered, the Collateral shall at all times have a value equal to at least 115% (as adjusted by the Adviser) of the daily marked-to-market value of the missing Deposit Securities. At any time, the Fund may use the Collateral to purchase the missing securities, and the Authorized Participant will be liable to the Fund for any costs incurred thereby or losses resulting therefrom, whether or not they exceed the amount of the Collateral, including any Transaction Fee, any amount by which the purchase price of the missing Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such securities on the Transmittal Date, brokerage and other transaction costs. The Trust will return any unused Collateral once all of the missing securities have been received by the Fund. More information regarding the Fund’s current procedures for collateralization is available from the Distributor.
Cash Purchase Method
When cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for the Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases In the case of a cash purchase, the investor must pay the cash equivalent of the Portfolio Deposit. In addition, cash purchases will be subject to Transaction Fees, as described above.
Redeeming a Creation Unit
Redemption Basket
The consideration received in connection with the redemption of a Creation Unit generally consists of an in-kind basket of designated securities (“Redemption Securities”) and a Cash Component. Together, the Redemption Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Redemption Basket.”
There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient liquidity in Shares in the secondary market to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. In addition, investors may incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a Creation Unit.
The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the Redemption Securities. Thus, the Cash Component is equal to the difference between (x) the net asset value per Creation Unit of the Fund and (y) the market value of the Redemption Securities. If (x) is more than (y), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component from the Fund. If (x) is less than (y), the Authorized Participant will pay the Cash Component to the Fund.
If the Redemption Securities on a Business Day are different from the Deposit Securities, prior to the opening of business on the NYSE Arca (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the Adviser through the Custodian makes available through NSCC the name and amount of each Redemption
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Security in the current Redemption Basket (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund and the (estimated) Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per Creation Unit. If the Redemption Securities on a Business Day are different from the Deposit Securities, all redemption requests that day will be processed outside the Clearing Process.
The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed: (i) for any period during which the NYSE Arca is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE Arca is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares or determination of the Fund’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as permitted by the SEC, including as described below.
Custom Redemptions and Cash-in-lieu
The Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of cash-in-lieu to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Redemption Security. The Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu when, for example, a Redemption Security may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, the Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu of Redemption Securities when, for example, the Authorized Participant or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities law or policies from transacting in one or more Redemption Securities. The Fund will comply with the federal securities laws in satisfying redemptions with Redemption Securities, including that the Redemption Securities are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. All redemption requests involving cash-in-lieu are considered to be “Custom Redemptions.”
Redemption Requests
To redeem a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable redemption request to the Distributor.
An Authorized Participant submitting a redemption request is deemed to represent to the Fund that it has ascertained or has reasonable grounds to believe that as of the time of the contractual settlement date, that (i) it or its customer, as the case may be, owns, will own or have the authority and right to tender for redemption the Creation Unit to be redeemed and can receive the entire proceeds of the redemption, and (ii) all of the Shares that are in the Creation Unit to be redeemed have not been loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement that would preclude the delivery of such Shares to the Fund on the contractual settlement date. The Fund reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to verify these representations, but will typically require verification in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest in the Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of the requested representations, the redemption request will not be considered to be in proper form and may be rejected by the Fund.
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Timing of Submission of Redemption Requests
An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable redemption order no later than the Cut-off Time. The Cut-off Time for Custom Orders is generally two hours earlier. The Business Day the order is deemed received by the Distributor is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” A redemption request is deemed received if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Cut-off Time on such day and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Persons placing or effectuating Custom Redemptions and/or orders involving cash should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, such as DTC and/or the Federal Reserve System, which may impact the successful processing of such orders to ensure that cash and securities are transferred by the Settlement Date, as defined above.
Requests Using the Clearing Process
If available, (portions of) redemption requests may be settled through the Clearing Process. In connection with such orders, the Distributor transmits on behalf of the Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the redemption. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite Creation Unit(s) to the Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. Cash Components will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System, as described above.
Requests Outside the Clearing Process
If the Clearing Process is not available for (portions of) an order, Redemption Baskets will be delivered outside the Clearing Process. Orders outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the redemption will be effected through DTC. The Authorized Participant must transfer or cause to be transferred the Creation Unit(s) of shares being redeemed through the book-entry system of DTC so as to be delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on received T+1. In addition, the Cash Component must be received by the Custodian by 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. If the Custodian does not receive the Creation Unit(s) and Cash Component by the appointed times on T+1, the redemption will be rejected, except in the circumstances described below. A rejected redemption request may be resubmitted the following Business Day.
Orders involving foreign Redemption Securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable redemption request, the Distributor will notify the Adviser and the Custodian. The Custodian will then provide information of the redemption to the Fund’s local sub-custodian(s). The redeeming Authorized Participant, or the investor on whose behalf is acting, will have established appropriate arrangements with a broker-dealer, bank or other custody provider in each jurisdiction in which the Redemption Securities are customarily traded and to which such Redemption Securities (and any cash-in-lieu) can be delivered from the Fund’s accounts at the applicable local sub-custodian(s).
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Acceptance of Redemption Requests
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust. The Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Delivery of Redemption Basket
Once the Fund has accepted a redemption request, upon next determination of the Fund’s NAV, the Fund will confirm the issuance of a Redemption Basket, against receipt of the Creation Unit(s) at such NAV, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee. A Creation Unit tendered for redemption and the payment of the Cash Component, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee will be effected through DTC. The Authorized Participant, or the investor on whose behalf it is acting, will be recorded on the book-entry system of DTC.
The Redemption Basket will generally be delivered to the redeeming Authorized Participant within T+3. Except under the circumstances described below, however, a Redemption Basket generally will not be issued until the Creation Unit(s) are delivered to the Fund, along with the Cash Component, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.
Cash Redemption Method
When cash redemptions of Creation Units are available or specified for the Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind redemptions. In the case of a cash redemption, the investor will receive the cash equivalent of the Redemption Basket minus any Transaction Fees, as described above.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RISKS
Information contained in this SAI expands upon information contained in the Prospectus. All investments in securities and other financial instruments involve a risk of financial loss. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment programs will be successful. Investors should carefully review the descriptions of the Fund’s investments and associated risks described in the Prospectus and this SAI. No investment in shares of the Fund should be made without first reading the Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, percentage limitations apply at the time of purchase of the applicable securities. The Fund is subject to the following principal risks:
General Investment Risks. Prices of securities in which the Fund invests may fluctuate in response to many factors, including, but not limited to, the activities of the individual companies whose securities the Fund owns, general market and economic conditions, interest rates, and specific industry changes. Such price fluctuations subject the Fund to potential losses. In addition, regardless of any one company’s particular prospects, a declining stock market may produce a decline in prices for all securities, which could also result in losses to the Fund. Market declines
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may continue for an indefinite period of time, and investors should understand that during temporary or extended bear markets, the value of all types of securities, including securities held by the Fund, can decline.
Market Risk. Market risk is the risk that the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets that are generally beyond the Adviser’s control, including fluctuation in interest rates, the quality of the Fund’s investments, economic conditions and general market conditions. Certain market events could increase volatility and exacerbate market risk, and could result in trading halts, such as changes in governments’ economic policies, political turmoil, environmental events, trade disputes, terrorism, military action and epidemics, pandemics or other public health issues. Any of the foregoing market events can adversely affect the economies of one or more countries or the entire global economy, certain industries or individual issuers, and capital and security markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen or quickly addressed.
As shown with the novel coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”), market events (including public health crises and concerns) can have a profound economic and business effect that results in cancellations and disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, disruption and displacement of one or more sectors or industries, closing of borders and imposition of travel restrictions and quarantines, general public concern and uncertainty and, in extreme cases, exchange trading halts due to rapidly falling prices. Further, the impact of COVID-19 has caused significant volatility and declines in global financial markets, including the U.S. financial markets. The duration and lasting impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is unclear and may not be fully known for some time.
Market events such as these and other types of market events may cause significant declines in the values and liquidity of many securities and other instruments, and significant disruptions to global business activity and financial markets. Turbulence in financial markets, and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers both domestically and around the world, and can result in trading halts, any of which could have an adverse impact on the Fund. During periods of market volatility, security prices (including securities held by the Fund) could change drastically and rapidly and therefore adversely affect the Fund.
Equity Securities. The Fund’s portfolio will generally be comprised of common stock traded on domestic securities exchanges or over-the-counter ("OTC") markets. In addition, the Fund may invest in, depositary receipts evidencing ownership in foreign common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stocks and securities that carry the right to buy common stocks, traded on domestic exchanges or OTC markets. The prices of equity securities in which the Fund invests may fluctuate in response to many factors, including, but not limited to, the activities of the individual companies whose securities the Fund owns, general market and economic conditions, interest rates, and specific industry changes. Such price fluctuations subject the Fund to potential losses. In addition, regardless of any one company’s particular prospects, a declining stock market may produce a decline in prices for all equity securities, which could also result in losses for the Fund.
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Common Stock. As noted above, the Fund’s portfolio will generally be comprised of common stock. Prices of common stock may fluctuate in response to many factors, including, but not limited to, the activities of the individual companies whose stock the Fund owns, general market and economic conditions, interest rates, and specific industry changes. Such price fluctuations subject the Fund to potential losses. In addition, regardless of any one company’s particular prospects, a declining stock market may produce a decline in prices for all stocks, which may also result in losses for the Fund. Market declines may continue for any indefinite period of time, and investors should understand that during temporary or extended bear markets, the value of common stocks, including common stocks held by the Fund, will likely decline.
Preferred Stock. While the Fund will generally not purchase preferred stock, it may acquire ownership of preferred stock by virtue of its ownership of common stocks. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest providing the holder with claims on the issuer’s earnings and assets before common stock owners but after bond owners. Unlike debt securities, the obligations of an issuer of preferred stock, including dividend and other payment obligations, may not typically be accelerated by the holders of such preferred stock on the occurrence of an event of default or other non-compliance by the issuer of the preferred stock. Preferred stocks may include the obligation to pay a stated dividend. The price of preferred stocks could depend more on the size of the dividend than on the company’s performance. If a company fails to pay the dividend, its preferred stock is likely to drop in price. Changes in interest rates can also affect the price of preferred stock. Like common stocks, the value of preferred stock may fluctuate in response to many factors, including the activities of the issuer, general market and economic conditions, interest rates, and industry-specific changes.
Convertible Securities. While the Fund will generally not purchase convertible bonds, convertible preferred stocks, and warrants, it may acquire ownership of these convertible securities by virtue of its ownership of common stocks. Convertible bonds are fixed-income securities that may be converted at a stated price within a specified period into a certain quantity of the common stock of the same or a different issuer. Convertible bonds are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also provides the investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the underlying common stock. Like other debt securities, the value of a convertible bond tends to vary inversely with the level of interest rates. However, to the extent that the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible bond will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). Although to a lesser extent than with fixed-income securities, the market value of convertible bonds tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible bonds tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common stock. A unique feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock.
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While no securities investments are without risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer.
Warrants and Rights. The Fund may acquire ownership of warrants and rights by virtue of its ownership of common stocks. Warrants are essentially options to purchase equity securities at specific prices and are valid for a specific period of time. Rights are similar to warrants but generally have a short duration and are distributed directly by the issuer to its shareholders. The holders of warrants and rights have no voting rights, and receive no dividends, with respect to the equity interests underlying warrants or rights, and will have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer, until the warrant or right is exercised. Investments in warrants and rights involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for resale, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors, and failure of the price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of reaching a level at which the warrant or right can be prudently exercised (in which event the warrant or right may expire without being exercised, resulting in a loss of the Fund’s entire investment therein).
Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers that trade on United States ("U.S.") and foreign stock exchanges or in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). ADRs are receipts that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer.
ADRs are receipts that evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs are generally issued by a U.S. bank or trust company to U.S. buyers as a substitute for direct ownership of a foreign security and are traded on U.S. exchanges. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets. ADRs may be purchased through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary. A depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the deposited security. The depositary of an unsponsored ADR is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting rights with respect to the deposited security. Investments in ADRs are subject to risks similar to those associated with direct investments in foreign securities. The Fund intends to invest primarily in foreign securities that are listed on U.S. stock exchanges.
Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. The performance of foreign markets does not necessarily track U.S. markets. Foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates, exchange control regulations, and capital controls. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a U.S. company, and foreign companies may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Foreign securities may trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and, therefore, may exhibit less liquidity and greater price volatility than securities of U.S. companies. There may be less governmental supervision of securities markets, brokers and issuers of securities than in the U.S. Changes in foreign exchange rates will affect the value of those securities, which are denominated or quoted
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in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Therefore, to the extent the Fund invests in a foreign security, which is denominated or quoted in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, there is a risk that the value of such security will decrease due to changes in the relative value of the U.S. dollar and the security’s underlying foreign currency. Additional costs associated with an investment in foreign securities may include higher custodial fees than those applicable to domestic custodial arrangements, generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, and transaction costs of foreign currency conversions. Investments in foreign securities may also be subject to other risks different from those affecting U.S. investments, including local political or economic developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets, restrictions on foreign investment and repatriation of capital, imposition of withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments, currency blockage (which would prevent cash from being brought back to the U.S.), limits on proxy voting and difficulty in enforcing legal rights outside the U.S. Currency exchange rates and regulations may cause fluctuation in the value of foreign securities. In addition, foreign securities and dividends and interest payable on those securities, may be subject to foreign taxes, including taxes withheld from payments on those securities.
Options. The Fund may purchase and write, or sell, put and call options on securities. The Fund may buy and sell options for a number of purposes, including hedging, investment or speculative purposes. For example, it may do so to try to manage its exposure to the possibility that the prices of its portfolio securities may decline, or to establish a position in the securities market as a substitute for purchasing individual securities. Buying puts and writing covered calls may be used to hedge the Fund’s portfolio against price fluctuations. Buying call options tends to increase the Fund’s exposure to the securities market. The Fund may write a call or put option only if the option is “covered” by the Fund’s holding a position in the underlying securities or by other means which would permit immediate satisfaction of the Fund’s obligation as writer of the option. The purchase and writing of options involves certain risks. During the option period, the covered call writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the underlying securities above the exercise price, but, as long as its obligation as a writer continues, has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying securities at the exercise price. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security, in the case of a put, remains equal to or greater than the exercise price or, in the case of a call, remains less than or equal to the exercise price, the Fund will lose its entire investment in the option. Also, where a put or call option on a particular security is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related security, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the price of the related security. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position. Furthermore, if trading restrictions or suspensions are imposed on the options market, the Fund may be unable to close out a position.
Investment Companies. The Fund may, from time to time, invest in securities of other investment companies, both open-end and closed-end, including, without limitation, money market funds and ETFs. Generally, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), a fund may not acquire shares of another investment company if, immediately after such acquisition, (i) a fund would hold more than 3% of the other
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investment company’s total outstanding shares, (ii) a fund’s investment in securities of the other investment company would be more than 5% of the value of the total assets of the fund, or (iii) more than 10% of a fund’s total assets would be invested in investment companies. Under certain conditions, a fund may invest in registered and unregistered money market funds in excess of these limitations. The Fund generally expects to rely on Rule 12d1-1 under the 1940 Act when purchasing shares of a money market fund. Under Rule 12d1-1, the Fund may generally invest without limitation in money market funds as long as the Fund pays no sales charge (“sales charge”), as defined in rule 2830(b)(8) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), or service fee, as defined in rule 2830(b)(9) of the Conduct Rules of FINRA, charged in connection with the purchase, sale, or redemption of securities issued by the money market fund (“service fee”); or the Adviser waives its management fee in an amount necessary to offset any sales charge or service fee. The Fund generally expects to rely on Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act when purchasing shares of other investment companies that are not money market funds. Under Section 12(d)(1)(F), the Fund may generally acquire shares of another investment company unless, immediately after such acquisition, the Fund and its affiliated persons would hold more than 3% of the investment company’s total outstanding stock (the “3% Limitation”). To the extent the 3% Limitation applies to an investment the Fund wishes to make, the Fund may be prevented from allocating its investments in the manner that the Adviser considers optimal. Also, under the 1940 Act, to the extent that the Fund relies upon Section 12(d)(1)(F) in purchasing securities issued by another investment company, the Fund must either seek instructions from its shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies with respect to its investment in such securities and vote such proxies only in accordance with the instructions, or vote the shares held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of the securities. In the event that there is a vote of investment company shares held by the Fund in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F), the Fund intends to vote such shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities. In addition, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has recently adopted a new Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 12d1-4”) which allows investment companies to invest in other investment companies in excess of the limitations discussed above, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. Rule 12d1-4 became effective January 19, 2021 and the Fund generally expects to rely on this rule to the extent applicable. Investments in other investment companies subject the Fund to additional operating and management fees and expenses. For example, the Fund’s investors will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests, in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses.
Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”). The Fund may invest in shares of other ETFs. An ETF is typically an investment company registered under the 1940 Act that holds a portfolio of common stocks designed to track the performance of a particular index or market sector. Alternatively, ETFs may be actively managed pursuant to a particular investment strategy, similar to other non-index based investment companies. ETFs are traded on a securities exchange based on their market value. In addition, ETFs sell and redeem their shares at net asset value (“NAV”) in large blocks (typically 50,000 of its shares) called “creation units.” Shares representing fractional interests in these creation units are listed for trading on national securities exchanges and can be purchased and sold in the secondary market like ordinary stocks in lots of any size at any time during the trading day.
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An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional registered investment company (i.e., one that is not exchange traded), including the risk that the general level of securities prices, or that the prices of securities within a particular sector, may increase or decrease, thereby affecting the value of the shares of an ETF. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional registered investment companies: (1) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a discount to the ETF’s NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange deems such action appropriate; (4) ETF shares may be delisted from the exchange on which they trade; and (5) activation of “circuit breakers” by the exchange (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) may halt trading of the ETF’s shares temporarily. ETFs are also subject to the risks of the underlying securities or sectors the ETF is designed to track.
Because ETFs and pools that issue similar instruments bear various fees and expenses, the Fund will pay a proportionate share of these expenses, as well as transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions. As with traditional investment companies, ETFs charge asset-based fees, although these fees tend to be relatively low as compared to other types of investment companies. ETFs do not charge initial sales loads or redemption fees and investors pay only customary brokerage fees to buy and sell ETF shares.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has granted orders for exemptive relief to certain ETFs that permit investments in those ETFs by other investment companies (such as the Fund) in excess of some of the limits discussed above under the section entitled “Investment Companies”. The Fund may invest in ETFs that have received such exemptive orders from the SEC, pursuant to the conditions specified in such orders. In accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F)(i) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may also invest in ETFs that have not received such exemptive orders and in other investment companies in excess of these limits, as long as the Fund (and all of its affiliated persons, including the Adviser) does not acquire more than the 3% Limitation, unless otherwise permitted to do so pursuant to permission granted by the SEC. In purchasing ETFs, the Fund will be subject to the 3% Limitation unless (i) the ETF or the Fund has received a SEC order for exemptive relief from the 3% Limitation that is applicable to the Fund; and (ii) the ETF and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. The SEC has issued such exemptive orders to numerous ETFs and their investment advisers, which permit investment companies, including the Fund, to invest in such ETFs (“Exempted ETFs”) beyond the 3% Limitation, subject to certain terms and conditions, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Exempted ETF. The Fund may enter into such agreements with one or more Exempted ETFs so that the Fund will be permitted to invest in such Exempted ETFs in excess of the 3% Limitation. If the Fund seeks to redeem shares of an ETF or other investment company purchased in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F), the investment company is not obligated to redeem an amount exceeding 1% of the investment company’s outstanding shares during a period of less than 30 days. As discussed above under the section entitled “Investment Companies,” the Fund may also exceed some of the limits on investments in other investment companies, including ETFs, to the extent that it relies on new Rule 12d1-4.
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While the creation and redemption of creation units helps an ETF maintain a market value close to NAV, the market value of an ETF’s shares may differ from its NAV. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the ETF’s underlying basket of securities. Accordingly, there may be times when an ETF trades at a premium (creating the risk that the Fund pays more than NAV for an ETF when making a purchase) or discount (creating the risks that the Fund’s NAV is reduced for undervalued ETFs it holds, and that the Fund receives less than NAV when selling an ETF).
Money Market Instruments. The Fund may invest in money market instruments, which may include, without limitation, U.S. Government Obligations or corporate debt obligations (including those subject to repurchase agreements) as described herein. Money market instruments also may include Banker’s Acceptances, Certificates of Deposit of domestic branches of U.S. banks, Commercial Paper, Variable Amount Demand Master Notes (“Master Notes”) and shares of money market investment companies. The Fund may invest in shares of money market investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
Banker’s Acceptances are time drafts drawn on and “accepted” by a bank, which are the customary means of effecting payment for merchandise sold in import-export transactions and are a source of financing used extensively in international trade. When a bank “accepts” such a time draft, it assumes liability for its payment. When the Fund acquires a Banker’s Acceptance, the bank which “accepted” the time draft is liable for payment of interest and principal when due. The Banker’s Acceptance, therefore, carries the full faith and credit of such bank.
A Certificate of Deposit (“CD”) is an unsecured, interest bearing debt obligation of a bank.
Commercial Paper is an unsecured, short-term debt obligation of a bank, corporation, or other borrower. Commercial Paper maturity generally ranges from two to 270 days and is usually sold on a discounted basis rather than as an interest-bearing instrument. The Fund will invest in Commercial Paper only if it is rated in the highest rating category by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, if not rated, if the issuer has an outstanding unsecured debt issue rated in the three highest categories by any NRSRO or, if not so rated, is of equivalent quality in the Adviser’s assessment. Commercial Paper may include Master Notes of the same quality.
Master Notes are unsecured obligations which are redeemable upon demand of the holder and which permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest. Master Notes will be acquired by the Fund only through the Master Note program of the Fund’s custodian bank, acting as administrator thereof. The Adviser will monitor, on a continuous basis, the earnings power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuer of a Master Note held by the Fund.
Debt Securities. The Fund may invest in corporate debt securities and U.S. Government Obligations. Corporate securities include, but are not limited to, debt obligations offered by public or private corporations either registered or unregistered. The market value of such securities may fluctuate in response to interest rates and the creditworthiness of the issuer. A debt instrument’s credit quality depends on the issuer’s ability to pay interest on the security and repay the debt; the
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lower the credit rating, the greater the risk that the security’s issuer will default. The credit risk of a security may also depend on the credit quality of any bank or financial institution that provides credit enhancement for the security. In the case of corporate debt, the Fund will normally purchase investment grade securities, meaning securities rated BBB or better by Standard & Poor’s or any comparable rating by another NRSRO or, if unrated, as determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.
U.S. Government Obligations. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government Obligations. “U.S. Government Obligations” include securities which are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, by various agencies of the U.S. government, and by various instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury obligations include Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes, and Treasury Bonds. Treasury Bills have initial maturities of one year or less; Treasury Notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury Bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years.
Agencies and instrumentalities established by the U.S. government include the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Land Bank, the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Small Business Administration, the Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, the Federal Financing Bank, the Federal Farm Credit Banks, the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, the Resolution Funding Corporation, the Financing Corporation of America and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Some of these securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government while others are supported only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality, which may include the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. In the case of U.S. Government Obligations not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against the U.S. government itself in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. U.S. Government Obligations are subject to price fluctuations based upon changes in the level of interest rates, which will generally result in all those securities changing in price in the same way, i.e., all those securities experiencing appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when interest rates rise. Any guarantee of the U.S. government will not extend to the yield or value of the Fund’s shares.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest, directly or indirectly, in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement transaction occurs when an investor (e.g., the Fund) purchases a security (normally a U.S. government security) from a counterparty with the understanding that the investor will later resell the security to the same counterparty (normally a member bank of the Federal Reserve or a registered government securities dealer). The Fund’s initial purchase is essentially a loan to the counterparty that is collateralized by the security (and/or securities substituted for them under the repurchase agreement). The Fund must return the security to the counterparty when the counterparty repurchases it at a later date and higher price. The repurchase price exceeds the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed upon market interest rate effective for the period of time during which the repurchase agreement is in effect. Delivery pursuant to the resale normally will occur within one to seven days of the purchase.
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Repurchase agreements are considered “loans” under the 1940 Act, collateralized by the underlying security. The Trust has implemented procedures to monitor on a continuous basis the value of the collateral serving as security for repurchase obligations. The Adviser will consider the creditworthiness of the counterparty. If the counterparty fails to pay the agreed upon resale price on the delivery date, the Fund will retain or attempt to dispose of the collateral. The Fund’s risk is that such default may include any decline in value of the collateral to an amount which is less than 100% of the repurchase price, any costs of disposing of such collateral, and any loss resulting from any delay in foreclosing on the collateral. The Fund will not enter into any repurchase agreement that would cause more than 15% of its net assets to be invested in repurchase agreements that extend beyond seven days.
Illiquid Investments. The Fund may not purchase or otherwise acquire any illiquid investment if, immediately after the acquisition, the value of illiquid investments held by the Fund would exceed 15% of the Fund’s net assets. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Illiquid investments pose risks of potential delays in resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio investments and the Fund may be unable to dispose of illiquid investments promptly or at reasonable prices. Under the supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), the Adviser determines the liquidity of the Fund’s investments and, through reports from the Adviser, the Trustees monitor investments in illiquid investments. If through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the Fund was in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid investments, it would seek to take appropriate steps to bring the Fund’s illiquid investments to or below 15% of its net assets per the requirements of Rule 22e-4 of the 1940 Act. The sale of some illiquid and other types of investments may be subject to legal restrictions.
If the Fund invests in investments for which there is no ready market, the Fund may not be able to readily sell such investments. Such investments are unlike investments that are traded in the open market, and which can be expected to be sold immediately if the market is adequate. The sale price of illiquid investments once realized may be lower or higher than the Adviser’s most recent estimate of their fair market value. Generally, less public information is available about issuers of such illiquid investments than about companies whose investments are publicly traded.
Liquidity Risk Management. Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Liquidity Rule”) requires open-end funds, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) such as the Fund, to establish a liquidity risk management program (the “Liquidity Program”) and enhance disclosures regarding fund liquidity. As required by the Liquidity Rule, the Fund has implemented a Liquidity Program, and the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Trust, has appointed the Adviser as the administrator of the Liquidity Program. Under the Liquidity Program, the Adviser assesses, manages, and periodically reviews the Fund’s liquidity risk and classifies each investment held by the Fund as a “highly liquid investment,” “moderately liquid investment,” “less liquid investment” or “illiquid investment.” The Liquidity Rule defines “liquidity risk” as the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of the remaining investors’ interest in the Fund. The liquidity of the Fund's portfolio
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investments is determined based on relevant market, trading and investment-specific considerations under the Liquidity Program. There are exclusions from certain portions of the liquidity risk management program requirements for “in-kind” ETFs, as defined in the Liquidity Rule. To the extent that an investment is deemed to be an illiquid investment or a less liquid investment, the Fund can expect to be exposed to greater liquidity risk.
Restricted Securities. Within its limitation on investment in illiquid investments, the Fund may purchase or acquire restricted securities that generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the federal securities laws, or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If during such a period adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.
Restricted securities are generally considered to be illiquid unless it is determined, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is liquid because it is so-called “4(a)(2) commercial paper” or is otherwise eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“144A Securities”). Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.
Borrowing Money. The Fund does not intend to borrow money for the purpose of purchasing securities, but may, subject to the restrictions of the 1940 Act, borrow up to 33 ⅓% of its total assets, including the amount of such borrowing, to maintain necessary liquidity to make payments for redemptions of Fund shares or for temporary emergency purposes. Borrowing involves the creation of a liability that requires the Fund to pay interest. In the event the Fund should ever borrow money under these conditions, such borrowing could increase the Fund’s costs and thus reduce the value of the Fund’s assets. In an extreme case, if the Fund’s current investment income were not sufficient to meet the interest expense of borrowing, it could be necessary for the Fund to liquidate certain of its investments at an inappropriate time.
Lending of Portfolio Securities. In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities in an amount up to 33⅓% of its total assets to broker-dealers, major banks, or other recognized domestic institutional borrowers of securities that the Adviser has determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Board. In determining whether the Fund will lend securities, the Adviser will consider all relevant facts and circumstances. The Fund may not lend securities to any company affiliated with the Adviser. Each loan of securities will be collateralized by cash, securities, or letters of credit. The Fund might experience a loss if the borrower defaults on the loan.
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The borrower at all times during the loan must maintain with the Fund collateral in the form of cash or cash equivalents, or provide to the Fund an irrevocable letter of credit equal in value to at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned. While the loan is outstanding, the borrower will pay the Fund any dividends or interest paid on the loaned securities, and the Fund may invest the cash collateral to earn additional income. Alternatively, the Fund may receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income from the borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral or a letter of credit. It is anticipated that the Fund may share with the borrower some of the income received on the collateral for the loan or the Fund will be paid a premium for the loan. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower at any time. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan, and may pay a negotiated portion of the income earned on the cash to the borrower or placing broker. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. If the Fund invests the cash collateral from the borrower, there is the risk that such investment may result in a financial loss. In such an event, the Fund would be required to repay the borrower out of the Fund’s assets.
Where voting rights with respect to the loaned securities pass with the lending of the securities, the Adviser normally intends to call the loaned securities to vote proxies, or to use other practicable and legally enforceable means to obtain voting rights, when the Adviser believes a material event affecting the loaned securities will occur or the Adviser otherwise believes it necessary to vote.
Sector Risk. The Fund may, at times, be more heavily invested in certain industries or sectors. Sector risk is the possibility that securities within the same group of industries or sectors will decline in price due to sector-specific market or economic developments. If a Fund invests more heavily in a particular sector, the value of its shares may be sensitive to factors and economic risks that specifically affect that sector. As a result, a Fund’s share price may fluctuate more widely than the value of shares of a mutual fund that invests in a broader range of industries or in different sectors. Additionally, some sectors could be subject to greater government regulation than other sectors, which may impact the share price of companies in these sectors.
Economic and Regulatory Risks. Domestic and foreign governments and agencies thereof often adopt an active approach to managing economic conditions within a nation, which may have material effects on the securities markets within the nation. A government may pursue supportive policies that include, but are not limited to, lowering corporate and personal tax rates and launching simulative government spending programs designed to improve the national economy or sectors thereof. Agencies of a government, including central banks, may pursue supporting policies that include, but are not limited to, setting lower interest rate targets and buying and selling securities in the public markets. Governments and agencies thereof may also attempt to slow economic growth if the pace of economic growth is perceived to be too great and pose a long-term risk to the economy or a sector thereof. In each instance, the actions taken may be less successful than anticipated or may have unintended adverse consequences. Such a failure or investor perception that such efforts are failing could negatively affect securities markets generally, as well as result in higher interest rates, increased market volatility and reduced value and liquidity of certain securities, including securities held by the Fund.
In addition, governments and agencies thereof may enact additional regulation or engage in deregulation that negatively impacts the general securities markets or a sector thereof. Given the potential broad scope and sweeping nature of some regulatory actions, the potential impact a regulatory action may have on securities held by the Fund may be difficult to determine and may not be fully known for an extended period of time. Accordingly, regulatory actions could adversely affect the Fund.
Changing Fixed Income Market Conditions. Following the financial crisis that began in 2007, the U.S. government and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the
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“Federal Reserve”), as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, took steps to support financial markets, including seeking to maintain interest rates at or near historically low levels and by purchasing large quantities of fixed income securities on the open market, such as securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities (“Quantitative Easing”). Similar steps took place again in 2020 in an effort to support the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear how long these policies will last. In addition, this and other government interventions may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. When the Federal Reserve determines to “taper” or reduce Quantitative Easing and/or raise the federal funds rate, there is a risk that interest rates across the U.S. financial system will rise. Such policy changes may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility and may reduce liquidity for certain fixed income investments, including fixed income investments held by the Fund, which could cause the value of the Fund’s investments and share price to decline. To the extent that the Fund invests in derivatives tied to fixed income markets, the Fund will be more substantially exposed to these risks than a fund that does not invest in such derivatives.
Cybersecurity Risk. With the increased use of technologies such as the internet to conduct business, the Fund, Authorized Participants, service providers and the relevant listing exchange are susceptible to operational, information security and related “cyber” risks both directly and through their service providers. Similar types of cybersecurity risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund’s investment in such portfolio companies to lose value. Unlike many other types of risks faced by the Fund, these risks typically are not covered by insurance. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber incidents include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyberattacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). Recently, geopolitical tensions may have increased the scale and sophistication of deliberate attacks, particularly those from nation-states or from entities with nation-state backing.
Cybersecurity failures by or breaches of the systems of the Fund’s adviser, distributor and other service providers (including, but not limited to, index and benchmark providers, fund accountants, custodians, transfer agents and administrators), market makers, Authorized Participants or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in: financial losses, interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, disclosure of confidential trading information, impediments to trading, submission of erroneous trades or erroneous creation or redemption orders, the inability of the Fund or its 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. In addition, cyberattacks may render records of Fund assets and transactions, shareholder ownership of Fund shares, and other data integral to the functioning of the Fund inaccessible or inaccurate or incomplete. Substantial costs may be incurred by the Fund in order to resolve or prevent cyber incidents in the future. While the Fund has established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to
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prevent, such cyber incidents, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified and that prevention and remediation efforts will not be successful or that cyberattacks will go undetected. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Fund, issuers in which the Fund invests, the Index Provider, market makers or Authorized Participants. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.
Operational Risk. An investment in the Fund involves operational risk arising from factors such as processing errors, human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and technology, changes in personnel and errors caused by third-party service providers. Any of these failures or errors could result in a loss or compromise of information, regulatory scrutiny, reputational damage or other events, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund. While the Fund seeks to minimize such events through controls and oversight, there is no guarantee that the Fund will not suffer losses due to operational risk.
Temporary Defensive Positions. The Fund may in unusual circumstances take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with their principal investment strategies. If the Adviser believes a temporary defensive position is warranted in view of market conditions, the Funds may hold cash or invest up to 100% of their assets in high-quality short-term government or corporate obligations, money market instruments or shares of money market mutual funds. Taking a temporary defensive position may prevent the Funds from achieving their investment objectives.
Portfolio Turnover. The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund is calculated by dividing the lesser of the Fund’s purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the year by the monthly average value of the securities. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may also be affected by cash requirements for redemption of shares. High portfolio turnover rates will generally result in higher transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, and may result in additional tax consequences to the Fund’s shareholders. Portfolio turnover will not be a factor in making buy and sell decisions for the Fund. The Fund recently commenced operations, and therefore has no portfolio turnover to report.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment limitations that may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As used in the Prospectus and this SAI, the term “majority” of the outstanding shares of the Fund means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented at such meeting; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Unless otherwise indicated, percentage limitations apply at the time of purchase of the applicable securities. See the Prospectus for more information about the Fund’s investment objective and investment strategies, each of which are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.
FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. As a matter of fundamental policy:
1. Borrowing Money. The Fund will not borrow money except as permitted under the 1940 Act. For example, subject to the restrictions of the 1940 Act the Fund may borrow money from banks to meet redemption requests or for extraordinary or emergency purposes.
2. Senior Securities. The Fund will not issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff.
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3. Underwriting. The Fund will not act as underwriter, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal securities laws or in connection with investments in other investment companies.
4. Real Estate. The Fund will not directly purchase or sell real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities which are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from holding or selling real estate acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities or other instruments, investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts).
5. Commodities. The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing or selling options, forward contracts, or futures contracts, including those relating to indices, or options on futures contracts or indices, or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities or from investing in companies which are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities.
6. Loans. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, provided that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount up to 33% of total Fund assets, and provided further that, for purposes of this restriction, investment in U.S. Government Obligations, short-term commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, repurchase agreements and any other lending arrangement permitted by the 1940 Act, any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff shall not be deemed to be the making of a “loan”. For purposes of this limitation, the term “loans” shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other debt securities.
7. Concentration. The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in a particular industry or group of industries, except that the Fund will concentrate to approximately the same extent that the Fund’s index concentrates in the securities of such particular industry or group of industries. This limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) or state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions (other than revenue bonds issued in connection with an identifiable industry; e.g., healthcare or education) or repurchase agreements with respect thereto, or investments in registered investment companies. If, however, the Fund invests in an investment company that concentrates its investment in a particular industry, the Fund will consider such investment to be issued by a member of the industry in which such investment company invests. In addition, if the Fund invests in a revenue bond tied to a particular industry, the Fund will consider such investment to be issued by a member of the industry to which the revenue bond is tied.
With respect to the “fundamental” investment restrictions above, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction (i.e., percentage
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limitations are determined at the time of purchase); provided, however, that the treatment of the fundamental restrictions related to borrowing money and issuing senior securities are exceptions to this general rule and are monitored on an ongoing basis.
Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by a fund evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it does not treat certain transactions as senior securities, such as certain borrowings, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements standby commitments and trading practices which would be deemed to involve the issuance of a senior security, including options, futures and forward contracts, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligation.
The 1940 Act permits the Fund to borrow money from banks in an amount up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less its liabilities (not including any borrowings but including the fair market value at the time of computation of any other senior securities then outstanding). In general, the Fund may not issue any class of senior security, except that the Fund may (i) borrow from banks, provided that immediately following any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all Fund borrowings and in the event such asset coverage falls below 300% the Fund will within three days (excluding holidays and Sundays) or such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and regulation, reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%, and (ii) engage in trading practices which could be deemed to involve the issuance of a senior security, including options, futures, forward contracts and reverse repurchase agreements, provided that the Fund earmarks or segregates liquid assets in accordance with applicable SEC regulations and interpretations.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
Overall responsibility for management and supervision of the Fund and the Trust rests with the Board. The members of the Board (the “Trustees”) are elected by the Trust’s shareholders or existing members of the Board as permitted under the 1940 Act and the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”). Each Trustee serves for a term of indefinite duration until death, resignation, retirement or removal from office. The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust to actively supervise the Trust’s day-to-day operations. The officers are elected annually. Certain officers of the Trust also may serve as Trustees.
The Trust will be managed by the Board in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio governing business trusts. There are currently six Trustees, five of whom are not “interested persons,” as defined by the 1940 Act, of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). The Independent Trustees receive compensation for their services as Trustees and attendance at meetings of the Board. Officers of the Trust receive no compensation from the Trust for performing the duties of their offices.
Attached in Appendix A is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust, their year of birth and address, their present position with the Trust, length of time served in their position, and their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, and any other directorships
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held by the Trustee. Those Trustees who are “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act and those Trustees who are Independent Trustees are identified in the table.
Leadership Structure and Qualifications of Trustees.
As noted above, the Board consists of six Trustees, five of whom are Independent Trustees. The Board is responsible for the oversight of the series, or funds, of the Trust.
In addition to the Fund, the Trust has other series managed by other investment advisers. The Board has engaged various investment advisers to oversee the day-to-day management of the Trust’s series. The Board is responsible for overseeing these investment advisers and the Trust’s other service providers in the operations of the Trust in accordance with the 1940 Act, other applicable federal and state laws, and the Declaration of Trust.
The Board meets at least four times throughout the year. The Board generally meets in person, but may meet by telephone as permitted by the 1940 Act. In addition, the Trustees may meet in person or by telephone at special meetings or on an informal basis at other times. The Independent Trustees also meet at least quarterly without the presence of any representatives of management.
Board Leadership
The Board is led by its Chairperson, Ms. Janine L. Cohen, who is also an Independent Trustee. The Chairperson generally presides at all Board Meetings, facilitates communication and coordination between the Trustees and management, and reviews meeting agendas for the Board and the information provided by management to the Trustees. The Chairperson works closely with Trust counsel and counsel to the Independent Trustees, and is also assisted by the Trust’s President, who, with the assistance of the Trust’s other officers, oversees the daily operations of the Fund, including monitoring the activities of all of the Fund’s service providers.
The Board believes that its leadership structure, including having an Independent Trustee serve as Chairperson and five out of six Trustees as Independent Trustees, is appropriate and in the best interests of the Trust. The Board also believes its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from Trust management.
Board Committees. The Board has established the following standing committees:
Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee"): The principal functions of the Audit Committee are: (i) to appoint, retain and oversee the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm; (ii) to meet separately with the independent registered public accounting firm and receive and consider a report concerning its conduct of the audit, including any comments or recommendations it deems appropriate; (iii) to act as the Trust’s qualified legal compliance committee (“QLCC”), as defined in the regulations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and (iv) to act as a proxy voting committee if called upon under the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures when a matter with respect to which a series of the Trust is entitled to vote presents a conflict between the interest of the series’ shareholders, on the one hand, and
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those of the series’ investment manager on the other hand. Messrs. David M. Deptula, Robert E. Morrison, and Clifford N. Schireson, and Mses. Janine L. Cohen and Jacqueline A. Williams are the members of the Audit Committee. Mr. Deptula is the Chairperson of the Audit Committee and presides at its meetings. The Audit Committee is expected to meet five times during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2021.
Nominations and Governance Committee (the “Governance Committee”): The Governance Committee nominates and selects persons to serve as members of the Board, including Independent Trustees and “interested” Trustees and assists in reviewing the Trust’s governance practices and standards. In selecting and nominating persons to serve as Independent Trustees, the Governance Committee will not consider nominees recommended by shareholders of the Trust unless required by law. Messrs. Deptula, Morrison, and Schireson and Mses. Cohen and Williams are the members of the Governance Committee. Mr. Morrison is the Chairperson of the Governance Committee and presides at its meetings. The Governance Committee is expected to meet four times during the fiscal year ending November 30, 2021.
Qualifications of the Trustees. The Governance Committee reviews the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of potential candidates for nomination or election by the Board. In evaluating a candidate for nomination or election as a Trustee, the Governance Committee takes into account the contribution that the candidate would be expected to make to the diverse mix of experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that the Governance Committee believes contribute to the oversight of the Trust’s affairs. The Board has concluded, based on the recommendation of the Governance Committee, that each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on both an individual basis and in combination with the other Trustees, that each Trustee is qualified to serve on the Board. The Board believes that the Trustees’ ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the Adviser, other service providers, legal counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties as Trustees support this conclusion. In determining that a particular Trustee is and will continue to be qualified to serve as a Trustee, the Board considers a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, is controlling.
In addition to the Trustee qualifications listed above, each of the Trustees has additional Trustee qualifications including, among other things, the experience identified in the “Trustees and Executive Officers” table included in Appendix A and as follows:
Interested Trustee
David R. Carson is Senior Vice President, Client Strategies for Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus”). Mr. Carson is also a Trustee of Unified Series Trust. Mr. Carson served as President of the Trust from 2013 until January 2021, and serves as President of the Centaur Mutual Funds Trust from 2018 to present. Prior to joining Ultimus in 2013, Mr. Carson served as the Chief Operations and Compliance Officer for The Huntington Funds from 2005 until 2013, for The Flex-Funds from 2006 until 2011, for Meeder Financial from 2007 until 2011, for Huntington Strategy Shares from 2012 until 2013, and for Huntington Asset Advisors during 2013. Mr. Carson also served as Vice President of Huntington National Bank from 2001 until 2013. Mr. Carson holds a B.A. in English from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. Dave was Co-Founder and Director of
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Advancing Fund Governance, organized for those charged with fund governance to help members best serve shareholders and stakeholders. He is an active member of the Investment Company Institute (ICI) and served as board chair of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival. Mr. Carson has been a Trustee since January 2021.
Independent Trustees
David M. Deptula has served as Vice President of Legal and Special Projects for Dayton Freight Lines, Inc. since February 1, 2016. Prior to that position, Mr. Deptula was Vice President of Tax Treasury for Standard Register, Inc. (a company that provides solutions for companies to manage their critical communications, previously The Standard Register Company) since November 2011. (Standard Register, Inc. a newly formed subsidiary of Taylor Corporation, purchased assets of The Standard Register Company on July 31, 2015.) Prior to joining Standard Register, Mr. Deptula was a Tax Partner at Deloitte Tax LLP (“Deloitte”). Mr. Deptula joined Deloitte in 1984 and remained with Deloitte until October of 2011. During his tenure at Deloitte, he was actively involved in providing tax accounting services to open-end mutual funds and other financial services companies. Mr. Deptula holds a B.S. in Accounting from Wright State University and a Juris Doctor from University of Toledo. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Deptula has been a Trustee since June 2012.
Janine L. Cohen, retired, was an executive at AER Advisors, Inc. (“AER”) from 2004 through her retirement in 2013. Ms. Cohen served as the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) from 2004 to 2013 and Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) from 2008 to 2013 at AER. During her tenure at AER, she was actively involved in developing financial forecasts, business plans, and SEC registrations. Prior to those roles at AER, Ms. Cohen was a Senior Vice President at State Street Bank. Ms. Cohen has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. She holds a B.S. in Accounting and Math from the University of Minnesota and is a Certified Public Accountant. Ms. Cohen has been the Chairperson since October 2019 and a Trustee since January, 2016.
Jacqueline A. Williams has served as the Managing Member of Custom Strategies Consulting, LLC since 2017, where she provides consulting services to investment managers. Prior to that, she served as a Managing Director of Global Investment Research for Cambridge Associates, LLC since 2005. Earlier in her career, Ms. Williams served as a Principal at Equinox Capital Management, LLC where she was chairperson of the stock selection committee and the firm's financial services analyst. Ms. Williams also served as an Investment Analyst at IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company where she monitored U.S. financial services stocks. Ms. Williams has over 25 years of experience in the investment management industry. Ms. Williams earned an A.B. in Religion from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University. She has been a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder since 1990. Ms. Williams has been a Trustee since June 2019.
Clifford N. Schireson, retired, was Director of Institutional Services from 2014 to 2017 at Brandes Investment Partners, LP, an investment advisory firm, where he was a member of the fixed-income investment committee. From 1998 to 2004, he was a Managing Director at Weiss, Peck & Greer
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LLC specializing in fixed-income products for both taxable and municipal strategies for institutional clients. Mr. Schireson has over 20 years of experience in the investment management industry. Mr. Schireson holds an A.B. in Economics from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Mr. Schireson has been a Trustee since June 2019.
Robert E. Morrison serves as a Senior Vice President at Huntington Private Bank, where he has worked since 2014. From 2006 to 2014, he served as the CEO, President and Chief Investment Officer of 5 Star Investment Management. Mr. Morrison has a B.S. in Forestry Management from Auburn University and is a graduate of the Personal Financial Planning program of Old Dominion University. Mr. Morrison previously served on the Ultimus Managers Trust Board of Trustees as the Founding Chairman of the Trust in 2012. Mr. Morrison retired from the Board in 2014 as a result of a business conflict that no longer exists. Mr. Morrison has over 32 years of financial services experience, focusing on asset management and wealth management. Mr. Morrison has been a Trustee since June 2019.
References above to the qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
Risk Oversight. The operation of an ETF, including its investment activities, generally involves a variety of risks. As part of its oversight of the Fund, the Board oversees risk through various regular board and committee activities. The Board, directly or through its committees, reviews reports from, among others, the Adviser, the Trust’s CCO, the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, and outside legal counsel, regarding risks faced by the Fund and the risk management programs of the Adviser, with respect to the Fund’s investments and trading activities, and certain service providers. The actual day-to-day risk management with respect to the Fund resides with the Adviser, with respect to the Fund’s investments and trading activities, and other service providers to the Fund. Although the risk management policies of the Adviser and the service providers are designed to be effective, there is no guarantee that they will anticipate or mitigate all risks. Not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, eliminated or mitigated and some risks simply may not be anticipated or may be beyond the control of the Board or the Adviser or other service providers. The Independent Trustees meet separately with the Trust’s CCO at least annually, outside the presence of management, to discuss issues related to compliance. Furthermore, the Board receives an annual written report from the Trust’s CCO regarding the operation of the compliance policies and procedures of the Trust and its primary service providers. As part of its oversight function, the Board also may hold special meetings or communicate directly with Trust management or the Trust’s CCO to address matters arising between regular meetings.
The Board also receives quarterly reports from the Adviser on the investments and securities trading of the Fund, including the Fund’s investment performance, as well as reports regarding the valuation of the Fund’s securities (when applicable). The Board also receives quarterly reports from the Administrator, transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) and the Distributor on regular quarterly items and, where appropriate and as needed, on specific issues. In addition, in its annual review of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”), the
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Board reviews information provided by the Adviser relating to its operational capabilities, financial condition and resources. The Board also conducts an annual self-evaluation that includes a review of its effectiveness in overseeing, among other things, the number of funds in the Trust and the effectiveness of the Board’s committee structure.
Trustees’ Ownership of Fund Shares. The following table shows each Trustee’s beneficial ownership of shares of the Fund and, on an aggregate basis, of shares of all funds within the Trust overseen by the Trustee. Information is provided as of December 31, 2020.
* Because the Fund is newly organized, none of the Trustees has any beneficial ownership of Fund shares as of the date of this SAI.
^Mr. Carson’s term as a Trustee commenced January 22, 2021.
Ownership In Fund Affiliates. As of December 31, 2020, none of the Independent Trustees, nor members of their immediate families, owned, beneficially or of record, securities of the Adviser, the Distributor or any affiliate of the Adviser or the Distributor.
Trustee Compensation. No director, officer or employee of the Adviser or the Distributor receives any compensation from the Trust for serving as an officer or Trustee of the Trust. Each Independent Trustee receives a $500 per meeting fee and a $1,300 annual retainer for each series of the Trust, except the Chairperson who receives a $1,500 annual retainer for serving as Chairperson. The Trust reimburses each Trustee and officer for their travel and other expenses incurred by attending meetings.
The following table provides the estimated amount of compensation payable to each of the Trustees during the Fund’s first fiscal year of operations, which will conclude November 30, 2021:
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| Name of Trustee |
Compensation
From the Fund |
Pension
or
Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Fund Expenses |
Estimated
Annual Benefits Upon Retirement |
Total
Compensation From all Funds Within the Trust |
| Interested Trustee | ||||
| David R. Carson^ | None | None | None | None |
| Independent Trustees | ||||
| David M. Deptula | $1,325 | None | None | $58,475 |
| Janine L. Cohen^ | $1,375 | None | None | $61,625 |
| Jacqueline A. Williams | $1,325 | None | None | $58,475 |
| Clifford N. Schireson | $1,325 | None | None | $58,475 |
| Robert E. Morrison | $1,325 | None | None | $58,475 |
^ Mr. Carson’s term as Trustee did not commence until January 22, 2021.
Principal Holders of Voting Securities. The Fund recently commenced operations, and as such, has no principal holders of voting securities to report.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Lyrical Asset Management LP, located at 250 West 55th Street, 37th Floor, New York, New York 10019, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated January 22, 2013 (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser was organized in 2008 and also provides investment advisory services to high net worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations and other businesses, mutual funds, and a Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (“UCITS”) fund. The Adviser is controlled by Lyrical Asset Management GP LP, Andrew B. Wellington, Jeffrey A Keswin, Jeffrey M. Moses, and Edward P. Gage.
Subject to the Fund’s investment objective and policies approved by the Board, the Adviser is responsible for providing the Fund with a continuous program of investing the Fund’s assets and determining the composition of the Fund’s portfolio.
The Advisory Agreement has an initial term of two years and thereafter remains in effect for periods of one year only so long as such renewal and continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, provided the continuance is also approved by a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty on 60 days’ notice by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement provides that it will terminate automatically in the event of its “assignment,” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act.
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Under the Advisory Agreement, for its services, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly investment advisory fee (the “Management Fee”) computed at the annual rate of 0.45% of its average daily net assets. The Adviser has agreed to reduce its Management Fee and to reimburse Fund expenses to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Operating Expenses (excluding brokerage costs, taxes, interest, borrowing costs such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short, costs to organize the Fund, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and merger or reorganization costs and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) to 0.49% of the average daily net assets for the Fund until July 30, 2023. Any such fee reductions by the Adviser, or reimbursements by the Adviser of expenses which are the Fund’s obligation, are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of three years after the date that such fees and expenses were waived or reimbursed provided that the repayments do not cause Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of such reductions and reimbursements) to exceed (i) the expense limitation then in effect, if any, and (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time the expenses to be repaid were incurred.
The Adviser manages the Fund’s investments in accordance with the stated investment objective and policies of the Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board. The Adviser is responsible for investment decisions, and provides the Fund with a portfolio manager to execute purchases and sales of securities. The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Fund in connection with the performance of its duties, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act) or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder.
The Fund recently commenced operations, and therefore has no management fees to report.
Portfolio Manager
The Fund is managed by Andrew B. Wellington (the “Portfolio Manager”), who has responsibility for the day-to-day implementation of investment strategies for that Fund.
Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Manager
In addition to the Funds, the Portfolio Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts. The table below shows the number of, and total assets in, such other accounts as of July 31, 2021.
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| Portfolio Manager | Type of Accounts | Total Number of Other Accounts Managed | Total Assets of Other Accounts Managed | Number of Accounts Managed with Advisory Fee Based on Performance | Total Assets of Accounts Managed with Advisory Fee Based on Performance |
| Andrew B. Wellington | Registered Investment Companies | 1 | $0.7B | 0 | $0 |
| Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 6 | $2.2B | 4 | $2.2B | |
| Other Accounts | 306 | $5.2B | 100 | $1.0B |
Conflicts of Interest
The Portfolio Manager’s management of other investment pooled vehicles and other accounts (the “Other Accounts”) may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with his management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other Fund or the Other Accounts, on the other. A potential conflict of interest may arise when a particular investment may be suitable for both the Fund and the Other Accounts, whereby the Portfolio Manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include the Portfolio Manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby the Portfolio Manager could use this information to the advantage of the Other Accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund or vice versa. Further, differences in the compensation structures of the Adviser with the Other Accounts may give rise to a conflict of interest by creating an incentive for the Portfolio Managers to allocate investment opportunities they believe might be the most profitable to the client accounts where the Adviser might benefit the most from the investment gains. However, the Adviser has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.
A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the Portfolio Managers’ day-to-day management of the Fund. The Portfolio Managers know the size and timing of trades for the Fund and the Other Accounts, and may be able to predict the market impact of Fund trades. It is theoretically possible that the Portfolio Managers could use this information to the advantage of Other Accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of the Fund, or vice versa.
Compensation
Andrew Wellington receives a salary and is a principal owner of the Adviser.
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Ownership of Fund Shares
Because the Fund is newly organized, the Portfolio Manager has no beneficial ownership of Fund shares as of the date of this SAI.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser determines, subject to the general supervision of the Board and in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which brokers are eligible to execute the Fund’s portfolio transactions.
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities that are debt securities usually are principal transactions in which portfolio securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Purchases from underwriters of portfolio securities generally include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers may include the spread between the bid and asked prices. Transactions on stock exchanges involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Transactions in the OTC market are generally principal transactions with dealers. With respect to the OTC market, the Fund, where possible, will deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except under those circumstances where better price and execution are available elsewhere.
Allocation of transactions, including their frequency, to various brokers and dealers is determined by the Adviser consistent with its obligation to seek best execution. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders in an effective manner at the most favorable price. Other factors that may be considered include, but are not limited to, reputation, financial strength and stability, creditworthiness, efficiency of execution and error resolution, the actual executed price and the commission, research (including economic forecasts, fundamental and technical advice on securities, valuation advice on market analysis); custodial and other services provided for the enhancement of the Adviser’s portfolio management capabilities; the size and type of the transaction; the difficulty of execution and the ability to handle difficult trades; and the operational facilities of the brokers and/or dealers involved (including back office efficiency). Subject to these considerations, brokers who provide investment research to the Adviser may receive orders for transactions on behalf of the Fund. Information so received is in addition to and not in lieu of services required to be performed by the Adviser and does not reduce the fees payable to the Adviser by the Fund. Such information may be useful to the Adviser in serving both the Fund and other clients and, conversely, supplemental information obtained by the placement of brokerage orders of other clients may be useful to the Adviser in carrying out its obligations to the Fund In selecting a broker-dealer to execute transactions (or a series of transactions) and determining the reasonableness of the broker-dealer’s compensation, the Adviser need not solicit competitive bids and does not have an obligation to seek the lowest available commission cost for the reasons discussed above.
Consistent with the foregoing, under Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Adviser is authorized to pay a brokerage commission in excess of that which
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another broker might have charged for effecting the same transaction, in recognition of the value of brokerage and/or research services provided by the broker. The research received by the Adviser may include, without limitation: information on the United States and other world economies; information on specific industries, groups of securities, individual companies, political and other relevant news developments affecting markets and specific securities; technical and quantitative information about markets; analysis of proxy proposals affecting specific companies; accounting and performance systems that allow the Adviser to determine and track investment results; and trading systems that allow the Adviser to interface electronically with brokerage firms, custodians and other providers. Research is received in the form of written reports, telephone contacts, personal meetings, research seminars, software programs and access to computer databases. In some instances, research products or services received by the Adviser may also be used by the Adviser for functions that are not research related (i.e., not related to the making of investment decisions). Where a research product or service has a mixed use, the Adviser will make a reasonable allocation according to its use and will pay for the non-research function in cash using its own funds.
Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and procedures adopted by the Board, the Fund may execute portfolio transactions through any broker or dealer and pay brokerage commissions to a broker (i) which is an affiliated person of the Trust, or (ii) which is an affiliated person of such person, or (iii) an affiliated person of which is an affiliated person of the Trust, the Adviser or the Trust’s principal underwriter.
As the Fund recently commenced operations, there are no brokerage commissions to report.
THE DISTRIBUTOR
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, is the distributor of Creation Units for the Fund. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).
The Distributor is obligated to sell the shares of the Fund on a reasonable efforts basis only against purchase orders for the shares. Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis. As the Fund recently commenced operations, it does not have any payments for these services to report.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
Administrator and Fund Accountant
Ultimus, located at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, serves as the Administrator and fund accountant (the “Fund Accountant”) to the Fund pursuant to a Master Services Agreement.
As Administrator, Ultimus assists in supervising all operations of the Fund (other than those performed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement). Ultimus has agreed to perform
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or arrange for the performance of the following services (under the Master Services Agreement, Ultimus may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities thereunder):
| ● | prepares and assembles reports required to be sent to the Fund’s shareholders and arranges for the printing and dissemination of such reports; | |
| ● | assembles reports required to be filed with the SEC and files such completed reports with the SEC; | |
| ● | files the Fund’s federal income and excise tax returns and the Fund’s state and local tax returns; | |
| ● | assists and advises the Fund regarding compliance with the 1940 Act and with its investment policies and limitations; and | |
| ● | makes such reports and recommendations to the Board as the Board reasonably requests or deems appropriate. |
As Fund Accountant, Ultimus maintains the accounting books and records for the Fund, including journals containing an itemized daily record of all purchases and sales of portfolio securities, all receipts and disbursements of cash and all other debits and credits, general and auxiliary ledgers reflecting all asset, liability, reserve, capital, income and expense accounts, including interest accrued and interest received, and other required separate ledger accounts. Ultimus also maintains a monthly trial balance of all ledger accounts; performs certain accounting services for the Fund, including calculation of the NAV per share, calculation of the dividend and capital gain distributions, reconciles cash movements with the custodian, verifies and reconciles with the custodian all daily trade activities; provides certain reports; obtains dealer quotations or prices from pricing services used in determining NAV; and prepares an interim balance sheet, statement of income and expense, and statement of changes in net assets for the Fund.
Ultimus receives fees from the Fund for its services as Administrator and Fund, and is reimbursed for certain expenses assumed pursuant to the Master Services Agreement.
The Master Services Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and Ultimus, unless otherwise terminated as provided in the Master Services Agreement, is renewed automatically for successive one-year periods after the initial term.
The Master Services Agreement provides that Ultimus shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which the Master Services Agreement relates, except a loss from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or from the reckless disregard by Ultimus of its obligations and duties thereunder.
As the Fund recently commenced operations, there are no fund administration or fund accounting fees to report.
Custodian and Transfer Agent
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH” or "Custodian"), located at 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110, is Custodian of the Fund’s investments. The Custodian acts as the Fund’s depository,
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safekeeps portfolio securities, collects all income and other payments with respect thereto, disburses funds at the Fund’s request and maintains records in connection with its duties. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. also serves as the Fund’s Transfer Agent. As the Fund recently commenced operations, it does not have any payments for these services to report.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
BBD, LLP, located at 1835 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund and to audit the financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal period ending November 30, 2021 and assist in preparing the Fund’s federal, state, and excise tax returns for the fiscal period ending November 30, 2021.
Legal Counsel
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, located at 4208 Six Forks Road, Suite 1400, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609, serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Trust’s Independent Trustees.
Compliance Consulting Agreement
Under the terms of a Compliance Consulting Agreement with the Trust, Ultimus provides an individual with the requisite background and familiarity with the federal securities laws to serve as the Trust’s CCO and to administer the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures. For these services, the Fund pays Ultimus a base fee of per annum, plus an asset-based fee computed at an annual rate. In addition, the Fund reimburses Ultimus for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to these compliance services.
As the Fund recently commenced operations, there are no compliance consulting fees to report.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Other Payments by the Fund. The Fund may enter into agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which the Fund may pay financial intermediaries for non-distribution-related sub-transfer agency, administrative, sub-accounting, and other shareholder services. Payments made pursuant to such agreements are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by a financial intermediary, or (2) the number of Fund shareholders serviced by a financial intermediary.
Other Payments by the Adviser. The Adviser, in its discretion, may make payments from its own resources and not from Fund assets to affiliated or unaffiliated brokers, dealers, banks (including bank trust departments), trust companies, registered investment advisers, financial planners, retirement plan administrators, insurance companies, and any other institution having a service, administration, or any similar arrangement with the Fund, its service providers or their respective affiliates, as incentives to help market and promote the Fund and/or in recognition of its distribution, marketing, administrative services, and/or processing support.
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These additional payments may be made to financial intermediaries that sell Fund shares or provide services to the Fund, the Distributor or shareholders of the Fund through the financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel and/or fund supermarkets. Payments may also be made through the financial intermediary’s retirement, qualified tuition, fee-based advisory, wrap fee bank trust, or insurance (e.g., individual or group annuity) programs. These payments may include, but are not limited to, placing the Fund in a financial intermediary’s retail distribution channel or on a preferred or recommended fund list; providing business or shareholder financial planning assistance; educating financial intermediary personnel about the Fund; providing access to sales and management representatives of the financial intermediary; promoting sales of Fund shares; providing marketing and educational support; maintaining share balances and/or for sub-accounting, administrative or shareholder transaction processing services. A financial intermediary may perform the services itself or may arrange with a third party to perform the services.
The Adviser may also make payments from its own resources to financial intermediaries for costs associated with the purchase of products or services used in connection with sales and marketing, participation in and/or presentation at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs, client and investor entertainment and other sponsored events. The costs and expenses associated with these efforts may include travel, lodging, sponsorship at educational seminars and conferences, entertainment and meals to the extent permitted by law.
Revenue sharing payments may be negotiated based on a variety of factors, including the level of sales, the amount of Fund assets attributable to investments in the Fund by financial intermediaries’ customers, a flat fee or other measures as determined from time to time by the Adviser. A significant purpose of these payments is to increase the sales of Fund shares, which in turn may benefit the Adviser through increased fees as Fund assets grow.
Investors should understand that some financial intermediaries may also charge their clients fees in connection with purchases of shares or the provision of shareholder services.
Description of Shares
The Trust is an unincorporated business trust organized under Ohio law on February 28, 2012. The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board to divide shares into series, each series relating to a separate portfolio of investments, and to further divide shares of a series into separate classes. The Fund does not currently issue additional classes of shares. In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or an individual series or class, shareholders of a particular series or class would be entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to such series or class. Shareholders of a series or class are entitled to participate equally in the net distributable assets of the particular series or class involved on liquidation, based on the number of shares of the series or class that are held by each shareholder. If any assets, income, earnings, proceeds, funds or payments are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular series or class, the Board shall allocate them among any one or more series or classes as the Board, in its sole discretion, deems fair and equitable. Subject to the Declaration of Trust, determinations by the Board as to the allocation of liabilities, and the allocable portion of any general assets, with respect to the Fund are conclusive.
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Shares of the Fund, when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares have no subscription, preemptive or conversion rights. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and a fractional vote for each fractional share held. Shareholders of all series and classes of the Trust, including the Fund, will vote together and not separately, except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interests of the shareholders of a particular series or class. Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides, in substance, that any matter required to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each series or class affected by the matter. A series or class is affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each series or class in the matter are substantially identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the series or class. Under Rule 18f-2, the approval of an investment advisory agreement, a distribution plan or any change in a fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a series or class only if approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of such series or class. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the appointment of independent accountants and the election of Trustees may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting together, without regard to a particular series or class.
Trustee Liability
The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable in any event in connection with the affairs of the Trust, except as such liability may arise from his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their duties to the Trust and its holders of beneficial interest. It also provides that all third parties shall look solely to the Trust’s property for satisfaction of claims arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. With the exceptions stated, the Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee or officer is entitled to be indemnified against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Trust.
Trust Liability
Under Ohio law, liabilities of the Trust to third persons, including the liabilities of any series, extend to the whole of the trust estate to the extent necessary to discharge such liabilities. However, the Declaration of Trust contains provisions intended to limit the liabilities of each series to the applicable series and the Trustees and officers of the Trust intend that notice of such limitation be given in each contract, instrument, certificate, or undertaking made or issued on behalf of the Trust by the Trustees or officers. There is no guarantee that the foregoing steps will prove effective or that the Trust will be successful in preventing the assets of one series from being available to creditors of another series.
Code of Ethics
The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted a code of ethics (each, a “COE” and collectively, the “COEs”) that is designed to prevent their respective personnel subject to the COEs from engaging in deceptive, manipulative, or fraudulent activities in connection with
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securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (which securities may also be held by persons subject to the COEs). These COEs permit personnel subject to the COEs to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, but prohibit such personnel from engaging in personal investment activities which compete with or attempt to take advantage of the Fund’s planned portfolio transactions. Each of these parties monitors compliance with its respective COE.
Anti-Money Laundering Program
The Trust has adopted an anti-money laundering (“AML”) program, as required by applicable law, that is designed to prevent the Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. The Trust’s AML Compliance Officer is responsible for implementing and monitoring the operations and internal controls of the program. Compliance officers at certain of the Fund’s service providers are also responsible for monitoring aspects of the AML program. The AML program is subject to the continuing oversight of the Board.
Ownership of Fund Shares
As of 30 days prior to the date of this SAI, the Fund had no shares outstanding. Therefore, the Trustees and Trust officers as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
The Trust and the Adviser have adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures that describe how the Fund intends to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Trust and the Adviser are attached to this SAI as Appendix B and Appendix C, respectively. No later than August 31st of each year, information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior twelve-month period ended June 30th is available without charge upon request by calling 1-833-Valu-ETF (or 1-833-825-8383), or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policy
The Trust has adopted policies with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. These policies generally prohibit the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio to third-parties prior to the day after the information is posted to the Fund’s website unless the information is publicly available on the SEC’s EDGAR system. Because the Fund is an exchange-traded fund, it is required to publicly disclose its portfolio holdings daily, as described below. As further described below, the policies allow for disclosure of non-public portfolio information to third-parties only if there is a legitimate business purpose for the disclosure. In addition, the policies require that the party receiving the portfolio holdings information execute a non-disclosure agreement that includes a prohibition on trading based on the information, unless the party is already subject to a duty of confidentiality (as determined by the Trust’s CCO). Any arrangement to disclose non-public information about the Fund’s portfolio must be approved by the Trust’s CCO. The Trust and the Adviser are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration in connection with disclosing information about the Fund’s portfolio to third parties.
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The Fund discloses on the Adviser’s website at www.usvalueetf.com at the start of each day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business (“Business Day”) the identities and quantities of the securities and other assets held by the Fund that will form the basis of the Fund’s calculation of its NAV on that day. The portfolio holdings so disclosed will be based on information as of the close of business on the prior Business Day and/or trades that have been completed prior to the opening of business on that Business Day and that are expected to settle on that Business Day. The Fund may also concurrently disclose this portfolio holdings information directly to ratings agencies on a daily basis.
Under the Trust’s policies, the Adviser is permitted to include Fund portfolio information that has already been made public through the Fund’s website or SEC filing in marketing literature and other communications to shareholders or other parties, provided that, in the case of portfolio information made public solely through the Fund’s website, the information is disclosed no earlier than the day after the date of posting to the website.
The Fund releases non-public portfolio holdings information to certain third-party service providers on a daily basis in order for those parties to perform their duties on behalf of the Fund. These service providers include the Fund’s Adviser, Distributor, Transfer Agent, Fund Accounting Agent, Administrator and Custodian. The Fund also periodically discloses portfolio holdings information on a confidential basis to other parties that provide services to the Fund, such as the Fund’s auditors, legal counsel, proxy voting services (if applicable), printers, brokers and pricing services. The lag between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed will vary based on the nature of the services provided by the party to whom the information is disclosed. For example, the information may be provided to the Fund’s auditors within days after the end of the Fund’s fiscal year in connection with the Fund’s annual audit, while the information may be given to legal counsel at any time. Fund service providers are required to keep this information confidential and are prohibited from trading based on the information or otherwise using the information except as necessary in providing services to the Fund.
Each business day, the Fund’s portfolio holdings information will generally be provided for dissemination through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) and/or other fee-based subscription services to NSCC members and/or subscribers to those other fee-based subscription services, including Authorized Participants, and to entities that publish and/or analyze such information in connection with the process of purchasing or redeeming Creation Unites or trading shares of the Fund in the secondary market. This information typically reflects the Fund’s anticipated holdings as of the next Business Day.
Other Expenses
In addition to the Management Fee, the Fund pays all expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser, including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of its independent registered public accounting firm and of its legal counsel; the fees of the Administrator, Distributor and Transfer Agent, the costs of printing and mailing to shareholders annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements, prospectuses, SAIs and supplements thereto; bank transaction charges and
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custody fees; any costs associated with shareholder meetings, including proxy solicitors’ fees and expenses; registration and filing fees; federal, state or local income or other taxes; interest; membership fees of the Investment Company Institute and similar organizations; fidelity bond and liability insurance premiums; and any extraordinary expenses, such as indemnification payments or damages awarded in litigation or settlements made.
Benchmark Descriptions
The Fund compares its performance to standardized indices or other measurements of investment performance. Specifically, the Fund compares its performance to the Lyrical U.S. Value Index Index, which, is described in the Fund’s prospectus.
ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION
The following summarizes certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders. The discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning and are based on tax laws and regulations that are in effect on the date hereof; such laws and regulations may be changed by legislative, judicial, or administrative action. Investors are advised to consult their tax advisors with specific reference to their own tax situations.
The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In order to so qualify, the Fund must elect to be a regulated investment company or have made such an election for a previous year and must satisfy certain requirements relating to the amount of distributions and source of its income for a taxable year. At least 90% of the gross income of the Fund must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities, or foreign currencies, and other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies, and net income derived from an investment in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” as defined in section 851(h) of the Code (the “source-of-income test”). Any income derived by the Fund from a partnership (other than a “qualified publicly traded partnership”) or trust is treated as derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities, or currencies only to the extent that such income is attributable to items of income that would have been qualifying income if realized by the Fund in the same manner as by the partnership or trust.
The Fund may not qualify as a regulated investment company for any taxable year unless it satisfies certain requirements with respect to the diversification of its investments at the close of each quarter of the taxable year (the “asset diversification tests”). In general, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets must be represented by cash, cash items, government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities which, with respect to any one issuer, do not represent more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund nor more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. In addition, not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities (other than government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer; the securities of two or more
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issuers (other than securities of another regulated investment company) if the issuers are controlled by the Fund and they are, pursuant to Treasury Regulations, engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses; or the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships”.
The Fund intends to satisfy all of the requirements of the source-of-income test and the asset diversification tests on an ongoing basis for continued qualification as a regulated investment company.
If the Fund fails to meet either the asset diversification test with respect to a taxable quarter or the source-of-income test with respect to a taxable year, the Code provides several remedies, provided certain procedural requirements are met, which will allow the Fund to retain its status as a “regulated investment company.” There is a remedy for failure to satisfy the asset diversification tests, if the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, subject to certain divestiture and procedural requirements and the payment of a tax. In addition, there is a remedy for a de minimis failure of the asset diversification tests, which would require corrective action but no tax. In addition, the Code allows for the remedy of a failure of the source-of-income test, if the failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, subject to certain procedural requirements and the payment of a tax.
Under current tax law, qualifying corporate dividends are taxable at long-term capital gains tax rates. The long-term capital gains rate for individual taxpayers is currently at a maximum rate of 20%, with lower rates potentially applicable to taxpayers depending on their income levels. For 2021, individual taxpayers with taxable incomes above $451,850 ($501,600 for married taxpayers filing jointly and $473,750 for heads of households) are subject to a 20% rate of tax on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends. For individual taxpayers with taxable incomes not in excess of $40,400 ($80,800 for married taxpayers filing jointly and $54,100 for heads of household), the long-term capital gains rate and rate on qualified dividends is 0%. All other taxpayers are subject to a 15% rate of tax on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends. The above income thresholds are subject to adjustment for inflation.
If the Fund designates a dividend as a capital gains distribution, it generally will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long the shareholders have held their Fund shares or whether the dividend was received in cash or reinvested in additional shares. All taxable dividends paid by the Fund other than those designated as qualified dividend income or capital gains distributions will be taxable as ordinary income to shareholders, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares. To the extent the Fund engages in increased portfolio turnover, short-term capital gains may be realized, and any distribution resulting from such gains will be considered ordinary income for federal tax purposes.
Individuals (and certain other non-corporate entities) are generally eligible for a 20% deduction with respect to taxable ordinary dividends from REITs and certain taxable income from publicly traded partnerships. Regulated investment companies that receive qualified REIT dividend income may designate such amounts as Section 199A dividends. Qualified REIT dividend income is the excess of qualified REIT dividends received by the regulated investment company over the amount of the regulated investment company’s deductions that are properly
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allocable to such income. If the Fund designates a dividend as a Section 199A distribution, it may be treated by shareholders as a qualified REIT dividend that is taxed as ordinary income and for non-corporate taxpayers eligible for the 20% deduction for “qualified business income” under Code section 199A. Generally, only non-corporate shareholders who have held their shares for more than 45 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days prior to the ex-dividend date for such dividend are eligible for such treatment.
Under newly issued final Treasury Regulations, regulated investment companies that receive business interest income may pass through its business interest income under Code section 163(j) as a “section 163(j) interest dividend.” A regulated investment company’s total section 163(j) interest dividend amount for a tax year is limited to the excess of the regulated investment company’s business interest income over the sum of its business interest expense and its other deductions properly allocable to its business interest income. The final Treasury Regulations provide that a registered investment company shareholder that receives a section 163(j) interest dividend may treat the dividend as interest income for purposes of section 163(j), subject to holding period requirements and other limitations.
Shareholders who hold Fund shares in a tax-deferred account, such as a retirement plan, generally will not have to pay tax on Fund distributions until they receive distributions from their account.
The Fund will designate (1) any distribution that constitutes a qualified dividend as qualified dividend income; (2) any tax-exempt distribution as an exempt-interest dividend; (3) any distribution of long-term capital gains as a capital gain dividend; (4) any dividend eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction; (5) any distribution that is comprised of qualified REIT dividend income as a Section 199A dividend; and (6) any distribution that constitutes excess Code section 163(j) interest income as a Section 163(j) interest dividend as such in a written notice provided to shareholders after the close of the Fund’s taxable year. Shareholders should note that, upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares, if the shareholder has not held such shares for at least six months, any loss on the sale or exchange of those shares will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain dividends received with respect to the shares.
Foreign currency gains or losses on non-U.S. dollar denominated bonds and other similar debt instruments and on any non-U.S. dollar denominated futures contracts, options and forward contracts that are not Section 1256 contracts generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss.
To the extent that a distribution from the Fund is taxable, it is generally included in a shareholder’s gross income for the taxable year in which the shareholder receives the distribution. However, if the Fund declares a dividend in October, November, or December but pays it in January, it will be taxable to shareholders as if the dividend was received in the year it was declared. Each year, shareholders will receive a statement detailing the tax status of any Fund distributions for that year.
The Fund’s net realized capital gains from securities transactions will be distributed only after reducing such gains by the amount of any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital losses may be carried forward to offset any capital gains.
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A 4% nondeductible excise tax is imposed on regulated investment companies that fail to currently distribute an amount equal to specified percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses). The Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of its ordinary taxable income and any capital gain net income prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for this excise tax.
If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify for the special federal income tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies, all of its taxable income will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders). Such distributions will be taxable to the shareholders as dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions may be eligible for (i) the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders or (ii) treatment as “qualified dividend income” in the case of noncorporate shareholders.
In general, a shareholder who sells or redeems shares will realize a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for Fund shares. An exchange of shares is treated as a sale and any gain may be subject to tax.
The Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage (currently 24%) of taxable dividends or of gross proceeds realized upon sale paid to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number in the manner required, who are subject to withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to include properly on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Fund that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so, or that they are “exempt recipients.”
Depending upon the extent of the Fund’s activities in states and localities in which its offices are maintained, in which its agents or independent contractors are located, or in which it is otherwise deemed to be conducting business, the Fund may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities. In addition, in those states and localities that have income tax laws, the treatment of the Fund and its shareholders under such laws may differ from their treatment under federal income tax laws.
Certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.
The Fund will send shareholders information each year on the tax status of dividends and distributions. A dividend or capital gains distribution paid shortly after shares have been purchased, although in effect a return of investment, is subject to federal income taxation. Dividends from net investment income, along with capital gains, will be taxable to shareholders, whether received in cash or reinvested in Fund shares and no matter how long the shareholder has
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held Fund shares, even if they reduce the NAV of shares below the shareholder’s cost, and thus, in effect, result in a return of a part of the shareholder’s investment.
Withholding taxes may be imposed on certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” (as specifically defined in the Code) and certain other non-U.S. entities (including financial intermediaries). A 30% withholding tax is imposed on “withholdable payments” to a foreign financial institution or to a foreign non-financial entity, unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations or (ii) the foreign non-financial entity either certifies it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner.
For these purposes, a “withholdable payment” includes any United States source payments of interest, dividends, rents, compensation and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits and income. If the payee is a foreign financial institution, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons or U.S.-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to account holders whose actions prevent it from complying with these reporting and other requirements. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors regarding this legislation and the potential implications of this legislation on their particular circumstances.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund is newly organized and therefore no financial information is included in this SAI. You may request a copy of the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders, once available, at no charge by calling the Fund at 1-833-Valu-ETF (or 1-833-825-8383) or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.usvalueetf.com.
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APPENDIX A
| Name and Year of Birth | Length of Time Served | Position(s) Held with Trust | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Funds in Trust Overseen by Trustee | Directorships of Public Companies Held by Trustee During Past 5 Years | |
| Interested Trustees: | ||||||
|
David R. Carson*^ Year of Birth: 1958 |
Trustee Since 2021 Officer Since 2013 |
Trustee (January 2021 to present)
Vice President of the Trust (January 2021 to present; and previously April 2013 to October 2013)
President of the Trust and Principal Executive Officer of each of its Series (October 2013 to January 2021) |
Vice President and Director of Client Strategies of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2013 to present); President of Unified Series Trust (January 2017 to present) | 23 |
Interested Trustee of Unified Series Trust (November 2020 to present) |
|
| Independent Trustees: | ||||||
|
Janine L. Cohen^ Year of Birth: 1952 |
Since January 2016 |
Chairperson (October 2019to present) Trustee (January 2016 to present) |
Retired since 2013; previously Chief Financial Officer from 2004 to 2013 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2008 to 2013 at AER Advisors, Inc. | 23 | n/a | |
|
David M. Deptula^ Year of Birth: 1958 |
Since June 2012 |
Trustee | Vice President of Legal and Special Projects at Dayton Freight Lines, Inc. since February 2016; Vice President of Tax Treasury at The Standard Register, Inc. from November 2011 to 2016 | 23 | n/a | |
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|
Jacqueline A. Williams^ Year of Birth: 1954 |
Since June 2019 | Trustee | Managing Member of Custom Strategy Consulting, LLC (2017 to present);Managing Director of Global Investment Research (2005 to 2017), Cambridge Associates, LLC. | 23 | n/a |
|
Clifford N. Schireson^ Year of Birth: 1953 |
Since June 2019 | Trustee | Founder of Schireson Consulting, LLC (2017 to present); Director of Institutional Services for Brandes Investment Partners, LP (2004-2017) | 23 | Trustee of the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (August 2019 to present) |
|
Robert E. Morrison^ Year of Birth: 1957 |
Since June 2019 | Trustee | Senior Vice President and National Practice Lead for Investment, Huntington National Bank/Huntington Private Bank(2014 to present); CEO, CIO, President of 5 Star Investment Management Company(2006 to 2014). | 23 | Independent Trustee and Chairman of the Ultimus Managers Trust (2012 to 2014). |
| * | Mr. Carson is considered an “interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act because of his relationship with the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and distributor. Mr. Carson was President of the Trust from October 2013 to January 2021 and Vice President of the Trust from April 2013 to October 2013. |
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| Name and Year of Birth | Length of Time Served | Position(s) Held with Trust | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
|
Todd E. Heim^
Year of Birth: 1967 |
Since 2014 |
President (January 2021 to present)
Vice President (2014 to January 2021) |
Relationship Management Director and Vice President of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2018 to present); Client Implementation Manager of Ultimus Managers Trust (2014 to 2018); Naval Flight Officer of United States Navy (May 1989 to June 2017) |
|
Jennifer L. Leamer^
Year of Birth: 1976 |
Since 2014 |
Treasurer (2014 to present)
Assistant Treasurer (April 2014 to October 2014) |
Mutual Fund Controller of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2014 to present) |
|
Daniel D. Bauer^
Year of Birth: 1977 |
Since 2016 |
Assistant Treasurer (April 2016 to present) |
Assistant Mutual Fund Controller (September 2015 to present); Fund Accounting Manager (March 2012 to August 2015) of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC |
|
David K. James^
Year of Birth: 1970 |
Since July 2021 |
Secretary (July 2021 to present) |
Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Risk Officer of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (July 2018 to present); Managing Director and Managing Counsel of State Street Bank and Trust Company (September 2009 until July 2018). |
|
Natalie S. Anderson^
Year of Birth: 1975 |
Since 2016 |
Assistant Secretary (April 2016 to present) |
Legal Administration Manager (July 2016 to present) and Paralegal (January 2015 to June 2016) of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (January 2015 to present); Senior Paralegal of Unirush, LLC (October 2011 to January 2015) |
|
Gweneth Gosselink
Year of Birth: 1955 |
Since 2020 |
Chief Compliance Officer (January 2020 to present) | Senior Compliance Officer at Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (December 2019 to present); CCO Consultant at GKG Consulting, LLC (December 2019 to present); Chief Operating Officer & CCO at Miles Capital, Inc. (June 2013 to December 2019) |
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| ^ | Address is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246 |
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APPENDIX B
ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
| 1. | PURPOSE; DELEGATION |
The purpose of this memorandum is to describe the policies and procedures for voting proxies received from issuers whose securities are held by each series (individually, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”). The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) believes that each Fund’s Investment Adviser is in the best position to make individual voting decisions for such Fund. Therefore, subject to the oversight of the Board, each Fund’s Investment Adviser is hereby delegated the duty to make proxy voting decisions for such Fund, and to implement and undertake such other duties as set forth in, and consistent with, these Policies and Procedures.
| 2. | DEFINITIONS |
Proxy. A proxy permits a shareholder to vote without being present at annual or special meetings. A proxy is the form whereby a person who is eligible to vote on corporate matters transmits written instructions for voting or transfers the right to vote to another person in place of the eligible voter. Proxies are generally solicited by management, but may be solicited by dissident shareholders opposed to management’s policies or strategies.
Proxy Manager. Proxy manager, as used herein, refers to the individual, individuals or committee of individuals appointed by the investment advisers to each Fund (each, an “Investment Adviser”) as being responsible for supervising and implementing these Policies and Procedures.
| 3. | POLICY FOR VOTING PROXIES RELATED TO EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS AND OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(E)(iii) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, all proxies from Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”) or other Investment Companies voted by a Fund, registered in the name of the Fund, will have the following voting instructions typed on the proxy form: “Vote these shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such shares. The beneficial owner of these shares is a registered investment company.”
| 4. | POLICY FOR VOTING PROXIES RELATED TO OTHER PORTFOLIO SECURITIES |
Fiduciary Considerations. Proxies with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies are voted solely in the interests of the shareholders of the Trust. Any conflict of interest must be resolved in the way that will most benefit the shareholders.
Management Recommendations. Since the quality and depth of management is a primary factor considered when investing in a company, the recommendation of management on any issue should
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be given substantial weight. The vote with respect to most issues presented in proxy statements should be cast in accordance with the position of the company’s management, unless it is determined that supporting management’s position would adversely affect the investment merits of owning the stock. However, each issue should be considered on its own merits, and the position of the company’s management should not be supported in any situation where it is found not to be in the best interests of the Trust’s shareholders.
| 5. | CONFLICTS OF INTEREST |
The Trust recognizes that under certain circumstances an Investment Adviser may have a conflict of interest in voting proxies on behalf of a Fund. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, situations where an Investment Adviser or one or more of its affiliates, including officers, directors or employees, has or is seeking a client relationship with the issuer of the security that is the subject of the proxy vote. The Investment Adviser shall periodically inform its employees that they are under an obligation to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of the Investment Adviser with respect to voting proxies on behalf of a Fund, both as a result of the employee’s personal relationships and due to circumstances that may arise during the conduct of the Investment Adviser’s business, and to bring any conflict of interest of which they become aware to the attention of the proxy manager. With respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies, the Investment Adviser shall not vote proxies relating to such issuers on behalf of a Fund until it has determined that the conflict of interest is not material or a method of resolving such conflict of interest has been determined in the manner described below. A conflict of interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict has the potential to influence the Investment Adviser’s decision-making in voting a proxy. Materiality determinations will be based upon an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. If the proxy manager determines that a conflict of interest is not material, the Investment Adviser may vote proxies notwithstanding the existence of a conflict. If the conflict of interest is determined to be material, either (i) the conflict shall be disclosed to the Trust’s Committee of Independent Trustees (the “Committee”) and the Investment Adviser shall follow the instructions of the Committee or (ii) the Investment Adviser shall vote the issue in question based upon the recommendation of an independent third party under a contractual arrangement approved by the Committee. The proxy manager shall keep a record of all materiality decisions and report them to the Committee on an annual basis.
| 6. | ROUTINE PROPOSALS |
Proxies for routine proposals (such as election of directors, selection of independent public accountants, stock splits and increases in capital stock) with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies should generally be voted in favor of management.
| 7. | PROXY MANAGER APPROVAL |
Votes on non-routine matters and votes against a management’s recommendations with respect to securities other than ETFs or other investment companies are subject to approval by the proxy manager.
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| 8. | PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES |
Proxy voting will be conducted in compliance with the policies and practices described herein and is subject to the proxy manager’s supervision. A reasonable effort should be made to obtain proxy material and to vote in a timely fashion. Each Investment Adviser shall maintain records regarding the voting of proxies under these Policies and Procedures.
| 9. | FORM N-PX |
A record of each proxy vote will be entered on Form N-PX. A copy of each Form N-PX will be signed by the President of the Trust. The Form is to be filed by August 31 each year. Each reporting period covered by the Form N-PX runs from July 1 to June 30. The Trust will disclose in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and in its registration statement (in the SAI) filed with the SEC on or after August 31 that each Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge upon request and is also available on the SEC’s Website at www.sec.gov.
| 10. | INVESTMENT ADVISERS’ VOTING PROCEDURES |
The Trust acknowledges that the Investment Advisers to the various Funds have adopted voting policies and procedures for their clients that have been delivered to the Trust. To the extent that an Investment Adviser’s policies and procedures are consistent with these Policies and Procedures, the Investment Adviser may implement them with respect to voting proxies on behalf of each Fund managed by such Investment Adviser. However, the provisions of paragraph 5 of these Policies and Procedures relating to conflicts of interest shall supersede any comparable provisions of any Investment Adviser’s policies and procedures.
Securities Lending: If a Fund engages in securities lending, the proxy voting procedures of the Adviser of such Fund will include information on the recall of lent securities for voting purposes. More information can be found in the Securities Lending Procedures of the Trust.
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APPENDIX C
Adviser Entity’s Proxy Voting Policy
Statement of Policy
Since the Firm exercises voting authority with respect to certain Clients’ securities, the Adviser is required to adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the Adviser votes Client securities in a manner consistent with the best interests of such Client (Rule 206(4)-6). The SEC has indicated that a discretionary investment manager is required to exercise voting authority with respect to Client securities, even if the investment advisory agreement is silent on this point, unless the Client has specifically retained voting authority. Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised. Where the Adviser has discretion to vote the proxies of its Clients, it will vote those proxies in the best interest of its Clients and in accordance with these policies and procedures.
Responsibility for Implementing this Policy
The Compliance Officer is responsible for implementing, updating and monitoring the Firm’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, for ensuring appropriate disclosure is given to Clients, and assisting in the resolution of conflicts of interests. The Compliance Officer is also responsible for maintaining, as part of the Firm’s books and records, copies of the Firm’s procedures, proxy records and any backup documentation relating to voting decisions and conflict resolution in accordance with applicable record keeping requirements. The Compliance Officer can delegate any responsibilities under this policy to another person.
Procedures to Implement this Policy
Generally, proxies are automatically received by the Firm’s third party proxy voting services firm and are voted in accordance with the guidelines detailed below. In some instances, proxies may not be automatically voted in accordance with the guidelines. In such instances, the Compliance Officer or his delegate shall monitor and place proxy votes in accordance with the guidelines set forth below. The Compliance Officer will monitor the third party to assure that all proxies are being properly voted and appropriate records are being retained.
Voting Guidelines
In the absence of specific voting guidelines from the Client, the Firm will vote proxies in the best interests of each particular Client, which may result in different voting results for proxies for the same issuer. To assist the Firm in its responsibilities for voting proxies, an unaffiliated, third party proxy voting services firm has been retained as an expert in the proxy voting and corporate governance area. The Firm’s Compliance Officer and Portfolio Manager have reviewed and approved the policies and procedures prepared by the proxy voting services firm and have determined that these policies and procedures accurately reflect the Firm’s objective standards in voting proxies for the Firm’s Clients.
The Firm will generally vote proxies based upon the recommendations of the proxy voting services firm consistent with the Proxy Paper Guidelines; however, the Firm may conduct a
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more detailed analysis and will exercise its own judgment on a case-by-case basis and may override any recommendation of the proxy voting services firm that it does not believe is in the best interest of its Clients. In considering whether a more detailed analysis is required, the Firm considers if there are any particular factors affecting the issuer (e.g., M&A activity, contested elections of directors, etc.). In the event the Firm fails to instruct the proxy voting services firm on how to vote a proxy, the proxy voting services firm is directed to vote in accordance with its recommendations.
The Firm believes that voting proxies in accordance with the following guidelines is in the best interests of its Clients. Generally, the Firm will vote in favor of routine corporate housekeeping proposals, including election of directors (where no corporate governance issues are implicated), selection of auditors, and increases in or reclassification of common stock.
• Generally, the Firm will vote against proposals that make it more difficult to replace members of the issuer’s board of directors, including proposals to stagger the board, cause management to be overrepresented on the board, introduce cumulative voting, introduce unequal voting rights, and create supermajority voting.
For other proposals, the Firm shall determine whether a proposal is in the best interests of its Clients and may take into account the following factors, among others:
| • | whether the proposal was recommended by management and the Firm's opinion of management; |
| • | whether the proposal acts to entrench existing management; and |
| • | whether the proposal fairly compensates management for past and future performance. |
Conflicts of Interest
The Compliance Officer will identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the Firm and its Clients. This examination will include a review of the relationship of the Firm and its affiliates with the issuer of each security and any of the issuer’s affiliates to determine if the issuer is a Client of the Firm or an affiliate of the Firm or has some other relationship with the Firm or a Client of the Firm.
If a material conflict exists, the Firm will determine whether voting in accordance with the voting guidelines and factors described above is in the best interests of the Client. The Firm will also determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to the affected Clients and, except in the case of Clients that are subject to ERISA, give the Clients the opportunity to vote their proxies themselves.
Oversight of Third-Party Proxy Voting Firm
The Adviser will generally conduct a review of its proxy voting services firm on an annual basis. Such review shall address any established guidance from the SEC in conducting ongoing reviews of third-party proxy voting firms and typically includes an analysis of the firm’s processes to maintain accurate and complete information and address conflicts of interest and an overview any relevant business changes.
Disclosure
The Firm will disclose in its Form ADV Part 2 that Clients may contact the Compliance Officer, via mail or telephone, in order to obtain information on how the Firm voted such Client’s
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proxies, and to request a copy of these policies and procedures. If a Client requests this information, the Compliance Officer will prepare a written response to the Client that lists, with respect to each voted proxy about which the Client as inquired, (a) the name of the issuer; (b) the proposal voted upon, and (c) how the Firm voted the Client’s proxy.
A concise summary of this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedure is included in the Firm’s Form ADV Part 2, and is updated whenever these policies and procedures are updated.
Recordkeeping
The Compliance Officer will maintain files relating to the Firm’s proxy voting procedures in an easily accessible place. Records are maintained and preserved for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on a record, with records for the first two years kept in the offices of the Firm. Records of the following are included in the files:
• Copies of this proxy voting policy and procedures, and any amendments thereto.
• A copy of each proxy statement that the Firm receives, provided however that the Firm may rely on obtaining a copy of proxy statements from the SEC’s EDGAR system for those proxy statements that are so available. The Firm may choose instead to have a third party retain a copy of proxy statements (provided that the third party undertakes to provide a copy of the proxy statements promptly upon request).
• A record of each vote that the Firm casts. The Firm may also rely on a third party to retain a copy of the votes cast (provided that the third party undertakes to provide a copy of the record promptly upon request).
• A copy of any document the Firm created that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies, or that memorializes that decision.
• A copy of each written Client request for information on how the Firm voted such Client’s proxies, and a copy of any written response to any (written or oral) Client request for information on how the Firm voted its proxies.
• Annual reviews of proxy voting policies and procedures, including reviews of third-party proxy advisory firms.
Class Action Claims
The Firm generally does not participate in class actions but will evaluate relevant class action claims on a case-by-case basis.
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| PART C. | OTHER INFORMATION |
| Item 28. | Exhibits |
| (p)(16) |
|
|
|
|
| (p)(18) |
Code of Ethics of Westwood Management Corporation will be filed by post-effective amendment.
|
| (q)(1)(A)(ii) | Powers of Attorney for David M. Deptula, Janine L. Cohen, David R. Carson, Jacqueline A. Williams, Clifford Schireson, and Robert E. Morrison dated July 25, 2021 are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (16) to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-180308), filed on August 10, 2021. |
| Item 29. | Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant |
No person is directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.
| Item 30. | Indemnification |
Article VI of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of officers and Trustees as follows:
“Section 6.4 Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, etc.
Subject to and except as otherwise provided in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the 1940 Act, the Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers, including persons who serve at the Trust’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”) against all liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants’ and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered 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 Covered Person’s office.
Section 6.5 Advances of Expenses. The Trust shall advance attorneys’ fees or other expenses incurred by a Covered Person in defending a proceeding to the full extent permitted by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the 1940 Act, as amended, and Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1707, as amended. In the event any of these Federal laws conflict with Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.13I, as amended, these Federal laws, and not Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.13I, shall govern.
Section 6.6 Indemnification Not Exclusive, etc. The right of indemnification provided by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article VI, “Covered Person” shall include such person’s heirs, executors and administrators. Nothing contained in this article shall affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of any such person.”
The Investment Advisory Agreements with Lyrical Asset Management LP, Wavelength Capital Management, LLC, Edge Capital Group, LLC, Marshfield Associates, Inc., Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc., Kempner Capital Management, Inc., Edgemoor Investment Advisors, Inc., Adler Asset Management, LLC, Karner Blue Capital, LLC, Q3 Asset Management Corporation, Blueprint Fund Management LLC, Evolutionary Tree Capital Management LLC, and Left Brain Wealth Management, LLC (the “Advisers”) and the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement with Blueprint Investment Partners LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) provide that the Advisers and Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust or the Funds in connection with the performance of their duties, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act) or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Advisers in the performance of their duties, or from reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder.
The Distribution Agreement with Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) provides that the Distributor, its directors, officers, employees, shareholders and control persons shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense (including the reasonable costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with the matters to which the Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from the failure of Distributor or any such other person to comply with applicable law or the terms of the Agreement, or from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence, including clerical errors and mechanical failures, on the part of any of such persons in the performance of Distributor’s duties or from the reckless disregard by any of such persons of Distributor’s obligations and duties under the Agreement.
The Distribution Agreement with the Distributor further also provides that the Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each person who has been, is, or may hereafter be a Trustee, officer, employee, shareholder or control person of the Trust against any loss, damage or expense (including the reasonable costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with any claim or in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which any of them may be a party, which arises out of or is alleged to arise out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact necessary to make the statements not misleading, on the part of Distributor or any agent or employee of Distributor or any other person for whose acts Distributor is responsible, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon written information furnished by the Trust; (ii) Distributor’s failure to exercise reasonable care and diligence with respect to its services, if any, rendered in connection with investment, reinvestment, automatic withdrawal and other plans for Shares; and (iii) Distributor’s failure to comply with applicable laws and the Rules of FINRA.
The Registrant intends to maintain a standard mutual fund and investment advisory professional and directors and officers liability policy. The policy shall provide coverage to the Registrant, its Trustees and officers and the Adviser. Coverage under the policy will include losses by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.
| Item 31. | Business and Other Connections of the Investment Advisers |
With respect to information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of the officers and directors of each adviser and sub-adviser, reference is hereby made to the current Form ADVs of each adviser and sub-adviser filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, incorporated herein by reference and the CRD and file numbers of which are as follows:
| Item 32. | Principal Underwriters |
| (a) | The Distributor also acts as the principal underwriter for the following other open-end investment companies: |
| (b) |
| Name | Position with Distributor | Position with Registrant |
| Kevin M. Guerette | President | None |
| Stephen L. Preston | Chief Compliance Officer | None |
| Douglas K. Jones | Vice President | None |
| Melvin Van Cleave | Vice President | None |
The address of the Distributor and each of the above-named persons is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.
| (c) | Not applicable. |
| Item 33. | Location of Accounts and Records |
Accounts, books, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder will be maintained by the Registrant at the principal executive offices of its administrator or investment advisers:
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Adler Asset Management, LLC
600 Third Avenue, Suite 226
New York, New York 10016
Blueprint Fund Management LLC
1250 Revolution Mill Drive, Suite 150
Greensboro, NC 27405Edge
Blueprint Investment Partners
1250 Revolution Mill Dr., Suite 150
Greensboro, NC 27405
Edge Capital Group, LLC
1380 West Paces Ferry Rd., Suite 1000
Atlanta, Georgia 30327
Edgemoor Investment Advisors, Inc.
7250 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 315
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Evolutionary Tree Capital Management LLC
1199 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 801
Alexandria, VA 22314
Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc.
117 Grand Street, Suite 201
Goshen, New York 10924
Karner Blue Capital, LLC
7315 Wisconsin Avenue, #400
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Kempner Capital Management, Inc.
2201 Market Street
Galveston, Texas 77550
Left Brain Wealth Management
215 Shuman Blvd., #304
Naperville, IL 60563
Lyrical Asset Management LP
250 West 55th Street, 37th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Marshfield Associates, Inc.
21 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 500
Washington, District of Columbia 20036
Q3 Asset Management Corporation
2175 Cole Street
Birmingham, MI 48009
Wavelength Capital Management, LLC
545 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Westwood Management Corp
200 Crescent Court, Suite 1200
Dallas, Texas 75201
Certain records, including records relating to the possession of Registrant’s securities, may be maintained at the offices of Registrant’s custodians:
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
50 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02110
Fifth Third Bank, National Association
Fountain Square Plaza
Cincinnati, Ohio 45263
MUFG Union Bank, N.A.
350 California Street, Suite 2018
San Francisco, California 94104
Pershing, LLC
One Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, New Jersey 07399
U.S. Bank, N.A.
425 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
| Item 34. | Management Services Not Discussed in Parts A or B |
Not applicable
| Item 35. | Undertakings |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended, the Registrant certifies that the Fund has caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act, to be signed below on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 2, 2021.
| ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST | ||||
| By: | /s/ Todd E. Heim | |||
| Todd E. Heim | ||||
| President | ||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
EXHIBITS
| (d)(1)(ii) | Amended Schedule A, to the Investment Advisory Agreement with Lyrical Asset Management, LP |
| (g)(2)(D) |
Custody Agreement with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. |
| (h)(3)(B)(ii) | Amended Schedule A to the Third Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement with Lyrical Asset Management LP |
| (i) | Opinion and Consent of Counsel |
| (p)(2) | Code of Ethics of Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
DATED AUGUST 31, 2021
TO THE
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST
AND
Lyrical Asset Management, L.P.
|
Name of Fund |
Fee* | |
| Lyrical U.S. Value Equity Fund | 0.85% | |
| Lyrical International Value Equity Fund | 0.85% | |
| U.S. Value ETF | 0.45% |
* As a percent of average daily net assets. Note, however, that the Adviser shall have the right, but not the obligation, to voluntarily waive any portion of the advisory fee from time to time.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Schedule A as of the date first above written.
| ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST | LYRICAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LP |
|
By: /s/ Todd E. Heim |
By: /s/ Jeffrey Moses |
| Name: Todd E. Heim | Name: Jeffrey Moses |
| Title: President | Title: Chief Operating Office |
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of August 10, 2021, between ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST (the Fund, executing this Agreement on behalf of and for the benefit of those separate series set forth on Schedule I, each a Portfolio and collectively the Portfolios), an open-end management investment company organized as an unincorporated business trust under the laws of the State of Ohio and registered with the Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act), and BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO., a limited partnership formed under the laws of the State of New York (BBH&Co. or, when referring to BBH&Co. in its capacity as custodian, the Custodian, and when referring to BBH&Co. in its capacity as transfer agent, TA). For purposes of this Agreement, reference hereafter to the “Fund” shall mean the Fund on behalf of/and/or the respective Portfolio(s), as the context requires and the terms of this Agreement shall apply separately and respectively to the Fund in respect of each Portfolio individually, as if this Agreement were a separate agreement between the Custodian and the Fund in respect to each such individual Portfolio.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to employ BBH&Co. to act as custodian and transfer agent for the Fund on behalf 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; and
WHEREAS, each Portfolio is an exchange-traded fund and will issue and redeem its shares only in aggregations of beneficial interests of the Portfolio generally in exchange for a basket of certain equity or fixed income securities and a specified cash payment, as more fully described in the Portfolio’s prospectus and statement of additional information;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Fund and BBH&Co. hereby agree, as follows:
| 1. | Appointment of Custodian and Transfer Agent; Series Trust. |
1.1 The Fund hereby appoints BBH&Co. as the Fund’s custodian for the Portfolios, and BBH&Co. hereby accepts such appointment. All Investments of a Portfolio delivered to the Custodian or its agents or Subcustodians shall be dealt with as provided in this Agreement. The duties of the Custodian with respect to the Portfolio’s Investments shall be only as set forth expressly in this Agreement, including any attachments or schedules thereto, which duties are generally comprised of safekeeping and various administrative duties that will be performed in accordance with Instructions (as defined below) and as reasonably required to effect Instructions. The terms of this Agreement shall apply separately and respectively to each Portfolio for which a separate account is maintained on the books of the Custodian. The Parties agree that Sections 2.1-9 and 11- 17 and Schedules I, II and III of the Agreement contain the provisions related to BBH&Co.’s performance as Custodian.
1.2 The Fund hereby engages BBH&Co. as its transfer agent to perform the obligations set forth in this Agreement, and BBH&Co. accepts such engagement. The Parties agree that Sections 2.1, 3 and 10-17 and Schedule I (List of Portfolios) and Schedule IV (Transfer Agency Services Schedule) of the Agreement attached hereto contain the provisions related to BBH&Co.’s performance as TA.
1.3 The Fund has been organized as a series trust. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to contrary effect, the assets, liabilities, and obligations of each Portfolio set forth on Schedule I are separate and distinct from the assets, liabilities, and obligations of each other Portfolio. All Securities and cash of a Portfolio shall remain the property of that Portfolio and no other Portfolio. No Portfolio shall be liable for or charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Portfolio. If a matter relates only to a particular Portfolio, that Portfolio shall be solely responsible for all liabilities in connection with such matter and BBH&Co., whether as the Custodian or TA hereunder, agrees to look to the assets of such Portfolio, and not the assets of any other Portfolio, for the payment or performance thereof.
2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Fund. The Fund hereby represents, warrants and covenants each of the following:
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With respect to BBH&Co’s appointment as Custodian and TA:
2.1 This Agreement has been, and at the time of delivery of each Instruction, such Instruction will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund. Neither this Agreement, nor any Instruction issued hereunder violates any Applicable Law or conflicts with or constitutes a default under the applicable Portfolio’s prospectus, the Fund’s organizational documents or any agreement, judgment, order or decree to which the Fund is a party or by which the Fund or its Investments is bound.
With respect to BBH&Co’s appointment as Custodian:
2.2 By providing an Instruction with respect to the first acquisition of an Investment in a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, shall be deemed to have confirmed to the Custodian that the Fund has (a) assessed and accepted all material Country, Sanctions or Sovereign Risks and accepted responsibility for their occurrence, (b) made all determinations required to be made by the Fund under the 1940 Act, except those delegated to the Custodian in the Delegation Schedule and (c) appropriately and adequately disclosed to the respective Portfolio’s shareholders and other investors, all material investment risks, including those relating to the custody and settlement infrastructure or the servicing of securities in such jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 (except to the extent that any failure by the Fund to safe keep such devices or statements is caused or contributed to by the Custodian or by the design, or intended use or manufacture of the device or statement). 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 the Portfolio shall at all times be principally liable for the repayment of any Advance made by the Custodian under this Agreement to or on behalf of or for the benefit of said Portfolio.
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 it has accepted and agreed to comply with all Applicable Law, terms and conditions to which it and/or its Investment may be bound, including without limitation, requirements imposed by the Investment prospectus or offering circular, subscription agreement, any application or other documentation relating to an Investment (e.g., compliance with suitability requirements and eligibility restrictions and requirements that all such documentation relating to the investment has been received, read and understood by the Fund (for itself and its Portfolio)); (iii) acknowledges and agrees that BBH&Co. will not be responsible for the accuracy of any information provided to it by or on behalf of the Fund, or for any underlying commitment or obligation inherent to an Investment;
(iv) 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 schemes (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 schemes; (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,
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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 and its beneficial owners upon request of the transfer agent or other agent of an issuer of an Investment to satisfy regulatory obligations or policies related thereto; (x) represents and warrants that to the extent the Fund provides BBH&Co. with any personal data or personally identifiable information in connection with an Investment, the Fund will have obtained the consent of the applicable individuals to provide such data and information to BBH&Co. and the fund and to the use of such data and information as described in the applicable account opening, subscription and related fund documentation; (xi) acknowledges that BBH&Co. shall have no obligation to fund any order placed by the Fund for which the Fund does not have sufficient cash on deposit with BBH&Co.; and (xii) agrees that BBH&Co. shall be held harmless hereunder for the acts, omissions or any unlawful activity of any agent of the Fund (other than BBH&Co. as TA), or any transfer agent or other agent of an Investment in which the Fund may invest.
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 holdings, customers and service providers engaged by the Fund, including but not limited to Authorized Participants and distributors, 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 instruct Custodian to invest in any asset, nor engage in or facilitate any transaction that would cause Custodian to violate any Sanctions Regime, including any transaction or dealing involving: (i) any country with which transactions or dealings by any person are prohibited under a Sanctions Regime; (ii) any person or entity subject to any Sanctions Regime; or
(iii) any assets owned or controlled by a person or entity that is subject to any Sanctions Regime (collectively, “Sanctioned Property”). The Fund further represents and warrants that it has confirmed that relevant service providers engaged by the Fund, including but not limited to Authorized Participants and distributors, have implemented equivalent controls as stated above. The Fund further represents and warrants that it will promptly notify the Custodian in writing if either it or any of the above relevant service providers becomes subject to a Sanctions Regime or if any of the assets custodied by BBH subsequently becomes 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 regulations promulgated thereunder; the 4th European Union Anti-Money Laundering Directive or Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”) standards against money laundering and terrorist financing, (collectively, “applicable AML laws”). The Fund represents and warrants that its AML Program includes proper due diligence on relevant service providers, including but not limited to Authorized Participants and distributors, and confirmation that such service providers have implemented their own policies and procedures designed to comply with applicable AML Laws. The Fund further represents and warrants that it creates and maintains all records and documentation required by applicable AML laws, including identification and verification records of the Fund’s customers.
| 2.7.1 | The Fund acknowledges that the Custodian is obligated under applicable US AML Laws |
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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, including but not limited to, verification regarding the AML and Sanctions Regime controls implemented by the above relevant service providers.
2.7.3 The Fund further represents and warrants that it will not knowingly 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 neither it nor any Portfolio is a “Plan” (which term includes (1) employee benefit plans that are subject to the United States (“US”) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), or plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (2) plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (3) entities the underlying assets of which are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts and arrangements), or an entity purchasing shares on behalf of, or with the “plan assets” of, a Plan, and further undertakes to inform BBH&Co. and to keep the same updated as to the status under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, each as amended, of the Fund, including its Portfolios, 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. as Custodian and TA. BBH&Co. hereby represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by BBH&Co. and does not and will not violate any Applicable Law or conflict with or constitute a default under BBH&Co.'s limited partnership agreement or any agreement, instrument, judgment, order or decree to which BBH&Co. is a party or by which it is bound. BBH&Co. further represents and warrants that it is a bank having the qualifications prescribed in Section 26(a)(i) of the 1940 Act, it has adopted and maintains reasonable facilities and procedures reasonably designed to provide for continued services in the event of an emergency or disaster, and that it possesses in full force and effect all licenses, permits and other governmental authorizations necessary to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. .BBH&Co. covenants that it will perform the services set forth herein in all material respects in accordance with Applicable Law applicable to BBH&Co.
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, officers or other Authorized Person, which directive shall conform to the requirements of this Section 4.
4.1 Authorized Persons. For purposes hereof, an Authorized Person shall be a person or entity authorized by the Fund to give Instructions to the Custodian by written notices or otherwise for or on behalf of the Fund or Portfolio, as applicable, in accordance with procedures delivered to and acknowledged by the Custodian. The Custodian may treat any Authorized Person as having the full authority of the Fund to issue Instructions hereunder unless the notice of authorization contains explicit limitations as to said authority. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the authority of designated Authorized Persons to give Instructions with respect to the Fund or a Portfolio until it receives appropriate written notice from the Fund to the contrary.
4.2 Form of Instruction. Each Instruction shall be transmitted by such secured or authenticated electro- mechanical means as the Custodian shall make available to the Fund from time to time unless the Fund shall elect to transmit such Instruction in accordance with Subsections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3 of this Section.
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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.
4.3 Completeness and Contents of Instructions. The Authorized Person shall be responsible for assuring the adequacy and accuracy of Instructions. Particularly, upon any acquisition or disposition or other dealing in the Fund's Investments and upon any delivery and transfer of any Investment or moneys, the Authorized Person initiating the Instruction shall give the Custodian an Instruction with appropriate detail, including, without limitation:
| 4.3.1 | The transaction date and the date and location of settlement; |
| 4.3.2 | The specification of the type of transaction; |
4.3.3 A description of the Investments or moneys in question, including, as appropriate, quantity, price per unit, amount of money to be received or delivered and currency information. Where an Instruction is communicated by electronic means, or otherwise where an Instruction contains an identifying number such as a CUSIP, SEDOL or ISIN number, the Custodian shall be entitled to rely on such number as controlling notwithstanding any inconsistency contained in the Instruction, particularly with respect to Investment description; and
| 4.3.4 | The name of the broker or similar entity concerned with execution of the transaction. |
If the Custodian determines that an Instruction is either unclear or incomplete, the Custodian may give prompt notice of such determination to the Fund and the Fund shall thereupon amend or otherwise reform the Instruction. In such event, the Custodian shall have no obligation to take any action in response to the Instruction initially delivered until the redelivery of an amended or reformed Instruction.
4.4 Timeliness of Instructions. In giving an Instruction, the Fund shall take into consideration known delays which may occur due to the involvement of a Subcustodian or agent, differences in time zones, and other
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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 (which may be via electronic means including access to the BBH Portal), or when an Instruction is received by the Custodian at such a time that it could not reasonably be expected to have acted on such instruction due to time zone differences or other factors beyond its reasonable control, the execution of any Instruction received by the Custodian after such deadline or at such time (including any modification or revocation of a previous Instruction) shall be at the risk of the Fund.
5. Safekeeping of Fund Assets. The Custodian shall hold Investments delivered to it or Subcustodians for the Fund in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The Custodian shall not be responsible for (a) the safekeeping of Investments not delivered or that are not caused to be issued to it or its Subcustodians; or, (b) pre-existing faults or defects in Investments that are delivered to the Custodian or its Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby authorized to hold with itself or a Subcustodian, and to record in one or more accounts, all Investments delivered to and accepted by the Custodian, any Subcustodian or their respective agents pursuant to an Instruction or in consequence of any corporate action or income event. The Custodian shall hold Investments for the account of the Fund and shall segregate Investments from assets belonging to the Custodian and shall cause its Subcustodians to segregate Investments from assets belonging to the Subcustodian in an account held for the Fund or in an account maintained by the Subcustodian generally for non-proprietary assets of the Custodian.
5.1 Use of Securities Depositories. The Custodian may deposit and maintain Investments in any Securities Depository, either directly or through one or more Subcustodians appointed by the Custodian. Investments held in a Securities Depository shall be held (a) subject to the agreement, rules, statement of terms and conditions or other document or conditions effective between the Securities Depository and the Custodian or the Subcustodian, as the case may be, and (b) in an account for the Fund or in bulk segregation in an account maintained for the non-proprietary assets of the entity holding such Investments in the Depository. If market practice or the rules and regulations of the Securities Depository prevent the Custodian, the Subcustodian or (any agent of either) from holding its client assets in such a separate account, the Custodian, the Subcustodian or other agent shall as appropriate segregate such Investments for benefit of the Fund or for benefit of clients of the Custodian generally on its own books.
5.2 Certificated Assets. Investments which are certificated may be held in registered or bearer form: (a) in the Custodian's vault; (b) in the vault of a Subcustodian or agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian; or (c) in an account maintained by the Custodian, Subcustodian or agent at a Securities Depository; all in accordance with customary market practice in the jurisdiction in which any Investments are held.
5.3 Registered Assets. Investments which are registered may be registered in the name of the Custodian, a Subcustodian, or in the name of the Fund, a Portfolio or a nominee for any of the foregoing, and may be held in any manner set forth in Section 5.2 above.
5.4 Book Entry Assets. Investments which are represented by book-entry may be so held in an account maintained by the Book-Entry Agent on behalf of the Custodian, a Subcustodian or another Agent of the Custodian, or a Securities Depository.
5.5 Replacement of Lost Investments. In the event of a loss of Investments for which loss the Custodian is responsible under the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall replace such Investment, or in the event that such replacement cannot be effected, the Custodian shall pay to the 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
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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 the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, and a futures commission merchant regarding margin (Tri-Party Agreement), the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the purchase or sale by the Fund of exchange-traded futures contracts and commodity options, (b) when required by such Tri-Party Agreement, deposit and maintain in an account opened pursuant to such Agreement (Margin Account), segregated either physically or by book- entry in a Securities Depository for the benefit of any futures commission merchant, such Investments as the Fund 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, provided such acts or omissions were not a direct result of the Custodian’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
6.5 Contractual Obligations and Similar Investments. From time to time, the Fund's Investments may include Investments that are not ownership interests as may be represented by certificate (whether registered or bearer), by entry in a Securities Depository or by Book-Entry Agent, registrar or similar agent for recording ownership interests in the relevant Investment. If the Fund shall at any time acquire such Investments, including without limitation deposit obligations, loan participations, repurchase agreements and derivative arrangements, the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the arrangement; and (b) perform on the Fund's account in accordance with the terms of the applicable arrangement, but only to the extent directed to do so by Instruction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility for agreements running to the Fund as to which it is not a party other than to retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, documents or copies of documents evidencing the arrangement and, in accordance with Instruction, to include such arrangements in reports made to the Fund.
6.6 Exchange of Securities. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian shall: (a) exchange securities held for the account of the Fund for other securities in connection with any reorganization, recapitalization, conversion, stock split, change of par value of shares or similar event, and (b) deposit any such securities in accordance with the terms of any reorganization or protective plan.
6.7 Surrender of Securities. Unless otherwise directed by Instruction, the Custodian may surrender securities: (a) in temporary form for definitive securities; (b) for transfer into the name of an entity allowable under Section 5.3; and (c) for a different number of certificates or instruments representing in the aggregate the same number of shares or the same principal amount of indebtedness.
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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 (each as defined below); provided, however, that the Custodian shall not be responsible for: (a) the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to Investments that are in default or (b) the collection of cash or share entitlements with respect to Investments that are not registered in the name of the Custodian or its Subcustodians. The Custodian is hereby authorized to endorse and deliver any instrument required to be so endorsed and delivered to effect collection of any amount due and payable to the Fund with respect to Investments.
6.11 Corporate Action Information. In fulfilling the duties set forth in Sections 6.6 through 6.10 above, the Custodian shall provide to the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, such material information pertaining to a corporate action which the Custodian actually receives; provided that the Custodian shall not be responsible for the completeness or accuracy of such information. Information relative to any pending corporate action made available to the Fund via any of the services described in the BBH Online Terms and Conditions shall constitute the delivery of such information by the Custodian. Any advance credit of cash or shares expected to be received as a result of any corporate action shall be subject to actual collection and may be reversed by the Custodian.
6.12 Proxy Materials. The Custodian shall promptly deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, 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.
With respect to securities issued in the United States of America, the Custodian [ ] may [ X ] 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 counsel 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.
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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 at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other 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 as it may from time to time direct, including in connection with use of any Securities System. The Custodian shall exercise reasonable care in the selection and monitoring of such Agents and Subcustodians. The appointment of an Agent or Subcustodian shall not relieve the Custodian of its obligations under this Agreement and the Custodian will be liable for the acts or omissions of its Agents to the extent that the Custodian would itself be liable for such acts or omissions under this Agreement had it performed or not performed the relevant act or omission itself.
6.18 Registration Document Completion Service. The Fund may appoint the Custodian to further provide registration document completion services for account openings, name changes, conversions, mergers, market-specific licensing renewals, account closings and other events, and for such markets, as may be agreed between each Fund and the Custodian from time to time (the “Registration Services”). The Fund shall pay Custodian such fees as may be agreed between the parties from time to time with respect to the Registration Services in accordance with Section 14 hereof. The Fund further acknowledges and agrees that: (i) as part of the Registration Services, the Custodian will complete registration documentation for the agreed markets on behalf of the Fund and then forward such documentation to the Fund or an Authorized Person for final review and signature on behalf of the Fund; (ii) by the Fund or an Authorized Person signing and submitting the aforementioned documentation to the Custodian on behalf of the Fund (the "Submitted Documents"), the Fund shall be deemed to have confirmed to the Custodian that the Fund has reviewed the Submitted Documents and has determined that all of the information contained therein is accurate and complete; (iii) the submission of the Submitted Documents to the Custodian, shall be deemed an Instruction under Section 4 hereof to open one or more accounts in the referenced market (in accordance with the information provided in the Submitted Documents) and to provide the Submitted Documents and/or the information contained therein to the Subcustodian in the referenced market (and where applicable, for further submission to the relevant Securities Depository, exchanges, regulatory and tax authorities, tax agents and/or brokers in the referenced market).
6.19 Cooperation. The Custodian shall provide reasonable cooperation, as the Fund may from time to time reasonably request, to provide the Fund or its identified designee(s) with information in the Custodian’s possession necessary to assist the Fund or said designees to keep the books of account of the Fund and/or compute the value of the assets of the Fund. The Custodian shall provide reasonable cooperation, as the Fund may from time to time reasonably request, to provide the Fund or its independent accountants with information in the Custodian’s possession necessary to assist the Fund in its preparation of the Fund’s Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the Commission. .
7. Cash Accounts, Deposits and Money Movements. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7, the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, 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 from time to time 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 its cash accounts.
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7.1 Types of Cash Accounts. Cash accounts opened on the books of the Custodian (Principal Accounts) shall be opened in the name of the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolios. Such accounts collectively shall be a deposit obligation of the Custodian and shall be subject to the terms of this Section 7 and the general liability provisions contained in Section 9. Cash accounts opened on the books of a Subcustodian may be opened in the name of the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolios, or in the name of the Custodian for the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolios, 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 respective Portfolio 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, to the extent not caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian, 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. The Custodian shall, however, at the Fund’s reasonable request and expense, extend reasonable cooperation to the Fund in connection with the Fund’s endeavors to obtain repayment of the deposit. Such cooperation to include without limitation, making or requesting that the applicable Subcustodian make, in the name and on behalf of the Fund or otherwise, any required filings or applications with the appropriate authorities or central bank in the affected jurisdiction, provided however, that such cooperation shall not require the Custodian or any Subcustodian to incur any expense or liability unless the Custodian (or Subcustodian, if applicable) is furnished by the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, with specific indemnification, reasonably satisfactory to the Custodian or Subcustodian, against such expense or liability. All currency transactions in any account opened pursuant to this Agreement are subject to exchange control regulations of the United States and of the country where such currency is the lawful currency or where the account is maintained. Any taxes, costs, charges or fees imposed on the convertibility of a currency held by the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, shall be for the account of the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
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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, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, 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 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
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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 neither the Fund nor any Portfolio shall have any right, title or interest in or to any Investments purchased with such Advance or proceeds of such Investments, and that any credit of Investments to an account of Fund shall be provisional, until: (a) the debit of the Principal or Agency Account by Custodian for an amount equal to Advance Costs; and/or (b) if such debit produces an overdraft in such account, reimbursement to the Custodian or Subcustodian for the amount of such overdraft;
7.6.2 acknowledge that the Custodian has an automatically perfected statutory security interest in Investments purchased with any such Advance pursuant to Section 9-206 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York from time to time;
In addition, in order to secure the obligations of the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, to pay or perform any and all obligations of the Portfolio, or Fund on behalf of the Portoflio, pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation to repay any Advance made pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolios, 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 or Portfolio, to pay an amount equal to such Advance Costs irrevocably to such Subcustodian or other person, and to dispose of any property in such Account to the extent necessary to make such payment. Any Investments credited to accounts subject to this Agreement created pursuant hereto shall be treated as financial assets credited to securities accounts under Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York from time to time. Accordingly, the Custodian and any Subcustodian shall have the rights and benefits of a secured creditor that is a securities intermediary under such Articles 8 and 9.
7.8 Integrated Account. For purposes hereof, deposits maintained in all Principal Accounts (whether or not denominated in Dollars) shall collectively constitute a single and indivisible current account with respect to the Fund's obligations to the Custodian or its assignee, and balances in the Principal Accounts shall be available for satisfaction of the Fund's obligations under this Section 7. The Custodian shall further have a right of offset against the balances in any Agency Account maintained hereunder to the extent that the aggregate of all Principal Accounts is overdrawn.
8. Subcustodians and Securities Depositories. Subject to the provisions hereinafter set forth in this Section 8, the Fund hereby authorizes the Custodian to utilize Securities Depositories to act on behalf of 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
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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. The Custodian shall hold Investments of a Portfolio in such depositories in a manner consistent with the provisions of the rule governing the manner in which a custodian may maintain securities in such a depository.
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 with such depository, but subject to the provisions of Section 8.5 below, the Custodian shall have prepared and provided to the Fund (which may be via electronic means including access to the BBH Portal) 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 Delegation Schedule to this Agreement.
8.4 Board Approval of Foreign Subcustodians. Unless and except to the extent that the Board of Trustees has delegated to the Custodian and the Custodian has accepted delegation of review of certain matters concerning the appointment of Subcustodians pursuant to Subsection 8.3, the Custodian shall, prior to the appointment of any Subcustodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Fund 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 the Fund with a non-U.S. Securities Depository, the Custodian: (a) shall provide to the Fund or its authorized representative a written assessment (which may be via electronic means including access to the BBH Portal) 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
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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. 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.
8.7 New Countries. The Fund shall be responsible for informing the Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment which is to be held in a country in which no Subcustodian is authorized to act in order that the Custodian shall, if it deems appropriate to do so, have sufficient time to establish a subcustodial arrangement in accordance herewith. In the event the Custodian is unable to establish such arrangements prior to the time the investment is to be acquired, the Custodian is authorized to designate at its discretion a local safekeeping agent, and the use of the local safekeeping agent shall be at the sole risk of the Fund, and accordingly the Custodian shall be responsible to the Fund for the actions of such agent if and only to the extent the Custodian shall have recovered from such agent for any damages caused the Fund by such agent.
9. Responsibility of the Custodian. In performing its duties and obligations hereunder, the Custodian shall use reasonable care under the facts and circumstances prevailing in the market where performance is effected, 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 to the Fund for any direct damage incurred by the Fund in consequence of the Custodian's (or its employees’, officers, or other Agents’) negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. In no event shall the Custodian be liable hereunder for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages arising out of, pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement even if 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, on behalf of its Portfolios, as principal shall bear any risks attendant to particular Investments such as failure of counterparty or issuer.
9.1 Limitations of Performance. The Custodian shall not be responsible under this Agreement for any failure to perform its duties, and shall not be liable hereunder for any loss or damage in association with such failure to perform for or in consequence of the following causes:
9.1.1 Force Majeure. Force Majeure shall mean (a) any circumstance or event which is beyond the reasonable control of the Fund, the Custodian, a Subcustodian or any agent of the Custodian or a Subcustodian and which adversely affects the performance by the Fund, or the Custodian of its obligations hereunder, by the Subcustodian of its obligations under its subcustody agreement or by any other Agent of the Custodian or the Subcustodian, regardless of whether such circumstance or event is foreseeable or is of a nature or type described elsewhere in this Section 9.1.1, and (b) any circumstance or event arising out of or involving (i) an act of God, (ii) accident, earthquake, fire, water or wind damage or explosion, (iii) any computer, system or other equipment failure or malfunction caused by any computer virus or the malfunction or failure of any communications medium beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian, (iv) any interruption of the power supply or other utility service, (v) any strike or other work stoppage, whether partial or total, (vi) any epidemic, pandemic, public health emergency or outbreak (including but not limited to COVID-19), or any corporate or governmental order or requirement relating thereto; (vii) any delay or disruption resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country, AML and Sanctions or Sovereign Risk,
(viii) any disruption of, or suspension of trading in, the securities, commodities or foreign exchange
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markets, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country, AML and Sanctions or Sovereign Risk, or (ix) any encumbrance on the transferability of a currency or a currency position on the actual settlement date of a foreign exchange transaction, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country, AML and Sanctions or Sovereign Risk, or (x) any other cause similarly beyond the reasonable control of the party.
| 9.1.2 | Country Risk. Country Risk shall mean, with respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of Investments in a jurisdiction, all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of, systemic and markets factors affecting the acquisition, payment for or ownership of Investments including (a) the prevalence of crime and corruption, (b) the inaccuracy or unreliability of business and financial information, (c) the instability or volatility of banking and financial systems, or the absence or inadequacy of an infrastructure to support such systems, (d) custody and settlement infrastructure of the market in which such Investments are transacted and held, (e) the acts, omissions and operation of any Securities Depository, (f) the risk of the bankruptcy or insolvency of banking agents, counterparties to cash and securities transactions, registrars or transfer agents, and (g) the existence of market conditions which prevent the orderly execution or settlement of transactions or which affect the value of assets. |
| 9.1.3 | Sovereign Risk. Sovereign Risk shall mean, in respect of any jurisdiction, including the United States of America, where Investments are acquired or held hereunder or under a subcustody agreement, (a) any act of war, terrorism, riot, insurrection or civil commotion, (b) the imposition of any investment, repatriation or exchange control restrictions by any Governmental Authority, (c) the confiscation, expropriation or nationalization of any Investments 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.
9.1.4 AML and Sanctions Risk. AML and Sanctions Risk shall mean, with respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of Investments, all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of the Custodian complying with one or more Sanctions Regimes or applicable AML Laws, including, but not limited to, the risk that if Custodian reasonably believes it has come in contact with a sanctioned party, or has come into possession or control of any Sanctioned Property as a result of its performance of this Agreement, Custodian may be required by one or more Sanctions Regime to block (i.e. prevent further movement of) such Sanctioned Property and report any related activity to relevant government authorities. The Fund acknowledges that if multiple Sanctions Regimes apply (including OFAC), the Custodian will comply with the most restrictive of the applicable regimes. The Fund also acknowledges that the Custodian shall not be liable hereunder for any loss or damage caused by any delays or refusals to process a transaction that would result from the Custodian’s review of such transaction to assess compliance with applicable AML Laws and Sanctions Regimes.
9.2. Limitations on Liability. The Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, claim, damage or other liability arising from the following causes:
9.2.1 Failure of Third Parties. The failure of any third party (other than a Subcustodian or Agent, for which the Custodian is responsible in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement), including: (a) any issuer of Investments or Book-Entry Agent or other agent of an issuer; (b) any counterparty with respect to any Investment, including any issuer of exchange-traded or other futures, option, derivative or commodities contract; (c) failure of an Investment Advisor, third party foreign custody manager or other agent of the Fund; or (d) failure of other third parties similarly beyond the control or choice of the Custodian.
| 9.2.2 | Information Sources. The Custodian may rely upon information received from issuers of Investments or agents of such issuers, information received from Subcustodians and from other commercially reasonable sources such as commercial data bases and the like, but shall not be |
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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. Action by the Custodian or the Subcustodian in accordance with an Instruction, even when such action conflicts with, or is contrary to any provision of, the Fund's trust instrument, certificate of trust or by-laws or other constitutive documents, Applicable Law, or actions by the trustees, directors or shareholders of the Fund.
9.2.4 Restricted Securities. The limitations inherent in the rights, transferability or similar investment characteristics of a given Investment of the Fund.
10. Transfer Agency Services. Subject to the specific provisions of this Section, the TA shall not be liable to the Fund for any damage incurred by the Fund or a Portfolio unless such damages arise from the TA's (or its partners, employees’, officers’ or other agents’) negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. In no event shall the TA be liable hereunder for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages arising out of, pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement even if advised of the possibility of such damages. BBH&Co. will provide the transfer agency services described in Schedule IV hereto pursuant to the following terms and conditions:
| 10.1 | Limitations on Liability |
10.1.1 TA shall not be held accountable or liable to the Fund, or any third party if TA is unable to perform its responsibilities in accordance with this Agreement as a result of (i) any errors in the Services based upon or arising out of information received in a timely or untimely manner by TA either (a) from a source which TA was authorized to rely upon pursuant to a relevant Schedule hereto, or (b) from a source which in TA’s reasonable judgment was an appropriate source for such information, (ii) relevant information known to the Fund which would impact the Services but which is not communicated by the Fund or its agent to TA, or (iii) the suspension, discontinuance or termination of the transmission of information by information providers for any reason, provided TA shall have made reasonable commercial efforts to procure such transmission. The Fund hereby acknowledges and agrees that TA shall neither guarantee nor make any warranties whatsoever, with respect to the sources referenced above and to the accuracy or completeness of their information.
10.1.2 The Fund acknowledges and agrees that nothing herein is intended to diminish the responsibility of third parties, including without limitation, its clients, custodian banks, brokers, and pricing and administrative agents, under their respective contractual and/or business arrangements with the Fund.
10.1.3 TA shall incur no liability with respect to any telecommunications, equipment or power failures, or any failures to perform or delays in performance by postal or courier services or third- party information providers.
10.1.4 TA shall in no event be required to advance or expend its own funds in connection with the services provided hereunder, or take any action which is in contravention of any applicable law, rule or regulation or any order or judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction.
10.1.5 The Fund shall review the Services performed by TA under this Agreement promptly and periodically and shall notify TA of any known improper performance, discrepancy or error therein. Unless the Fund provides written notice of any such known discrepancy or error within a reasonable time after such Services are performed, the Services shall be deemed to have met the duties and standards set forth herein.
10.1.6 In no event shall the TA be liable for the acts or omission of the CNS Clearing Process, DTC, NSCC or any securities depository, clearing corporation, exchange or communications service.
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10.1.7 Without limiting the generality of any of the foregoing provisions, in no event shall TA be liable for any taxes, penalties, fines, costs, charges or fees imposed on the Fund in connection with the Services hereunder unless such taxes, penalties, fines, costs, charges or fees arise from the TA's (or its partners, employees’, officers’ or other Agents’) negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct or unless otherwise agreed between the Parties.
10.1.8 In no event shall TA be responsible for providing investment management services or advice or legal advice under this Agreement, nor shall TA be liable for the investment management services and advice received or given by the Fund or the legal advice received by the Fund from its counsel or other legal counsel.
10.1.9 Without limiting the generality of any of the foregoing provisions, the TA shall have no liability for any damages arising out of (i) the failure of any Authorized Participant to perform its obligations under a Participant Agreement (“Participant Agreement” defined for this purpose as any Participant Agreement between the Distributor and an Authorized Participant acknowledged by the Administrator); (ii) activities or statements of sales or wholesaler personnel who are employed by any distributor (or its affiliates); or (iii) the failure of any Authorized Participant to deposit with the Custodian sufficient collateral, or to provide additional collateral upon request by the TA, in connection with the monitoring services provided for herein on Schedule IV; or (b) any errors in the computation of collateral requirements based upon or arising out of quotations or information received by the TA from the Fund’s accounting agent or any other source on which the TA reasonably relies.
10.1.10 Limitation of Liability. The execution and delivery of this Agreement has been authorized by the Fund’s Board of Trustees and signed by an authorized officer of the Fund, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, and the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders of the Fund, but bind only on the Fund or a Portfolio, as provided in the Fund’s Declaration of Trust. Further, no Portfolio will be liable or responsible for the acts, omissions, or obligations of another Portfolio and all persons dealing with any of the Portfolios of the Fund must look solely to the assets of the Fund belonging to such Portfolio for the enforcement of any claims against the Portfolio.
10.2 Instructions. TA shall not be liable for, and shall be indemnified by the Fund against any and all losses, costs, damages or expenses arising from or as a result of, any action taken or omitted in reliance upon Instructions (as hereinafter defined) or upon any other written notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or other instrument believed by it to be genuine and signed or authorized by the proper party or parties.
10.2.1 Instructions shall mean a written request, direction, instruction or certification signed or initialed on behalf of the Fund by one or more Authorized Persons. Authorized Persons may be identified by name, title or position. Telephonic and other oral instructions or instructions given by facsimile transmission may be given by any one of the Authorized Persons. Such instructions shall be considered Instructions if TA reasonably believes them to have been given by an Authorized Person. In no event shall Instructions be in the form of electronic mail.
10.2.2 Where Instructions are conveyed through facsimile transmissions, the Fund hereby acknowledges that (i) receipt of legible instructions cannot be assured, (ii) TA cannot verify that authorized signatures on facsimile Instructions are original, and (iii) TA shall not be responsible for losses or expenses incurred through actions taken in reliance on such Instructions. The Fund agrees that such facsimile Instructions shall be conclusive evidence of the Fund’s Instruction to TA to act or to omit to act.
10.2.3 Instructions given orally will be confirmed by written Instructions in the manner set forth above in Section 10.2.1, including by facsimile, but the lack of such confirmation shall in no way
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affect any action taken by TA in reliance upon such oral Instructions. The Fund authorizes TA to tape record any and all telephonic or other oral Instructions given to TA by or on behalf of the Fund (including any of its officers, directors, trustees, employees or agents or any investment manager or adviser or person or entity with similar responsibilities which is authorized to give Instructions on behalf of the Fund to TA). The Fund agrees to solicit valid written or other consent from any of its employees in respect to telephonic recordings to the extent such consent is required by applicable law.
| 10.3 | Representations of TA. |
| 10.3.1 | TA represents that it is a registered transfer agent under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
10.3.2 TA has established pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, and other U.S. laws and regulations applicable to it, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance programs, including but not limited to:
(1) the development of internal policies, procedures, and controls; (2) the designation of a compliance officer; (3) the implementation of ongoing employee training programs; and (4) the creation of an independent audit function to test such programs.
10.3.3 TA has a customer identification program (CIP) consistent with the rules under section 326 of the USA Patriot Act. TA. For the avoidance of doubt, DTC is exempt from CIP requirements.
10.3.4 TA: (i) has in place policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with the transfer agent rules of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; (ii) and will maintain appropriate records in accordance with said transfer agent rules.
11. Indemnification. The Fund hereby indemnifies BBH&Co. as TA and Custodian (and each Subcustodian), and their respective Agents, nominees and the partners, employees, officers and directors (each, an “Indemnitee”), and agrees to hold each of them harmless from and against all claims and liabilities, including reasonable counsel fees and taxes, incurred or assessed against any of them in connection with the performance of this Agreement and any Instruction, except to the extent any such claim or liability is caused by the Indemnitee’s willful misconduct, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its obligations or duties under this Agreement (or relevant Subcustodian Agreement, as applicable). 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.
Except with respect to the Fund’s indemnification obligation for third party claims under this Section 11, in no event shall the Fund 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 Fund has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
| 12. | Reports and Records. BBH&Co. shall: |
12.1 create and maintain records relating to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement (including such reports as the Fund may reasonably request as necessary for the Fund to satisfy its obligations pursuant to Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder);
12.2 make available and, upon the Fund’s reasonable request and expense, copy for and mail to the Fund, its auditors, agents and employees, upon reasonable request and during normal business hours of the Fund and BBH&Co., all records maintained by BBH&Co. pursuant to Section 12.1 above, subject, however, to all reasonable security requirements of BBH&Co. then applicable to the records of its customers generally; and
12.3 make available to the Fund all Electronic Reports; it being understood that BBH&Co. shall not be liable hereunder for the inaccuracy or incompleteness thereof or for errors in any information included therein.
12.4 The Fund shall examine all records, howsoever produced or transmitted, promptly upon receipt and notify BBH&Co. promptly of any discrepancy or error. Unless the Fund delivers written notice of any such discrepancy or error within a reasonable time after its receipt of the records, the records shall be deemed to
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be true and accurate.
12.5 The Fund acknowledges that the Custodian obtains information on the value of assets from outside sources which may be utilized in certain reports made available to the Fund. The Custodian deems such sources to be reliable but the Fund acknowledges and agrees that the Custodian does not verify such information nor make any representations or warrantees as to its accuracy or completeness and accordingly shall be without liability in selecting and using such sources and furnishing such information.
| 13. | Miscellaneous. |
13.1 Powers of Attorney, etc. The Fund will promptly execute and deliver, upon request, such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may reasonably be necessary or desirable for the Custodian to provide, or to cause any Subcustodian to provide, the services under this Agreement.
13.2 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto and supersedes any other oral or written agreements heretofore in effect between the Fund and BBH&Co. 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 BBH&Co. when it commences actions pursuant thereto or in accordance therewith. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of a service level agreement or other operating agreement in place between the parties from time to time, the terms of this Agreement shall control.
13.3 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of BBH&Co. and the Fund and their successors and assignees, provided that neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party. Each party agrees that only the parties to this Agreement and/or their successors in interest shall have a right to enforce the terms of this Agreement. Accordingly, no client of the Fund or other third party shall have any rights under this Agreement and such rights are explicitly disclaimed by the parties.
13.4 GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION AND VENUE. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK CITY 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.
13.5 Notices. Notices and other writings contemplated by this Agreement, other than Instructions, shall be delivered (a) by hand, (b) by first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (c) by a nationally recognized overnight courier, or (d) by facsimile transmission, provided that any notice or other writing sent by facsimile transmission shall also be mailed, postage prepaid, to the party to whom such notice is addressed. All such notices shall be addressed, as follows:
| If to the Fund: | Ultimus Managers Trust | |
| Attn: | Todd Heim | |
| 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450 | ||
| Cincinnati, OH 45246 | ||
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|
Telephone: 513-587-3427 |
||
| Facsimile NA | ||
| If to BBH&Co.: | 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, | ||
or such other address as the Fund or BBH&Co. may have designated in writing to the other. Notices given by BBH&Co. pursuant to Section 13.13 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 BBH&Co., as recorded by BBH&Co.’s systems.
13.6 Headings. Paragraph headings included herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not modify, define, expand or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.
13.7 Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.
13.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. This Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by the Fund and BBH&Co. A photocopy or telefax of the Agreement shall be acceptable evidence of the existence of the Agreement and BBH&Co. shall be protected in relying on the photocopy or telefax until BBH&Co. has received the original of the Agreement.
13.9 Confidentiality. The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering or obtaining services pursuant to this Agreement (and 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 BBH&Co. 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. BBH&Co. shall have in place and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards reasonably designed to protect the security, confidentiality and integrity of, and to prevent unauthorized access to or use of, confidential records and information of the Fund and its shareholders.
13.10 Tape-recording. The Fund on behalf of itself and its Portfolios authorizes BBH&Co. to tape record any and all telephonic or other oral instructions given to BBH&Co. by or on behalf of the Fund, including from any Authorized Person. This authorization will remain in effect until and unless revoked by the Fund in writing. The Fund further agrees to solicit valid written or other consent from any of its employees with respect to telephone communications to the extent such consent is required by applicable law.
13.11 Counsel/ Certified Public Accountant. In fulfilling its duties hereunder, BBH&Co. shall be entitled to receive and act upon the advice of (i) counsel and/or a certified public accountant regularly retained by BBH&Co. 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 BBH&Co. may reasonably agree upon, with respect to all matters, and provided that the Trust has been appropriately notified of such advice, BBH&Co.
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shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. If BBH&Co. engages counsel or a certified public accountant to receive advice in accordance with this Section 13.11, it shall be at the expense of BBH&Co., unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
13.12 Conflict. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent BBH&Co. 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 BBH&Co. 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 BBH&Co.. The Fund hereby voluntarily consents to, and waives any potential conflict of interest between BBH&Co. and/or its associates and the Fund, and agrees that:
(a) BBH&Co. and/or its associates’ engagement in any such transaction shall not disqualify the Custodian from continuing to perform as the custodian of the Fund, including its Portfolios, under this Agreement;
(b) BBH&Co. and/or its associates shall not be under any duty to disclose any information in connection with any such transaction to the Fund;
(c) BBH&Co. and/or its associates shall not be liable to account to the Fund, including its Portfolios, 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.
13.13 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.
| 14. | Definitions. The following defined terms will have the respective meanings set forth below. |
14.1 Advance(s) shall mean any extension of credit by or through the Custodian or by or through any Subcustodian and shall include, without limitation, amounts due to the Custodian as the principal counterparty to any foreign exchange transaction with the Fund as described in Section 7.4.2 hereof, or paid to third parties for account of the Fund or in discharge of any expense, tax or other item payable by the Fund.
14.2 Advance Costs shall mean any Advance, interest on the Advance and any related expenses, including without limitation any mark to market loss of the Custodian or Subcustodian on any Investment to which Section 7.6.1 applies.
14.3 Agency Account(s) shall mean any deposit account opened on the books of a Subcustodian or other banking institution in accordance with Section 7.1 hereof.
14.4 Agent(s) shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.17 hereof.
14.5 Applicable Law shall mean with respect to each jurisdiction, all (a) laws, statutes, treaties, regulations, guidelines (or their equivalents); (b) orders, interpretations, licenses and permits; and (c) judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs, orders and similar actions by a court of competent jurisdiction; compliance with which is required or customarily observed in such jurisdiction.
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14.6 Authorized Person(s) shall mean any person or entity authorized to give Instructions on behalf of the Fund in accordance with Section 4.1 or 10.2.1 hereof.
14.7 BBH Online Terms and Conditions shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.13 hereof
14.8 Book-Entry Agent(s) shall mean an entity acting as agent for the issuer of Investments for purposes of recording ownership or similar entitlement to Investments, including without limitation a transfer agent or registrar.
14.9 Clearing Corporation shall mean any entity or system established for purposes of providing securities settlement and movement and associated functions for a given market(s).
14.10 Delegation Schedule shall mean the separate schedule entered into between the Custodian and the Fund and attached hereto with respect to certain matters concerning the appointment and administration of Subcustodians delegated to the Custodian pursuant to Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act.
14.11 Electronic Reports shall mean any reports prepared by the Custodian and remitted to the Fund or its authorized representative via the internet or electronic mail.
14.12 EU shall mean the European Union and its member states.
14.13 Foreign Custody Manager shall mean the Fund’s foreign custody manager appointed pursuant to Rule 17f-5 of the 1940 Act.
14.14 Foreign Financial Regulatory Authority shall have the meaning given by Section 2(a)(50) of the 1940 Act.
14.15 Funds Transfer Services 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.
14.16 Global Custody Network Listing shall mean the Countries and Subcustodians approved for Investments in non-U.S. Markets.
14.17 Instruction(s) shall have the meaning assigned in Section 4 hereof.
14.18 Investment Advisor shall mean any person or entity who is an Authorized Person to give Instructions with respect to the investment and reinvestment of the Fund's Investments.
14.19 Investment(s) shall mean any investment asset of the Fund, including its Portfolios, including without limitation securities, bonds, notes, and debentures as well as receivables, derivatives, contractual rights or entitlements and other intangible assets, but shall not include any Principal Account.
14.20 Margin Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4 hereof.
14.21 OFAC shall mean the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
14.22 Portfolio(s) shall mean those series of the Fund listed on Schedule I and each operated as a separate fund.
14.23 Principal Account(s) shall mean deposit accounts of the Fund or a Portfolio carried on the books of BBH&Co. as principal in accordance with Section 7 hereof.
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14.24 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 EU, the UK, the United Nations or any other jurisdiction, which Custodian must comply with.
14.25 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.
14.26 Subcustodian(s) shall mean each foreign bank appointed by the Custodian pursuant to Section 8 hereof, but shall not include Securities Depositories.
14.27 Tri-Party Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4 hereof.
14.28 1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940.
15. Compensation. The Fund agrees to pay to BBH&Co. a fee in an amount set forth in the fee letter between the Fund and BBH&Co. as Custodian and between the Fund and BBH&Co. as TA (the “Fee Schedule”), in effect on the date hereof or as amended from time to time, and all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by BBH&Co. , for account or benefit of the Fund, including its Portfolios, based on said Fee Schedule. Amounts payable by the Fund under and pursuant to this section shall be payable by wire transfer to the Custodian at BBH&Co. in New York, New York.
16. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by either party in accordance with the provisions of this Section. The provisions of this Agreement and any other rights or obligations incurred or accrued by any party hereto prior to termination of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
16.1 Term, Notice and Effect. This Agreement shall have an initial term of 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 13.5 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 at least thirty (30) days written notice to the other party in the event that either party is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or there shall be commenced against such party a case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or other similar law now or hereafter in effect.
16.2 Notice and Succession. In the event a termination notice is given by a party hereto, all reasonable costs and expenses associated with any required systems, facilities, procedures, personnel, and other resourced modifications as well as the movement of records and materials and the conversion thereof shall be paid by the Fund for which services shall cease to be performed hereunder. Furthermore, to the extent that it appears impracticable given the circumstances to effect an orderly delivery of the necessary and appropriate records of BBH&Co. to a successor within the time specified in the notice of termination as aforesaid, BBH&Co. and the Fund agree that this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for such reasonable period as may be required to complete necessary arrangements with a successor.
16.3 Successor Custodian. In the event of the appointment of a successor custodian, it is agreed that the Investments of the Fund held by the Custodian or any Subcustodian shall be delivered to the successor custodian in accordance with reasonable Instructions. The Custodian agrees to cooperate with the Fund in the execution of documents and performance of other actions necessary or desirable in order to facilitate the succession of the new custodian. If no successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall in like manner transfer the Fund's Investments in accordance with Instructions.
16.4 Delayed Succession of Custodian. If no Instruction has been given as of the effective date of termination, Custodian may at any time on or after such termination date and upon thirty (30) consecutive calendar days written notice to the Fund either (a) deliver the Investments of the Fund, including its
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Portfolios, held hereunder to the Fund at the address designated for receipt of notices hereunder; or (b) deliver any investments held hereunder to a bank or trust company having a capitalization of $2,000,000 USD equivalent and operating under the Applicable Law of the jurisdiction where such Investments are located, such delivery to be at the risk of the Fund. In the event that Investments or moneys of the Fund remain in the custody of the Custodian or its Subcustodians after the date of termination owing to the failure of the Fund to issue Instructions with respect to their disposition or owing to the fact that such disposition could not be accomplished in accordance with such Instructions despite diligent efforts of the Custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to compensation for its services with respect to such Investments and moneys during such period as the Custodian or its Subcustodians retain possession of such items and the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until disposition in accordance with this Section is accomplished.
17. Compliance Policies and Procedures. To assist the Fund in complying with Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act, BBH&Co. represents that it has adopted written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws in fulfilling its obligations under the Agreement and that it has in place a compliance program to monitor its compliance with those policies and procedures. BBH&Co will upon reasonable request provide the Fund with information about its compliance program.
18. Limitation of the Fund. The Fund is a business trust organized under the laws of the State of Ohio and under a Declaration of Trust, to which reference is hereby made a copy of which is on file at the office of Secretary of State of Ohio as required by law, and to any and all amendments thereto so filed or hereafter filed. The obligations of the Fund entered into in the name of the Fund or any Portfolio or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, officers, employees or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers, employees, agents or shareholders of the Fund or the Portfolios personally, but bind only the assets of the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, and all persons dealing with any of the Portfolios of the Fund must look solely to the assets of the Fund belonging to such Portfolio for the enforcement of any claims against the Portfolio.
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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. | ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST | |
| By: /s/ Eruch A. Mody | By: /s/Todd E. Heim | |
| Name: Eruch A. Mody | Name: Todd E. Heim | |
| Title: Senior Vice President | Title: President | |
| Date: | Date: August 10, 2021 |
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SCHEDULE I: LIST OF PORTFOLIOS
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SCHEDULE II: 17f-5 DELEGATION SCHEDULE
By its execution of this Delegation Schedule dated as of August 10, 2021, between ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST for itself and on behalf of and for the benefit of those separate series set forth on Schedule I, a management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), acting through its Board of Directors/Trustees or its duly appointed representative (the Fund), hereby appoints BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO., a New York limited partnership with an office in Boston, Massachusetts (the Delegate) as its delegate to perform certain functions with respect to the custody of Fund's Assets outside the United States.
1. Maintenance of Fund's Assets Abroad. The Fund, acting through its Board or its duly authorized representative, hereby instructs the Delegate pursuant to the terms of the Custodian Agreement dated as of the date hereof executed by and between the Fund and the Delegate (the Custodian Agreement) to place and maintain the Fund's Assets in countries outside the United States in accordance with Instructions received from the Fund’s Investment Advisor. Such instruction shall constitute an Instruction under the terms of the Custodian Agreement. The Fund acknowledges that (a) the Delegate shall perform services hereunder only with respect to the countries where it accepts delegation as Foreign Custody Manager as indicated on the Delegate’s Global Custody Network Listing; (b) depending on conditions in the particular country, advance notice may be required before the Delegate shall be able to perform its duties hereunder in or with respect to such country (such advance notice to be reasonable in light of the specific facts and circumstances attendant to performance of duties in such country); and (c) nothing in this Delegation Schedule shall require the Delegate to provide delegated or custodial services in any country, and there may from time to time be countries as to which the Delegate determines it will not provide delegation services.
2. Delegation. Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 17f-5 under the 1940 Act as amended, the Board hereby delegates to the Delegate, and the Delegate hereby accepts such delegation and agrees to perform only those duties set forth in this Delegation Schedule concerning the safekeeping of the Fund's Assets in each of the countries as to which it acts as the Board’s delegate. The Delegate is hereby authorized to take such actions on behalf of or in the name of the Fund as are reasonably required to discharge its duties under this Delegation Schedule, including, without limitation, to cause the Fund's Assets to be placed with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian in accordance herewith. The Fund confirms to the Delegate that the Fund or its Investment Adviser has considered the Sovereign Risk and prevailing Country Risk as part of its continuing investment decision process, including such factors as may be reasonably related to the systemic risk of maintaining the Fund's Assets in a particular country, including, but not limited to, financial infrastructure, prevailing custody and settlement systems and practices (including the use of any Securities Depository in the context of information provided by the Custodian in the performance of its duties as required under Rule 17f-7 and the terms of the Custodian Agreement governing such duties), and the laws relating to the safekeeping and recovery of the Fund's Assets held in custody pursuant to the terms of the Custodian Agreement.
3. Selection of Eligible Foreign Custodian and Contract Administration. The Delegate shall perform the following duties with respect to the selection of Eligible Foreign Custodians and administration of certain contracts governing the Fund's foreign custodial arrangements:
(a) Selection of Eligible Foreign Custodian. The Delegate shall place and maintain the Fund's Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, provided that the Delegate shall have determined that the Fund's Assets will be subject to reasonable care based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market after considering factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets including without limitation:
(i) The Eligible Foreign Custodian's practices, procedures, and internal controls, including, but not limited to, the physical protections available for certificated securities (if applicable), the controls and procedures for dealing with any Securities Depository, the method of keeping custodial records, and the security and data protection practices;
(ii) Whether the Eligible Foreign Custodian has the requisite financial strength to provide reasonable care for the Fund's Assets;
(iii) The Eligible Foreign Custodian's general reputation and standing; and
(iv) Whether the Fund will have jurisdiction over and be able to enforce judgments against the Eligible Foreign Custodian, such as by virtue of the existence of any offices of such Eligible Foreign Custodian in the United States or such Eligible Foreign Custodian's appointment of an agent for
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service of process in the United States or consent to jurisdiction in the United States.
The Delegate shall be required to make the foregoing determination to the best of its knowledge and belief based only on information reasonably available to it.
(b) Contract Administration. The Delegate shall cause that the foreign custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall be governed by a written contract that the Delegate has determined will provide reasonable care for Fund assets based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market. Each such contract shall, except as set forth in the last paragraph of this subsection (b), include provisions that provide:
(i) For indemnification or insurance arrangements (or any combination of the foregoing) such that the Fund will be adequately protected against the risk of loss of assets held in accordance with such contract;
(ii) That the Fund's Assets will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of the Eligible Foreign Custodian or its creditors except a claim of payment for their safe custody or administration or, in the case of cash deposits, liens or rights in favor of creditors of such Custodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws;
(iii) That beneficial ownership of the Fund's Assets will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration;
(iv) That adequate records will be maintained identifying the Fund's Assets as belonging to the Fund or as being held by a third party for the benefit of the Fund;
(v) That the Fund's independent public accountants will be given access to those records described in (iv) above or confirmation of the contents of such records; and
(vi) That the Delegate will receive sufficient and timely periodic reports with respect to the safekeeping of the Fund's Assets, including, but not limited to, notification of any transfer to or from the Fund's account or a third party account containing the Fund's Assets.
Such contract may contain, in lieu of any or all of the provisions specified in this Section 3(b), such other provisions that the Delegate determines will provide, in their entirety, the same or a greater level of care and protection for the Fund's Assets as the specified provisions, in their entirety.
(c) Limitation to Delegated Selection. Notwithstanding anything in this Delegation Schedule to the contrary, the duties under this Section 3 shall apply only to Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Delegate and shall not apply to Securities Depositories or to any Eligible Foreign Custodian that the Delegate is directed to use pursuant to Section 7 of this Delegation Schedule.
4. Monitoring. The Delegate shall establish and maintain a system to monitor at reasonable intervals (but at least annually) the appropriateness of maintaining the Fund's Assets with each Eligible Foreign Custodian that has been selected by the Delegate pursuant to Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule. The Delegate shall monitor the continuing appropriateness of placement of the Fund's Assets in accordance with the criteria established under Section 3(a) of this Delegation Schedule. The Delegate shall monitor the continuing appropriateness of the contract governing the Fund's arrangements in accordance with the criteria established under Section 3(b) of this Delegation Schedule.
5. Reporting. At least quarterly and more frequently as mutually agreed between the parties, the Delegate shall provide to the Board written reports specifying placement of the Fund's Assets with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Delegate pursuant to Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule and shall promptly report on any material changes to such foreign custody arrangements. Delegate will prepare such a report with respect to any Eligible Foreign Custodian that the Delegate has been instructed to use pursuant to Section 7 of this Delegation Schedule only to the extent specifically agreed with respect to the particular situation.
6. Withdrawal of Fund's Assets. If the Delegate determines that an arrangement with a specific Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Delegate under Section 3 of this Delegation Schedule no longer meets the requirements of said Section, Delegate shall withdraw the Fund's Assets from the non-complying arrangement as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, however, that if in the reasonable judgment of the Delegate, such withdrawal
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would require liquidation of any of the Fund's Assets or would materially impair the liquidity, value or other investment characteristics of the Fund's Assets, it shall be the duty of the Delegate to provide information regarding the particular circumstances and to act only in accordance with Instructions of the Fund or its Investment Advisor with respect to such liquidation or other withdrawal.
7. Direction as to Eligible Foreign Custodian. Notwithstanding this Delegation Schedule, the Fund, acting through its Board, its Investment Advisor or its other Authorized Representative, may direct the Delegate to place and maintain the Fund's Assets with a particular Eligible Foreign Custodian, including without limitation with respect to investment in countries as to which the Custodian will not provide delegation services. In such event, the Delegate shall be entitled to rely on any such instruction as an Instruction under the terms of the Custodian Agreement and shall have no duties under this Delegation Schedule with respect to such arrangement save those that it may undertake specifically in writing with respect to each particular instance.
8. Standard of Care. In carrying out its duties under this Delegation Schedule, the Delegate agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for safekeeping the Fund's Assets would exercise.
9. Representations. The Delegate hereby represents and warrants that it is a U.S. Bank, as defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(7) under the 1940 Act, and that this Delegation Schedule has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Delegate and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Delegate.
The Fund hereby represents and warrants that its Board of Trustees has determined that it is reasonable to rely on the Delegate to perform the delegated responsibilities provided for herein and that this Delegation Schedule has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Fund.
10. Effectiveness; termination. This Delegation Schedule shall be effective as of the date on which this Delegation Schedule shall have been accepted by the Delegate, as indicated by the date set forth below the Delegate's signature. This Delegation Schedule may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Such termination shall be effective on the 30th calendar day following the date on which the non-terminating party shall receive the foregoing notice. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, this Delegation Schedule shall be deemed to have been terminated concurrently with the termination of the Custodian Agreement.
11. Notices. Notices and other communications under this Delegation Schedule are to be made in accordance with the arrangements designated for such purpose under the Custodian Agreement unless otherwise indicated in a writing referencing this Delegation Schedule and executed by both parties.
12. Definitions. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Delegation Schedule have the following meanings:
a. Country Risk – shall have the meaning set forth in the Custodian Agreement.
b. Eligible Foreign Custodian - shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-5(a)(1) of the 1940 Act and shall also include a U.S. Bank.
c. Fund's Assets - shall mean any of the Fund's investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States, and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund's transactions in such investments.
d. Instructions - shall have the meaning set forth in the Custodian Agreement.
e. Securities Depository - shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 17f-7 under the 1940 Act.
f. Sovereign Risk - shall have the meaning set forth in the Custodian Agreement.
g. U.S. Bank - shall mean a bank which qualifies to serve as a custodian of assets of investment
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companies under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act.
13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction. This Delegation Schedule shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal courts sitting in the State of New York or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or of the state courts of either such State or such Commonwealth.
14. Fees. Delegate shall perform its functions under this Delegation Schedule for the compensation determined under the Custodian Agreement.
15. Integration. This Delegation Schedule sets forth all of the Delegate's duties with respect to the selection and monitoring of Eligible Foreign Custodians, the administration of contracts with Eligible Foreign Custodians, the withdrawal of assets from Eligible Foreign Custodians and the issuance of reports in connection with such duties. The terms of the Custodian Agreement shall apply generally as to matters not expressly covered in this Delegation Schedule, including dealings with the Eligible Foreign Custodians in the course of discharge of the Delegate's obligations under the Custodian Agreement.
16. Limitation of Liability. The execution and delivery of this Delegation Schedule has been authorized by the Fund’s Board of Trustees and signed by an authorized officer of the Fund, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, and the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders of the Fund, but bind only on the Fund or a Portfolio, as provided in the Fund’s Declaration of Trust. Further, no Portfolio will be liable or responsible for the acts, omissions, or obligations of another Portfolio and all persons dealing with any of the Portfolios of the Fund must look solely to the assets of the Fund belonging to such Portfolio for the enforcement of any claims against the Portfolio.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this 17f-5 Delegation Schedule 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. | ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST | |||
| By: /s/ Eruch A. Mody | By: /s/ Todd E. Heim | |||
| Name: Eruch A. Mody | Name: Todd E. Heim | |||
| Title: Senior Vice President | Title: President | |||
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SCHEDULE III: US MONEY MARKET FUND INVESTMENTS SCHEDULE TO
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
TERMS & CONDITIONS
FOR PROCESSING ORDERS IN U.S. MONEY MARKET FUNDS (“US MMF T&C”)
This US MMF T&C supplements the Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement between ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST for itself and on behalf of and for the benefit of those separate series set forth on Schedule I (“Client”) and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”) dated August 10, 2021 as amended from time to time (the “Custodian Agreement”), and provides terms and conditions related to Instructions to BBH thereunder to process orders in and custody shares of U.S. registered investment companies that hold themselves out as money market funds (“MMFs”), if any. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Custodian Agreement.
US MMFs are subject to various requirements under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 23, 2014 (as further amended from time-to-time, “Rule 2a-7”).
The MMFs will disclose in their prospectus and statement of additional information, as amended from time to time, that the MMFs are subject to certain limitations and restrictions pursuant to amendments to Rule 2a-7, including provisions relating to the calculation of net asset values (“NAVs”), imposition of liquidity fees on redemptions (“liquidity fees”) or the temporary suspension of redemptions (a “redemption gate”), and shareholder eligibility requirements.
If Client provides BBH with an Instruction to process orders for transactions in MMFs and/or requires BBH to service shares of MMFs, Client shall assist and cooperate with BBH, the MMFs and the MMFs’ agents to comply with Rule 2a-7. Without limitation on the foregoing, fund order processing and custody of shares of MMFs are subject to the following additional terms and conditions.
| 1) | Orders in MMFs. |
| a) | Any Instruction by the Client to purchase any MMF shall be based on the gross dollar amount of the value of shares to be purchased. |
| b) | Any Instruction by the Client for subscriptions, exchanges or redemption orders in any MMF shall be made gross and shall not net any subscription, exchange or redemption orders in any MMF, including any orders originating from underlying customers of the Client, if any. |
| 2) | Liquidity Fees and Gates. |
| a) | Client (and not BBH) will be responsible for reviewing any disclosure on a MMF website providing notice to shareholders and prospective shareholders of liquidity of the MMF and when liquidity fees or redemption gates are imposed or lifted and Client agrees that BBH is not responsible for notifying the Client of the imposition by an MMF of any such event or re- confirming the Client’s intent to transact in a MMF when a liquidity fee or redemption gate is in effect. |
| b) | If a liquidity fee is implemented by a MMF, BBH will not be directly responsible for calculating or withholding the liquidity fee, but will apply any liquidity fee calculated and withheld by the MMF from any order as notified by the MMF or Distributor to BBH. |
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| c) | If a redemption gate is implemented by a MMF, Client acknowledges and agrees that any redemption or exchange orders in the MMF made by Client while the redemption gate is in effect may be rejected by the MMF, and that BBH is responsible for rejecting only those orders that BBH has been notified have been rejected by the MMF or its agents. Client shall endeavor not to instruct BBH to place an order for a redemption in a MMF when a redemption gate is in effect for such MMF. |
| 3) | Retail MMFs. |
BBH does not support and is not responsible for the order processing, purchase, exchange, redemption, settlement, custody or other servicing of shares of Retail MMFs (as defined in Rule 2a- 7(a)(25)). Client shall establish policies, procedures and internal controls reasonably designed to ensure that it does not, and shall not, submit any request or other instruction to BBH to purchase or exchange shares of a Retail MMF.
| 4) | No Agency. |
With respect to orders in a MMF:
| a) | BBH generally elects not serve as the MMF’s dealer, agent, or designee for purposes of Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act in connection with the receipt of orders; |
| b) | Accordingly, the MMF will apply a NAV calculation based on the time that the MMF accepts the order in good form from BBH, and not the time the Client instructs BBH to process the order; and |
| c) | Neither BBH nor the MMF or its distributor is responsible for any losses arising from orders accepted by BBH before, but received and accepted by the MMF after, a NAV calculation time, or imposition of a liquidity fee or redemption gate. |
Any order for shares in a MMF placed and held in custody by BBH will be made in reliance upon the terms hereof.
*** *** ***
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SCHEDULE IV: TRANSFER AGENT SERVICES SCHEDULE
BBH&Co. shall perform the following transfer agency services for the Fund and, where applicable, the Fund’s Portfolios. As used herein, the term Fund incorporates and includes the term Portfolio:
I. Issuance and Redemption of Unit Baskets. It is agreed and understood that the Fund, and TA on the Fund’s behalf, shall issue and redeem Share Baskets of the Fund in blocks of 25,000 shares (“Shares”) (“Creation Baskets” and “Redemption Baskets,” respectively, and generically, “Baskets”) to and from such persons as are identified by the Fund as “Authorized Participants.”
A. Pursuant to such purchase orders that BBH&Co. as the Index Receipt Agent shall receive from [Insert Distributor Name], LLC (“Distributor”) and pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement entered into by the Fund, TA shall transfer appropriate trade instructions to the Custodian and pursuant to such orders register the appropriate number of book entry only Shares in the name of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee as a unitholder (each an Authorized Participant) of the Fund and deliver the Basket.
B. Pursuant to such redemption orders that Index Receipt Agent shall receive from the Distributor, pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement entered into by the Fund, TA shall transfer appropriate trade instructions to the Custodian and, pursuant to such orders, redeem the appropriate number of Shares that are delivered to the designated DTC Participant Account of the Custodian for redemption and debit such Shares from the account of the Authorized Participant on the register of the Fund.
C. On behalf of the Fund, TA shall issue Creation Baskets for settlement with purchasers through DTC as the purchaser is authorized to receive. Beneficial ownership of Shares shall be shown on the records of DTC and DTC Participants and not on any records maintained by TA. In issuing Shares through DTC to an Authorized Participant, TA shall be entitled to rely upon the latest Instructions that are received from the Distributor by TA as Index Receipt Agent concerning the issuance and delivery of such Shares for settlement.
D. TA shall not issue on behalf of the Fund any Shares where it has received an Instruction from the Fund or the Distributor or written notification from any federal or state authority that the sale of the Shares has been suspended or discontinued, and TA shall be entitled to rely upon such Instructions or written notification.
E. Upon the issuance of Shares as provided herein, TA shall not be responsible for the payment of any original issue or other taxes, if any, required to be paid by the Fund or the Distributor in connection with such issuance.
F. Shares may be redeemed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the relevant Authorized Participant Agreement and TA shall duly process all redemption requests.
G. TA will act only upon Instruction from the Fund and/or the Distributor in addressing any failure in the delivery of cash, securities and/or Shares in connection with the issuance and redemption of Shares.
| II. | Recordkeeping. |
A. In satisfying its obligations under the Agreement, TA shall record the issuance of Creation Baskets and maintain, pursuant to Rule 17Ad6(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, a record of the total number of Creation Baskets that are authorized, issued and outstanding based upon data provided to TA by the Fund or the Distributor. TA shall also provide the Fund on a regular basis with the total number of Shares authorized, issued and outstanding; provided however that TA shall not be responsible for monitoring the issuance of such Shares or compliance with any laws relating to the validity of the issuance or the legality of the sale of such Shares.
| III. | Services Related to the Monitoring of Cash Collateral. |
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| (a) | Monitor the collateralization levels as set forth in Authorized Participant Agreements in connection with cash collateral posted by Authorized Participants in connection with Creation Basket activity. |
| (b) | Mark to market daily the value of such cash collateral using a pricing source from the Fund’s accounting agent or any other source on which the TA reasonably relies. |
| (c) | Monitor collateral levels daily and communicate calls for additional collateral to the Authorized Participants as necessary based upon daily collateral requirement calculations using ratios set forth in Participant Agreements. |
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FUNDS TRANSFER SERVICES AGREEMENT (“FTSA”)
Date: August 10, 2021
In accordance with any custodian agreement, administration agreement, and/or any other agreement in which funds transfers are contemplated (as amended, restated, supplemented, modified, and otherwise in effect from time to time, each an “Agreement”, and collectively, the “Agreements”) between ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST for itself and on behalf of and for the benefit of those separate series set forth on Schedule I (“Client”), and BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. and/or any of its affiliates (collectively, “BBH”), the Client acknowledges and accepts the following terms and conditions in respect of all funds transfers effected by BBH and BBH is willing to effect such funds transfers subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this FTSA. References to UCC 4A shall mean Article 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code as currently in effect in the State of New York.
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Client and BBH hereby agree, as follows:
1. Definitions. As used in this FTSA, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined). Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings accorded to them in the applicable Agreement.
“Authorized Instructors” refers to individuals designated by the Client or its agent in the APD as authorized to give FT Instructions.
“Authorized Person” refers collectively to any individual authorized by the Client or its agent to give (i.e., Authorized Instructor) and/or verify (i.e., Authorized Verifier) FT Instructions, on the relevant cash account as set forth in the APD.
“Authorized Persons Document” or “APD” means a form acceptable to BBH whereby the Client or its agent designates Authorized Person(s) and the entitlements the Client or its agent has granted such person(s) with respect to the relevant cash account. The APD includes the names, phone numbers, email addresses, and/or fax numbers of Authorized Instructors and/or Authorized Verifiers (as applicable), and any other information that BBH may require from time to time.
“Authorized Verifiers” refers to individuals designated by the Client or its agent in the APD as authorized to verify FT Instructions.
“BBH Designated Security Procedure” means the security procedures that BBH makes available to the Client as set forth in Appendix A attached hereto (as amended from time to time by BBH, “Appendix A”).
“Callback Procedure” has the meaning set forth in Appendix A.
“Client Designated Security Procedure” means an alternate security procedure, as set forth in Appendix A, that the Client elects to use to transmit and authenticate an FT Instruction in lieu of a BBH Designated Security Procedure.
“Designated Security Procedure” refers, collectively, to Client Designated Security Procedures and BBH Designated Security Procedures.
“FT Instructions” refers to Instructions or Proper Instructions, as applicable and as defined in an applicable Agreement, made in the name of the Client in relation to a payment order as defined in UCC 4A, whether such payment order is a Fed wire payment order or other funds transfer, including a book transfer.
2. Execution of Payment Orders. BBH will execute each FT Instruction, whether denominated in United States dollars or other applicable currency, received by BBH, provided that the Client has sufficient available funds on deposit at BBH and provided that the FT Instruction: (a) is received by BBH in the manner specified herein; (b) complies with any written instructions and restrictions set forth in the APD; (c) is verified in accordance with a Designated Security Procedure; and (d) contains sufficient data to enable BBH to process such FT Instruction.
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3. Transmission of Payment Orders and Designated Security Procedures. An FT Instruction must be transmitted by secured or authenticated means; set forth in Appendix A are the “security procedures” within the meaning of UCC 4A for verifying the authenticity of payment orders within the meaning of UCC 4A. BBH offers to the Client BBH Designated Security Procedures which Client may elect from time to time in a separate election form (each an “Election Form”). Alternatively, the Client may elect in an Election Form to transmit an FT Instruction in accordance with a Client Designated Security Procedure. In electing to transmit an FT Instruction via a Client Designated Security Procedure, Client (a) agrees to be bound by the transaction(s) or payment order(s) specified on said FT Instruction, whether or not authorized, and accepted by BBH in compliance with such Client Designated Security Procedure, and (b) accepts the risk associated with such Client Designated Security Procedure and confirms it is commercially reasonable for the transmission and authentication of the FT Instruction. BBH may accept a Client Designated Security Procedure but takes no responsibility for the reasonableness or security of the means utilized by Client.
The Client and BBH agree that BBH will verify the authenticity of the Client’s FT Instructions pursuant to the Designated Security Procedures elected by the Client. Client agrees that, so long as BBH acts in good faith and complies with the Designated Security Procedure selected by the Client, an FT Instruction issued in the Client’s name and accepted by BBH in compliance with the Designated Security Procedure selected by the Client shall be binding on the Client and the Client shall be responsible for payment of the transferred amount, even if the transfer request was not actually initiated or authorized by the Client or its Authorized Person.
The Client may elect, in the Election Form, to choose the relevant Designated Security Procedures for FT Instructions for itself and each of Client’s Authorized Persons, or to permit its Authorized Persons to select the Designated Security Procedures such Authorized Person(s) will use for FT Instructions in an Election Form, in which case the Client agrees that any such selection by an Authorized Person shall be deemed to have been chosen by the Client, even if the Client had not chosen such Designated Security Procedure for its own use. The Client agrees that the totality of the Designated Security Procedures elected by the Client and its Authorized Persons are authorized by the Client for FT Instructions. Subject to any set-up requirements set forth in the Designated Security Procedure, a new, or changes to an existing, Election Form shall be effective once BBH has a reasonable opportunity to act thereon (which shall be not later than two
| (2) | banking days after receipt by BBH). |
4. Rejection of Payment Orders; Rescission of Designated Security Procedure. BBH will notify the Client of BBH’s rejection of an FT Instruction. Such notice may be given in writing or orally by telephone. In the event BBH fails to execute a properly executable FT Instruction and fails to give the Client notice of BBH’s non-execution, BBH shall be liable only for the Client’s actual damages and only to the extent that such damages are recoverable under UCC 4A. BBH may decide to no longer accept FT Instructions using a particular Designated Security Procedure, or to do so only on revised terms. In such a case, BBH will provide prior written notice to the Client or such Authorized Person of such decision or revision of terms.
5. Cancellation or Amendment of Payment Orders. The Client may cancel or amend an FT Instruction but BBH shall have no liability for BBH’s failure to act on a cancellation or amendment of an FT Instruction unless BBH has received such cancellation FT Instruction or amendment FT Instruction at a time and in a manner affording BBH reasonable opportunity to act prior to BBH’s execution of the original FT Instruction. Any cancellation or amendment of an FT Instruction shall be sent and verified by a Designated Security Procedure elected by the Client or an Authorized Person.
6. Preauthorized Repetitive Payment Orders. The Client may establish with BBH a process to preauthorize certain repetitive payments or transfers. The Client acknowledges that prior to the issuance of any repetitive payment order, an Authorized Person must (a) request that BBH approve and set-up an appropriate repetitive payment order, and (b) complete such documentation as BBH may require, including a separate Preauthorized Repetitive Payment Order (PPO) form. The PPO shall be delivered to BBH in writing through a Designated Security Procedure, and will become effective after (i) the PPO has been authenticated in the manner required under the Designated Security Procedure and (ii) BBH shall have had a reasonable opportunity to act thereon (which shall be no later than two (2) banking days after receipt by BBH). BBH will perform a callback in accordance with the Callback Procedure to verify the authorization and details of the payment order at the time an Authorized Person establishes the repetitive payment order, but shall not perform a callback (or other authentication) prior to executing an individual payment order thereunder.
The PPO may take the form of either:
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| (1) | A standing instruction in which the Client provides in the PPO all required information for an FT Instruction (except for the transfer date and amount) on a “standing instructions” basis. The Client may from time-to-time instruct BBH to make a payment under the PPO, through a Designated Security Procedure, which instruction shall reference the repetitive line number (a number assigned to it by BBH after execution of the PPO), details of the payment, the transfer date and the amount of the transfer. BBH will verify the authenticity of this standing instruction in a manner required under the Designated Security Procedure elected by the Client or Authorized Person (but will not perform a callback or other authentication prior to executing individual payments thereunder). An instruction from the Client confirming the transfer date and the amount to be paid pursuant to the PPO shall be an FT Instruction for purposes of this FTSA; or |
| (2) | A recurring instruction in which the Client provides all required information for an FT Instruction with an instruction to process such payments with a specific frequency. Such a recurring instruction shall be an FT Instruction for purposes of this FTSA. BBH will not perform a callback prior to executing a payment under a recurring instruction. |
| 7. | Errors in Payment Orders; Liability of the Parties. The purpose of using a Designated Security Procedure is to verify the authenticity of any FT Instruction and not to detect errors or omissions. Therefore, BBH is not responsible for detecting any Client error or omission contained in any FT Instruction. In the event that the FT Instruction either (a) identifies the beneficiary by both a name and an identifying bank or account number and the name and number identify different persons or entities, or (b) identifies any bank by both a name and an identifying number and the number identifies a person or entity different from the bank identified by name, then execution of the relevant payment order, payment to the beneficiary, cancellation of the payment order or actions taken by BBH or any bank in respect of such payment order may be made solely on the basis of the number. |
BBH shall not be liable for interest on the amount of any FT Instruction that was not authorized or was erroneously executed unless the Client so notifies BBH within thirty (30) calendar days following the Client’s receipt of notice that such FT Instruction was processed. Any compensation payable in the form of interest shall be payable in accordance with UCC 4A. If BBH receives and acts upon an FT Instruction issued in the name of the Client that was not authorized by the Client, the liability of the parties will be governed by the applicable provisions of UCC 4A. Notwithstanding anything in this FTSA and the Agreements to the contrary, BBH shall in no event be liable for any consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages under this FTSA, including any loss of profits, whether or not such damages relate to services covered by UCC 4A, even if BBH was advised of the possibility of such damages.
8. Cut-Off Time. If an FT Instruction is not received within a reasonable amount of time prior to the cut-off time for funds transfer or is received on a day other than a banking day in New York, it will be treated as received on the next banking day.
9. Miscellaneous. The Client hereby agrees on behalf of itself and its Authorized Persons, including any respective agent, employee, or officer thereof, that BBH may (but has no obligation to) record, without further notice, telephone calls that relate to any FT Instruction. BBH does not recommend the sending of FT Instructions by facsimile, telephonic, e-mail or other Client Designated Security Procedure. In addition, to the extent the Client uses email to transmit FT Instructions or any other information under this FTSA, the Client is solely responsible to ensure emails are sent via secure means, such as by way of example only, via transport layer security. BY ELECTING TO SEND FT INSTRUCTIONS BY FACSIMILE, TELEPHONIC, E-MAIL OR OTHER CLIENT DESIGNATED SECURITY PROCEDURE, THE CLIENT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE LIMITATIONS OF LIABLITY APPLICABLE TO BBH, THE INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATION, AND HOLD HARMLESS TERMS GIVEN BY THE CLIENT IN THIS FTSA AND IN THE AGREEMENTS INCLUDE ALL CLAIMS, LOSSES, DAMAGES AND COSTS (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ATTORNEYS’ FEES) ARISING THEREFROM OR RELATING THERETO.
The Client hereby indemnifies BBH, and its 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 FTSA and the execution of any FT Instruction to the extent not covered under UCC 4A.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this FTSA, the execution and delivery of this FTSA has been authorized by the Client’s Board of Trustees and signed by an authorized officer of the Client, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, and the obligations of this FTSA are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders of the Client, but bind only on the Client or a series of the Client, as provided in the Client’s Declaration of Trust. Further, no series of the Client will be liable or responsible for the acts, omissions, or obligations of another series of the Client and all persons dealing with any of the series of the Client must look solely to the assets of the Client belonging to such series of the Client for the enforcement of any claims against the series of the Client. No series of the Client shall be liable for or charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other series of the Client.
THIS FTSA SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF, THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW 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 CLIENT 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 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 FTSA OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
This FTSA, together with the Appendix A and Election Form (as may be amended from time to time), constitutes the entire agreement between the Client and BBH with respect to the subject matter hereof. Accordingly, this FTSA supersedes any other oral or written agreements heretofore in effect among the Client and BBH with respect to any funds transfers.
[remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this FTSA to be duly executed as of the date first set forth above.
| BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. | ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST | |
| By: /s/ Eruch A. Mody | By: /s/ Todd E. Heim | |
| Name: Eruch A. Mody | Name: Todd E. Heim | |
| Title: Senior Vice President | Title: President | |
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Appendix A
To The
FUNDS TRANSFER SERVICES AGREEMENT (“FTSA”)
Designated Security Procedures
Prior to the initiation of an FT Instruction, the Client will complete and sign an APD, in which the Client will provide to BBH: (a) required information about each Authorized Person, and (b) the entitlements granted to such person(s) by the Client. This Appendix A to the FTSA may be updated from time to time by BBH by electronic mail to the email address of any Authorized Person, in the event BBH determines it will no longer offer a particular Designated Security Procedure, will do so only on revised terms, or will offer a new Designated Security Procedure. The Client (or its Authorized Person(s)) will choose the Designated Security Procedure(s) in an Election Form. Terms not defined herein shall have the same meaning as set forth in the FTSA.
| A. | BBH Designated Security Procedure. BBH offers the following BBH Designated Security Procedures to the Client for use in communicating FT Instructions to BBH: |
1. BBH Infuse™ Payment Products. The Client may submit FT Instructions through BBH Infuse™ Payment Products (or any successor thereto, “BBH Infuse”), which are BBH proprietary on-line payment order authorization facilities with built-in multi-factor authentication procedures. BBH and the Client shall each be responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of passwords or other codes used by them in connection with BBH Infuse. BBH will act on FT Instructions received through BBH Infuse without duty of further verification unless the Client notifies BBH that its password is not secure. Access to, and use of, BBH Infuse are subject to the terms and conditions available at: www.bbh.com/onlineterms, as updated from time to time and which are incorporated herein by reference.
2. SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) Transmission. The Client may submit FT Instructions through SWIFT. BBH and the Client shall comply with SWIFT’s authentication procedures. The Client is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of passwords, codes and credentials, and for securing the systems and applications, used in connection with SWIFT authentication. BBH will act on FT Instructions received via SWIFT provided the instruction is authenticated by the SWIFT system until the Client notifies BBH in writing to cease acting on FT Instructions received via SWIFT.
3. sFTP (Secure File Transmission Protocol). The Client may upload FT Instructions through a secure file transmission protocol (“sFTP”), which includes multi-factor authentication processes and encryption of the complete transmission. The Client is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of passwords or other codes used in connection with sFTP. BBH will act on FT Instructions received through sFTP without duty of further verification unless the Client notifies BBH in writing that its credentials have been compromised. As a prerequisite to receiving FT Instructions via sFTP, BBH and the Client shall have conducted testing and confirmed that the FT Instructions sent via sFTP can be processed in good time and order; once such testing and confirmation is satisfactory to the Client and BBH, BBH will act on FT Instructions received via sFTP.
4. Written Instruction with PIN Verified Callback. The Client may elect to send an FT Instruction that bears the signature of an Authorized Instructor (a) in an original writing to an address designated by BBH from time-to-time for such purposes, (b) by fax to a fax number designated by BBH from time-to-time for such purposes, or (c) in PDF format by email to an email address designated by BBH from time-to-time for such purposes. The authenticity of that FT Instruction shall be deemed conclusive if verified by BBH as follows:
| (i) | Upon BBH’s receipt of the document containing the FT Instruction, BBH shall identify the name of the instructor to verify if it is a named Authorized Instructor. BBH shall rely on the purported identity of the instructor but will not perform signature verification; |
| (ii) | BBH will perform a callback to a telephone number set forth in the APD attributable to an Authorized Verifier during which the Authorized Verifier provides a personal identification |
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number, one-time identification code, or password (collectively, a “PIN”) or other authentication information to verify that the FT Instruction is properly authorized and to verify certain FT Instruction details (such as the account name or number, the amount, and/or the beneficiaries account name or number) (such an authentication process, a “Callback Procedure”);
| (iii) | If, however, (1) the FT Instruction does not on its face appear to originate from an Authorized Instructor (e.g., because the name of the instructor identified by BBH on the FT Instruction is not an Authorized Instructor) or (2) during the Callback Procedure, BBH is unable to reach an individual designated as an Authorized Verifier, or an Authorized Verifier cannot verify relevant FT Instruction details, BBH will reject the FT Instruction and shall notify the Client of the rejection (in accordance with the FTSA). |
| B. | Client Designated Security Procedure - Client may send an FT Instruction through such other means, and subject to such additional security procedures, as may be elected by Client (or by an Authorized Person), if such means is acknowledged and accepted by BBH via the issuance of an updated Appendix A to Client (or an Authorized Person) referencing the relevant procedure (each a “Client Designated Security Procedure”); it being understood that BBH’s acknowledgment shall authorize it to accept such means of delivery but shall not represent a judgment by BBH as to the reasonableness or security of the means utilized by Client or such Authorized Person. |
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FUNDS TRANSFER SERVICES AGREEMENT DESIGNATED SECURITY PROCEDURES ELECTION FORM
Reference is made to the Funds Transfer Services Agreement dated as of August 5, 2021 those separate series set forth on Schedule I (the “Client”) and BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. and/or any of its affiliates (“BBH”) (as amended, restated, supplemented, modified, and otherwise in effect from time to time, the “Agreement” or the “FTSA”). Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings accorded to them in the FTSA.
By making a selection or selections below by affirmatively marking a checkbox, the Client is agreeing to the security procedures, as more fully described in the FTSA related to such method (collectively, the “Designated Security Procedures”), each of which is designed to verify the authenticity of an FT Instruction. By not affirmatively marking a checkbox below, Client is excluding such Designated Security Procedure with respect to FT Instructions.
BBH Designated Security Procedures.
☒ BBH Infuse™ Payment Products.
☒ Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) Transmission.
☒ sFTP (Secure File Transmission Protocol).
☒ Written Instruction with PIN Verified Callback.
Client Designated Security Procedures.
Client agrees that there are currently no Client Designated Security Procedures selected.
Client Authorization / Agent Authorization.
Pursuant to Section 3 of the FTSA, the Client hereby confirms to BBH (select only one):
| ☐ | that Client has chosen all the permitted Designated Security Procedures for FT Instructions for itself and Client’s Authorized Persons; OR |
☒ that Client’s Authorized Persons are permitted to select the Designated Security Procedures such Authorized Person will use for FT Instructions, Client acknowledges and consents to the Designated Security Procedure(s) selected by one or more such Authorized Person(s), and Client authorizes BBH to accept from such Authorized Person(s) the selection and use of such Designated Security Procedure or Designated Security Procedures.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Election Form to be duly executed as of August 10, 2021.
ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST
By: /s/Todd E. Heim
Name: Todd E. Heim Title: President
Date: August 10, 2021
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FUNDS TRANSFER DESIGNATED SECURITY PROCEDURES ELECTION FORM THIRD PARTY AUTHORIZED PERSONS
Reference is made to the funds transfer services arrangements (the “FT Arrangements”) the undersigned’s underlying client Lyrical Asset Management (the “Client”) has made with BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. and/or any of its affiliates (“BBH”) under a funds transfer services agreement, custody agreement and/or any other agreement which governs Client’s use of funds transfers (the “Agreements”).
By making a selection or selections below by affirmatively marking a checkbox, the undersigned, as the Client’s third party authorized person (an “Authorized Person”), is agreeing to the security procedures as more fully described in Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively, the “Designated Security Procedures”), each of which is designed to verify the authenticity of a funds transfer instruction delivered to BBH (“FT Instruction(s)”). By not affirmatively marking a checkbox below, the undersigned Authorized Person is excluding such Designated Security Procedure with respect to FT Instructions.
BBH Designated Security Procedures.
☒ BBH Infuse™ Payment Products.
☒ Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) Transmission.
☒ sFTP (Secure File Transmission Protocol).
☒ Written Instruction with PIN Verified Callback.
Client Designated Security Procedures.
The undersigned Authorized Person agrees that there are currently no Client Designated Security Procedures selected.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this election form to be duly executed as of August 10, 2021.
Lyrical Asset Management, LP
By: /s/ Jeffrey Moses
Name: Jeff Moses
Title: Chief Operating Officer Date: August 10, 2021
Receipt Acknowledged:
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
By: /s/ Eruch A. Mody
Name: Eruch A. Mody
Title: Senior Vice President
Date:
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Appendix A
To The
FUNDS TRANSFER DESIGNATED SECURITY PROCEDURES ELECTION FORM
THIRD PARTY AUTHORIZED PERSONS
Designated Security Procedures
Prior to the initiation of an FT Instruction, the Authorized Person will complete and sign an APD (defined below), in which the Authorized Person will provide to BBH: (a) required information about each person authorized to act on behalf of the Authorized Person, and (b) the entitlements granted to such person(s) by the Authorized Person. This Appendix A to the Funds Transfer Designated Security Procedures Election Form (“Election Form”) may be updated from time to time by BBH by electronic mail to the email address of any Authorized Person, in the event BBH determines it will no longer offer a particular Designated Security Procedure, will do so only on revised terms, or will offer a new Designated Security Procedure. The Authorized Person(s) will choose the Designated Security Procedure(s) in an Election Form. Terms not defined herein shall have the same meaning as set forth in the Election Form.
| A. | BBH Designated Security Procedure. BBH offers the following BBH Designated Security Procedures to the Authorized Person(s) for use in communicating FT Instructions to BBH: |
| 1. |
|
| 2. | Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) Transmission. The Authorized Person(s) may submit FT Instructions through SWIFT. BBH and the Authorized Person(s) shall comply with SWIFT’s authentication procedures. The Authorized Person(s) is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of passwords, codes and credentials, and for securing the systems and applications, used in connection with SWIFT authentication. BBH will act on FT Instructions received via SWIFT provided the instruction is authenticated by the SWIFT system until the Authorized Person(s) notifies BBH in writing to cease acting on FT Instructions received via SWIFT. |
| 3. | sFTP (Secure File Transmission Protocol). The Authorized Person(s) may upload FT Instructions through a secure file transmission protocol (“sFTP”), which includes multi-factor authentication processes and encryption of the complete transmission. The Authorized Person(s) is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of passwords or other codes used in connection with sFTP. BBH will act on FT Instructions received through sFTP without duty of further verification unless the Authorized Person(s) notifies BBH in writing that its credentials have been compromised. As a prerequisite to receiving FT Instructions via sFTP, BBH and the Authorized Person(s) shall have conducted testing and confirmed that the FT Instructions sent via sFTP can be processed in good time and order; once such testing and confirmation is satisfactory to the Authorized Person(s) and BBH, BBH will act on FT Instructions received via sFTP. |
| 4. | Written Instruction with PIN Verified Callback. The Authorized Person(s) may elect to send an FT Instruction that bears the signature of an Authorized Instructor (a) in an original writing to an address designated by BBH from time-to-time for such purposes, (b) by fax to a fax number designated by BBH from time-to-time for such purposes, or (c) in PDF format by email to an email address designated by BBH from time-to-time for such purposes. The authenticity of that FT Instruction shall be deemed conclusive if verified by BBH as follows: |
| (i) | Upon BBH’s receipt of the document containing the FT Instruction, BBH shall identify the name of the instructor to verify if it is a named Authorized Instructor. BBH shall rely on the purported identity of the instructor but will not perform signature verification; |
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| (ii) | BBH will perform a callback to a telephone number set forth in the APD attributable to an Authorized Verifier during which the Authorized Verifier provides a personal identification number, one-time identification code, or password (collectively, a “PIN”) or other authentication information to verify that the FT Instruction is properly authorized and to verify certain FT Instruction details (such as the account name or number, the amount, and/or the beneficiaries account name or number) (such an authentication process, a “Callback Procedure”); and |
| (iii) | If, however, (1) the FT Instruction does not on its face appear to originate from an Authorized Instructor (e.g., because the name of the instructor identified by BBH on the FT Instruction is not an Authorized Instructor) or (2) during the Callback Procedure, BBH is unable to reach an individual designated as an Authorized Verifier, or an Authorized Verifier cannot verify relevant FT Instruction details, BBH will reject the FT Instruction and shall notify the Authorized Person(s) of the rejection. |
| B. | Client Designated Security Procedure – The Authorized Person(s) may send an FT Instruction through a Client Designated Security Procedure, in lieu of a BBH Designated Security Procedure. |
As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined). Terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings accorded to them in the applicable Agreement.
“Authorized Instructors” refers to individuals designated by the Client or its agent in the APD as authorized to give FT Instructions.
“Authorized Person” refers collectively to any individual authorized by the Client or its agent to give (i.e., Authorized Instructor) and/or verify (i.e., Authorized Verifier) FT Instructions, on the relevant cash account as set forth in the APD.
“Authorized Persons Document” or “APD” means a form acceptable to BBH whereby the Client or its agent designates Authorized Person(s) and the entitlements the Client or its agent has granted such person(s) with respect to the relevant cash account. The APD includes the names, phone numbers, email addresses, and/or fax numbers of Authorized Instructors and/or Authorized Verifiers (as applicable), and any other information that BBH may require from time to time.
“Authorized Verifiers” refers to individuals designated by the Client or its agent in the APD as authorized to verify FT Instructions.
“BBH Designated Security Procedure” means the security procedures that BBH makes available to the Client as set forth in Appendix A attached hereto (as amended from time to time by BBH, “Appendix A”).
“Callback Procedure” has the meaning set forth in Appendix A.
“Client Designated Security Procedure” means an alternate security procedure, as set forth in Appendix A, that the Client elects to use to transmit and authenticate an FT Instruction in lieu of a BBH Designated Security Procedure, which is subject to additional security procedures, if such means is acknowledged by BBH via the issuance of an updated Appendix A to Client (and the Authorized Person) referencing the relevant procedure; it being understood that BBH’s acknowledgment shall authorize it to accept such means of delivery but shall not represent a judgment by BBH as to the reasonableness or security of the means utilized by Client or such Authorized Person.
“Designated Security Procedure” refers, collectively, to Client Designated Security Procedures and BBH Designated Security Procedures.
“FT Instructions” refers to Instructions or Proper Instructions, as applicable, made in the name of the Client in relation to a payment order as defined in UCC 4A, whether such payment order is a Fed wire payment order or other funds transfers, including a book transfer.
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
Dated August 31, 2021
to
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT
Dated January 22, 2020
FOR ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST
Maximum Operating Expense Limit*
| Fund Name | Termination Date | |
| U.S. Value ETF | 0.49% | July 30, 2023 |
| Fund Name | Investor Class | Institutional Class | Termination Date | |
| Lyrical U.S. Value Equity Fund | 1.24% | 0.99% | April 1, 2024 | |
| Lyrical International Value Equity Fund | 1.24% | 0.99% | April 1, 2024 |
* Expressed as a percentage of a Fund’s average daily net assets. This amount is exclusive of brokerage costs, taxes, interest, borrowing costs such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short, costs to organize the Fund, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation and merger or reorganization costs and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund’s business.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Schedule A as of the date first above written.
| ULTIMUS MANAGERS TRUST | LYRICAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LP |
|
By: /s/ Todd E. Heim |
By: /s/ Jeffrey Moses |
| Name: Todd E. Heim | Name: Jeffrey Moses |
| Title: President | Title: Chief Operating Officer |
August 30, 2021
Ultimus Managers Trust
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Re: Ultimus Managers Trust, File Nos. 333-180308 and 811-22680
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter is in response to your request for our opinion in connection with the filing of Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registration Statement, File Nos. 333-180308 and 811-22680 (the "Registration Statement"), of Ultimus Managers Trust (the "Trust").
We have examined a copy of the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended and restated; the Trust's Bylaws; the Trust's record of the various actions by the Trustees thereof; and all such agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers and representatives of the Trust and others, and such other documents, papers, statutes and authorities as we deem necessary to form the basis of the opinion hereinafter expressed. We have assumed the genuineness of the signatures and the conformity to original documents of the copies of such documents supplied to us as copies thereof. The opinions expressed herein are limited to matters of Ohio business trust law and United States Federal law as such laws exist today; we express no opinion as to the effect of any applicable law of any other jurisdiction. We assume no obligation to update or supplement our opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention, or changes in law that may occur hereafter.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, after Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 is effective for purposes of applicable federal and state securities laws, the shares of the US Value ETF (the "Fund"), if issued in accordance with the then current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We give you our permission to file this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registration Statement. This opinion may not be filed with any subsequent amendment, or incorporated by reference into a subsequent amendment, without our prior written consent. This opinion is prepared for the Trust and its shareholders and may not be relied upon by any other person or organization without our prior written approval.
Very truly yours,
/s/
THOMPSON HINE LLP
MVW/CAF
Code of Ethics
Subsidiaries of
The Ultimus Group, LLC
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
Blu Giant, LLC
Gemini Fund Services, LLC
Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC
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Ultimus
Code of Ethics
Table of Contents
| I. | Introduction |
| II. | Definitions |
| III. | General Principles |
| IV. | Standards of Business Conduct |
| V. | Prohibition Against Insider Trading |
| VI. | Personal Securities Transactions |
| VII. | Interested Transactions |
| VIII. | Gifts and Entertainment |
| IX. | Protecting the Confidentiality of Client Information |
| X. | Service as a Director |
| XI. | Certification |
| XII. | Records |
| XIII. | Reporting Violations and Sanctions |
| XIV. | Ethics Training |
Schedule A – Frequently Asked Questions about Code of Ethics
| April 1, 2021 | 2 |
| I. | Introduction |
This Code of Ethics (this “Code”) has been adopted by certain subsidiaries of The Ultimus Group, LLC, including, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (“UFD”), Blu Giant, LLC, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD”), collectively, “Ultimus Companies” and each an “Ultimus Company”.
This Code establishes rules of conduct for “Supervised Persons” of Ultimus. As explained further in the “Definitions” included with this Code (see Article II, Definitions), “Supervised Persons” include our employees and officers, as well as certain independent contractors and certain registered representatives. The general ethical principles and personal securities reporting provisions of this Code apply to all employees and other “Access Persons” of Ultimus, although many provisions of this Code are written to specifically address the duties and obligations of registered and access persons of UFD and NLD, because of its status as a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). This Code is based upon the principle that the Ultimus Companies and its Supervised Persons owe a fiduciary duty to their clients to conduct their affairs, including their personal securities transactions, in such a manner as to avoid (i) serving their own personal interests ahead of clients, (ii) taking inappropriate advantage of their position with their respective company, and (iii) any actual or potential conflicts of interest or any abuse of their position of trust and responsibility.
This Code is designed to ensure that the high ethical standards long maintained by the Ultimus Companies continue to be applied. The purpose of this Code is to preclude activities that may lead to or give the appearance of conflicts of interest, insider trading and other forms of prohibited or unethical business conduct.
In meeting any fiduciary responsibilities to its clients, the Ultimus Companies expect every employee to demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct. The Ultimus Companies’ reputation for fair and honest dealing with its clients has taken considerable time to build. This standing could be seriously damaged as the result of even a single Securities transaction being considered questionable in light of the fiduciary duty owed to our clients. Strict compliance with the provisions of the Code shall be considered a basic condition of employment and employees should understand that any breach of the provisions of this Code may constitute grounds for disciplinary action, including termination of their employment.
This Code addresses specific elements of the Ultimus Companies’ fiduciary obligations. However, it cannot, and is not intended to, address all circumstances in which fiduciary obligations will arise. Accordingly, the Ultimus Companies expect all Supervised Persons to adhere strictly to the specific requirements of this Code and other firm policies and procedures, but to also think beyond them and to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity in accordance with the Ultimus Companies’ fiduciary obligations.
Each Ultimus Company, through its compliance officers, legal counsel, and/or other designated personnel, is responsible for the day-to-day administration of this Code with respect to those Access Persons under the direct supervision and control of such Ultimus Company. Note that some Ultimus Companies may impose greater restrictions than those described in this Code, and those restrictions have been noted where possible within this Code. All questions regarding specific restrictions should be directed to the Chief Compliance Officer of the relevant Ultimus Company (as applicable, each such individual is referred to herein as the “Chief Compliance Officer”) or to such Ultimus Company’s designated legal counsel.
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To the extent a Supervised Person is registered as a representative or an access person of UFD or NLD, such persons are encouraged to seek the guidance from such Ultimus Company’s respective Chief Compliance Officer for all questions regarding the application of specific restrictions to their activities. It is each Supervised Person’s responsibility to understand this Code as well as its requirements and application as they relate to both personal and work-related activities.
The Chief Compliance Officer will periodically report to senior management of the Ultimus Companies to document compliance with this Code.
The Ultimus Companies have engaged Schwab Compliance Technologies, Inc. (“Schwab CT”), which provides an automated system for administration of the Code. The Schwab CT system provides a means of making all reports and certifications required under the Code in an electronic format. The Schwab CT system will send automatic reminders via email to all persons covered by the Code in order to ensure deadlines are not missed. Should you have any questions about the Code or the Schwab CT system, please contact the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee.
For answers to commonly asked questions about your obligations under this Code, please refer to Schedule B for a list of “Frequently Asked Questions” and the applicable responses.
| II. | Definitions |
For the purposes of this Code, the following definitions shall apply:
| · | “Access Person” means any Supervised Person who: has access to nonpublic information regarding any clients’ purchase or sale of Securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings; provided, that individuals who are Supervised Persons solely as a result of their service as a non-employee director, manager, or officer or their engagement as an independent contractor shall not be considered “Access Persons” for purposes of this Code. |
| · | “Account” means accounts of any Access Person and includes accounts of the Access Person’s Family Members and any account in which he or she has a direct beneficial interest, such as trusts and custodial accounts subject to control by the Access Person or other accounts in which the Access Person exercises influence or control or has investment discretion; provided, that an employee’s employer 401(k) account shall be excluded from the “Accounts” covered under this Code. |
| · | “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, as amended, 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. Generally, “Beneficial Ownership” means ownership of Securities or Securities accounts by or for the benefit of a person, or such person’s “Family Member,” including any account in which the person or family member of that person holds a direct or indirect beneficial interest, retains discretionary investment authority or exercises a power of attorney. |
| · | “Control” means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of any of the Ultimus Companies. See Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). |
| · | “Designated Custodian” refers to the custodial firms where a direct feed or ByAllAccounts authentication can be established with our third-party vendor, Schwab CT. |
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| · | “Family Member” means any person’s spouse, child or other relative, whether related by blood, marriage, or otherwise, who either resides with, is financially dependent upon, or whose investments are controlled or partially controlled by that person. The term also includes any unrelated individual whose investments are controlled or partially controlled by that person, such as a “significant other.” |
| · | “Fund” means an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act, including open-end and closed-end investment companies and exchange traded funds. |
| · | “Initial Public Offering” means an offering of Securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
| · | “Limited Offering” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) or pursuant to Rule 504, 505 or 506 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
| · | “Reportable Security” means any Security, except that it does not include: (i) transactions and holdings in direct obligations of the Government of the United States; (ii) bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; (iii) shares issued by money market funds; (iv) transactions and holdings in shares of other types of open-end registered mutual funds, other than exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”); (v) transactions in units of a unit investment trust if the unit investment trust is invested exclusively in mutual funds; and (vi) transactions and holdings in a spouse’s retirement plan controlled by the spouse’s employer, provided the employee does not participate in the investment decisions or provide any advice with respect to the allocation of such Account. |
| · | “Security” means any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security”, or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guaranty of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing. See Section 202(a)(18) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). |
| · | “Supervised Person” means managers, officers and partners of Ultimus (or other persons occupying a similar status or performing similar functions); employees of Ultimus; independent contractors accessing non-public information regarding the Ultimus’ clients during such contractor’s engagement with Ultimus; and any other person who provides advice on behalf of Ultimus and is subject to Ultimus’ supervision and control. |
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| · | “Third Party Managed Account” refers to an Account where a third party has investment management discretion regarding Securities transactions pursuant to a written, executed investment management agreement or advisory agreement addressing the Account or otherwise. Whether an Account is considered a Third-Party Managed Account rests in the discretion of the Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee, in consultation with the legal department, based on its assessment of the risks presented by such arrangement. No Access Person shall consider an Account to be a Third-Party Managed Account until he or she has received approval from the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee. The Chief Compliance Officer reserves the right to revoke approval of a Third-Party Managed Account at any time, for any reason. |
| III. | General Principles |
This Code is designed to promote the following general principles:
| · | The Ultimus Companies and their Supervised Persons have a duty at all times to place the interests of clients first. |
| · | The Ultimus Companies and their Supervised Persons have a duty of loyalty to clients. |
| · | Access persons must conduct their personal securities transactions in a manner that avoids an actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of trust and responsibility. |
| · | Access persons may not use knowledge about current or pending client or portfolio transactions for the purpose of personal profit. |
| · | Information concerning clients (including former clients) must be kept confidential, including the client’s identity, holdings, and other non-public information. |
| · | Independence in the investment decision-making process is paramount. |
| · | Supervised Persons may not give or receive gifts or participate in entertainment beyond the parameters set forth in this Code to avoid even the appearance of favoritism or impropriety. |
The Chief Compliance Officer may grant exceptions to certain provisions contained in this Code only in those situations when it is clear beyond dispute that the interests of the clients will not be adversely affected or compromised. All questions arising in connection with personal securities trading should be resolved in favor of the client even at the expense of the interests of employees.
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| IV. | Standards of Business Conduct |
The Ultimus Companies place the highest priority on maintaining its reputation for integrity and professionalism. That reputation is a vital business asset. The confidence and trust placed in the Ultimus Companies and its employees by our clients is something we value and endeavor to protect. The following Standards of Business Conduct set forth policies and procedures intended to achieve these goals.
| A. | Compliance with Laws and Regulations |
In addition to adhering strictly to the specific requirements of this Code and all other Ultimus Companies policies and procedures, the Ultimus Companies expect all Supervised Persons to respect and comply with applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations. This includes prohibiting any activity that directly or indirectly:
| · | Defrauds a client in any manner; |
| · | Misleads a client, including any statement that omits material facts; |
| · | Operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on a client; |
| · | Functions as a manipulative practice with respect to a client; or |
| · | Functions as a manipulative practice with respect to securities. |
The Ultimus Companies and their employees are prohibited from engaging in fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative conduct. This involves more than acting with honesty and good faith alone. It means, where applicable, that the Ultimus Companies have an affirmative duty of utmost good faith to act solely in the best interest of its clients.
Section 204A of the Advisers Act requires the establishment and enforcement of policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material, nonpublic information by investment advisers. While the Ultimus Companies are not themselves registered investment advisers, such policies and procedures are contained in this Code. This Code also contains policies and procedures with respect to personal securities transactions of all Access Persons as defined herein. These procedures cover transactions in a Reportable Security in which an Access Person has Beneficial Ownership in or Accounts over which the Access Person exercises control as well as transactions by the Access Person’s Family Members.
| B. | Conflicts of Interest |
Conflicts of interest may come about any time there exists an incentive to favor one party over another. Given the nature of the Ultimus Companies’ businesses and business relationships between Ultimus Companies, conflicts can arise in various contexts. Where possible, our objective is to avoid any conflict between the Ultimus Companies, Supervised Persons, and the client. For example, a conflict may arise when there is an opportunity to give preferential treatment to one client or portfolio relative to other clients or portfolios. A conflict can also come into play when there is an opportunity to take advantage of information, particularly regarding current or pending client or portfolio trades, for personal profit. Other conflicts may not always be clear-cut.
As an integral part of the Ultimus Companies’ fiduciary obligation, Supervised Persons are obligated to avoid conflicts of interest wherever possible and to fully disclose all facts concerning any conflict that may arise. Questions regarding a potential conflict should be fully vetted with the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee and appropriate legal counsel before any further action is taken.
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| C. | Confidentiality |
The Ultimus Companies and their Supervised Persons share a duty to ensure the confidentiality of client information, including account numbers, client holdings, and securities transactions. Supervised Persons may not misuse or disclose such information, whether within or outside of the Ultimus Companies, except to authorized persons who require the information for legitimate business purposes or to fulfill their responsibilities. To ensure this duty is fulfilled, the Ultimus Companies have adopted this Code as well as its Employee Policies and Procedures and information securities policies, and the Ultimus Privacy Policy. All Supervised Persons are required to adhere to each of these policies, as relevant. As explained further in Section IX, all Supervised Persons are prohibited from disclosing confidential information concerning the Ultimus Companies, including any trade secrets or other proprietary information, including materials marked for internal use only.
| V. | Prohibition Against Insider Trading |
| A. | Introduction |
Trading Securities while in possession of material, nonpublic information, or improperly communicating that information to others may expose Supervised Persons and the Ultimus Companies to stringent penalties. Criminal sanctions may include significant fines and/or imprisonment. The SEC can recover the profits gained or losses avoided through the illegal trading, impose a penalty of up to three times the illicit windfall, and/or issue an order permanently barring you from the securities industry. Finally, Supervised Persons and the Ultimus Companies may be sued by investors seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations.
The rules contained in this Code apply to Securities trading and information handling by Supervised Persons and their Family Members.
The law of insider trading is continuously developing. An individual legitimately may be uncertain about the application of the rules contained in this Code in a particular circumstance. Often, a single question can avoid disciplinary action or complex legal problems. You must notify the Chief Compliance Officer immediately if you have any reason to believe that a violation of this Code has occurred or is about to occur.
| B. | General Policy |
Ultimus Companies prohibit employees and Supervised Persons from effecting securities transactions while in the possession of material, non-public information. Employees are also prohibited from disclosing such information to others. The prohibition against insider trading applies not only to the security to which the inside information directly relates, but also to related securities, such as options or convertible securities.
| 1. | What is Material Information? |
Information is considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions. Generally, this includes any information the disclosure of which will have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s Securities. No simple test exists to determine when information is material; assessments of materiality involve a highly fact-specific inquiry. For this reason, you should direct any questions about whether information is material to the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee.
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Material information often relates to a company’s results and operations, including, for example, dividend changes, earnings results, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidation problems, and extraordinary management developments.
Material information also may relate to the market for a company’s Securities. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell Securities may, in some contexts, be material. Prepublication information regarding reports in the financial press also may be material. For example, the United States Supreme Court upheld the criminal convictions of insider trading defendants who capitalized on prepublication information about The Wall Street Journal’s “Heard on the Street” column.
You should also be aware of the SEC’s position that the term “material nonpublic information” relates not only to issuers but also to the Ultimus Companies’ client Securities holdings and transactions.
| 2. | What is Nonpublic Information? |
Information is non-public when it has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally. Information is public once it has been publicly disseminated, such as when it is reported on the Dow Jones or other news services or in widely disseminated publications, and investors have had a reasonable time to react to the information.
| 3. | Identifying Inside Information |
Before executing any trade for yourself or others, you must determine whether you have access to material, nonpublic information. If you think that you might have access to material, nonpublic information, you should take the following steps:
| · | Report the information and proposed trade immediately to the Chief Compliance Officer. |
| · | Do not purchase or sell the Securities on behalf of yourself or others. |
| · | Do not communicate the information inside or outside the Ultimus Companies, other than to the Chief Compliance Officer. |
| · | After the Chief Compliance Officer has reviewed the issue and consulted with legal counsel as necessary, the Ultimus Companies will determine whether the information is material and nonpublic and, if so, what action the Ultimus Companies will take. |
You should consult with the Chief Compliance Officer before taking any action. This degree of caution will protect you, our clients, and the Ultimus Companies.
| 4. | Contacts with Public Companies |
Although the Ultimus Companies do not typically have contact with public companies, you should contact the Chief Compliance Officer immediately if you believe that you may have received material, nonpublic information.
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| 5. | Tender Offers |
Tender offers represent a particular concern in the law of insider trading for two reasons: First, tender offer activity often produces extraordinary gyrations in the price of the target company’s Securities. Trading during this time period is more likely to attract regulatory attention (and produces a disproportionate percentage of insider trading cases). Second, the SEC has adopted a rule which expressly forbids trading and “tipping” while in the possession of material, nonpublic information regarding a tender offer received from the tender offeror, the target company or anyone acting on behalf of either. Supervised Persons of the Ultimus Companies and others subject to this Code should exercise extreme caution any time they become aware of nonpublic information relating to a tender offer.
| 6. | Restricted/Watch Lists |
Although the Ultimus Companies do not typically receive confidential information from portfolio companies, they may, if they receive such information take appropriate procedures to establish restricted or watch lists in certain Securities.
| C. | Guidelines |
The foregoing is just a synopsis of the insider trading prohibition. Because the law in this area is complex, Ultimus has adopted the following guidelines which are designed to prevent violations of the insider trading rules.
| 1. | When Ultimus is an Insider |
Ultimus may be deemed an insider when it comes into possession of inside information through its various activities. Ultimus will remain an insider as long as it has inside information.
| 2. | Treatment of Customer Information |
Ultimus considers confidential all information concerning its customers including, by way of example, their financial condition, prospects, plans and proposals. The fact that Ultimus has been engaged by a company as well as the details of that engagement may also be confidential. Ultimus’ reputation is one of its most important assets. The misuse of customer information can damage that reputation as well as customer relationships.
| 3. | What to do if you learn Inside Information |
It is not illegal to learn inside information. Ultimus may learn material non-public information from its customers and is permitted to use that information in a lawful manner to advise and assist them. It is, however, illegal for you to trade on such information or to pass it on to others who have no legitimate business reason for receiving such information.
If you believe you have learned inside information, contact your supervisor immediately so that Ultimus may address the insider trading issues and preserve the integrity of Ultimus’ activities. Do not trade on the information or discuss the possible inside information with any other person at Ultimus. If you become aware of a breach of these policies or of a leak of inside information, advise your supervisor immediately.
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| 4. | Investigation of Trading Activities. |
From time to time, FINRA Regulation and the SEC request information from Ultimus concerning trading in specific securities. Requests for information should be referred directly to your supervisor. You may be asked to sign a sworn affidavit that, at the time of such trading, you did not have any inside information about the securities in question. Your employment may be terminated if you refuse to sign such an affidavit. Ultimus may submit these affidavits to the FINRA Regulation or the SEC.
| 5. | Steps You Can Take to Preserve the Confidentiality of Material Non-Public Information |
If you access inside information, the following are steps you must take to preserve the confidentiality of inside information:
| a. | Material inside information should be communicated only when there exists a justifiable reason to do so on a “need to know” basis inside or outside Ultimus. Before such information is communicated to persons within Ultimus, your department, or another person you believe needs to know, contact your supervisor. |
| b. | Do not discuss confidential matters in elevators, hallways, restaurants, airplanes, taxis, or any place where you can be overheard. |
| c. | Do not leave sensitive memoranda on your desk or in other places where they can be read by others. Do not leave a computer terminal without exiting the file in which you are working. |
| d. | Do not read confidential documents in public places or discard them where they can be retrieved by others. Do not carry confidential documents in an exposed manner. |
| e. | On drafts of sensitive documents use code names or delete names to avoid identification of participants. |
| f. | Do not discuss confidential business information with spouses, other relatives, or friends. |
| g. | Avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Serious repercussions may follow from insider trading and the law proscribing insider trading can change. Since it is often difficult to determine what constitutes insider trading, you should consult with your supervisor whenever you have questions about this subject. |
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| 6. | Confidentiality Procedures |
The designated supervisors are responsible for implementing and enforcing Ultimus’ procedures to protect the confidentiality of actual or potential inside information. Ultimus’ activities are considered confidential and may only be shared with those outside the department on a need-to-know basis. Some procedures for maintaining confidentiality include:
| a. | Maintain all paper files in a locked and secured area. |
| b. | Limit access to computer files to only authorized persons with passwords to control access to the files. |
| c. | Employees must refrain from discussing in public areas or with others outside Ultimus (including family members, friends, etc.) any activities that are not publicly known. |
| d. | Use code names or delete names on sensitive drafts that identify projects or clients. |
| 7. | Restricted List |
Ultimus may maintain a restricted list when necessary and publish the restricted list to employees of Ultimus. The restricted list may include any issues where Ultimus has material, non-public information. Ultimus will record the date and time when an issue is added to and removed from the restricted list.
The type of restriction will be included on the restricted list. Restrictions will generally include the following classes of securities of the issuer: common stock, preferred stock, options, and any security convertible into the common stock of the issuer. Debt issues will be included where appropriate. The designated supervisor will monitor daily trading to identify transactions in securities of issuers on the restricted list and take action as necessary which may include inquiring regarding the solicited or unsolicited nature of transactions; canceling transactions; or taking other appropriate action.
| 8. | Your Own Securities Trading |
If you maintain brokerage accounts and you have not already done so, please advise your supervisor immediately. This includes accounts in which you have a financial interest or direct the trading.
CONCLUSION
Ultimus has a vital interest in its reputation, the reputation of its associates, and in the integrity of the securities markets. Insider trading destroys that reputation and integrity. Ultimus is committed to preventing insider trading and to punishing any employee who engages in this practice or fails to comply with the above steps designed to preserve confidentiality of inside information. These procedures are a vital part of Ultimus’ compliance efforts and must be adhered to.
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| VI. | Personal Securities Transactions |
| A. | General Policy |
The following principles governing personal investment activities by Access Persons have been adopted:
| · | The interests of client accounts will at all times be placed first; |
| · | All personal Securities transactions will be conducted in such manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility; and |
| · | Access Persons must not take inappropriate advantage of their positions. |
| B. | Covered Accounts |
The specific procedures relating to maintaining Accounts that can transact business in Reportable Securities are set forth below and apply not only to Access Persons themselves, but also to their Family Members. It is the responsibility of the Access Person to adhere to the “Reporting Requirements” set forth in Section
VI.E below.
| 1. | Designated Custodians |
Except as set forth below, Access Persons must maintain personal brokerage and trading accounts with a custodian where a direct feed or ByAllAccounts authentication can be established with Schwab CT. Accounts trading in shares of open- end investment companies (i.e., mutual funds) (excluding ETFs) may also be custodied directly with the respective fund company. If you are a new Access Person, you must transfer your Account to a custodian where a direct feed or ByAllAccounts authentication can be established with Schwab CT within thirty (30) days from becoming an Access Person unless otherwise approved by the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee. You are responsible for costs associated with transferring your personal Account. All new brokerage and trading Accounts must be established with a custodian where a direct feed or ByAllAccounts authentication can be established with Schwab CT.
The Chief Compliance Officer, at his/her discretion, may approve the maintenance of a personal brokerage or trading account through a custodian that is not a “Designated Custodian”; provided, that any Access Person who receives such approval shall be responsible for authenticating such Account in the Schwab CT system to ensure that transaction information on any such Accounts are electronically downloaded into the Schwab CT system for review and monitoring purposes.
| C. | Trading Rules |
| 1. | Pre-Clearance Required for Participation in IPOs |
No Access Person shall acquire any Beneficial Ownership in any Securities in an Initial Public Offering for his or her Account, as defined herein without the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee after being provided with full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the Supervised Person’s activities on behalf of a client) and, if approved, will be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts.
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| 2. | Pre-Clearance Required for Private or Limited Offerings |
No Access Person shall acquire Beneficial Ownership of any Securities in a Limited Offering or private placement without the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee who has been provided with full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the Access Person’s activities on behalf of a client) and, if approved, will be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts.
| D. | Reporting Requirements |
Every Access Person shall provide initial and annual holdings reports and quarterly transaction reports relating to their Account(s) to the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee that must contain the information described below. Access Persons are responsible for reporting on any new Account(s) within thirty (30) days of the assignment of an account number to such Account from the brokerage firm/custodian and the availability of an account statement. No transactions may occur in any new Account prior to its approval by the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee.
| 1. | Initial Holdings Report |
Every Access Person shall, no later than ten (10) days after the person becomes an Access Person, file an initial holdings report through Schwab CT containing the following information:
| · | The title and exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, type of Security, number of shares and principal amount (if applicable) of each Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership when the person becomes an Access Person; |
| · | The name of any broker, dealer or bank, account name, account number and location with whom the Access Person maintained an Account in which any Securities were held; and |
| · | The date that the report is submitted by the Access Person. |
The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than thirty (30) days before the person became an Access Person.
| 2. | Annual Holdings Report |
Every Access Person shall, no later than January 30th each year, file an annual holdings report containing the same information required in the initial holdings report as described above. The information submitted must be current as of a date no more than thirty (30) days before the annual report is submitted.
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| 3. | Quarterly Transaction Reports |
Every Access Person must, no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter, file a quarterly transaction report containing the following information:
| · | With respect to any transaction during the quarter in a Reportable Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership: |
| o | The date of the transaction, the title and exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount (if applicable) of each Reportable Security; |
| o | The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition); |
| o | The price of the Reportable Security at which the transaction was effected; |
| o | The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; and |
| o | The date the report is submitted by the Access Person. |
The quarterly transaction report must also contain the name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established any account during the period in which Securities are held and the date the Account was established.
4. Exempt Transactions
An Access Person may not need to submit an initial holdings report, an annual holdings report, or a quarterly transaction report with respect to transactions effected for Securities held in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control; provided, however, that in determining that an Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control over a trust or Third Party Managed Account.
| 5. | Monitoring and Review of Personal Securities Transactions |
The Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee will monitor and review all reports required under this Code for compliance with Ultimus’ policies regarding personal Securities transactions and applicable SEC rules and regulations. The Chief Compliance Officer may also initiate inquiries of Access Persons regarding personal Securities trading. Access Persons are required to cooperate with such inquiries and any monitoring or review procedures employed by Ultimus. Any transactions for any accounts of the Chief Compliance Officer will be reviewed and approved by other compliance or legal personnel responsible for oversight of this Code. The Chief Compliance Officer shall routinely, via the Schwab CT system, identify all Access Persons who are required to file reports pursuant to this Code and will inform such Access Persons of their reporting obligations. The Chief Compliance Officer may exempt temporary or part-time employees or independent contractors from certain reporting requirements of this Code if they are determined not to be an Access Person.
| · | Employee Transactions in employer 401(k) Account—While an employee participating in the 401(k) plan ordinarily is not required to report transactions occurring in such employee’s respective 401(k) account, the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee reserves the right to monitor such accounts for any abusive trading practices that would violate this Code |
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| VII. | Interested Transactions |
No Supervised Person shall recommend any Securities transactions for a client.
| VIII. | Gifts and Entertainment |
Giving, receiving or soliciting gifts or entertainment in a business setting may create an appearance of impropriety or may raise a potential conflict of interest. Ultimus has adopted the policies set forth below to guide Supervised Persons in this area.
Registered representatives and access persons of NLD and UFD are subject to the Gifts and Entertainment policies and procedures of the broker dealers. Please refer to the relevant section(s) in those manuals and direct any questions to the appropriate compliance department.
| A. | General Policy |
The Ultimus Companies’ policy with respect to gifts and entertainment is as follows:
| · | Supervised Persons should not accept or provide any gifts, entertainment or favors that might influence the decisions the Supervised Persons or the recipients must make in business transactions involving the Ultimus Companies, or that others might reasonably believe would influence those decisions. Entertainment that satisfies these requirements and conforms to generally accepted business practices is permissible. |
| · | Modest gifts and favors which would not be regarded by others as improper, may be accepted or given on an occasional basis. |
| · | Where there is a law or rule that applies to the conduct of a particular business or the acceptance of gifts or entertainment of even nominal value, the law or rule must be followed. |
| B. | Reporting Requirements |
| · | Any Supervised Person who accepts, directly or indirectly, anything of value (other than attendance fees or travel related reimbursements in connection with the participation at an industry related conference or seminar) from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the Ultimus Companies, including gifts and gratuities, must disclose such acceptance within the Schwab CT reporting system. |
| · | This reporting requirement applies to all entertainment, regardless of whether you are accompanied by the person or representative of the entity that does business with the Ultimus Companies; however, this reporting requirement does not apply to bona fide dining if, during such dining, you are accompanied by the person or representative of the entity that does business with the Ultimus Companies. |
| · | This gift reporting requirement is for the purpose of helping the Ultimus Companies monitor the activities of its employees. However, the reporting of a gift does not relieve any Supervised Person from the obligations and policies set forth in this Section or anywhere else in this Code. If you have any questions or concerns about the appropriateness of any gift, please consult the Chief Compliance Officer. |
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| IX. | Protecting the Confidentiality of Client Information |
| A. | Confidential Client Information |
In the course of providing its services, the Ultimus Companies may gain access to non-public information about its clients. Such information may include a person's status as a client, personal financial and account information, the allocation of assets in a client portfolio, the composition of investments in any client portfolio, information relating to services performed for or transactions entered into on behalf of clients, advice provided by the Ultimus Companies 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 the Ultimus Companies’ current or former clients, is subject to this Code's policies and procedures. Any doubts about the confidentiality of information must be resolved in favor of confidentiality.
| B. | Non-Disclosure of Confidential Client Information |
All information regarding the Ultimus Companies’ clients is confidential. Information may only be disclosed when the disclosure is consistent with the Ultimus Companies’ policies and the client's direction. The Ultimus Companies 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. The Ultimus Companies will require that any financial intermediary, agent or other service provider utilized by the Ultimus Companies (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 the Ultimus Companies only for the performance of the specific service requested by the Ultimus Companies; |
| · | As required by regulatory authorities or law enforcement officials who have jurisdiction over the Ultimus Companies, or as otherwise required by any applicable law. In the event the Ultimus Companies is compelled to disclose Confidential Client Information, the Ultimus Companies 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, the Ultimus Companies shall disclose only such information, and only in such detail, as is legally required; or |
| · | To the extent reasonably necessary to prevent fraud, unauthorized transactions or liability. |
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| C. | Employee Responsibilities |
All employees are prohibited, either during or after the termination of their employment from disclosing Confidential Client Information to any person or entity outside of the Ultimus Companies, including Family Members, except under the circumstances described above. A Supervised Person is permitted to disclose Confidential Client Information only to such other Supervised Persons who need to have access to such information to deliver services to the client.
Supervised Persons are also prohibited from making unauthorized copies of any documents or files containing Confidential Client Information and, upon termination of their employment with the Ultimus Companies, must return any and all such documents to the Ultimus Companies.
Any Supervised Person who violates the non-disclosure policy described above will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible termination, whether or not he or she benefited from the disclosed information.
| D. | Security of Confidential Client Information |
The Ultimus Companies enforce the following policies and procedures to protect the security of Confidential Client Information:
| · | The Ultimus Companies restrict access to Confidential Client Information to those Supervised Persons who need to know such information to provide the Ultimus Companies’ services to clients. |
| · | Any Supervised Person who is authorized to have access to Confidential Client Information in connection with the performance of such person's duties and responsibilities is required to keep such information in a secure compartment, file or receptacle on a daily basis as of the close of each business day. |
| · | All electronic or computer files containing any Confidential Client Information shall be secured from access by unauthorized persons in accordance with the Ultimus Companies’ cybersecurity policy and procedures. |
| · | Any conversations involving Confidential Client Information, if appropriate at all, must be conducted by Supervised Persons in private, and care must be taken to avoid any unauthorized persons overhearing or intercepting such conversations. |
| E. | Privacy Policy |
The Ultimus Companies have adopted a privacy policy to comply with SEC Regulation S-P, which requires the adoption of policies and procedures to protect the “nonpublic personal information” of natural person clients. “Nonpublic personal 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 and information obtained in providing products or services. The policies and procedures adopted by the Ultimus Companies serve to safeguard the information of natural person clients.
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| F. | Enforcement and Review of Confidentiality and Privacy Policies |
The Chief Compliance Officer, in conjunction with the Ultimus Companies’ legal department, is responsible for reviewing, maintaining and enforcing the Ultimus Companies’ confidentiality and privacy policies and is also responsible for conducting appropriate employee training to ensure adherence to these policies. Any exceptions to this policy require the written approval of the legal department.
| X. | Service as a Director |
Except with respect to Supervised Persons solely as a result of their service as a non-employee director, manager, or officer, or their engagement as an independent contractor, no Supervised Person shall serve on the board of directors of any publicly traded company without prior authorization by the Chief Compliance Officer or a designated supervisory person based upon a determination that such board service would be consistent with the interest of the Ultimus Companies’ clients. Where board service is approved the Ultimus Companies shall implement a “Chinese Wall” or other appropriate procedure to isolate such person from making decisions relating to the company’s securities.
| XI. | Certification |
| A. | Initial Certification |
All Supervised Persons will be provided with a copy of this Code and must initially certify in writing to the Chief Compliance Officer that they have: (i) received a copy of this Code; (ii) read and understand all provisions of this Code; (iii) agreed to abide by this Code; and (iv), reported all account holdings as required by this Code.
| B. | Amendments |
All Supervised Persons shall receive any amendments to this Code and agree to abide by this Code as amended.
C. Annual Certification
All Supervised Persons must annually certify in writing to the Chief Compliance Officer that they have: (i) read and understood all provisions of this Code, as amended; (ii) complied with all requirements of this Code; and (iii) submitted all holdings and transaction reports as required by this Code.
| D. | Further Information |
Supervised Persons should contact the Chief Compliance Officer regarding any inquiries pertaining to this Code or the policies established herein.
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| XII. | Records |
The Chief Compliance Officer, in conjunction with the Ultimus Companies’ legal department, shall maintain and cause to be maintained in a readily accessible place the following records:
| · | A copy of any code of ethics adopted by the Ultimus Companies that is or has been in effect during the past five years; |
| · | A record of any violation of any code of ethics adopted by the Ultimus Companies and any action that was taken as a result of such violation for a period of five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred; |
| · | A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt of the Code and amendments thereto for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, a Supervised Person which shall be retained for five years after the individual ceases to be a Supervised Person; |
| · | A copy of each report made pursuant to Investment Company Act Rule 17j-1, including any brokerage confirmations, account statements or data feeds made in lieu of these reports; |
| · | A list of all persons who are, or within the preceding five years have been, Access Persons; and |
| · | A record of any decision and reasons supporting such decision to approve a Supervised Persons' acquisition of Securities in Initial Public Offerings and Limited Offerings within the past five years after the end of the fiscal year in which such approval is granted. |
| XIII. | Reporting Violations and Sanctions |
All Supervised Persons shall promptly report to the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee all apparent violations of this Code. Any retaliation for the reporting of a violation under this Code will constitute a violation of this Code.
The Chief Compliance Officer shall promptly report to senior management all apparent material violations of this Code. When the Chief Compliance Officer finds that a violation otherwise reportable to senior management could not be reasonably found to have resulted in a fraud, deceit, or a manipulative practice in violation of the securities laws or rules, he/she may, in his/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 this 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. In accordance with the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 and other applicable law, nothing in this Code restricts disclosure of trade secrets to the government in relation to the investigation of a known or reasonably suspected violation of applicable law.
If a Supervised Person does not wish to report an apparent violation or unethical behavior to the Chief Compliance Officer, such Supervised Person can utilize the Ultimus Whistleblower/AlertLine (“AlertLine”).
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Unethical behavior can include violations of federal, state or local laws; any material violation of this Code; billing for services not performed or for goods not delivered; and other fraudulent financial reporting. Illegal or dishonest activities may be related to: diversity, equal opportunity and respect in the workplace; employee relations (inappropriate behavior/unfair employment practices); health and safety; misuse or misappropriation of assets or information; violations of SEC and FINRA rules and policies; and/or policy and process integrity.
The AlertLine is not a substitute for meaningful communication between the Supervised Person and their manager. The Chief Compliance Officer or the Supervised Person’s manager is often the best and safest option for discussing concerns of an ethical nature. If, however, a Supervised Person believes that to be inappropriate in their case, they can report ethical misconduct or simply get more information by logging on to https://ultimusfundsolutions.ethicspoint.com or by calling the AlertLine at 1-844-711-0263.
The AlertLine is confidential, easy to use, and is operated by a third-party provider, which specializes in this type of service. Supervised Persons will have two options for reporting concerns: 1.) Online by logging on to the website at https://ultimusfundsolutions.ethicspoint.com and filling in important information fields regarding the nature of the report, or 2.) Call the AlertLine number at 1-844-711-0263 to speak with a live operator, who will ask relevant questions. Calls are toll-free and both methods are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Regardless of which method an employee chooses, the AlertLine system will prepare a report and forward it to the appropriate person for review and, if necessary, investigation.
| XIV. | Ethics Training |
The Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee will provide training to all Supervised Persons on at least an annual basis regarding the topics included in this Code. It shall be the responsibility of the Chief Compliance Officer to ensure that evidence of any communication and training conducted, including specified dates and attendees. Such training can be provided in-person or electronically, at the Chief Compliance Officer’s discretion.
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Schedule A
Frequently Asked Questions About Code of Ethics
Persons Subject to Code:
| 1. | Why are some Code requirements applicable to “Supervised Persons” while others refer to “Access Persons”? As an Ultimus employee, what applies to me? |
Under applicable regulatory requirements, certain provisions of the Code are required to be applicable to “Supervised Persons” while others are focused on “Access Persons”. You are a “Supervised Person” if you are an employee or officer of Ultimus, an independent contractor working with Ultimus who obtains confidential information regarding the Ultimus’ clients as part of your engagement, or you provide advice on behalf of Ultimus and you’re subject to Ultimus’ supervision and control. “Access Persons” are a subset of this group who are given access to nonpublic information regarding any client’s purchase or sale of Securities. In reality, because of the close affiliation of subsidiaries within The Ultimus Group, LLC, almost every “Supervised Person” will also be considered an “Access Person”. Non-employee directors/managers and registered representatives of UFD or NLD are the primary examples of individuals who would be considered “Supervised Persons” but not “Access Persons”.
Bottom Line: If you are an Ultimus employee, all provisions of the Code apply to you.
Accounts Covered by Code:
| 1. | What accounts do I need to disclose on Schwab CT? |
Any Account of an employee or their Family Members and any Account in which he or she has Beneficial Ownership, such as trust and custodial accounts or other accounts in which you exercise investment discretion should be disclosed. Please note that for this purpose, “Family Member” includes not only relatives by blood, marriage, or otherwise, but also an unrelated individual who either resides with, is financially dependent upon, or whose investments are controlled by you, such as a “significant other”. Any questions regarding the coverage of non-Family Members will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
There are limited exceptions to this definition that include your employer 401(k) account and any account that you do not exercise control over, as further explained in Section VI.E.5 of the Code. For example, if you are the beneficiary of a trust but have no knowledge of the specific management actions taken by the trustee and no right to intervene in the trustee’s management, such “blind trust” account would be excluded from the disclosure requirement.
Ultimus does not need information about your non-brokerage accounts, which would include accounts held directly at a mutual fund, college savings plan accounts, checking and savings accounts maintained at a bank, credit union or trust company, unless these accounts maintain Security holdings.
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| 2. | What if I am a beneficiary on an account? |
If you are named as a beneficiary on an account or trust but have no knowledge or control of the specific actions taken by the trustee and no right to intervene in the trustee’s management, you would not have to disclose the trust account. If you have more contact with the account or trust, you may need to disclose the account on Schwab CT. These situations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
| 3. | How do I disclose a personal brokerage or trading Account in Schwab CT? |
On your first day of employment, you will receive an email from Schwab CT prompting you to login and complete the required attestations as a new employee. One of your attestations will require you to disclose any accounts you or any Family Member have.
| 4. | Are there restrictions on the custodians that can hold my trading Account? |
Yes, please refer to Section VI.B.1 which contains Ultimus’ policy on custodians. Please note that the Chief Compliance Officer has discretion to make exceptions in his or her sole discretion.
| 5. | Why do my personal brokerage and trading Accounts have to be held at specific custodians? |
It is so that Ultimus can obtain automated daily feeds of trade activities in Accounts, which assists us in administering the Code effectively and efficiently.
| 6. | If my Family Member or I have Accounts at firms where a direct feed or ByAllAccounts authentication cannot be established, will they have to be moved? |
Yes, the Account must be transferred within 30 days from initial commencement of employment unless otherwise authorized by the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee.
| 7. | If my current brokerage firm charges me a fee to move my Account, will Ultimus pay that fee? |
No, you will have to pay any fees associated with transferring your Account.
Pre-Approval:
| 1. | Can I buy shares of an Initial Public Offering (IPO)? |
You may not acquire shares of an IPO unless you receive prior written approval from the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee through the Schwab CT system. You are required to provide full details of the proposed transaction and certify that this opportunity did not arise through activities on behalf of a client. Please note, this restriction applies to spouses, children, and other Family Members and their Accounts. This also applies to private or Limited Offerings.
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Reporting Requirements:
1. What are my quarterly reporting obligations?
On an ongoing basis, you will be prompted to certify your understanding and compliance with the reporting requirements of the Code on a quarterly basis. Reporting through Schwab CT to confirm your covered Accounts and investments/transactions is also completed on a quarterly basis.
Schwab CT Administration:
| 1. | What is my Schwab CT password? |
If you have forgotten your Schwab CT password, please click on the “forgot password” link on the Schwab CT login page and a new password will be emailed to you. Your compliance department will not have your password.
| 2. | How do I know if I’ve completed all my compliance affirmations in Schwab CT? |
The Home page of Schwab CT will show you any outstanding items. Should an item be listed, you must click on that item and complete any required actions.
Code Violations:
| 1. | What are the repercussions of a violation of the Code of Ethics? |
Each violation of the Code is considered in relation to the facts and circumstances to determine the materiality of a particular violation. The Chief Compliance Officer will report to senior management all apparent material violations of the Code. Senior management shall consider any Code violations and determine what sanctions, if any, should be imposed. Possible sanctions include reprimands, monetary fines or assessments, or suspension or termination of an employee’s employment with Ultimus.
Additional Questions:
| 1. | Who can I contact for additional information on Ultimus’ Code of Ethics requirements? |
Should you have any questions please contact the appropriate compliance department:
Compliance Contacts (for all non-Distributor related Compliance questions):
| · | Kristin McCann, Ultimus CCO (631) 470-2636 |
| · | Radha Rai, Ultimus Compliance Manager (631) 650-3407 |
Distributor Compliance Contacts:
| · | Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC: Steve Preston (513) 587-3409 |
| · | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC: Gary Danahy (402) 896-7290 |