As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 27, 2019

File No. 333-_____

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM N-14

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Pre-Effective Amendment No. ____ 
 
[   ]
 
 
Post-Effective Amendment No. ____
 
 
[   ]

(Check appropriate box or boxes)


NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

ONE NATIONWIDE PLAZA, MAIL CODE 05-02-210, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code)

(614) 435-5787
(Registrant's Area Code and Telephone Number)


Send Copies of Communications to:

ALLAN J. OSTER, ESQ.
PRUFESH R. MODHERA, ESQ.
10 WEST NATIONWIDE BOULEVARD
STRADLEY, RONON, STEVENS, & YOUNG LLP
COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
2000 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 700
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006


Approximate Date of Public Offering:  As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Title of securities being registered:

Class A, Class R, Class R6 and Institutional Service Class shares of beneficial interest, without par value, of the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund, a series of the Registrant.

It is proposed that this Registration Statement will become effective on October 28, 2019 pursuant to Rule 488 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

No filing fee is due because Registrant is relying on Section 24(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS
One Nationwide Plaza
Mail Code: 5-02-210
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(800) 848-0920

NATIONWIDE DESTINATION 2010 FUND

IMPORTANT SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

The enclosed Prospectus/Information Statement is being provided to inform you that on or about _____________, 2019, the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of Nationwide Mutual Funds (the “Trust”), will be reorganized with and into the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund, also a series of the Trust (the “Transaction”). The Prospectus/Information Statement discusses this proposed Transaction and provides you with information that you should consider. The Board of Trustees of the Trust approved the Transaction and concluded that the Transaction is in the best interests of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund and its shareholders.

Please review the information in the Prospectus/Information Statement for your reference. You do not need to take any action regarding your account. On or about ___________, 2019, your shares of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund will be converted automatically at their net asset value into the shares of the corresponding class of the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund.

If you have any questions, please call the Trust toll-free at (800) 848-0920.
i

PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
3
The Transaction
3
How do the investment objectives, principal strategies and policies of the Target Fund compare against the Acquiring Fund?
3
What are the principal risks associated with investments in the Target Fund versus the Acquiring Fund?
4
What are the general tax consequences of the Transaction?
4
Who manages the Funds?
4
What are the fees and expenses of each Fund and what might they be after the Transaction?
5
How do the performance records of the Funds compare?
8
Where can I find more financial information about the Funds?
11
What are other key features of the Funds?
11
   
COMPARISON OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS
12
What are the differences between the investment objectives of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund?
12
What are the most significant differences between the principal strategies and policies of the Target Fund compared to the Acquiring Fund?
12
How do the fundamental investment restrictions of the Target Fund differ from the Acquiring Fund?
12
What are the principal risk factors associated with investments in the Funds?
13
   
REASONS FOR THE TRANSACTION
15
   
INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION AND THE PLAN
16
How will the Transaction be carried out?
16
Who will pay the expenses of the Transaction?
17
What are the tax consequences of the Transaction?
17
What should I know about shares of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund?
18
What are the capitalizations of the Funds and what might the capitalization be after the Transaction?
18
   
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS
19
   
EXHIBITS TO PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT
21
ii

NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS
One Nationwide Plaza
Mail Code: 5-02-210
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(800) 848-0920

PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT

Dated __________, 2019

Acquisition of the Assets of:
 
NATIONWIDE DESTINATION 2010 FUND
 
(a series of Nationwide Mutual Funds)
 
By and in exchange for shares of:
 
NATIONWIDE DESTINATION RETIREMENT FUND
 
(a series of Nationwide Mutual Funds)


This Prospectus/Information Statement is being furnished to shareholders of Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund (the “Target Fund”), a series of Nationwide Mutual Funds (the “Trust”), pursuant to a Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) whereby (i) all of the property, assets, and goodwill (“Assets”) of the Target Fund will be acquired by the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund, also a series of the Trust (the “Acquiring Fund,” and collectively with the Target Fund, the “Funds”), in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund (the “Transaction”), and (ii) the Acquiring Fund will assume all of the liabilities of the Target Fund. According to the Plan, the Target Fund will then be liquidated and dissolved following the Transaction. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has approved the Plan and the Transaction. Shareholders of the Target Fund are not required to and are not being asked to approve the Plan or the Transaction.

Pursuant to the Plan, holders of Class A, Class R, Class R6 and Institutional Service Class shares of the Target Fund will receive the equivalent aggregate net asset value of Class A, Class R, Class R6 and Institutional Service Class shares, respectively, of the Acquiring Fund.

The investment goals, strategies and risks of the Funds are identical and they invest in the same securities. Additionally, the fundamental and non-fundamental investment restrictions of each Fund are identical.

Each Fund is a non-diversified series of the Trust. Both Funds utilize Nationwide Fund Advisors (“NFA”) as the investment adviser.

This Prospectus/Information Statement provides the information that you should know about the Transaction and about an investment in the Acquiring Fund. You should retain this Prospectus/Information Statement for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information dated __________, 2019 (the “Statement of Additional Information”), relating to this Prospectus/Information Statement contains more information about the Acquiring Fund and the Transaction, and has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is incorporated herein by reference.

The prospectus of the Acquiring Fund, dated February 28, 2019, as revised August 27, 2019 (1933 Act File No. 333-40455) (the “Acquiring Fund Prospectus”), is incorporated herein by reference and is considered a part of this Prospectus/Information Statement, and is intended to provide you with information about the Acquiring Fund. A copy of the current summary prospectus for the Acquiring Fund (“Acquiring Fund Summary Prospectus”)
1

accompanies this Prospectus/Information Statement. The prospectus of the Target Fund, dated February 28, 2019, as revised August 27, 2019 (1933 Act File No. 333-40455) (the “Target Fund Prospectus”), provides additional information about the Target Fund and is incorporated herein by reference. Target Fund shareholders should consult their financial advisor about whether the Acquiring Fund is appropriate for the shareholder’s investment portfolio.

You can request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, Acquiring Fund Prospectus or Target Fund Prospectus, the Annual Report to Shareholders of the Acquiring Fund or Target Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 (collectively the “Annual Reports”), or the Semiannual Report to Shareholders of the Acquiring Fund or Target Fund for the period ended April 30, 2019, by calling (800) 848-0920, or by writing to the Trust at: One Nationwide Plaza, Mail Code: 5-02-210, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

Additional information about the Acquiring Fund can be viewed online or downloaded from the EDGAR database without charge on the SEC’s internet site at www.sec.gov. Shareholders can obtain copies, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by sending an e-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by mailing a written request to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY
AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.

The SEC has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus/Information Statement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other U.S. government agency. Mutual fund shares involve investment risks, including the possible loss of principal.
2

INTRODUCTION

This Introduction is only a summary of certain information contained in this Prospectus/Information Statement. You should read the more complete information in the rest of this Prospectus/Information Statement, including the Plan, attached as Exhibit A, and the Acquiring Fund Summary Prospectus included with this Prospectus/Information Statement.

The Transaction

The Plan provides for: (i) the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of all of the Assets of the Target Fund in exchange solely for Class A, Class R, Class R6 and Institutional Service Class shares of the Acquiring Fund (“Acquiring Fund Shares”); (ii) the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund; (iii) the pro rata distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares to shareholders of the Target Fund holding the corresponding class of shares of the Target Fund; and (iv) the liquidation and dissolution of the Target Fund.  At a meeting held on June 11, 2019, the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) (the “Independent Trustees”), approved the Plan.

At the closing of the Transaction, all of the Target Fund’s Assets will be transferred to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares equal in value to the Assets of the Target Fund that are transferred to the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Fund will assume all of the liabilities of the Target Fund. The Acquiring Fund Shares will then be distributed pro rata to the Target Fund’s shareholders and the Target Fund will be liquidated and dissolved.

The Transaction will result in your shares of the Target Fund being exchanged for Acquiring Fund Shares equal in value (but having a different price per share) to your shares of the Target Fund. In particular, shareholders of Class A, Class R, Class R6 and Institutional Service Class shares of the Target Fund will receive Class A, Class R, Class R6 and Institutional Service Class shares of the Acquiring Fund, respectively. This means that you will cease to be a shareholder of the Target Fund and will become a shareholder of the Acquiring Fund, holding shares of the same class. This exchange will occur on a date agreed upon by the parties to the Plan (hereafter, the “Closing Date”), which is currently anticipated to occur on or around _________, 2019. Class A shareholders of the Target Fund will not be assessed sales charges, including any contingent deferred sales charge, for the exchange of their shares for Class A shares of the Acquiring Fund. Subsequent purchases of Class A shares of the Acquiring Fund will, however, be subject to applicable sales charges.

For the reasons set forth below under “Reasons for the Transaction,” the Board has determined that the Transaction is in the best interests of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund. The Board has also concluded that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Target Fund and the existing shareholders of the Acquiring Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Transaction.

How do the investment objectives, principal strategies and policies of the Target Fund compare against the Acquiring Fund?
 
Investment Objectives. The Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund both seek capital appreciation and income consistent with their current asset allocations. The Funds’ investment objectives are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

Principal Investment Strategies and Policies. The Funds have identical investment strategies and policies. Each Fund is a “fund-of-funds” that invests primarily in affiliated mutual funds representing a variety of asset classes, and each Fund invests in a professionally selected mix of asset classes that is tailored for investors who have already retired. Therefore, each Fund primarily seeks income, and invests in bonds of U.S. and international issuers (including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities) in order to generate investment income, and secondarily seeks capital growth, investing a smaller portion of its assets in equity securities, such as common stocks of U.S. and international companies. Each Fund currently allocates approximately 65% of its assets in fixed-income securities, approximately 25% in U.S. stocks (including smaller company stocks), and approximately 10% in international stocks.
3

Each Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under applicable federal law and will not concentrate its investments in any one industry.

For further information about the investment objectives and policies of the Funds, see “Comparison of Investment Objectives, Principal Strategies, Policies and Principal Risks” below.

What are the principal risks associated with investments in the Target Fund versus the Acquiring Fund?
 
The Target Fund and Acquiring Fund have identical principal risks and in the same degree. Specifically, the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund share the following risks: fund-of-funds risk, exchange-traded funds risk, management risk, market risk, equity securities risk, foreign securities risk, smaller company risk, fixed-income securities risk, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risks, derivatives risk, index fund risk, liquidity risk, limited portfolio holdings risk and retirement goal risk. For a detailed comparison of each Fund’s principal risks, see the section below entitled “Comparison of Investment Objectives, Principal Strategies, Policies and Principal Risks.”

What are the general tax consequences of the Transaction?

The Transaction is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes (although there can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) will adopt a similar position). This means that the shareholders of the Target Fund will not recognize any gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the exchange of their shares in the Target Fund for Acquiring Fund Shares pursuant to the Transaction. Prior to the closing of the Transaction, the Target Fund will distribute to its shareholders, in one or more taxable distributions, all of its income and gains (net of available capital loss carryovers) not previously distributed for taxable years ending on or prior to the date of closing of the Transaction. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the effect, if any, of the Transaction in light of your individual circumstances. You should also consult your tax advisor about the state and local tax consequences of the Transaction, if any, because the information about tax consequences in this document relates to the federal income tax consequences of the Transaction only.

For more detailed information about the federal income tax consequences of the Transaction, see “Information about the Transaction and the Plan – What are the tax consequences of the Transaction?”

Who manages the Funds?
 
Nationwide Fund Advisors (“NFA” or the “Adviser”), One Nationwide Plaza, Mail Code: 5-02-210, Columbus, Ohio 43215, manages the investment of each Fund’s assets and supervises the daily business affairs of the Funds. NFA was organized in 1999 as an investment adviser for mutual funds. NFA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. As of July 31, 2019, NFA managed in the aggregate approximately $90.85 billion in assets under management.

The portfolio managers of both the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund are identical. Christopher C. Graham, Keith P. Robinette, CFA and Andrew Urban, CFA are co-portfolio managers with joint responsibility for the day-to-day management of both Funds in accordance with (1) their respective target asset class allocations and (2) the allocations to each of their respective Underlying Funds.

Mr. Graham is Chief Investment Officer of NFA. Mr. Graham joined the Office of Investments at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (“Nationwide Mutual”) in November 2004, serving primarily as a portfolio manager for a hedge fund and for Nationwide Mutual’s proprietary general account. He joined NFA in 2016.

Mr. Robinette is Senior Director of Asset Strategies of NFA. Mr. Robinette joined Nationwide Mutual in 2012 where he managed a hedge fund portfolio and led manager due diligence reviews. He joined NFA in 2017.

Mr. Urban is a Senior Director of Asset Strategies of NFA. He joined NFA in 2016. Prior to joining NFA, Mr. Urban worked for six years as an investment analyst for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, where he was most recently responsible for hedge fund manager selection and due diligence as well as portfolio risk
4

management.

The Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for the Funds, dated February 28, 2019, as revised August 27, 2019, provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Funds. For information on how to obtain a copy of the SAI for the Funds, please see the section entitled, “More Information about the Funds.”

What are the fees and expenses of each Fund and what might they be after the Transaction?
 
The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay when buying and holding shares of the Funds, depending on the share class you hold, followed by those estimated to be charged with respect to the corresponding class of Acquiring Fund Shares after the Transaction. The operating expenses shown for the Funds are based on expenses incurred during the Funds’ 12-month period ended April 30, 2019. The tables below also include the pro forma expenses for the Acquiring Fund after the Transaction with the Target Fund and for the relevant share classes.

FEE TABLES FOR THE FUNDS*

Class A Shares
 
 
Actual
Pro forma
 
Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund (Target Fund) – Class A
Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (Acquiring Fund) –
Class A
Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (Acquiring Fund) – Class A after Transaction with Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund (Target Fund)
Shareholder Fees (paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed upon purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
5.75%
5.75%
5.75%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of offering or sale price, whichever is less)
None
None
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees
0.13%
0.13%
0.13%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
Other Expenses
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
0.88%
0.88%
0.88%

Class R Shares
 
 
Actual
Pro forma
5

 
Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund (Target Fund) – Class R
Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (Acquiring Fund) –
Class R
Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (Acquiring Fund) – Class R after Transaction with Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund (Target Fund)
Shareholder Fees (paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed upon purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
None
None
None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of offering or sale price, whichever is less)
None
None
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees
0.13%
0.13%
0.13%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
0.50%
0.50%
0.50%
Other Expenses
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
1.13%
1.13%
1.13%
 
Class R6 Shares
 
 
Actual
Pro forma
 
Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund (Target Fund) – Class R6
Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (Acquiring Fund) –
Class R6
Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (Acquiring Fund) – Class R6 after Transaction with Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund (Target Fund)
Shareholder Fees (paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed upon purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
None
None
None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of offering or sale price, whichever is less)
None
None
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees
0.13%
0.13%
0.13%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
None
None
None
Other Expenses
None
None
None
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
0.38%
0.38%
0.38%
6

Institutional Service Class Shares
 
 
Actual
Pro forma
 
Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund (Target Fund) – Institutional Service Class
Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (Acquiring Fund) –
Institutional Service Class
Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (Acquiring Fund) – Institutional Service Class after Transaction with Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund (Target Fund)
Shareholder Fees (paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed upon purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
None
None
None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of offering or sale price, whichever is less)
None
None
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees
0.13%
0.13%
0.13%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
None
None
None
Other Expenses
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
0.25%
0.25%
0.25%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
0.63%
0.63%
0.63%
* Pro forma expenses are estimated as if the Transaction occurred on ___________, 2019.

Examples

These Examples are intended to help you compare the costs of investing in Target Fund shares with the cost of investing in Acquiring Fund shares of the comparable class, both before and after the Transaction. The Examples assume 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 time periods. The Examples assume a 5% return each year and no change in expenses. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, the costs would be:

Class A
       
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Target Fund – Class A Shares
$660
$840
$1,035
$1,597
Acquiring Fund – Class A Shares
660
840
1,035
1,597
Pro forma Acquiring Fund – Class A Shares (after the Transaction with Target Fund)
660
840
1,035
1,597
         
Class R
       
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Target Fund – Class R Shares
$115
$359
$622
$1,375
Acquiring Fund – Class R Shares
115
359
622
1,375
Pro forma Acquiring Fund – Class R Shares (after the Transaction with Target Fund)
115
359
622
1,375
         
Class R6
       
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
7

Target Fund – Class R6 Shares
$39
$122
$213
$480
Acquiring Fund – Class R6 Shares
39
122
213
480
Pro forma Acquiring Fund – Class R6 Shares (after the Transaction with Target Fund)
39
122
213
480
         
Institutional Service Class
       
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Target Fund – Institutional Service Class Shares
$64
$202
$351
$786
Acquiring Fund – Institutional Service Class Shares
64
202
351
786
Pro forma Acquiring Fund – Institutional Service Class Shares (after the Transaction with Target Fund)
64
202
351
786

These are just examples. They do not represent past or future expenses or returns. Each Fund pays its own operating expenses. The effects of these expenses are reflected in the net asset value and are not directly charged to your account. The expenses of each of the Funds comprise expenses attributable to each Fund, respectively, as well as expenses not attributable to any particular series of the Trust that are allocated among the various series of the Trust.
 
How do the performance records of the Funds compare?
 
Effective August 27, 2019, each Fund’s principal investment strategy was modified such that each Fund invests in the same securities and in approximately the same percentages. Prior to August 27, 2019, the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund generally invested in the same securities, although in different percentages. Therefore, although the investment strategies and holdings of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund were similar, their performance was different.

The performance histories of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund, as of December 31, 2018, are shown below:

Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund – Class A

Annual Total Returns
(Years Ended December 31,)

Best Quarter: 10.56% - 2nd qtr. of 2009
Worst Quarter: -8.53% - 3rd qtr. of 2011
Year-to-Date Total Return as of June 30, 2019: 9.32%
8

Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund – Class A

Annual Total Returns
(Years Ended December 31,)

Best Quarter: 12.05% - 2nd qtr. of 2009
Worst Quarter: -9.42% - 3rd qtr. of 2011
Year-to-Date Total Return as of June 30, 2019: 9.88%

 
Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2018
   
 
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Target Fund – Class A
-9.75%
1.46%
4.83%
Acquiring Fund – Class A
-10.36%
1.71%
5.61%
       
Target Fund – Class R
-4.65%
2.39%
5.16%
Acquiring Fund – Class R
-5.24%
2.62%
5.94%
       
Target Fund – Class R6
-3.88%
3.17%
5.96%
Acquiring Fund – Class R6
-4.58%
3.39%
6.75%
       
Target Fund – Institutional Service Class
-3.89%
3.09%
5.93%
Acquiring Fund – Institutional Service Class
-4.84%
3.13%
6.47%
       
Performance Benchmark for Target Fund
     
Morningstar® Lifetime Allocation
-2.97%
3.37%
6.96%
9

Moderate 2010 Index1
     
Performance Benchmark for Acquiring Fund
     
Morningstar® Lifetime Allocation Moderate 2015 Index1
-3.54%
3.61%
7.55%
       
1 Unlike mutual funds, the Index does not incur expenses. If expenses were deducted, the actual returns of the Index would be lower. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index.

In addition, the performance history of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund, as of June 30, 2019, is shown below:


 
Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended June 30, 2019
   
 
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Target Fund – Class A
-1.25%
2.35%
5.46%
Acquiring Fund – Class A
-1.42%
2.66%
6.21%
       
Target Fund – Class R
4.58%
3.27%
5.81%
Acquiring Fund – Class R
4.44%
3.60%
6.58%
       
Target Fund – Class R6
5.36%
4.05%
6.62%
Acquiring Fund – Class R6
5.22%
4.37%
7.37%
       
Target Fund – Institutional Service Class
5.35%
3.98%
6.59%
Acquiring Fund – Institutional Service Class
4.96%
4.11%
7.11%
       
Performance Benchmark for Target Fund
     
Morningstar® Lifetime Allocation Moderate 2010 Index1
6.58%
4.18%
7.46%
Performance Benchmark for Acquiring Fund
     
Morningstar® Lifetime Allocation Moderate 2015 Index1
6.92%
4.52%
8.10%
1 Unlike mutual funds, the Index does not incur expenses. If expenses were deducted, the actual returns of the Index would be lower. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index.
10

Where can I find more financial information about the Funds?
 
The Funds’ Annual Reports contain a discussion of each Fund’s performance during their fiscal year ending October 31, 2018, and show per share information for each of the previous five fiscal years or since inception, if less than five fiscal years. These documents, and each Fund’s most recent Semiannual Report dated April 30, 2019, are available upon request. (See “More Information about the Funds”).

What are other key features of the Funds?
 
Investment Advisory Fees. NFA is the investment adviser of each Fund. NFA has entered into an investment advisory agreement relating to the Funds. Each Fund is subject to a unified advisory fee rate of 0.13% of average daily net assets. Under the unified fee structure, the Adviser pays substantially all of the expenses of managing and operating the Funds except Rule 12b-1 fees, administrative services fees, the cost of investment securities or other investment assets, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short-sale dividend expenses, the cost of share certificates representing shares of the Trust, compensation and expenses of the non-interested Trustees and counsel to the non-interested Trustees, and expenses incurred by a Fund in connection with any merger or reorganization or any other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund’s business. The unified management fee paid to the Adviser does not include, and is in addition to, the indirect investment management fees and other operating expenses that the Funds pay as shareholders of an affiliated or unaffiliated Underlying Fund.

Distribution Services. Nationwide Fund Distributors LLC (“NFD” or the “Distributor”), One Nationwide Plaza, Mail Code 5-02-10, Columbus, Ohio 43215, serves as principal underwriter for both Funds in the continuous distribution of their shares pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement dated May 1, 2007. In its capacity as principal underwriter, NFD solicits orders for the sale of shares, advertises and pays the costs of distribution, advertising, office space and the personnel involved in such activities. NFD receives no compensation under the Underwriting Agreement with the Trust, but may retain all or a portion of the sales charge and 12b-1 fee, if any, imposed upon the sale of shares of each Fund. The Underwriting Agreement with the Trust covers both Funds.

Rule 12b-1 Plans. The Trust has adopted a distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule 12b-1 Plan”) of the 1940 Act for each Fund’s Class A shares and Class R shares. The Rule 12b-1 Plan permits each Fund to compensate NFD, as each Fund’s principal underwriter, for expenses associated with the distribution of Class A shares and Class R shares of the Funds. Although actual distribution expenses may be more or less, Class A shares pay NFD an annual fee under the Distribution Plan an amount that will not exceed 0.25%. Class R shares of the Funds each pay NFD an annual fee under the Distribution Plan an amount that will not exceed 0.50%. The Rule 12b-1 Plan applies to both Funds.

Purchase, Exchange and Redemption Procedures. Generally, there are no differences between each Fund’s procedures with regard to the purchase, exchange and redemption of Fund shares. You may refer to the prospectus for the Funds under the section entitled “Investing with Nationwide Funds” for the purchase, exchange, and redemption procedures applicable to the purchases, exchanges and redemptions of each Fund’s shares. In summary, the purchase, exchange, and redemption price of each share of the Funds is its net asset value next determined after the order is received in good order by the Fund or its agent. Shares may be redeemed or exchanged at any time, subject to certain restrictions.

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes. Each Fund’s procedures with regard to dividends, distributions and taxes are identical. You may refer to the prospectus for the Funds under the section entitled “Distributions and Taxes.” In summary, substantially all of each Fund’s net investment income, if any, is declared and paid as a dividend each quarter. Any net realized capital gains of each Fund will be declared and paid to shareholders at least annually. All income and capital gain distributions are automatically reinvested in shares of the applicable Fund. You may request in writing a payment in cash.

Sales Charges. The sales charge structure for Class A shares of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund are identical. Class R, Class R6 and Institutional Service Class shares of each Fund are not subject to any sales charges.

Target Fund shareholders holding Class A shares will not pay any sales charge as a result of the Transaction. Subsequent purchases of Class A shares will, however, be subject to applicable sales charges.
11

COMPARISON OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS

This section describes the investment objectives, principal strategies and the key investment policies of the Funds, as well as the principal risks associated with such objectives, principal strategies and policies. For a complete description of the Acquiring Fund’s principal strategies, policies and principal risks, you should read the Acquiring Fund Summary Prospectus, which is included with this Prospectus/Information Statement.

What are the differences between the investment objectives of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund?
 
The Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund both seek capital appreciation and income consistent with their current asset allocations. The Funds’ investment objectives are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

What are the most significant differences between the principal strategies and policies of the Target Fund compared to the Acquiring Fund?
 
There are no differences between the principal strategies and policies of the Target Fund compared to the Acquiring Fund. Each Fund is a “fund-of-funds” that invests primarily in affiliated mutual funds representing a variety of asset classes, and each Fund invests in a professionally selected mix of asset classes that is tailored for investors who have already retired. Each Fund assumes that its investors retired at the age of 65, and that such investors seek both investment income and capital preservation, combined with a smaller emphasis on capital growth.

Consistent with the foregoing, each Fund primarily seeks income, and invests in bonds of U.S. and international issuers (including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities) in order to generate investment income, and secondarily seeks capital growth, investing a smaller portion in equity securities, such as common stocks of U.S. and international companies. Each Fund currently allocates approximately 65% of its assets in fixed-income securities, approximately 25% in U.S. stocks (including smaller company stocks), and approximately 10% in international stocks.

Each Fund invests primarily in affiliated portfolios of Nationwide Mutual Funds, but also may invest in affiliated or unaffiliated exchange-traded funds (each, an "Underlying Fund" or collectively, "Underlying Funds"), that collectively represent several asset classes. Each Fund may also invest in a fixed interest contract issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company (“Nationwide Contract”). Many Underlying Funds are "index" funds that invest directly in equity securities, bonds or other securities with a goal of obtaining investment returns that closely track a benchmark stock or bond index. Each Fund also invests in certain Underlying Funds that are not index funds. Some Underlying Funds may use futures, swaps and options, which are derivatives, either to hedge against investment risks, to obtain exposure to certain securities or groups of securities, or otherwise to increase returns. Although each Fund seeks to provide diversification across several asset classes, each Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a small number of issuers (i.e., Underlying Funds). However, each Fund may invest directly in securities and derivatives in addition to investing in Underlying Funds. Further, the Underlying Funds in which the Funds invest generally are diversified.

Each Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under applicable federal law, which means that, with respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund may invest more than 5% of such assets in any one issuer or may hold more than 10% of the outstanding securities of any one issuer.  Each Fund will not purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result, 25% or more of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of issuers in the same industry.

How do the fundamental investment restrictions of the Target Fund differ from the Acquiring Fund?
 
The Funds have adopted identical fundamental investment restrictions. Neither Fund may change any of its fundamental investment restrictions without the vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund for which a change is proposed. The vote of the majority of the outstanding shares means the vote of (A) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are
12

present or represented by proxy or (B) a majority of the outstanding voting securities, whichever is less. The Acquiring Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions are listed in the Acquiring Fund’s Statement of Additional Information dated February 28, 2019, as revised August 27, 2019 (1933 Act File No. 333-40455), which is incorporated by reference into the SAI relating to this Prospectus/Information Statement and is available upon request.

What are the principal risk factors associated with investments in the Funds?
 
Like all investments, an investment in either of the Funds involves risk. There is no assurance that the Funds will meet their investment objectives. A Fund’s ability to achieve its objective will depend, among other things, on the portfolio managers’ analytical and portfolio management skills. If the value of a Fund’s investments goes down, you may lose money.

Investments in the Funds, as indicated below, are subject to the following principal risks:

Fund-of-funds risk. There are certain risks associated with a structure whereby a Fund invests primarily in other mutual funds (“Underlying Funds”). These risks include that: (1) the Fund will indirectly pay a proportional share of the fees and expenses of the Underlying Funds in which it invests; (2) the Fund’s investment performance is directly tied to the performance of the Underlying Funds in which it invests. If one or more Underlying Funds fails to meet its investment objective, the Fund’s performance could be negatively affected; (3) the Fund is subject to different levels and combinations of risk based on its actual allocation among the various asset classes and Underlying Funds. The potential impact of the risks related to an asset class depends on the size of the Fund’s investment allocation to it; (4) NFA’s evaluations and allocation among asset classes and Underlying Funds may be incorrect; (5) NFA may add or delete Underlying Funds, or alter the Fund’s asset allocation, at its discretion. Changes to the Fund’s Underlying Funds or allocation (or the lack thereof) could affect both the level of risk and the potential for gain or loss; and (6) in selecting the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests, NFA is subject to a conflict of interest because NFA is also the investment adviser to most, if not all, of the Underlying Funds. NFA receives advisory fees from affiliated Underlying Funds and, therefore, has an incentive to invest the Fund’s assets in affiliated Underlying Funds instead of unaffiliated Underlying Funds. In addition, NFA might have an interest in making an investment in an affiliated Underlying Fund, or in maintaining an existing investment in an affiliated Underlying Fund, in order to benefit that affiliated Underlying Fund (for example, by assisting the affiliated Underlying Fund in achieving or maintaining scale). To the extent that the Fund invests in the Nationwide Contract, Nationwide Life Insurance Company, an affiliate of the investment adviser, also earns money. Notwithstanding the foregoing, NFA has a fiduciary duty to the Fund and must act in the best interest of the Fund.

Exchange-traded funds risk. When a Fund invests in an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), you will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the ETF in addition to a Fund’s direct fees and expenses. In addition, a Fund may be affected by losses of the ETF and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the ETF (such as the use of leverage by the ETF). A Fund has no control over the investments and related risks taken by the ETF in which it invests. Additionally, investments in ETFs are also subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade above or below their net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (iii) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted for a number of reasons.

Management risk. Each Fund is subject to the risk that the methods and analyses employed by NFA, or by an Underlying Fund’s investment adviser or subadvisers, may not produce the desired results. This could cause a Fund to lose value or its results to lag those of relevant benchmarks or other funds with similar objectives.

Market risk. The risk that one or more markets in which a Fund or an Underlying Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably.

Equity securities risk. Stock markets are volatile. The price of an equity security fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions.

Foreign securities risk. Foreign securities may be more volatile, harder to price and less liquid than U.S. securities. The price of foreign securities may be further affected by other factors, such as changes in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which the securities are traded.
13

Smaller company risk. Smaller companies are usually less stable in price and less liquid than larger, more established companies. Smaller companies are more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business and economic developments and may have more limited resources. Therefore, they generally involve greater risk.

Fixed-income securities risk. Investments in fixed-income securities, such as bonds, subject a Fund to interest rate risk, credit risk and prepayment and call risk, which may affect the value of your investment. Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of fixed-income securities will decline when interest rates rise. Prices of longer-term securities generally change more in response to interest rate changes than prices of shorter-term securities. To the extent an Underlying Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in debt securities with longer-term maturities, rising interest rates are more likely to cause periods of increased volatility and redemptions, and may cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline significantly. Currently, interest rates are at or near historic lows, which may increase an Underlying Fund's exposure to the risks associated with rising interest rates. Recent and potential future changes in government policy may affect interest rates.

Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a bond may default if it is unable to pay interest or principal when due. If an issuer defaults, the Underlying Fund, and therefore the Fund, may lose money. Changes in a bond issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perceptions of an issuer’s creditworthiness also may affect the value of a bond. Prepayment and call risk is the risk that certain debt securities will be paid off by the issuer more quickly than anticipated. If this occurs, an Underlying Fund may be required to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risks. These securities generally are subject to the same types of risk that apply to other fixed-income securities, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, and prepayment and call risk. Mortgage-backed securities also are subject to extension risk, which is the risk that when interest rates rise, certain mortgage-backed securities will be paid in full by the issuer more slowly than anticipated. This can cause the market value of the security to fall because the market may view its interest rate as low for a longer-term investment. Through its investments in mortgage-backed securities, an Underlying Fund may have some exposure to subprime loans, as well as to the mortgage and credit markets generally. Subprime loans, which are loans made to borrowers with weakened credit histories, generally have higher default rates than loans that meet government underwriting requirements. The credit quality of most asset-backed securities depends primarily on the credit quality of the assets underlying such securities, how well the entity issuing the security is insulated from the credit risk of the originator or any other affiliated entities, and the amount and quality of any credit enhancement of the securities.

Derivatives risk. Derivatives may be volatile and may involve significant risks. The underlying security, commodity, measure or other instrument on which a derivative is based, or the derivative itself, may not perform as expected. Normally derivatives involve leverage, which means that their use can significantly magnify the effect of price movements of the underlying securities or reference measures, disproportionately increasing a Fund's or Underlying Fund's losses and reducing the Fund's or Underlying Fund's opportunities for gains. Some derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, including a loss that may be greater than the amount invested. They also present default risks if the counterparty to a derivatives contract fails to fulfill its obligations to the Fund or Underlying Fund. Certain derivatives held by a Fund or Underlying Fund may be illiquid, making it difficult to close out an unfavorable position.

Futures – the prices of futures contracts typically are more volatile than those of stocks and bonds. Small movements in the values of the assets or measures underlying futures contracts can cause disproportionately larger losses to the Fund or an Underlying Fund. While futures may be more liquid than other types of derivatives, they may experience periods when they are less liquid than stocks, bonds or other investments.

Options – purchasing and writing put and call options are highly specialized activities and entail greater-than-ordinary investment risks. Investments in options are considered speculative. An option is an agreement that, for a premium payment or fee, gives the option holder (the purchaser) the right but not the obligation to buy (a "call option") or sell (a "put option") the underlying security or futures contract (or settle for cash an amount based on an underlying asset, rate or index) at a specified price (the "exercise price") during a period of time or on a specified date. When the Underlying Fund writes (sells) an option, it profits if the option expires unexercised, because it retains the premium the buyer of the option paid. However, if the Underlying Fund writes a call option, it incurs the
14

risk that the market price of the underlying security or futures contract could increase above the option's exercise price. If this occurs, the option could be exercised and the Underlying Fund would be forced to sell the underlying security or futures contract at a lower price than its current market value. If the Underlying Fund writes a put option, it incurs the risk that the market value of the underlying security or futures contract could decrease below the option's exercise price. If this occurs, the option could be exercised and the Underlying Fund would be forced to buy the underlying security or futures contract at a higher price than its current market value. When the Underlying Fund purchases an option, it will lose the premium paid for the option if the price of the underlying security or futures contract decreases or remains the same (in the case of a call option) or increases or remains the same (in the case of a put option). If an option purchased by the Underlying Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund.

Swaps – using swaps can involve greater risks than if an Underlying Fund were to invest directly in the underlying securities or assets. Because swaps often involve leverage, their use can significantly magnify the effect of price movements of the underlying securities or reference measures, disproportionately increasing an Underlying Fund's losses and reducing the Underlying Fund's opportunities for gains. Currently there are few central exchanges or markets for swap contracts, and therefore they may be less liquid than exchange-traded instruments. If a swap counterparty fails to meet its obligations under the contract, the Underlying Fund may lose money.

Index fund risk. An Underlying Fund that seeks to match the performance of an index does not use defensive strategies or attempt to reduce its exposure to poorly performing securities. Further, correlation between an Underlying Fund’s performance and that of the index may be negatively affected by the Underlying Fund’s expenses, changes in the composition of the index, and the timing of purchase and redemption of Underlying Fund shares.

Liquidity risk. When there is little or no active trading market for specific types of securities or instruments, it can become more difficult to sell the securities or instruments at or near their perceived value. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect an Underlying Fund’s value or prevent an Underlying Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities. Liquidity risk also includes the risk that an Underlying Fund will experience significant net redemptions of its shares at a time when it cannot find willing buyers for its portfolio securities or instruments or can only sell portfolio securities or instruments at a material loss. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell other securities or instruments that are more liquid, but at unfavorable times and conditions.

Limited portfolio holdings risk. Because a Fund may hold large positions in an Underlying Fund or the Nationwide Contract, an increase or decrease in the value of such securities may have a greater impact on the Fund’s value and total return.

Retirement goal risk. The assumption that an investor will retire at the age of 65 is only an approximate guide, and is not necessarily intended to reflect the specific age at which an investor should retire or start withdrawing retirement assets. An investor may have different retirement needs than the allocation model anticipates.

REASONS FOR THE TRANSACTION

The Funds are a part of a series of “funds-of-funds” that seek capital appreciation and income by investing primarily in affiliated mutual funds representing a variety of asset classes tailored to an estimated retirement date as designated in the fund’s name (the “Target Destination Funds”). The Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund are managed for investors who have already retired, although originally they were intended specifically for investors retiring in, or close to, 2015 and 2010, respectively. The Funds were initially designed so that for the 20 years following each Fund’s target retirement date, the allocations to different asset classes became progressively more conservative, with increasing emphasis on investments that provided for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth. This progression over time is referred to as the “glidepath.”
15

At the Board’s June 11, 2019 meeting, NFA sought, and the Board approved, changing the glidepath for the Target Destination Funds so that the glidepath for each Fund will end in the year designated in the Fund’s name, as opposed to continuing to become increasingly conservative for another 20 years past the date in the Target Destination Fund’s name. NFA proposed that assets of any Fund that has passed the end of its glidepath will be managed in the same way as all other Target Destination Funds that have passed the ends of their glidepaths, using a single, generally stable asset allocation.  As a result, beginning August 27, 2019, all Target Destination Funds that are past their target years and so beyond the ends of their glidepaths, including both the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund will be managed by NFA so as to have substantially identical portfolios.  At that meeting, NFA also proposed, and the Board approved, changing the name of the Acquiring Fund to “Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund.”  NFA informed the Board that it expects to propose in the future that any Target Destination Fund that reaches its target retirement date be merged into the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund; in that way, the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund will serve as the “landing zone” for the assets of all Target Destination Funds after the Funds have reached their target retirement dates.  NFA informed the Board that it believes that the use of a single mutual fund in this way for the investment of all the assets of the Target Destination Funds that have passed the ends of their glidepaths has the potential to allow for more efficient management of those assets on a combined basis.
 
NFA proposed the Transaction at the Board’s June 11, 2019 meeting.  In approving the proposal, the Board considered, among other things, NFA’s expectation of potential improved economies from the combination of the Funds; that the Transaction would be effected on the basis of the respective net asset values per share of the Funds; that the two Funds have virtually identical investment policies; that the Transaction would not result in any change in Fund expenses experienced by shareholders of either Fund; and that NFA had otherwise determined that the Transaction would not result in the dilution of the interests of shareholders of either Fund.  The Board also considered information provided by NFA as to the tax position of each Fund, which NFA described as quite similar.
 
Based on its review of these factors and the other information presented to it, and on the basis of NFA’s recommendations, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, determined that the Transaction would be in the best interests of each Fund and that the interests of existing shareholders of each Fund would not be diluted as a result of effecting the Transaction.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION AND THE PLAN

This is only a summary of the Plan and is qualified in its entirety by the Plan. You should read the actual Plan relating to the Transaction, which is attached as Exhibit A to this Prospectus/Information Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

How will the Transaction be carried out?
 
The Transaction will take place after the parties to the Plan satisfy various conditions. On the Closing Date, the Target Fund will deliver to the Acquiring Fund all of its Assets, and the Acquiring Fund will assume any liabilities of the Target Fund. In exchange, the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will receive Acquiring Fund Shares to be distributed pro rata to the Target Fund’s shareholders. The value of the Assets to be delivered to the Acquiring Fund shall be the value of such assets computed as of the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on the last business day prior to the Closing Date (the “Valuation Date”). Both Funds are subject to the same Valuation Procedures governing the method by which individual portfolio securities held by the Funds are valued in order to determine each Fund’s net asset value.

The stock transfer books of the Target Fund will be permanently closed as of the close of business of the NYSE on the business day before the Valuation Date. The Target Fund will accept requests for redemption only if received in proper form before that time. Requests received after that time will be considered requests to redeem shares of the Acquiring Fund.

To the extent permitted by law, the Plan may be amended at the direction of the Board. The Board may also agree to terminate and abandon the Transaction at any time or may terminate and abandon the Transaction if certain conditions required under the Plan have not been satisfied.
16

Who will pay the expenses of the Transaction?
 
The expenses related to the Transaction (excluding brokerage costs, if any), including the costs associated with the delivery of this Prospectus/Information Statement, will be paid by NFA. Brokerage costs following the merger (to the extent there are any) will be paid by the Acquiring Fund, which ultimately are paid by all shareholders of the Acquiring Fund.

What are the tax consequences of the Transaction?

The following is a general summary of the material federal income tax consequences of the Transaction and is based upon the current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the existing U.S. Treasury Regulations thereunder, current administrative rulings of the IRS and published judicial decisions, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. These considerations are general in nature and individual shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to the federal, state, local, and foreign tax considerations applicable to them and their individual circumstances. These same considerations generally do not apply to shareholders who hold their shares in a tax-advantaged account.

Each Fund has elected and qualified since its inception for treatment as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code and the Acquiring Fund intends to continue to qualify as a “regulated
investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code for its taxable year that includes the Closing Date.

The Transaction is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes under Section 368(a)(1) of the Code. Neither the Target Fund nor the Acquiring Fund have requested or will
request an advance ruling from the IRS as to the federal tax consequences of the Transaction. Based on certain assumptions and customary representations to be made on behalf of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP (the Trust’s legal counsel) will, as a condition to the closing of the Transaction, provide a legal opinion to the effect that, for federal income tax purposes, (i) shareholders of the Target Fund will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the exchange of their shares of the Target Fund for shares of the Acquiring Fund, (ii) the Acquiring Fund will not recognize any gain or loss upon receipt by the Acquiring Fund of the Target Fund’s assets, (iii) the Target Fund will not recognize any gain or loss upon the transfer of its Assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares or upon the distribution of those Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of the Target Fund, (iv) the basis of the assets of the Target Fund received by the Acquiring Fund will be the same as the basis of those assets in the hands of the Target Fund immediately prior to the Transaction, and the Acquiring Fund’s holding period in such assets will include the period during which such assets were held by the Target Fund and (v) the holding period and aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares that are received by a Target Fund shareholder will be the same as the holding period and aggregate tax basis of the shares of the Target Fund previously held by such shareholder. Such opinion of counsel may state that no opinion is expressed as to the effect of the Transaction on the Funds or any shareholder with respect to any transferred asset as to which any unrealized gain or loss is required to be recognized for federal income tax purposes on the termination or transfer thereof under a mark-to-market system of accounting.

Opinions of counsel are not binding upon the IRS or the courts. If the Transaction is consummated but does not qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the Code, and thus is taxable, the Target Fund would recognize gain or loss on the transfer of its Assets to the Acquiring Fund and each shareholder of the Target Fund that held shares in a
taxable account would recognize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between its tax basis in its the Target Fund Shares and the fair market value of the Acquiring Fund Shares it received.

Target Fund Dividend Distribution. Prior to the closing of the Transaction, the Target Fund will distribute to its shareholders, in one or more taxable distributions, all of its income and gains (net of available capital loss carryovers) not previously distributed for taxable years ending on or prior to the date of closing of the Transaction.

General Limitations on Capital Losses. The tax attributes, including capital loss carryovers, of the Target Fund move to the Acquiring Fund in the Transaction. The capital loss carryovers of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund are available to offset future gains recognized by the combined Fund, subject to limitations under the Code. Where these limitations apply, all or a portion of a Fund’s capital loss carryovers may become unavailable the effect of which may be to increase the amount of taxable gain to the combined Fund and its shareholders post-
17

closing. First, a Fund’s capital loss carryovers are subject to an annual limitation if a Fund undergoes a more than 50% change in ownership. The actual annual limitation will equal the aggregate NAV of the smaller Fund in the Transaction on the Closing Date multiplied by the long-term tax-exempt rate for ownership changes during the month in which the Transaction closes; such limitation will be increased by the amount of any built-in gain (i.e., unrealized appreciation in the value of investments of the smaller Fund on the Closing Date that is recognized in a taxable year). Second, if a Fund has built-in gains at the time of the Transaction that are realized by the combined Fund in the five-year period following the Transaction, such built-in gains, when realized, may not be offset by the losses (including any capital loss carryovers and “built-in losses”) of the other Fund. Third, the capital losses of the Target Fund that may be used by the Acquiring Fund (including to offset any “built-in gains” of the Target Fund itself) for the first taxable year ending after the Closing Date will be limited to an amount equal to the capital gain net income of the Acquiring Fund for such taxable year. As of October 31, 2018, neither Fund had any capital loss carryovers.

Tracking Your Basis and Holding Period. After the Transaction, a shareholder will continue to be responsible for tracking the adjusted tax basis and holding period of its shares for federal income tax purposes.

General. This discussion is only a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you, if any, of the Transaction in light of your particular circumstances, as well as the state and local tax consequences, if any, of the Transaction because this discussion is only a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences.

What should I know about shares of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund?
 
Upon the Closing of the Transaction, Class A, Class R, Class R6 and Institutional Service Class shares of the Target Fund will merge with and into Class A, Class R, Class R6 and Institutional Service Class shares, respectively, of the Acquiring Fund. The different fees and expenses of each Class are provided above in the section “Fee Tables for the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund.”

Full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares will be distributed to shareholders of the Target Fund in accordance with the procedures described above. When issued, each share will be validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and have full voting rights. The Acquiring Fund Shares will be recorded electronically in each shareholder’s account. The Acquiring Fund will then send a confirmation to each shareholder. The Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in the Transaction have the same rights and privileges as your shares of the Target Fund.

Like the Target Fund, the Acquiring Fund does not routinely hold annual meetings of shareholders. The Acquiring Fund may hold special meetings for matters requiring shareholder approval. A meeting of the Acquiring Fund’s shareholders may also be called at any time by the Chairperson, the President of the Trust, in the absence of the Chairperson, or any Vice President or other authorized officer of the Trust, in the absence of the Chairperson and the President.

What are the capitalizations of the Funds and what might the capitalization be after the Transaction?
 
The following table sets forth, as of April 30, 2019, the separate capitalizations of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund, and the estimated capitalization of the Acquiring Fund as adjusted to give effect to the Transaction. The capitalization of the Acquiring Fund is likely to be different if and when the Transaction is actually consummated.
 
 
Target Fund
(unaudited)
Acquiring Fund
(unaudited)
Pro Forma Adjustments to Capitalization1
Acquiring Fund after Transaction1 (estimated)
(unaudited)
Net assets (all classes)
$17,600,544
$68,105,682
None
$85,706,226
         
Total shares
       
18

outstanding
2,175,336
8,236,079
(44,647)
10,366,768
         
Class A net assets2
$5,864,994
$6,045,767
None
$11,910,761
         
Class A shares outstanding
724,022
730,955
(14,923)
1,440,054
         
Class A net asset value per share
$8.10
$8.27
None
$8.27
         
Class R net assets
$7,535,629
$19,549,848
None
$27,085,477
         
Class R shares outstanding
933,700
2,375,268
(18,136)
3,290,832
         
Class R net asset value per share
$8.07
$8.23
None
$8.23
         
Class R6 net assets
$4,175,157
$16,403,090
None
$20,578,247
         
Class R6 shares outstanding
514,560
1,976,293
(11,525)
2,479,328
         
Class R6 net asset value per share
$8.11
$8.30
None
$8.30
         
Institutional Service Class net assets
$24,764
$26,106,977
None
$26,131,741
         
Institutional Service Class shares outstanding
3,054
3,153,563
(63)
3,156,554
         
Institutional Service Class net asset value per share
$8.11
$8.28
None
$8.28

1 Reflects the conversion of Target Fund shares for Acquiring Fund shares as a result of the Transaction.
2 With respect to both the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, on August 23, 2019, Class C shares were automatically converted to Class A       shares of the respective Fund and Class C shares are no longer being issued. Therefore, the net assets for Class C shares are included in the calculation of net assets for Class A shares.


MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS

Fund Administration and Transfer Agency Services. Under the terms of a Joint Fund Administration and Transfer Agency Agreement (the “Joint Administration Agreement”) dated May 1, 2010, Nationwide Fund Management LLC (“NFM”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of NFS, provides various administration and accounting services to the Funds and Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust (another trust also advised by NFA), including daily valuation of the Funds’ shares, preparation of financial statements, tax returns, and regulatory reports, and presentation of quarterly reports to the Board of Trustees. NFM also serves as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for each of the Funds. NFM is located at One Nationwide Plaza, Mail Code: 5-02-210 Columbus, Ohio 43215. Under the Joint Administration Agreement, NFM is paid an annual fee for fund administration and transfer agency services based on the sum of the following: (i) the amount payable by NFM to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”) under the Sub-Administration Agreement between NFM and JPMorgan and (ii) the amount payable by NFM to U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“US Bancorp”) under the Sub-Transfer
19

Agent Servicing Agreement between NFM and US Bancorp; and (iii) a percentage of the combined average daily net assets of the Trust and Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust. In addition, the Trust also pays out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by NFM in providing services to the Funds and Trust, including, but not limited to, the cost of pricing services that NFM utilizes.

Custodian. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10008, is the Custodian for the Funds and makes all receipts and disbursements under a Custody Agreement. The Custodian performs no managerial or policy-making functions for the Funds.

Independent Registered Accounting Firm. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street, Suite 1800, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, serves as the Funds’ independent registered public accountant.

Additional Information. The following information about the Acquiring Fund or Target Fund (1933 Act File No. 333-40455 for the Acquiring Fund and Target Fund) is incorporated herein by reference and considered a part of this Prospectus/Information Statement: (i) the Target Fund Prospectus dated February 28, 2019, as revised August 27, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein; (ii) the Acquiring Fund’s and the Target Fund’s SAI dated February 28, 2019, as revised August 27, 2019 related to the Acquiring Fund Prospectus and the Target Fund Prospectus; (iii) the Statement of Additional Information dated _____________, 2019 (relating to this Prospectus/Information Statement), which has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference herein; (iv) the Acquiring Fund’s and the Target Fund’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended October 31, 2018; and (v) the Acquiring Fund’s or Target Fund’s Semiannual Report to Shareholders for the period ended April 30, 2019. You may request free copies of the Statements of Additional Information (including any supplements), the Annual Reports and/or Semiannual Reports, which have been or will be filed with the SEC, by calling (800) 848-0920 or by writing to the Trust: One Nationwide Plaza, Mail Code: 5-02-210 Columbus, Ohio 43215.

This Prospectus/Information Statement, which constitutes part of a Registration Statement on Form N-14 filed by the Acquiring Fund with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, omits certain of the information contained in such Registration Statement. Reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and to the exhibits and amendments thereto for further information with respect to the Acquiring Fund and the shares it offers. Statements contained herein concerning the provisions of documents are necessarily summaries of such documents, and each such statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the applicable document filed with the SEC.

Each Fund also files proxy materials, reports, and other information with the SEC in accordance with the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act. These materials can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549 (call (202)-551-8090 for hours of operation). Also, copies of such materials can be obtained from the Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates or from the SEC’s internet site at www.sec.gov. To request information regarding the Funds, you may also send an e-mail to the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov.
20

EXHIBITS TO
PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT
 
Exhibit

A
Form of Plan of Reorganization for the Target Fund
B
Financial Highlights
21

EXHIBIT A

FORM OF
PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

This PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the “Plan”), made as of this _____ day of _________, 2019 is adopted by Nationwide Mutual Funds (the “Trust”), a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business at One Nationwide Plaza, Mail Code 5-02-210, Columbus, Ohio 43215, on behalf of two of its series, as set forth below:

Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund
(the “Target Fund”)
Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund
(the “Acquiring Fund”)
Class A
Class A
Class R
Class R
Class R6
Class R6
Institutional Service Class
Institutional Service Class

The reorganization (hereinafter referred to as the “Reorganization”) will consist of: (i) the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of substantially all of the property, assets and goodwill of the Target Fund  in exchange solely for shares of beneficial interest, without par value, of the corresponding class of shares of the Acquiring Fund listed in the table above; (ii) the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the Target Fund’s Liabilities (as defined below); (iii) the distribution of each class of the Acquiring Fund’s shares to the shareholders of its corresponding class of shares of the Target Fund, according to their respective interests, in complete liquidation of the Target Fund; and (iv) the liquidation and dissolution of the Target Fund as soon as practicable after the closing (as referenced in Section 3 hereof, hereinafter called the “Closing”), all upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan hereinafter set forth.


1.
Sale and Transfer of Assets, Liquidation and Dissolution of the Target Fund

(a)       Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, the Trust, on behalf of the Target  Fund, will sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver to the Acquiring Fund, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, all of the then existing assets of the Target Fund as of the close of business (which hereinafter shall be, unless otherwise noted, the regular close of business of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”)) (“Close of Business”) on the valuation date (as defined in Section 3 hereof, hereinafter called the “Valuation Date”), free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, and claims whatsoever (other than shareholders’ rights of redemption and such restrictions as might arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), with respect to privately placed or otherwise restricted securities that the Target Fund may have acquired in the ordinary course of business), except for cash, bank deposits, or cash equivalent securities in an estimated amount necessary (1) subject to clause (2), to discharge all of the Target Fund’s Liabilities (as defined below) on its books at the Close of Business on the Valuation Date including, but not limited to, its income dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, payable for any period prior to, and through, the Close of Business on the Valuation Date, and (2) to pay such contingent liabilities as the trustees of the Trust shall reasonably deem to exist against the Target Fund, if any, at the Close of Business on the Valuation Date, for which contingent and other appropriate liability reserves shall be established on the books of the Target Fund (hereinafter “Net Assets”). The Target Fund shall also retain any and all rights that it may have over and against any person that may have accrued up to and including the Close of Business on the Valuation Date. The Trust shall use commercially reasonable efforts to identify all of the Target Fund’s liabilities, debts, obligations and duties of any nature, whether accrued absolute, contingent or otherwise (“Liabilities”), prior to the Valuation Date and shall discharge all such known Liabilities on or prior to the Valuation Date. To the extent that any Target Fund Liabilities are not discharged on or prior to the Valuation Date, the Acquiring Fund shall assume such Liabilities.
22

(b)       Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, the Trust shall deliver to the Target Fund the number of shares of each class of the Acquiring Fund determined by dividing the net asset value per share of the corresponding share class of the Target Fund as of Close of Business on the Valuation date by the net asset value per share of the corresponding class of the Acquiring Fund as of Close of Business on the Valuation Date, and multiplying the result by the number of outstanding shares of the corresponding Target Fund class as of Close of Business on the Valuation Date, provided, however, that the number of each class of shares of the Acquiring Fund to be so issued shall not exceed the number of shares determined by dividing the total net assets of the Target Fund, determined as of the Valuation Date, attributable to such class of shares of the Target Fund, by the net asset value per share of the corresponding class of the Acquiring Fund as of the Valuation Date. Each class of shares of the Acquiring Fund received shall be distributed pro rata to the shareholders of the corresponding class of the Target Fund of record as of the Close of Business on the Valuation Date.

(c)       As soon as practicable following the Closing, the Trust shall dissolve the Target Fund and distribute pro rata to the Target Fund’s shareholders of record as of the Close of Business on the Valuation Date, the shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund received by the Target Fund pursuant to this Section 1. Such dissolution and distribution shall be accomplished by the establishment of accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund of the type and in the amounts due such shareholders pursuant to this Section 1 based on their respective holdings of shares of the Target Fund as of the Close of Business on the Valuation Date. Fractional shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund shall be carried to the third decimal place. No certificates representing shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund will be issued to shareholders of the Target Fund irrespective of whether such shareholders hold their shares in certificated form.

(d)       At the Closing, any outstanding certificate that, prior to Closing, represented shares of beneficial interest of the Target Fund, shall be cancelled and shall no longer evidence ownership thereof.

(e)       At the Closing, each shareholder of record of the Target Fund as of the record date (the “Distribution Record Date”) with respect to any unpaid dividends and other distributions that were declared prior to the Closing, including any dividend or distribution declared pursuant to Section 9(d) hereof, shall have the right to receive such unpaid dividends and distributions with respect to the shares of the Target Fund that such person had on such Distribution Record Date.


2.
Valuation

(a)       The value of the Target Fund’s Net Assets to be acquired by the Acquiring Fund hereunder shall be computed as of the Close of Business on the Valuation Date using the valuation procedures adopted by the Trust on behalf of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund (“Valuation Procedures”).

(b)       The net asset value of a share of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund Class A Shares, Acquiring Fund Class R Shares, Acquiring Fund Class R6 Shares, and Acquiring Fund Institutional Service Class Shares shall be determined to the nearest full cent as of the Close of Business on the Valuation Date using the Valuation Procedures.

(c)       The net asset value of a share of beneficial interest of the Target Fund  Class A Shares, Target Fund Class R Shares, Target Fund Class R6 Shares and Target Fund Institutional Service Class Shares shall be determined to the nearest full cent as of the Close of Business on the Valuation Date, using the Valuation Procedures.


3.
Closing and Valuation Date

The Valuation Date shall be ___________, 2019 or such later date as the Trust may designate. The Closing shall take place at the principal office of the Trust, at One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215 at approximately 9:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the first business day following the Valuation Date. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that on the Valuation Date (a) the NYSE shall be closed to trading or trading thereon shall be restricted or (b) trading or the reporting of trading on such exchange or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that, in the judgment of the Trust, accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund is impracticable, the Valuation Date shall be postponed until the first business day after the day
23

when trading shall have been fully resumed without restriction or disruption, reporting shall have been restored and accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund is practicable in the judgment of the Trust. The Trust shall have provided for delivery as of the Closing of those Net Assets of the Target Fund to be transferred to the Acquiring Fund’s Custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10008. Also, the Trust shall deliver at the Closing a list (which may be in electronic form) of names and addresses of the shareholders of record of the Target Fund Shares, and the number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of such classes owned by each such shareholder, indicating thereon which such shares are represented by outstanding certificates and which by book-entry accounts, all as of the Close of Business on the Valuation Date, certified by its transfer agent, or by its President or Vice-President to the best of their knowledge and belief. The Trust shall issue and deliver a certificate or certificates evidencing the registered shares of the Acquiring Fund to be delivered at the Closing to said transfer agent or provide evidence that such shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund have been registered in an open account on the books of the Acquiring Fund.


4.
Necessary Findings of Fact by the Trust on behalf of the Target Fund

The Trust hereby designates the following findings of fact as a necessary pre-condition to the consummation of the Reorganization:

(a)       The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of the Target Fund, without par value. Each outstanding share of the Target Fund is validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and has full voting rights.

(b)       The financial statements appearing in the Target Fund’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, and any subsequent financial statements, audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and any unaudited financial statements, fairly present the financial position of the Target Fund as of the date indicated, and the results of its operations for the period indicated, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.

(c)       The books and records of the Target Fund, including FASB ASC 740-10-25 (formerly FIN 48) work papers and supporting statements (“FIN 48 Work papers”), made available to the Acquiring Fund are true and correct in all material respects and contain no material omissions with respect to the business and operations of the Target Fund.

(d)       The statement of assets and liabilities to be furnished by the Trust as of the Close of Business on the Valuation Date for the purpose of determining the number of shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund to be issued pursuant to Section 1 hereof will accurately reflect the Net Assets of the Target Fund and outstanding shares of beneficial interest, as of such date, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.

(e)       At the Closing, the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will have good and marketable title to all of the securities and other assets shown on the statement of assets and liabilities referred to in subsection (d) above, free and clear of all liens or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever except such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act with respect to privately placed or otherwise restricted securities that it may have acquired in the ordinary course of business and such imperfections of title or encumbrances as do not materially detract from the value or use of the assets subject thereto, or materially affect title thereto.

(f)       The Trust has elected to treat the Target Fund as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) for federal income tax purposes under Part I of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Target Fund is a “fund” as defined in Section 851(g)(2) of the Code, has qualified for treatment as a RIC for each taxable year since its inception, and will so qualify as a RIC as of the Closing, and the consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Plan will not cause the Target Fund to fail to qualify as a RIC as of the Closing. The Target Fund has no earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year in which the provisions of Subchapter M of the Code did not apply to it.
24

(g)       There are no material contracts outstanding to which the Target Fund is a party, other than as disclosed in the Target Fund’s registration statement on Form N-1A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) or the Target Fund’s Prospectus.


5.
Necessary Findings of Fact by the Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund

The Trust hereby designates the following findings of fact as a necessary pre-condition to the consummation of the Reorganization:

(a)       The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, without par value, of the Acquiring Fund. Each outstanding share of the Acquiring Fund is fully paid, non-assessable and has full voting rights. The shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund to be issued pursuant to Section 1 hereof will, upon their issuance, be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, and have full voting rights.

(b)       At the Closing, each class of shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund to be issued pursuant to this Plan will be eligible for offering to the public in those states of the United States and jurisdictions in which the corresponding class of shares of the Target Fund are presently eligible for offering to the public, and there are an unlimited number of shares registered under the 1933 Act such that there is a sufficient number of such shares to permit the transfers contemplated by this Plan to be consummated.

(c)       The statement of assets and liabilities of the Acquiring Fund to be furnished by the Trust as of the Close of Business on the Valuation Date for the purpose of determining the number of shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund to be issued pursuant to Section 1 hereof will accurately reflect the net assets of the Acquiring Fund and outstanding shares of beneficial interest, as of such date, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis.

(d)       At the Closing, the Trust will have good and marketable title to all of the securities and other assets shown on the statement of assets and liabilities referred to in subsection (c) above, free and clear of all liens or encumbrances of any nature whatsoever except such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act with respect to privately placed or otherwise restricted securities that it may have acquired in the ordinary course of business and such imperfections of title or encumbrances as do not materially detract from the value or use of the assets subject thereto, or materially affect title thereto.

(e)       The books and records of the Acquiring Fund, including FIN 48 Work papers, made available to the Target Fund are true and correct in all material respects and contain no material omissions with respect to the business and operations of the Acquiring Fund.

(f)       The Trust has elected to treat the Acquiring Fund as a RIC for federal income tax purposes under Part I of Subchapter M of the Code, the Acquiring Fund will be a “fund” as defined in Section 851(g)(2) of the Code, has qualified for treatment as a RIC for each taxable year since its inception, and will so qualify as a RIC as of the Closing, and the consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Plan will not cause the Acquiring Fund to fail to qualify as a RIC from and after the Closing. The Acquiring Fund has no earnings and profits accumulated in any taxable year in which the provisions of Subchapter M of the Code did not apply to it.

(g)       There are no material contracts outstanding to which the Acquiring Fund is a party, other than as disclosed in the Acquiring Fund’s registration statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission or the Acquiring Fund’s Prospectus.


6.
Necessary Findings of Fact by the Trust on behalf of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund

The Trust hereby designates the following findings of fact as a necessary pre-condition to the consummation of the Reorganization:
25

(a)       The Trust is a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware on September 1, 2004, and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of that state. The Trust, of which the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund are separate series, is duly registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end, management investment company. Such registration is in full force and effect as of the date hereof and will be in full force and effect as of the Closing and all of its shares sold have been sold pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the 1933 Act, except for any shares sold pursuant to the private offering exemption for the purpose of raising initial capital.

(b)       The Trust has the necessary trust power and authority to conduct its business and the business of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund as such businesses are now being conducted.

(c)       The Trust is not a party to or obligated under any provision of its Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (“Agreement and Declaration of Trust”), By-Laws, or any material contract or any other material commitment or obligation, and is not subject to any order or decree that would be violated by its execution of or performance under this Plan.

(d)       The Trust has full trust power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Plan. Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, the execution, delivery and performance of this Plan have been validly authorized, and this Plan constitutes its legal and valid obligation.

(e)       The Target Fund does not have any unamortized or unpaid organizational fees or expenses.

(f)       Neither the Trust, the Target Fund nor the Acquiring Fund is under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 or similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code.

(g)       There are no legal, administrative or other proceedings or investigations against the Trust, the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund, or, to the Trust’s knowledge, threatened against any of them, that would materially affect their financial condition or their ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Plan. The Trust, the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund are not charged with or, to the Trust’s knowledge, threatened with, any violation or investigation of any possible violation of any provisions of any federal, state or local law or regulation or administrative ruling relating to any aspect of its business.

(h)       The Trust has duly filed, on behalf of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, as applicable, all Tax (as defined below) returns and reports (including information returns) that are required to have been filed by the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, respectively, and all such returns and reports accurately state, in all materials respects, the amount of Tax owed for the periods covered by the returns, or, in the case of information returns, the amount and character of income required to be reported by the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund, as applicable. The Trust has, on behalf of each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, paid or made provision and properly accounted for all Taxes (as defined below) shown to be due on such Tax returns and reports or on any actual or proposed deficiency assessments received with respect to the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund. The amounts established as provisions for Taxes in the books and records of each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund as of the Close of Business on the Valuation Date will, to the extent required by generally accepted accounting principles, be sufficient for the payment of all Taxes of any kind, whether accrued, due, absolute, contingent or otherwise, which were or will be payable by the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund, as applicable, for all periods or fiscal years (or portions thereof) ending on or before the Close of Business on the Valuation Date. No Tax return filed by the Trust on behalf of the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund is currently being audited by the Internal Revenue Service or by any state or local taxing authority. To the knowledge of the Trust, there are no levies, liens or encumbrances relating to Taxes existing, threatened or pending with respect to the assets of either the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund. As used in this Plan, “Tax” or “Taxes” means all federal, state, local and foreign (whether imposed by a country or political subdivision or authority thereunder) income, gross receipts, excise, sales, use, value added, employment, franchise, profits, property, ad valorem or other taxes, stamp taxes and duties, fees, assessments or charges, whether payable directly or by withholding, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any taxing authority (foreign or domestic) with respect thereto.
26

(i)       All information provided by the Trust for inclusion in, or transmittal with, the prospectus and statement of additional information with respect to this Plan pursuant to which the Target Fund shareholders will be informed of the Reorganization, shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(j)       No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority, or of any other person or entity, is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Plan, except as may be required by the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), the 1940 Act, or state securities laws or Delaware statutory trust laws (including, in the case of each of the foregoing, the rules and regulations thereunder).


7.
Obligations of the Trust on behalf of the Target Fund

(a)       The Trust shall operate the business of the Target Fund as presently conducted between the date hereof and the Closing.

(b)       The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall not acquire the shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund for the purpose of making distributions thereof other than to the Target Fund’s shareholders.

(c)       The Trust shall file, by the date of the Closing, all of the Target Fund’s federal and other Tax returns and reports required by law to be filed on or before such date and all federal and other Taxes shown as due on said returns shall have either been paid or adequate liability reserves shall have been provided for the payment of such Taxes.

(d)       At the Closing, the Trust shall provide:

(1)       A statement of the respective tax basis and holding periods of all investments to be transferred by the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund.

(2)       A copy (which may be in electronic form) of the Target Fund’s shareholder ledger accounts including, without limitation, the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each shareholder of record, the number of shares of beneficial interest held by each shareholder, the dividend reinvestment elections applicable to each shareholder, the backup withholding and nonresident alien withholding certifications, notices or records on file with the Target Fund with respect to each shareholder, and such information as the Acquiring Fund may reasonably request concerning Target Fund shares or Target Fund shareholders in connection with Acquiring Fund’s cost basis reporting and related obligations under Sections 1012, 6045, 6045A, and 6045B of the Code and related regulations issued by the United States Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury Regulations”) following the Closing for all of the shareholders of record of the Target Fund’s shares as of the Close of Business on the Valuation Date, who are to become shareholders of the Acquiring Fund as a result of the transfer of assets that is the subject of this Plan (the “Target Fund Shareholder Documentation”), certified by its transfer agent or its President or its Vice-President to the best of their knowledge and belief.

(3)       A copy of any other Tax books and records of the Target Fund necessary for purposes of preparing any Tax returns, schedules, forms, statements or related documents (including but not limited to any income, excise or information returns, as well as any transfer statements (as described in Treas. Reg. § 1.6045A-1)) required by law to be filed by the Acquiring Fund after the Closing.

(4)       If requested by the Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, all FIN 48 Workpapers and supporting statements pertaining to the Target Fund.
27

(e)       The Trust shall mail to each shareholder of record of the Target Fund as of the Valuation Date a prospectus and statement of additional information that complies in all material respects with the requirements of Form N-14.

(f)       At the Closing, the Trust shall provide the statement of the assets and liabilities described in Section 4(d) of this Plan in conformity with the requirements described in such Section.

(g)       The Target Fund has made available to the Acquiring Fund copies of: (1) the federal, state and local income tax returns filed by or on behalf of the Target Fund for the prior three (3) taxable years; and (2) any of the following that have been issued to or for the benefit of or that otherwise affect the Target Fund and which have continuing relevance: (a) rulings, determinations, holdings or opinions issued by any federal, state, local or foreign tax authority and (b) legal opinions.

(h)       As soon as is reasonably practicable after the Closing, the Target Fund will make one or more liquidating distributions to its shareholders consisting of the applicable class of shares of the Acquiring Fund received at the Closing.

(i)       The Target Fund shall not take any action or cause any action to be taken (including, without limitation the filing of any tax return) that results in the failure of the Reorganization to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code.

(j)       As promptly as practicable, but in any case within sixty days after the date of Closing, the Target Fund shall furnish the Acquiring Fund, in such form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund, a statement of the earnings and profits of the Target Fund for federal income Tax purposes that will be carried over by the Acquiring Fund as a result of Section 381 of the Code.

(k)       The Target Fund will declare prior to the Valuation Date and pay before the date of the Closing, a dividend with a record and ex-dividend date on or prior to such Valuation Date that, together with all previous dividends, shall have the effect of distributing to its shareholders (A) all of the Target Fund’s investment company taxable income for the taxable year ended prior to the date of the Closing and substantially all of such investment company taxable income for the final taxable year ending with its complete liquidation (in each case determined without regard to any deductions for dividends paid), and (B) all of the Target Fund’s net capital gain recognized in its taxable year ended prior to the date of the Closing and substantially all of any such net capital gain recognized in such final taxable year (in each case after the reduction for any capital loss carryover).


8.
Obligations of the Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund

(a)       The shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund to be issued and delivered to the Target Fund pursuant to the terms of Section 1 hereof shall have been duly authorized as of the Closing and, when so issued and delivered, shall be registered under the 1933 Act, validly issued, and fully paid and non-assessable, and no shareholder of the Acquiring Fund shall have any statutory or contractual preemptive right of subscription or purchase in respect thereof, other than any rights deemed to have been created pursuant to this Plan.

(b)       The Trust shall operate the business of the Acquiring Fund as presently conducted between the date hereof and the Closing.

(c)       The Trust shall file, by the date of the Closing, all of the Acquiring Fund’s federal and other Tax returns and reports required by law to be filed on or before such date and all federal and other taxes shown as due on said returns shall have either been paid or adequate liability reserves shall have been provided for the payment of such taxes.

(d)       At the Closing, the Trust shall provide the statement of assets and liabilities described in Section 5(c) of this Plan in conformity with the requirements described in such Section.

(e)       The Trust shall have filed with the Commission a registration statement relating to the shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund issuable hereunder, and shall have used its best efforts to provide
28

that such registration statement becomes effective as promptly as practicable. At the time such registration statement becomes effective, it (i) will comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (ii) will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. At the time the registration statement becomes effective, and at the Closing, the prospectus and statement of additional information included in the registration statement did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(f)       The Acquiring Fund shall not take any action or cause any action to be taken (including, without limitation the filing of any tax return) that results in the failure of the Reorganization to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code.


9.
Conditions Precedent to be Fulfilled by the Trust on behalf of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund

The consummation of this Plan and the Reorganization hereunder shall be subject to the following respective conditions:

(a)       That (1) all the necessary findings of fact contained herein shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing with the same effect as though made as of and at such date; (2) the performance of all obligations required by this Plan to be performed by the Trust shall have been performed at or prior to the Closing; and (3) the Trust shall have executed a certificate signed by the President or Vice-President and by the Secretary or equivalent officer to the foregoing effect.

(b)       The Trust shall provide a copy of the resolutions approving this Plan adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, certified by the Secretary or equivalent officer.

(c)       That the Commission shall not have issued an unfavorable advisory report under Section 25(b) of the 1940 Act, nor instituted nor threatened to institute any proceeding seeking to enjoin the consummation of the Reorganization contemplated hereby under Section 25(c) of the 1940 Act, and no other legal, administrative or other proceeding shall be instituted or threatened that would materially and adversely affect the financial condition of the Trust, the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund or would prohibit the transactions contemplated hereby.

(d)       That the Target Fund shall have declared prior to the Valuation Date and paid before the date of the Closing, a dividend or dividends with a record and ex-dividend date on or prior to such Valuation Date that, together with all previous dividends, shall have the effect of distributing to its shareholders (A) all of Target Fund’s investment company taxable income for the taxable year ended prior to the date of the Closing and substantially all of such investment company taxable income for the final taxable year ending with its complete liquidation (in each case determined without regard to any deductions for dividends paid), and (B) all of Target Fund’s net capital gain recognized in its taxable year ended prior to the date of the Closing and substantially all of any such net capital gain recognized in such final taxable year (in each case after reduction for any capital loss carryover).

(e)       That all required consents of other parties and all other consents, orders and permits of federal, state and local authorities (including those of the Commission and of state Blue Sky securities authorities, including any necessary “no-action” positions or exemptive orders from such federal and state authorities) to permit consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order or permit would not involve risk of material adverse effect on the assets and properties of the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund.

(f)       That prior to or at the Closing, the Trust shall receive an opinion from Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP (“SRSY”) to the effect that, provided the acquisition contemplated hereby is carried out in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, the terms of this Plan and in accordance with customary representations provided by the Trust in certificates delivered to SRSY:
29

(1)       The acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of substantially all of the assets of the Target Fund in exchange solely for the Acquiring Fund shares, followed by the distribution by the Target Fund to its shareholders of the Acquiring Fund shares in complete liquidation of the Target Fund, will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code, and the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund will each be a “party to the reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;

(2)       No gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer of substantially all of its assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for the voting shares of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to Section 361(a) and Section 357(a) of the Code;

(3)       No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon the receipt by it of substantially all of the assets of the Target Fund in exchange solely for the shares of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to Section 1032(a) of the Code;

(4)       No gain or loss will be recognized by the Target Fund upon the distribution of the Acquiring Fund shares by the Target Fund to its shareholders in complete liquidation pursuant to Section 361(c)(1) of the Code;

(5)       The tax basis of the assets of the Target Fund received by the Acquiring Fund will be the same as the tax basis of these assets in the hands of the Target Fund immediately prior to the exchange pursuant to Section 362(b) of the Code;

(6)       The holding periods of the assets of the Target Fund received by the Acquiring Fund will include the periods during which such assets were held by the Target Fund pursuant to Section 1223(2) of the Code;

(7)       No gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of the Target Fund upon the exchange of their shares in the Target Fund solely for the shares (including fractional shares to which they may be entitled) of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to Section 354(a) of the Code;

(8)       The aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund shares to be received by each Target Fund shareholder (including fractional shares to which they may be entitled) will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the shares of the Target Fund  exchanged therefor pursuant to Section 358(a)(1) of the Code;

(9)       The holding period of the Acquiring Fund shares to be received by each Target Fund shareholders (including fractional shares to which they may be entitled) will include the holding period of the Target Fund shares surrendered in exchange therefor, provided that the shareholder held the Target Fund as a capital asset on the date of the Reorganization pursuant to Section 1223(l) of the Code; and

(10)       The Acquiring Fund will succeed to and take into account as of the date of the transfer (as defined in Section 1.381(b)-1(b) of the Treasury Regulations) the items of the Target Fund described in Section 381(c) of the Code, subject to the conditions and limitations specified in Sections 381, 382, 383 and 384 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

No opinion will be expressed as to the effect of the Reorganization on: (i) the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund with respect to any asset as to which any unrealized gain or loss is required to be recognized for federal income tax purposes at the end of a taxable year (or on the termination or transfer thereof) under a mark-to-market system of accounting; and (ii) any Target Fund shareholder that is required to recognize unrealized gains and losses for federal income tax purposes under a mark-to-market system of accounting.

Such opinion shall contain such limitations as shall be in the opinion of SRSY appropriate to render the opinions expressed therein. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquiring Fund nor the Target Fund may waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph 9(f).
30

(g)       That the Trust shall have received an opinion in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it from SRSY, counsel to the Trust, to the effect that:

(1)       The Trust was created as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on September 1, 2004 and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;

(2)       The Trust is an open-end, investment company of the management type registered as such under the 1940 Act;

(3)       The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, without par value, of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund;

(4)       Assuming that the initial shares of beneficial interest of the Target Fund were issued in accordance with the 1940 Act, and the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust, and that all other such outstanding shares of the Target Fund were sold, issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Target Fund prospectus in effect at the time of such sales, each such outstanding share is validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;

(5)       Assuming that the initial shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund were issued in accordance with the 1940 Act and the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, and that all other such outstanding shares of the Acquiring Fund were sold, issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Acquiring Fund’s prospectus in effect at the time of such sales, each such outstanding share is validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;

(6)       Such counsel does not know of any material suit, action, or legal or administrative proceeding pending or threatened against the Trust, the unfavorable outcome of which would materially and adversely affect the Trust, the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund;

(7)       The shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund to be issued pursuant to the terms of Section 1 hereof have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered as provided in this Plan, will have been validly issued and fully paid and will be non-assessable by the Trust or the Acquiring Fund, and to such counsel’s knowledge, no shareholder has any preemptive right to subscription or purchase in respect thereof other than any rights that may be deemed to have been granted pursuant to this Plan;

(8) To such counsel’s knowledge, no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court, governmental authority or agency is required for the consummation by the Trust of the transactions contemplated by this Plan, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, and Delaware laws (including, in the case of each of the foregoing, the rules and regulations thereunder and such as may be required under state securities laws); and

(9)       Neither the execution nor performance of this Plan by the Trust violates any provision of its Agreement and Declaration of Trust, its By-Laws, or the provisions of any agreement or other instrument, known to such counsel to which the Trust is a party or by which the Trust is otherwise bound.

In giving the opinions set forth above, SRSY may state that it is relying on certificates of the officers of the Trust with regard to matters of fact and certain certifications and written statements of governmental officials with respect to the good standing of the Trust.
31

(h)       That the Trust’s registration statement with respect to the shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund to be delivered to the Target Fund’s shareholders in accordance with Section 1 hereof shall have become effective, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, shall have been issued prior to the Closing or shall be in effect at the Closing, and no proceedings for the issuance of such an order shall be pending or threatened on that date.

(i)       That the shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund to be delivered in accordance with Section 1 hereof shall be eligible for sale by the Trust with each state commission or agency with which such eligibility is required in order to permit the shares lawfully to be delivered to each Target Fund shareholder.

(j)       That at the Closing, the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, transfers to the Acquiring Fund Net Assets of the Target Fund comprising at least 90% in fair market value of the total net assets and 70% in fair market value of the total gross assets recorded on the books of the Target Fund at the Close of Business on the Valuation Date.

(k)       The Target Fund will provide the Acquiring Fund with (a) statement of the respective Tax basis and holding period for all investments to be transferred by the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund, (2) the Target Fund Shareholder Documentation, (3) if requested by the Trust on behalf of Acquiring Fund, all FIN 48 Workpapers pertaining to the Target Fund, (4) the Tax books and records of the Target Fund for purposes of preparing any returns required by law to be filed for Tax periods ending after the Closing, and (5) if requested by the Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, a statement of earnings and profits as provided in Section 7(e).


10.
Fees and Expenses; Other Plans

The expenses of entering into and carrying out the provisions of this Plan, whether or not consummated, shall be borne by Nationwide Fund Advisors.


11.
Termination; Waiver; Order

(a)       Anything contained in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trust may terminate this Plan and the Reorganization may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing.

(b)       If the transactions contemplated by this Plan have not been consummated by ________, 20___ this Plan shall automatically terminate on that date, unless a later date is established by the Trust.

(c)       In the event of termination of this Plan pursuant to the provisions hereof, the same shall become void and have no further effect, and there shall not be any liability on the part of the Trust or its trustees, officers, agents or shareholders in respect of this Plan.

(d)       At any time prior to the Closing, any of the terms or conditions of this Plan may be waived by the Trust.

(e)       The respective necessary findings of fact and obligations contained in Sections 4-8 hereof shall expire with, and be terminated by, the consummation of the Plan, and neither the Trust, nor any of its officers, trustees, agents or shareholders shall have any liability with respect to such necessary findings of fact or obligations after the Closing. This provision shall not protect any officer, trustee, agent or shareholder of the Trust against any liability for which such officer, trustee, agent or shareholder would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties in the conduct of such office.

(f)       If any order or orders of the Commission with respect to this Plan shall be issued prior to the Closing and shall impose any terms or conditions that are determined by action of the Board of Trustees of the Trust to be acceptable, such terms and conditions shall be binding as if a part of this Plan without further vote or approval of the shareholders of the Target Fund, unless such further vote is required by applicable law.


12.
Liability of the Trust
32

The Trust acknowledges that: (i) all obligations of the Trust under this Plan are binding only with respect to the Trust, the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund; (ii) any liability of the Trust under this Plan with respect to the Acquiring Fund, or in connection with the transactions contemplated herein with respect to the Acquiring Fund, shall be discharged only out of the assets of the Acquiring Fund; (iii) any liability of the Trust under this Plan with respect to the Target Fund, or in connection with the transactions contemplated herein with respect to the Target Fund, shall be discharged only out of the assets of the Target Fund; and (iv) no other series of the Trust shall be liable with respect to this Plan or in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, and that neither the Trust, the Target Fund nor the Acquiring Fund shall seek satisfaction of any such obligation or liability from the shareholders of any other series of the Trust.


13.
Final Tax Returns and Forms 1099 of the Target Fund

(a)       After the Closing, the Trust shall or shall cause its agents to prepare any federal, state or local Tax returns, including any Forms 1099, required to be filed by the Trust with respect to the Target Fund’s final taxable year ending with its complete liquidation and for any prior periods or taxable years and shall further cause such Tax returns and Forms 1099 to be duly filed with the appropriate taxing authorities.

(b)       Any expenses incurred by the Trust or the Target Fund (other than for payment of Taxes) in connection with the preparation and filing of said Tax returns and Forms 1099 after the Closing, shall be borne by the Target Fund to the extent such expenses have been or should have been accrued by the Target Fund in the ordinary course without regard to the Reorganization contemplated by this Plan; any excess expenses shall be borne by Nationwide Fund Advisors at the time such Tax returns and Forms 1099 are prepared.


14.
Amendments

This Plan may only be amended in writing at the direction of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.


15.
Governing Law

This Plan shall be governed by and carried out in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

The Trust has adopted this Plan of Reorganization and it shall be deemed effective, all as of the day and year first-above written.

Nationwide Mutual Funds, on behalf of Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund and Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund
 

 
By
 
   
Michael S. Spangler, President and Chief Executive Officer
 

 
Acknowledged by Nationwide Fund Advisors
   
 
By
 
   
Michael S. Spangler, President
33

EXHIBIT B
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlight tables below are intended to help you understand the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund’s and Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years and are included in the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund’s prospectus and Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund’s prospectus which are each incorporated herein by reference. The fiscal year end for both the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund and the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund is October 31. In addition, the financial highlights tables below provide unaudited financial performance for the most recent six-month semiannual reporting period ended April 30, 2019.

Information (other than for the periods ended April 30, 2019) has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, is included in the Trust’s annual reports, which are available upon request.  The information with the six-month period ended April 30, 2019, has been derived from the Funds’ unaudited financial statements, which are included in the Trust’s semiannual reports, which are available upon request.

Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund

 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Operations
Distributions
 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
         
 
Net
Investment
Income (a)
Net Realized
and
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
from
Investments
Total from
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
Total
Return (b)(c)
Net Assets
at End of
Period
Ratio of
Expenses
to Average
Net
Assets (d)(e)
Ratio of
Net
Investment
Income to
Average
Net
Assets(d)(e)
Ratio of
Expenses
(Prior to
Reimbursements)
to Average Net
Assets (d)(e)
Portfolio
Turnover (c)(f)
Class A Shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended April 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
 $ 8.12
0.08
0.34
0.42
(0.08)
(0.36)
(0.44)
 $ 8.10
5.67%
 $ 5,148,372
0.64%
2.07%
0.64%
46.60% (g)
Year Ended October 31, 2018
 $ 8.52
0.15
(0.20)
(0.05)
(0.16)
(0.19)
(0.35)
 $ 8.12
(0.59%)
 $ 5,640,637
0.63%
1.83%
0.63%
38.46%
Year Ended October 31, 2017
 $ 8.18
0.15
0.57
0.72
(0.16)
(0.22)
(0.38)
 $ 8.52
9.11%
 $ 6,495,817
0.62%
1.83%
0.62%
57.25%
Year Ended October 31, 2016
 $ 8.52
0.12
0.10
0.22
(0.14)
(0.42)
(0.56)
 $ 8.18
2.81%
 $ 5,002,312
0.62%
1.52%
0.62%
41.58%
Year Ended October 31, 2015
 $ 9.11
0.14
(0.07)
0.07
(0.17)
(0.49)
(0.66)
 $ 8.52
0.74%
 $ 4,107,109
0.56%
1.61%
0.56%
38.40%
Year Ended October 31, 2014
 $ 9.07
0.14
0.30
0.44
(0.14)
(0.26)
(0.40)
 $ 9.11
5.02%
 $ 2,784,131
0.62%
1.55%
0.62%
29.54%
Class C Shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended April 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
 $ 8.05
0.05
0.34
0.39
(0.05)
(0.36)
(0.41)
 $ 8.03
5.31%
 $ 719,930
1.27%
1.33%
1.27%
46.60% (g)
34

    Operations Distributions    
Ratios/Supplemental Data
             
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income (a)
Net Realized
and
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
from
Investments
Total from
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
Total
Return (b)(c)
Net Assets
at End of
Period
Ratio of
Expenses
to Average
Net
Assets (d)(e)
Ratio of
Net
Investment
Income to
Average
Net
Assets(d)(e)
Ratio of
Expenses
(Prior to
Reimbursements)
to Average Net
Assets (d)(e)
Portfolio
Turnover (c)(f)
Year Ended October 31, 2018
 $ 8.45
0.10
(0.21)
(0.11)
(0.10)
(0.19)
(0.29)
 $ 8.05
(1.30%)
 $ 956,250
1.28%
1.25%
1.28%
38.46%
Year Ended October 31, 2017
 $ 8.11
0.10
0.57
0.67
(0.11)
(0.22)
(0.33)
 $ 8.45
8.51%
 $ 1,554,626
1.26%
1.26%
1.26%
57.25%
Year Ended October 31, 2016
 $ 8.46
0.07
0.08
0.15
(0.08)
(0.42)
(0.50)
 $ 8.11
2.03%
 $ 1,445,899
1.27%
0.88%
1.27%
41.58%
Year Ended October 31, 2015
 $ 9.04
0.08
(0.07)
0.01
(0.10)
(0.49)
(0.59)
 $ 8.46
0.13%
 $ 1,444,567
1.27%
0.93%
1.27%
38.40%
Year Ended October 31, 2014
 $ 9.02
0.07
0.31
0.38
(0.10)
(0.26)
(0.36)
 $ 9.04
4.37%
 $ 1,566,876
1.20%
0.83%
1.20%
29.54%
Class R Shares (h)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended April 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
 $ 8.10
0.07
0.33
0.40
(0.07)
(0.36)
(0.43)
 $ 8.07
5.43%
 $ 7,537,255
0.88%
1.80%
0.88%
46.60% (g)
Year Ended October 31, 2018
 $ 8.49
0.13
(0.19)
(0.06)
(0.14)
(0.19)
(0.33)
 $ 8.10
(0.73%)
 $ 7,511,136
0.89%
1.61%
0.89%
38.46%
Year Ended October 31, 2017
 $ 8.16
0.14
0.55
0.69
(0.14)
(0.22)
(0.36)
 $ 8.49
8.72%
 $ 9,970,294
0.88%
1.66%
0.88%
57.25%
Year Ended October 31, 2016
 $ 8.50
0.10
0.09
0.19
(0.11)
(0.42)
(0.53)
 $ 8.16
2.53%
 $ 11,363,437
0.89%
1.29%
0.89%
41.58%
Year Ended October 31, 2015
 $ 9.08
0.12
(0.08)
0.04
(0.13)
(0.49)
(0.62)
 $ 8.50
0.47%
 $ 12,866,836
0.88%
1.34%
0.88%
38.40%
Year Ended October 31, 2014
 $ 9.05
0.10
0.31
0.41
(0.12)
(0.26)
(0.38)
 $ 9.08
4.71%
 $ 16,866,896
0.88%
1.14%
0.88%
29.54%
Class R6 Shares (i)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended April 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
 $ 8.14
0.10
0.33
0.43
(0.10)
(0.36)
(0.46)
 $ 8.11
5.81%
 $ 4,176,791
0.14%
2.54%
0.14%
46.60% (g)
Year Ended October 31, 2018
 $ 8.54
0.20
(0.20)
(0.21)
(0.19)
(0.40)
 $ 8.14
(0.08%)
 $ 4,166,817
0.14%
2.37%
0.14%
38.46%
35

    Operations
Distributions
   
Ratios/Supplemental Data
             
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income (a)
Net Realized
and
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
from
Investments
Total from
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
Total
Return (b)(c)
Net Assets
at End of
Period
Ratio of
Expenses
to Average
Net
Assets (d)(e)
Ratio of
Net
Investment
Income to
Average
Net
Assets(d)(e)
Ratio of
Expenses
(Prior to
Reimbursements)
to Average Net
Assets (d)(e)
Portfolio
Turnover (c)(f)
Year Ended October 31, 2017
 $ 8.20
0.21
0.55
0.76
(0.20)
(0.22)
(0.42)
 $ 8.54
9.63%
 $ 4,569,736
0.13%
2.49%
0.13%
57.25%
Year Ended October 31, 2016
 $ 8.54
0.17
0.09
0.26
(0.18)
(0.42)
(0.60)
 $ 8.20
3.31%
 $ 6,513,396
0.13%
2.04%
0.13%
41.58%
Year Ended October 31, 2015
 $ 9.12
0.18
(0.07)
0.11
(0.20)
(0.49)
(0.69)
 $ 8.54
1.25%
 $ 7,517,394
0.13%
2.06%
0.13%
38.40%
Year Ended October 31, 2014
 $ 9.08
0.16
0.33
0.49
(0.19)
(0.26)
(0.45)
 $ 9.12
5.60%
 $ 7,386,185
0.13%
1.81%
0.13%
29.54%
Institutional Service Class Shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended April 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
 $ 8.13
0.10
0.34
0.44
(0.10)
(0.36)
(0.46)
 $ 8.11
5.94%
 $ 24,763
0.13%
2.53%
0.13%
46.60% (g)
Year Ended October 31, 2018
 $ 8.53
0.20
(0.20)
(0.21)
(0.19)
(0.40)
 $ 8.13
(0.08%)
 $ 22,970
0.13%
2.37%
0.13%
38.46%
Year Ended October 31, 2017
 $ 8.19
0.19
0.57
0.76
(0.20)
(0.22)
(0.42)
 $ 8.53
9.57%
 $ 27,114
0.19%
2.33%
0.19%
57.25%
Year Ended October 31, 2016
 $ 8.52
0.19
0.05
0.24
(0.15)
(0.42)
(0.57)
 $ 8.19
3.12%
 $ 24,311
0.29%
2.29%
0.29%
41.58%
Year Ended October 31, 2015
 $ 9.11
0.17
(0.07)
0.10
(0.20)
(0.49)
(0.69)
 $ 8.52
1.14%
 $ 72,638
0.13%
1.98%
0.13%
38.40%
Year Ended October 31, 2014
 $ 9.08
0.17
0.31
0.48
(0.19)
(0.26)
(0.45)
 $ 9.11
5.49%
 $ 22,863
0.13%
1.90%
0.13%
29.54%
Amounts designated as “–” are zero or have been rounded to zero.
(a) Per share calculations were performed using average shares method.
(b) Excludes sales charge.
(c) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Annualized for periods less than one year.
(e) Expense ratios are based on the direct expenses of the Fund and do not include the effect of the underlying funds’ expenses. For additional information on the underlying funds, please refer to the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
36



Operations
Distributions
   
Ratios/Supplemental Data
             
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income (a)
Net Realized
and
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
from
Investments
Total from
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
Total
Return (b)(c)
Net Assets
at End of
Period
Ratio of
Expenses
to Average
Net
Assets (d)(e)
Ratio of
Net
Investment
Income to
Average
Net
Assets(d)(e)
Ratio of
Expenses
(Prior to
Reimbursements)
to Average Net
Assets (d)(e)
Portfolio
Turnover (c)(f)

(f) Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.
(g) Portfolio turnover excludes received or delivered in-kind.
(h) Effective March 3, 2014, Class R2 Shares were renamed Class R Shares.
(i) Effective February 28, 2017, Institutional Class Shares were renamed Class R6 Shares.

Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (formerly, Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund)

 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Operations
Distributions
 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
         
 
Net
Investment
Income (a)
Net Realized
and
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
from
Investments
Total from
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
Total
Return (b)(c)
Net Assets
at End of
Period
Ratio of
Expenses
to Average
Net
Assets (d)(e)
Ratio of
Net
Investment
Income to
Average
Net
Assets (d)(e)
Ratio of
Expenses
(Prior to
Reimbursements)
to Average Net
Assets (d)(e)
Portfolio
Turnover (c)(f)
Class A Shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended April 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
 $ 8.30
0.09
0.35
0.44
(0.09)
(0.38)
(0.47)
 $ 8.27
5.89%
 $ 5,341,831
0.61%
2.17%
0.61%
45.74% (g)
Year Ended October 31, 2018
 $ 8.84
0.16
(0.21)
(0.05)
(0.17)
(0.32)
(0.49)
 $ 8.30
(0.66%)
 $ 5,541,596
0.62%
1.85%
0.62%
28.01%
Year Ended October 31, 2017
 $ 8.52
0.16
0.74
0.90
(0.17)
(0.41)
(0.58)
 $ 8.84
11.10%
 $ 9,665,357
0.61%
1.93%
0.61%
34.93%
Year Ended October 31, 2016
 $ 9.04
0.12
0.09
0.21
(0.14)
(0.59)
(0.73)
 $ 8.52
2.70%
 $ 9,859,906
0.61%
1.45%
0.61%
25.79%
Year Ended October 31, 2015
 $ 9.79
0.15
(0.09)
0.06
(0.18)
(0.63)
(0.81)
 $ 9.04
0.64%
 $ 10,533,102
0.54%
1.63%
0.54%
20.91%
Year Ended October 31, 2014
 $ 9.62
0.15
0.37
0.52
(0.14)
(0.21)
(0.35)
 $ 9.79
5.60%
 $ 11,150,884
0.62%
1.52%
0.62%
27.46%
Class C Shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37

    Operations
Distributions    
Ratios/Supplemental Data
             
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income (a)
Net Realized
and
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
from
Investments
Total from
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
Total
Return (b)(c)
Net Assets
at End of
Period
Ratio of
Expenses
to Average
Net
Assets (d)(e)
Ratio of
Net
Investment
Income to
Average
Net
Assets (d)(e)
Ratio of
Expenses
(Prior to
Reimbursements)
to Average Net
Assets (d)(e)
Portfolio
Turnover (c)(f)
Six Months Ended April 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
 $ 8.24
0.07
0.35
0.42
(0.07)
(0.38)
(0.45)
 $ 8.21
5.60%
 $ 704,679
1.17%
1.83%
1.17%
45.74% (g)
Year Ended October 31, 2018
 $ 8.78
0.11
(0.21)
(0.10)
(0.12)
(0.32)
(0.44)
 $ 8.24
(1.21%)
 $ 1,059,882
1.18%
1.29%
1.18%
28.01%
Year Ended October 31, 2017
 $ 8.47
0.11
0.73
0.84
(0.12)
(0.41)
(0.53)
 $ 8.78
10.43%
 $ 1,006,455
1.18%
1.32%
1.18%
34.93%
Year Ended October 31, 2016
 $ 9.00
0.07
0.08
0.15
(0.09)
(0.59)
(0.68)
 $ 8.47
2.03%
 $ 896,029
1.18%
0.87%
1.18%
25.79%
Year Ended October 31, 2015
 $ 9.74
0.10
(0.09)
0.01
(0.12)
(0.63)
(0.75)
 $ 9.00
0.08%
 $ 812,211
1.19%
1.05%
1.19%
20.91%
Year Ended October 31, 2014
 $ 9.60
0.08
0.38
0.46
(0.11)
(0.21)
(0.32)
 $ 9.74
4.95%
 $ 1,031,938
1.15%
0.88%
1.15%
27.46%
Class R Shares (h)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended April 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
 $ 8.26
0.08
0.35
0.43
(0.08)
(0.38)
(0.46)
 $ 8.23
5.76%
 $ 19,543,889
0.89%
1.90%
0.89%
45.74% (g)
Year Ended October 31, 2018
 $ 8.80
0.14
(0.21)
(0.07)
(0.15)
(0.32)
(0.47)
 $ 8.26
(0.92%)
 $ 21,515,708
0.89%
1.60%
0.89%
28.01%
Year Ended October 31, 2017
 $ 8.48
0.14
0.73
0.87
(0.14)
(0.41)
(0.55)
 $ 8.80
10.84%
 $ 27,379,736
0.88%
1.66%
0.88%
34.93%
Year Ended October 31, 2016
 $ 9.01
0.10
0.07
0.17
(0.11)
(0.59)
(0.70)
 $ 8.48
2.29%
 $ 31,374,559
0.89%
1.20%
0.89%
25.79%
Year Ended October 31, 2015
 $ 9.75
0.12
(0.09)
0.03
(0.14)
(0.63)
(0.77)
 $ 9.01
0.36%
 $ 41,345,461
0.88%
1.35%
0.88%
20.91%
Year Ended October 31, 2014
 $ 9.60
0.11
0.38
0.49
(0.13)
(0.21)
(0.34)
 $ 9.75
5.28%
 $ 56,452,141
0.88%
1.18%
0.88%
27.46%
Class R6 Shares (i)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended April 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
 $ 8.33
0.11
0.35
0.46
(0.11)
(0.38)
(0.49)
 $ 8.30
6.13%
 $ 16,407,771
0.13%
2.65%
0.13%
45.74% (g)
38

    Operations
Distributions
   
Ratios/Supplemental Data
             
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income (a)
Net Realized
and
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
from
Investments
Total from
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
Total
Return (b)(c)
Net Assets
at End of
Period
Ratio of
Expenses
to Average
Net
Assets (d)(e)
Ratio of
Net
Investment
Income to
Average
Net
Assets (d)(e)
Ratio of
Expenses
(Prior to
Reimbursements)
to Average Net
Assets (d)(e)
Portfolio
Turnover (c)(f)
Year Ended October 31, 2018
 $ 8.87
0.21
(0.22)
(0.01)
(0.21)
(0.32)
(0.53)
 $ 8.33
(0.15%)
 $ 16,519,758
0.14%
2.41%
0.14%
28.01%
Year Ended October 31, 2017
 $ 8.55
0.21
0.73
0.94
(0.21)
(0.41)
(0.62)
 $ 8.87
11.61%
 $ 26,404,668
0.13%
2.46%
0.13%
34.93%
Year Ended October 31, 2016
 $ 9.07
0.16
0.09
0.25
(0.18)
(0.59)
(0.77)
 $ 8.55
3.20%
 $ 33,754,228
0.13%
1.92%
0.13%
25.79%
Year Ended October 31, 2015
 $ 9.82
0.19
(0.09)
0.10
(0.22)
(0.63)
(0.85)
 $ 9.07
1.04%
 $ 29,077,229
0.13%
2.05%
0.13%
20.91%
Year Ended October 31, 2014
 $ 9.67
0.18
0.38
0.56
(0.20)
(0.21)
(0.41)
 $ 9.82
6.03%
 $ 27,775,167
0.13%
1.86%
0.13%
27.46%
 
 
Institutional Service Class Shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended April 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
 $ 8.31
0.09
0.36
0.45
(0.10)
(0.38)
(0.48)
 $ 8.28
6.01%
 $ 26,190,909
0.39%
2.35%
0.39%
45.74% (g)
Year Ended October 31, 2018
 $ 8.85
0.18
(0.21)
(0.03)
(0.19)
(0.32)
(0.51)
 $ 8.31
(0.40%)
 $ 25,675,302
0.39%
2.10%
0.39%
28.01%
Year Ended October 31, 2017
 $ 8.53
0.18
0.74
0.92
(0.19)
(0.41)
(0.60)
 $ 8.85
11.35%
 $ 29,656,153
0.38%
2.16%
0.38%
34.93%
Year Ended October 31, 2016
 $ 9.05
0.14
0.09
0.23
(0.16)
(0.59)
(0.75)
 $ 8.53
2.93%
 $ 34,586,322
0.38%
1.68%
0.38%
25.79%
Year Ended October 31, 2015
 $ 9.80
0.17
(0.10)
0.07
(0.19)
(0.63)
(0.82)
 $ 9.05
0.79%
 $ 43,835,091
0.38%
1.83%
0.38%
20.91%
Year Ended October 31, 2014
 $ 9.65
0.16
0.38
0.54
(0.18)
(0.21)
(0.39)
 $ 9.80
5.77%
 $ 49,742,140
0.38%
1.70%
0.38%
27.46%
39

    Operations
Distributions    
Ratios/Supplemental Data
             
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income (a)
Net Realized
and
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
from
Investments
Total from
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
Total
Return (b)(c)
Net Assets
at End of
Period
Ratio of
Expenses
to Average
Net
Assets (d)(e)
Ratio of
Net
Investment
Income to
Average
Net
Assets(d)(e)
Ratio of
Expenses
(Prior to
Reimbursements)
to Average Net
Assets (d)(e)
Portfolio
Turnover (c)(f)

 
(a) Per share calculations were performed using average shares method.
(b) Excludes sales charge.
(c) Not annualized for periods less than one year.
(d) Annualized for periods less than one year.
(e) Expense ratios are based on the direct expenses of the Fund and do not include the effect of the underlying funds’ expenses. For additional information on the underlying funds, please refer to the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
(f) Portfolio turnover is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing among the classes of shares.
(g) Portfolio turnover excludes received or delivered in-kind.
(h) Effective March 3, 2014, Class R2 Shares were renamed Class R Shares.
(i) Effective February 28, 2017, Institutional Class Shares were renamed Class R6 Shares.
40

PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
_______________, 2019

NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS
 One Nationwide Plaza
Mail Code: 5-02-210
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(800) 848-0920
www.nationwide.com/mutualfunds

Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to the _____________, 2019 Combined Prospectus/Information Statement (the “Prospectus/Information Statement”) which describes a reorganization (the “Transaction”) of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund (the “Target Fund”) into the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”).  Both the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund are series of Nationwide Mutual Funds (the “Trust”).  As a result of the Transaction, Target Fund shareholders will be issued shares of the Acquiring Fund (“Acquiring Fund Shares”) as shown below.

Target Fund
Acquiring Fund
Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund
Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund
Class A
Class A
Class R
Class R
Class R6
Class R6
Institutional Service Class
Institutional Service Class
   
This SAI, which is not a prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus/Information Statement relating specifically to the Transaction.  A copy of the Prospectus/Information Statement may be obtained upon request and without charge by calling the Trust at (800) 848-0920.

Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the same meanings as are given to them in the Prospectus/Information Statement.  The Transaction will occur in accordance with the terms of the Plan of Reorganization.
1

Table of Contents

GENERAL INFORMATION
3
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE INTO THE SAI
3
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
3
2

General Information

This SAI relates to (i) the transfer of substantially all of the property, assets and goodwill of the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund, in exchange for shares of the designated classes of the Acquiring Fund; (ii) the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the Target Fund’s liabilities; (iii) the distribution of Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of the Target Fund; and (iv) the termination, dissolution and complete liquidation of the Target Fund as soon as practicable after the closing.  The reorganization of the Target Fund into the Acquiring Fund is currently expected to occur on or around [                        ], 2019, at which time there will be a pro rata distribution of Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of the Target Fund according to their interests in complete liquidation of the Target Fund.  Further information is included in the Prospectus/Information Statement and in the documents, listed below, that are incorporated by reference into this SAI.

Incorporation of Documents by Reference into the SAI

This SAI incorporates by reference the following documents, which have each been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and will be sent to any shareholder requesting this SAI:

1.
Statement of Additional Information dated February 28, 2019, as revised and supplemented to date, with respect to the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund (previously filed on EDGAR, Accession No. 0001193125-19-230784).

2.
The audited financial statements and related report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered accounting firm, included in the Target Fund’s and Acquiring Fund’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the reporting period ended October 31, 2018, as amended to date (previously filed on EDGAR, Accession No. 0001193125-18-354325). No other parts of the Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference.

3.
The financial statements included in the Target Fund’s and Acquiring Fund’s Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the reporting period ended April 30, 2019 (previously filed on EDGAR, Accession No. 0001193125-19-176271).  No other parts of the Semi-Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference.

PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The financial highlight tables are intended to help you understand the financial performance of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund (“Target Fund”) and Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (“Acquiring Fund”) for the past five fiscal years and are included in the Acquiring Fund’s prospectus and Target Fund’s prospectus which are each incorporated herein by reference.  The Acquiring Fund’s prospectus also accompanies this Prospectus/Information Statement.  The pro forma financial information set forth below is for informational purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the financial condition that actually would have resulted if the Transaction had been consummated.  These pro forma numbers have been estimated in good faith based on information regarding the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund for the twelve-month period ended April 30, 2019.  The unaudited pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements of the Funds, which are available in their respective annual and semi-annual shareholder reports.
3

Narrative Description of the Pro Forma Effects of the Transaction

The unaudited pro forma information for the twelve-month period ended April 30, 2019, has been prepared to give effect to the proposed Transaction pursuant to the Plan as if it had been consummated on May 1, 2018.

Basis of Pro Forma Financial Information

On June 11, 2019, the Board approved the Plan by which the Target Fund will transfer all of its assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the Acquiring Fund will assume all of the liabilities of the Target Fund.  Target Fund shareholders will receive the class of Acquiring Fund Shares indicated in Table 1 below.  The Acquiring Fund will issue Acquiring Fund Shares with an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate value of the net assets that it receives from the Target Fund, as determined pursuant to the terms of the Plan.  All Acquiring Fund Shares delivered to the Target Fund will be delivered at net asset value without a sales load, commission or other similar fee being imposed.  Immediately following the transfer, the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Target Fund will be distributed pro rata, on what is expected to be a tax-free basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to the shareholders of the Target Fund in proportion to their holdings of shares of the Target Fund.

Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the historical cost of investment securities will be carried forward to the surviving entity, and the results of operations of the surviving fund for pre-organization periods will not be restated.  The Acquiring Fund will be the accounting survivor of the Transaction for financial statement purposes.

Table 1 – Reorganization Shares

Target Fund Shares
Acquiring Fund Shares
   
Target Fund Class A
Acquiring Fund Class A
   
Target Fund Class R
Acquiring Fund Class R
   
Target Fund Class R6
Acquiring Fund Class R6
   
Target Fund Institutional Service Class
Acquiring Fund Institutional Service Class
   
Table 2 – Target Fund’s and Acquiring Fund’s Net Assets as of April 30, 2019

The Table below shows the net assets of the Target Fund, the Acquiring Fund, and the pro forma combined net assets assuming the Transaction was completed as of April 30, 2019.

Target Fund Net Assets
Acquiring Fund Net Assets
Pro Forma Combined Net Assets after Transaction with Target Fund
$17,600,544
$68,105,682
$85,706,226

Pro Forma Adjustments

The table below reflects needed adjustments to expenses of the pro forma combined fund as if the Reorganization had taken place on April 30, 2019. The pro forma information has been derived from the books and records used in calculating daily net asset values of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund, and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect this information. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
4

Expense Category
Increase (decrease) in expense in dollars
Increase (decrease) in expense in basis points
Investment advisory fees
None
None
Distribution and/or service fees – Class A1
None
None
Distribution and/or service fees – Class R
None
None
Distribution and/or service fees – Institutional Service Class
None
None
Professional fees
None
None
Trustee fees
None
None

 1 With respect to both the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, on August 23, 2019, Class C shares were automatically converted to Class A shares of the respective Fund and Class C shares are no longer being issued. Therefore, the distribution and/or service fees associated with Class C shares are included in the calculation of the distribution and/or service fees for Class A shares.

Accounting Policy

No significant accounting policies will change as a result of the Transaction, specifically, policies regarding valuation of portfolio securities of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  In addition, the Transaction will not require any changes to the Acquiring Fund’s existing contracts.

Transaction Costs

The cost of the Transaction, including any costs directly associated with preparing, filing, printing and distributing to the shareholders of the Target Fund all materials relating to the Transaction as well as the conversion costs associated with the Transaction (but excluding brokerage costs, which are expected to be minimal, if any), will be borne by NFA.
5

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 15.
Indemnification provisions for officers, directors, and employees of Registrant are set forth in Article VII, Section 2 of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, amended and restated as of June 17, 2009. See Item 16(1)(a) below.

The Trust has entered into indemnification agreements with each of the trustees and certain of its officers.  The indemnification agreements provide that the Trust will indemnify the indemnitee for and against any and all judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement, and all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by indemnitee in connection with a proceeding that the indemnitee is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to (other than certain exceptions specified in the agreements), to the maximum extent not expressly prohibited by Delaware law or applicable federal securities law and regulations (including without limitation Section 17(h) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations issued with respect thereto by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission). The Trust also will indemnify indemnitee for and against all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by indemnitee in connection with any proceeding to which indemnitee is or is threatened to be made a witness but not a party.

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

Item 16.
Exhibits. The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s previously filed registration statements on Form N-1A or Form N-14, as noted below:


(1)
Copies of the charter of the Registrant now in effect;


(a)
Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated June 17, 2009 (the “Amended Declaration”) of Registrant, Nationwide Mutual Funds (the “Trust”), a Delaware Statutory Trust, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.a with the Trust’s registration statement on November 17, 2009, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(2)
Copies of the existing bylaws or corresponding instruments of the Registrant;


(a)
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, amended and restated as of June 17, 2009, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.b with the Trust’s registration statement on November 17, 2009, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(3)
Copies of any voting trust agreement affecting more than 5 percent of any class of equity securities of the Registrant;

Not Applicable.


(4)
Copies of the agreement of acquisition, reorganization, merger, liquidation and any amendments to it;


(a)
Form of Plan of Reorganization, adopted by the Registrant on behalf of Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund and Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (“Plan of Reorganization”) is filed as Appendix A to the Prospectus/Information Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.


(5)
Copies of all instruments defining the rights of holders of the securities being registered including copies, where applicable, of the relevant portion of the articles of incorporation or by-laws of the Registrant;


(a)
Certificates for shares are not issued. Articles III, V and VI of the Amended Declaration and Article VII of the Amended Bylaws incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) and 2(a), respectively, hereto, define the rights of holders of shares.


(6)
Copies of all investment advisory contracts relating to the management of the assets of the Registrant;


(a)
Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 1, 2007, between the Trust and Nationwide Fund Advisors, pertaining to certain series of the Trust, previously filed as Exhibit EX-99.d.2 with the Trust’s registration statement on June 14, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(i)
Exhibit A to the Investment Advisory Agreement, amended August 5, 2019, previously filed as Exhibit EX-16.6.a.i. with the Trust’s registration statement on August 5, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(b)
Investment Advisory Agreement dated August 28, 2007, between the Trust and Nationwide Fund Advisors, pertaining to the Target Destination Funds, previously filed as Exhibit EX-23.d.2 with the Trust’s registration statement on August 27, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(i)
Exhibit A to the Investment Advisory Agreement, amended September 25, 2014, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.2.b with the Trust’s registration statement on October 16, 2014, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(c)
Investment Advisory Agreement dated September 18, 2015, between the Trust and Nationwide Fund Advisors, pertaining to certain series of the Trust, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3 with the Trust’s registration statement on October 13, 2015, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(i)
Exhibit A to the Investment Advisory Agreement, amended August 5, 2019, filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.a with the Trust’s registration statement on August 28, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(d)
Subadvisory Agreements


(i)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC dated May 1, 2007, as amended June 16, 2010, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.a with the Trust’s registration statement on September 14, 2010, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(1)
Exhibit A to the Amended Subadvisory Agreement, amended February 1, 2012, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.a.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 24, 2012, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(ii)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, dated December 19, 2007, previously filed as Exhibit EX-23.d.3.i with the Trust’s registration statement on December 28, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(iii)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Nationwide Asset Management, LLC, dated January 1, 2008, previously filed as Exhibit EX-23.d.3.h with the Trust’s registration statement on December 19, 2008, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(1)
Exhibit A to the Subadvisory Agreement, amended May 1, 2013, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.c.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on April 3, 2014, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(iv)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Federated Investment Management Company, dated April 2, 2009, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.i with the Trust’s registration statement on February 26, 2010, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(1)
Exhibit A to the Subadvisory Agreement, amended March 9, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.d.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on May 5, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(v)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Brown Capital Management, LLC dated, August 26, 2011, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.j with the Trust’s registration statement on September 16, 2011, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(vi)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and UBS Asset Management (Americas) Inc., dated July 19, 2011, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.k with the Trust’s registration statement on July 1, 2011, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(1)
Exhibit A to the Subadvisory Agreement, amended November 19, 2012, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.k.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on December 6, 2012, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(vii)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC, dated October 30, 2012, previously filed as Exhibit EX-16.6.c.xii with the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-14 on May 17, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(1)
Exhibit A to the Subadvisory Agreement, amended July 1, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.g.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on June 27, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(viii)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Bailard, Inc., dated June 4, 2013, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.k with the Trust’s registration statement on October 17, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(1)
Exhibit A to the Subadvisory Agreement, amended March 31, 2014, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.j.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on April 3, 2014, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(ix)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Geneva Capital Management LLC, dated October 1, 2014, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.k with the Trust’s registration statement on October 16, 2014, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(x)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Ziegler Capital Management, LLC, dated December 1, 2013, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.3.m with the Trust’s registration statement on February 20, 2014, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xi)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Standard Life Investments (Corporate Funds) Limited, dated October 5, 2015, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.r with the Trust’s registration statement on October 13, 2015, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xii)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Amundi Pioneer Institutional Asset Management, Inc. (formerly, Amundi Smith Breeden, LLC), dated November 12, 2015, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.s with the Trust’s registration statement on October 14, 2015, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(1)
Exhibit A to the Subadvisory Agreement, amended January 14, 2019, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.l.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xiii)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Wellington Management Company LLP, dated December 14, 2016, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.t with the Trust’s registration statement on December 14, 2016, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xiv)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Wellington Management Company LLP, dated November 13, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.o with the Trust’s registration statement on November 22, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xv)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Loomis, Sayles & Company, LP, dated May 5, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.q with the Trust’s registration statement on May 5, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xvi)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Loomis, Sayles & Company, LP, dated November 13, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX 28.d.4.q with the Trust’s registration statement on November 22, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xvii)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Logan Capital Management, Inc., dated December 8, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-16.6.d.x.viii  with the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-14 on December 27, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xviii)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc., dated November 13, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.s with the Trust’s registration statement on November 22, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xix)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and WCM Investment Management, dated November 13, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.t with the Trust’s registration statement on November 22, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xx)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Mellon Investments Corporation (formerly, BNY Mellon Asset Management North America Corporation), amended August 5, 2019, is filed herewith as Exhibit EX-16.6.d.xx.


(xxi)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC, dated September 13, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.u with the Trust’s registration statement on November 2, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(1)
Form of Exhibit A to the Subadvisory Agreement, amended March 1, 2019, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.u.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 25, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xxii)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and Western Asset Management Co., dated September 13, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.v with the Trust’s registration statement on November 2, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xxiii)
Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, dated September 13, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.d.4.w with the Trust’s registration statement on November 2, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(7)
Copies of each underwriting or distribution between the Registrant and a principal underwriter, and specimens or copies of all agreements between principal underwriters and dealers;


(a)
Underwriting Agreement dated May 1, 2007, between the Trust and Nationwide Fund Distributors LLC (“NFD”), previously filed as Exhibit EX-23.e.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on June 14, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(i)
Schedule A to the Underwriting Agreement, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.e.1.a with the Trust’s registration statement on August 28, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(b)
Form of Dealer Agreement, previously filed as Exhibit EX-23.e.2 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 27, 2008, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(8)
Copies of all bonus, profit sharing, pension or other similar contracts or arrangements wholly or partly for the benefit of trustees or officers of the Registrant in their capacity as such.  Furnish a reasonably detailed description of any plan that is not set forth in a formal document;

Not applicable.


(9)
Copies of all custodian agreements and depository contracts Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) for securities and similar investments of the Registrant, including the schedule of remuneration;


(a)
Form of Global Custody Agreement dated April 4, 2003, between the Trust and JPMorgan Chase Bank, previously filed as Exhibit EX-99.g.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 28, 2005, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(i)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated December 2, 2009, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.1.a with the Trust’s registration statement on February 26, 2010, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(ii)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated March 11, 2011, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.1.d with the Trust’s registration statement on September 30, 2016, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(iii)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated March 8, 2012, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.1.d with the Trust’s registration statement on July 2, 2012, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(iv)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated May 27, 2015, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.1.d with the Trust’s registration statement on February 2, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(v)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated September 18, 2015, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.1.c with the Trust’s registration statement on October 13, 2015, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(vi)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated December 9, 2015, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.1.e with the Trust’s registration statement on September 30, 2016, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(vii)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated August 26, 2016, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.1.f with the Trust’s registration statement on September 30, 2016, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(viii)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated November 22, 2016, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.1.g with the Trust’s registration statement on March 22, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(ix)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated May 17, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.1.h with the Trust’s registration statement on August 24, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(x)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated November 9, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-16.9.a.ix with the Trust’s registration statement on Form N-14 on December 27, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xi)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated October 10, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.1.k with the Trust’s registration statement on December 13, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(xii)
Amendment to Global Custody Agreement dated April 8, 2019, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.1.l with the Trust’s registration statement on June 14, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(b)
Waiver to Global Custody Agreement dated as of February 28, 2005, between the Trust and JPMorgan Chase Bank, previously filed as Exhibit EX-99.g.1.a with the Trust’s registration statement on February 28, 2006, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(c)
Cash Trade Execution Rider dated April 4, 2003, previously filed as Exhibit EX-99.g.1.b with the Trust’s registration statement on February 28, 2006, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(d)
Concentration Accounts Agreement dated December 2, 2009, between the Trust and JPMorgan Chase Bank, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.4 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 26, 2010, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(e)
Rider for Securities Lending to Global Custody Agreement dated March 28, 2014, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.5 with the Trust’s registration statement on September 30, 2016, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(f)
Addendum to Fee Schedule to Rider for Securities Lending to Global Custody Agreement dated March 28, 2014, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.g.6 with the Trust’s registration statement on September 30, 2016, is hereby incorporated by reference.

(10)
Copies of any plan entered into by Registrant pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and any agreements with any person relating to implementation of the plan, and copies of any plan entered into by Registrant pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, any agreement with any person relating to implementation of the plan, any amendment to the plan, and a copy of the portion of the minutes of the meeting of the Registrant’s trustees describing any action taken to revoke the plan;


(a)
Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.m.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on August 28, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(b)
Rule 18f-3 Plan, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.n.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on August 28, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.

(11)
An opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality of the securities being registered, indicating whether they will, when sold, be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable;


(a)
Legal Opinion and Consent of Counsel relating to the legality of the shares being offered, is filed herewith as Exhibit EX-16.11.a.

(12)
An opinion and consent to their use, of counsel or, in lieu of an opinion a copy of the revenue ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, supporting tax matters and consequences to shareholders discussed in the prospectus;


(a)
Opinion and Consent of Counsel with respect to certain tax consequences relating to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization shall be filed by amendment pursuant to an undertaking.

(13)
Copies of all material contracts of the Registrant not made in the ordinary course of business which are to be performed in whole or in part on or after the date of filing the registration statement;


(a)
Joint Fund Administration and Transfer Agency Agreement, effective May 1, 2010, between the Trust, Nationwide Mutual Funds and Nationwide Fund Management LLC, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.h.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on September 14, 2010, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(b)
Administrative Services Plan, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.h.2 with the Trust’s registration statement on August 28, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(i)
Form of Servicing Agreement to Administrative Services Plan, previously filed as Exhibit EX-23.h.2.b with the Trust’s registration statement on February 28, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(c)
Form of Operational Servicing Agreement, previously filed as Exhibit EX-23.h.3 with the Trust’s registration statement on August 27, 2007, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(d)
Expense Limitation Agreement between the Trust and Nationwide Fund Advisors, dated May 1, 2007, previously filed as Exhibit EX-23.h.4 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 27, 2008, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(i)
Amendment to Expense Limitation Agreement, amended March 1, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.h.4.a with the Trust’s registration statement on May 5, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(ii)
Amendment to Expense Limitation Agreement, amended July 1, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.h.4.b with the Trust’s registration statement on September 24, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(iii)
Exhibit A to Expense Limitation Agreement, amended August 5, 2019, previously filed as Exhibit EX-16.13.d.iii with the Trust’s registration statement on August 5, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(e)
Assignment and Assumption Agreement between Gartmore Mutual Funds, an Ohio business trust  (“OBT”) and the Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, dated February 28, 2005, assigning to the Trust OBT’s title, rights, interests, benefits and privileges in and to certain contracts listed in the Agreement, previously filed as Exhibit EX-99.h.11 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 28, 2006, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(f)
Fee Waiver Agreement between the Trust and Nationwide Fund Advisors, on behalf of the Nationwide Fund, dated March 1, 2019,  filed as Exhibit EX-28.h.6 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(g)
Administrative Services Fee Waiver Agreement between the Trust and Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., dated March 1, 2019, on behalf of the Nationwide Government Money Market Fund, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.h.7 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(h)
Fee Waiver Agreement between the Trust and Nationwide Fund Advisors, on behalf of Nationwide Bond Index Fund, Nationwide Mid Cap Market Index Fund and Nationwide Small Cap Index Fund, dated March 1, 2019, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.h.8 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(i)
Fee Waiver Agreement between the Trust and Nationwide Fund Advisors, on behalf of Nationwide WCM Focused Small Cap Fund, dated March 1, 2019, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.h.9 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(j)
Fee Waiver Agreement between the Trust and Nationwide Fund Advisors, on behalf of Nationwide Core Plus Bond Fund, dated July 1, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.h.10 with the Trust’s registration statement on June 27, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.

(14)
Copies of any other opinions, appraisals, or rulings, and consents to their use, relied on in preparing the registration statement and required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act;


(a)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, is filed herewith as Exhibit EX-16.14.a.

(15)
All financial statements omitted pursuant to Item 14(a)(1):

Not Applicable

(16)
Manually signed copies of any power of attorney pursuant to which the name of any person has been signed to the registration statement; and


(a)
Powers of Attorney, filed herewith as Exhibit EX-16.16.a.


(1)
Certificate of Assistant Secretary, dated September 24, 2019, filed herewith as Exhibit EX-16.16.a.1.

(17)
Any additional exhibits which the Registrant may wish to file.

 

(a)
Code of Ethics for NFA, the Trust and Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust, dated March 12, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.1 with the Trust’s registration statement on April 10, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(b)
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, effective May 8, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.3 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 2, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(c)
Code of Ethics for Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, effective October 1, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.4 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 2, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(d)
Code of Ethics for Nationwide Fund Distributors LLC, dated April 30, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.4 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 21, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(e)
Code of Ethics for Federated Investors, Inc., effective April 1, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.5 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(f)
Code of Ethics for Brown Capital Management, LLC, dated December 31, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.6 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 21, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(g)
Code of Ethics for UBS Asset Management (Americas) Inc., dated July 21, 2016, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.8 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 2, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(h)
Code of Ethics for Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC, amended December 5, 2016, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.10 with the Trust’s registration statement on May 5, 2017, is hereby incorporated by reference.


 (i)
Code of Ethics for Bailard, Inc., dated March 25, 2014, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.12 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 26, 2015, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(j)
Personal Account Dealing Policy for Janus Henderson Investors, on behalf of Geneva Capital Management LLC, dated March 1, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.10 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(k)
Code of Ethics & Personal Trading Policy for Ziegler Capital Management, LLC, amended April 8, 2016, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.11 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(l)
Code of Ethics for Aberdeen Standard Investments (2018), previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.13 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 21, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(1)
Addendum to Global Code of Conduct for Aberdeen Standard Investments, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.13.a with the Trust’s registration statement on February 21, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(m)
Code of Ethics for Amundi Pioneer Institutional Asset Management, Inc. (formerly, Amundi Smith Breeden, LLC), revised September 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.15 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 2, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(n)
Code of Ethics for Wellington Management Company LLP, dated April 30, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.16 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 2, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(o)
Code of Ethics for Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., dated April 18, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.15 with the Trust’s registration statement on September 24, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(p)
Code of Ethics for Logan Capital Management, Inc., dated April 1, 2017, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.16 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(q)
Code of Ethics for Diamond Hill Capital Management, dated April 1, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.17 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(r)
Code of Ethics for WCM Investment Management, dated January 1, 2019, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.18 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(s)
Code of Ethics & Personal Trading Policy for Nationwide Asset Management, LLC, as of March 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.19 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(t)
Code of Conduct for BNY Mellon Corporation (September 2018), previously filed  as Exhibit EX-28.p.20 with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(1)
Personal Securities Trading Policy for Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (and its subsidiaries) dated June 8, 2018, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.20.a with the Trust’s registration statement on February 19, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(u)
Code of Ethics for Western Asset  Management Co., revised January 1, 2016, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.21 with the Trust’s registration statement on November 2, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.


(v)
Code of Ethics for Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC, amended December 12, 2016, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.p.22 with the Trust’s registration statement on November 2, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.

Item 17.  Undertakings

(1) The undersigned Registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered through the use of a prospectus which is part of this registration statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act, the reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form for reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

(2) The undersigned Registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under paragraph (1) above will be filed as part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until the amendment is effective, and that, in determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them.

(3) The undersigned Registrant agrees to file by Post-Effective Amendment the opinions and consents of counsel regarding the tax consequences of the proposed reorganizations required by Item 16(12) of Form N-14 within a reasonable time after receipt of such opinions.


SIGNATURES

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed on behalf of the Registrant in the city of Columbus, and State of Ohio, on this 27th day of September, 2019.

 
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS
 
       
 
BY:
/s/ Allan J. Oster
 
   
Allan J. Oster, Attorney-In-Fact for Registrant
 


As required by the Securities 1933 Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the date written above.

Signature & Title
 
   
/s/ Michael S. Spangler*
 
Michael S. Spangler, President, Chief
 
Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer
 
   
/s/ Joseph Finelli*
 
Joseph Finelli, Treasurer, Vice President and
 
Principal Financial Officer
 
   
Trustees
 
   
/s/ Charles E. Allen*
 
Charles E. Allen, Trustee
 
   
/s/ Paula H.J. Cholmondeley*
 
Paula H.J. Cholmondeley, Trustee
 
   
/s/ Phyllis Kay Dryden*
 
Phyllis Kay Dryden, Trustee
 
   
/s/ Barbara I. Jacobs*
 
Barbara I. Jacobs, Trustee
 
   
/s/ Keith F. Karlawish*
 
Keith F. Karlawish, Trustee
 
   
/s/ Carol A. Kosel*
 
Carol A. Kosel, Trustee
 
   
/s/ Douglas F. Kridler*
 
Douglas F. Kridler, Trustee
 
   
/s/ M. Diane Koken*
 
M. Diane Koken, Trustee
 
   
/s/ David C. Wetmore*
 
David C. Wetmore, Trustee and Chairman
 


*BY:
/s/ Allan J. Oster
 
 
Allan J. Oster, Attorney-In-Fact
 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Exhibit No.
   
Subadvisory Agreement
EX-16.6.d.xx
   
Legal Opinion and Consent of Counsel
EX-16.11.a
   
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
EX-16.14.a
   
Power of Attorney
EX-16.16.a
   
Certificate of Assistant Secretary
EX-16.16.a.1
EX-16.6.D.XX

AMENDED SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into effective the 13th day of July, 2018, as amended August 5, 2019, by and among NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, NATIONWIDE FUND ADVISORS (the “Adviser”) a Delaware business trust registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and MELLON INVESTMENTS CORPORATION, a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Subadviser”), and also registered under the Advisers Act.
 
WITNESSETH:
 
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);
 
WHEREAS, the Adviser has, pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust dated of the 1st day of May, 2007 (the “Advisory Agreement”), been retained to act as investment adviser for certain of the series of the Trust that are listed on Exhibit A to this Agreement (each, a “Fund”);
 
WHEREAS, the Adviser represents that it is willing and possesses legal authority to render such services subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
 
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser each represent that the Advisory Agreement permits the Adviser to delegate certain of its duties under the Advisory Agreement to other investment advisers, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act; and
 
WHEREAS, the Adviser desires to retain Subadviser to assist it in the provision of a continuous investment program for that portion of each Fund’s assets that the Adviser will assign to the Subadviser, and Subadviser is willing to render such services subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
 
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties do mutually agree and promise as follows with respect to each Fund:
 
1.       Appointment as Subadviser.  The Adviser hereby appoints the Subadviser to act as investment adviser for and to manage that portion or all of the assets of the Fund that the Adviser from time to time upon reasonable prior notice allocates to, and puts under the control of, the Subadviser (the “Subadviser Assets”) subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust and subject to the terms of this Agreement.  The Subadviser hereby accepts such appointment and, in such capacity, agrees to be responsible for the investment management of the Subadviser Assets.  It is recognized that the Subadviser and certain of its affiliates now act, and that from time to time hereafter may act, as investment
1

adviser to one or more other investment companies and to fiduciary or other managed accounts and that the Adviser and the Trust cannot object to such activities.
 
2.       Duties of Subadviser.
 
(a)       Investments.  The Subadviser is hereby authorized and directed and hereby agrees, subject to the stated investment policies and restrictions of the Fund as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information as currently in effect and, as soon as practical after the Trust, the Fund or the Adviser notifies the Subadviser thereof, as supplemented or amended from time to time (collectively referred to hereinafter as the “Prospectus”) and subject to the written directions of the Adviser and the Trust’s Board of Trustees as may be agreed to in writing by the Subadviser, to monitor on a continuous basis the performance of the Subadviser Assets and to conduct a continuous program of investment, evaluation and, if appropriate, sale and reinvestment of the Subadviser Assets.  The Adviser agrees to provide the Subadviser with such assistance as may be reasonably requested by the Subadviser in connection with the Subadviser’s activities under this Agreement, including, without limitation, providing information concerning the Fund, its funds available or to become available for investment, and generally as to the conditions of the Fund’s or the Trust’s affairs.
 
(b)       Compliance with Applicable Laws and Governing Documents.  In the performance of its services under this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the Prospectus and the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws as currently in effect and, as soon as practical after the Trust, the Fund or the Adviser notifies the Subadviser thereof, as supplemented, amended and/or restated from time to time (referred to hereinafter as the “Declaration of Trust” and “By-Laws,” respectively) and with the instructions and directions received in writing from the Adviser or the Trustees of the Trust as may be agreed to in writing by the Subadviser  and will conform to, and comply with, the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and all other laws and regulations applicable to the Subadviser.  Without limiting the preceding sentence, the Adviser promptly shall notify the Subadviser as to any act or omission of the Subadviser hereunder that the Adviser reasonably deems to constitute or to be the basis of any noncompliance or nonconformance with any of the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws and the Prospectus, the instructions and directions received in writing from the Adviser or the Trustees of the Trust or the 1940 Act, the Code, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser shall remain responsible for ensuring the Fund’s and the Trust’s overall compliance with the 1940 Act, the Code and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations and the Subadviser is only obligated to comply with this subsection (b) with respect to the Subadviser Assets.  The Adviser timely will provide the Subadviser with any  materials or information which the Subadviser may reasonably request to enable it to perform its functions under this Agreement.
2

The Adviser shall perform quarterly and annual tax compliance tests to ensure that the Fund is in compliance with Subchapter M and, if applicable, Section 817(h) of the Code.  In connection with such compliance tests, the Adviser shall inform the Subadviser at least ten (10) business days prior to a calendar quarter end if the Subadviser Assets are out of compliance with the diversification requirements under either Subchapter M or, if applicable, Section 817(h).  If the Adviser notifies the Subadviser that the Subadviser Assets are not in compliance with such requirements noted above, the Subadviser will take prompt action to bring the Subadviser Assets back into compliance within the time permitted under the Code thereunder.
 
The Adviser will provide the Subadviser with reasonable advance notice of any change in the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in the Prospectus, and the Subadviser shall, in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, manage the Subadviser Assets consistent with such changes, provided that the Subadviser has received prompt notice of the effectiveness of such changes from the Trust or the Adviser and has agreed to such changes in writing.  In addition to such notice, the Adviser shall provide to the Subadviser a copy of a modified Prospectus reflecting such changes.  The Adviser acknowledges and will ensure that the Prospectus will at all times be in compliance with all disclosure requirements under all applicable federal and state laws and regulations relating to the Trust or the Fund, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and that the Subadviser shall have no liability in connection therewith, except as to the accuracy of material information furnished in writing by the Subadviser to the Trust or to the Adviser specifically for inclusion in the Prospectus.  The Subadviser hereby agrees to provide to the Adviser in a timely manner such information relating to the Subadviser and its relationship to, and actions for, the Trust as may be required to be contained in the Prospectus or in the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A.
 
(c)       Voting of Proxies; Litigation; Class Action.  The Adviser hereby delegates to the Subadviser the Adviser’s discretionary authority to exercise voting rights with respect to the securities and other investments in the Subadviser Assets and authorizes the Subadviser to delegate further such discretionary authority to a designee.  The Subadviser, including without limitation its designee (for which the Subadviser shall remain liable), shall have the power to vote, either in person or by proxy, all securities in which the Subadviser Assets may be invested from time to time, and shall not be required to seek or take instructions from, the Adviser, the Fund or the Trust or take any action with respect thereto.  The Subadviser or its designee will vote such securities in accordance with its proxy voting guidelines.  If both the Subadviser and another entity managing assets of the Fund have invested the Fund’s assets in the same security, the Subadviser and such other entity will each have the power to vote its pro rata share of the Fund’s security.
 
The Subadviser will establish a written procedure for proxy voting in compliance with current applicable rules and regulations, including but not limited to Rule 30b1-4
3

under the 1940 Act.  The Subadviser will provide the Adviser or its designee, a copy of such procedure and establish a process for the timely distribution of the Subadviser’s voting record with respect to the Fund’s securities and other information necessary for the Fund to complete information required by Form N-1A under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Form N-PX under the 1940 Act, and Form N-CSR under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, respectively.
 
The Subadviser will have no obligation to advise, initiate or take any other action on behalf of any Fund in any legal proceedings (including, without limitation, class actions and bankruptcies)  (each,  a “Legal Action”) relating to the securities comprising the Subadviser Assets or any other matter.  The Subadviser will not file proofs of claims relating to the securities comprising the Subadviser Assets or any other matter and will not notify the Adviser or the Trust’s custodian or administrator of class action settlements or bankruptcies relating to the Subadviser Assets.  Further, the Adviser agrees that the Subadviser has no duty to institute, prosecute, defend, settle or otherwise dispose of any claim relating to securities purchased or held in any Fund.
 
(d)       Agent.  Subject to any other written instructions of the Adviser or the Trust, the Subadviser is hereby appointed the Adviser’s and the Trust’s agent and attorney-in-fact for the limited purposes of executing account documentation, agreements, contracts and other documents as the Subadviser shall be requested by brokers, dealers, counterparties and other persons in connection with its management of the Subadviser Assets.  The Subadviser agrees to provide the Adviser and the Trust with copies of any such agreements executed on behalf of the Adviser or the Trust.
 
(e)       Brokerage.  The Subadviser is authorized, subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the plenary authority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, to establish and maintain accounts on behalf of the Fund with, and place orders for the investment and reinvestment, including without limitation purchase and sale of the Subadviser Assets with or through, such persons, brokers (including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any broker affiliated with the Subadviser) or dealers (collectively “Brokers”) as Subadviser may elect and negotiate commissions to be paid on such transactions.  The Subadviser, however, is not required to obtain the consent of the Adviser or the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to establishing any such brokerage account.  The Subadviser shall place all orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio investments for the Fund’s account with Brokers selected by the Subadviser.  In the selection of such Brokers and the placing of such orders, the Subadviser shall seek to obtain for each Fund best execution.  In using its reasonable efforts to obtain for the Fund best execution, the Subadviser, bearing in mind the best interests of the Fund at all times, shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including price, the size of the transaction, the breadth and nature of the market for the security, the difficulty of the execution, the amount of the commission, if any, the timing of the transaction, market prices and trends, the reputation, experience and financial stability of the Broker involved, and the quality of service rendered by the Broker in other transactions.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
4

neither the Trust, the Fund nor the Adviser shall instruct the Subadviser to place orders with any particular Broker(s) with respect to the Subadviser Assets.  Subject to such policies as the Trustees may determine, or as may be mutually agreed to by the Adviser and the Subadviser, the Subadviser is authorized but not obligated to cause, and shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty created by this Agreement or otherwise solely by reason of its having caused, the Fund to pay a Broker that provides brokerage and research services (within the meaning of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) to the Subadviser an amount of commission for effecting a Subadviser Assets’ investment transaction that is in excess of the amount of commission that another Broker would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Subadviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such Broker viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibility of the Subadviser with respect to the accounts as to which it exercises investment discretion.
 
It is recognized that the services provided by such Brokers may be useful to the Subadviser in connection with the Subadviser’s services to other clients.  On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interests of the Fund with respect to the Subadviser Assets as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased in order to obtain the most favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution.  In such event, allocation of securities so sold or purchased, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner the Subadviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to each Fund and to such other clients.  It is recognized that in some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position obtainable for, or disposed of by, the Fund with respect to the Subadviser Assets.
 
In connection with the purchase and sale of over-the-counter derivatives transactions (including, without limitation, foreign exchange transactions whether or not traded pursuant to a master netting agreement) and/or futures contracts, the Adviser will (i) execute or direct the Subadviser (in a written form acceptable to the Subadviser) to execute  a derivatives and/or futures agreement with the selected counterparties, (ii) obtain any necessary legal entity identifiers and perform any actions as may be required under any laws applicable to Fund and the Subadviser Assets and (iii) adhere to, or direct the Subadviser (in a written form acceptable to the Subadviser)  as agent to the Fund and Adviser to adhere to, any protocols published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association as applicable to the performance of the Subadviser’s obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the ISDA Dodd-Frank and EMIR protocols).  In addition, the Subadviser may establish a trading relationship and negotiate, execute and deliver futures give-up agreements with brokers
5

as agent for the Fund and Subadviser Assets.  Such give-up agreements govern financial futures that are executed through executing brokers which are then cleared and settled through clearing brokers.  The Subadviser may instruct such brokers to transfer money, securities, collateral or other property or take other actions with respect to the Subadviser Assets, provided that applicable requirements regarding the custody of assets are satisfied.  The Fund and Subadviser Assets will be bound by the terms of the agreements and protocols authorized by this Section.
 
(f)       Securities Transactions.  The Subadviser and any affiliated person of the Subadviser will not purchase securities or other instruments from or sell securities or other instruments to the Fund; provided, however, the Subadviser or any affiliated person of the Subadviser may purchase securities or other instruments from or sell securities or other instruments to the Fund if such transaction is permissible under applicable laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
The Subadviser, on its own behalf and with respect to its Access Persons (as defined in subsection (e) of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act), agrees to observe and comply with Rule 17j-1 and its Code of Ethics (which shall comply in all material respects with Rule 17j-1), as the same may be amended from time to time.  On at least an annual basis, the Subadviser will comply with the reporting requirements of Rule 17j-1, which may include either (i) certifying to the Adviser that the Subadviser and its Access Persons have complied with the Subadviser’s Code of Ethics with respect to the Subadviser Assets or (ii) identifying any material violations which have occurred with respect to the Subadviser Assets.  The Subadviser will have also submitted its Code of Ethics for its initial approval by the Board of Trustees no later than the date of execution of this agreement and subsequently within six months of any material change thereto.
 
(g)       Books and Records.  The Subadviser shall maintain separate detailed records as are required by applicable laws and regulations of all matters hereunder pertaining to the Subadviser Assets (the “Fund’s Records”), including, without limitation, brokerage and other records of all securities transactions.  The Subadviser acknowledges that the Fund’s Records are property of the Trust; except to the extent that the Subadviser is required to maintain the Fund’s Records under the Advisers Act or other applicable law and except that the Subadviser, at its own expense, is entitled to make and keep a copy of the Fund’s Records for its internal files.  The Fund’s Records shall be available to the Adviser or the Trust at any time upon reasonable request during normal business hours and shall be available for telecopying promptly to the Adviser during any day that the Fund is open for business as set forth in the Prospectus.
 
(h)       Information Concerning Subadviser Assets and Subadviser.  From time to time as the Adviser or the Trust reasonably may request in good faith, the Subadviser will furnish the requesting party reports on portfolio transactions and reports on the Subadviser Assets, all in such reasonable detail as the parties may reasonably agree in
6

good faith.  The Subadviser will also inform the Adviser in a timely manner of material changes in portfolio managers responsible for Subadviser Assets, any changes in the ownership or management of the Subadviser, or of material changes in the control of the Subadviser.  Upon the Trust’s or the Adviser’s reasonable request, the Subadviser will make available its officers and employees to meet with the Trust’s Board of Trustees to review the Subadviser Assets via telephone on a quarterly basis and in person on a less frequent basis as agreed upon by the parties.
 
Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Subadviser will also provide such information or perform such additional acts with respect to the Subadviser Assets as are reasonably required for the Trust or the Adviser to comply with their respective obligations under applicable laws and regulations, including without limitation, requirements of or pertaining to the Code, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, and the Securities Act, and any rule or regulation thereunder.
 
(i)       Custody Arrangements.  The Trust or the Adviser shall notify the Subadviser of the identities of its custodian banks and the custody arrangements therewith with respect to the Subadviser Assets and shall give the Subadviser written notice of any changes in such custodian banks or custody arrangements.  The Subadviser shall on each business day provide the Adviser and the Trust’s custodian such information as the Adviser and the Trust’s custodian may reasonably request in good faith relating to all transactions concerning the Subadviser Assets.  The Trust shall instruct its custodian banks to (A) carry out all investment instructions as may be directed by the Subadviser with respect to the Subadviser Assets (which instructions may be orally given if confirmed in writing); and (B) provide the Subadviser with all operational information necessary for the Subadviser to trade the Subadviser Assets on behalf of the Fund.  The Subadviser shall have no liability for the acts or omissions of the authorized custodian(s), unless such act or omission is required by and taken in reliance upon instructions given to the authorized custodian(s) by a representative of the Subadviser properly authorized (pursuant to written instruction by the Adviser) to give such instructions.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement or in any agreement executed  with the Fund’s Custodian (each, a “Custody Agreement”), the Adviser confirms, and the Subadviser acknowledges and agrees, that the Subadviser shall have no authority whatsoever, nor any authority to direct the custodian, to withdraw or transfer funds or securities from an account otherwise than in connection with effecting or settling trades for the account pursuant to this Agreement and subject to the requirements of Section 2(e) of this Agreement.  The custodian and not the Subadviser is responsible for the collection of income, dividends, and other distributions and for other functions incidental to the role of the custodian.
 
(j)       Valuation Assistance.  The Subadviser shall not be responsible for the provision of administrative, bookkeeping or accounting services to the Trust.  The Adviser hereby acknowledges that the Subadviser is not responsible for pricing portfolio securities.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subadviser agrees that, upon request of
7

the Adviser, it shall reasonably assist the Adviser in obtaining prices for portfolio securities and, to the extent it may lawfully do so, provide the Adviser with reasonable information, data or analyses in its possession.  The Adviser and the Trust acknowledge that any such information, data or analyses may be proprietary to the Subadviser or otherwise consist of nonpublic information, agree that nothing in this Agreement shall require Subadviser to provide any information, data or analysis in contravention of applicable legal or contractual requirements, and agree to use any such information only for the purpose of pricing portfolio securities and to maintain their confidentiality.
 
3.       Independent Contractor.  In the performance of its services hereunder, the Subadviser is and shall be an independent contractor and unless otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise authorized in writing, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Fund, the Trust or the Adviser in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund, the Trust or the Adviser.
 
4.       Expenses.  During the term of this Agreement, Subadviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement.  The Subadviser shall, at its sole expense, employ or associate itself with such persons as it believes to be particularly fitted to assist it in the execution of its duties under this Agreement.  The Subadviser shall not be responsible for the Trust’s, the Fund’s or Adviser’s expenses, which shall include, but not be limited to, the cost of securities, commodities and other investments (including brokerage commissions and other transaction charges, if any) purchased for the Fund and any losses incurred in connection therewith, expenses of holding or carrying Subadviser Assets, including, without limitation, expenses of dividends on stock borrowed to cover a short sale and interest, fees or other charges incurred in connection with leverage and related borrowings with respect to the Subadviser Assets, organizational and offering expenses (which include, but are not limited to, out-of-pocket expenses, but not overhead or employee costs of the Subadviser); expenses for legal, accounting and auditing services; taxes and governmental fees; dues and expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; costs of printing and distributing shareholder reports, proxy materials, prospectuses, stock certificates and distribution of dividends; charges of the Fund’s custodians and sub-custodians, administrators and sub-administrators, registrars, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents and dividend reinvestment plan agents; payment for portfolio pricing services to a pricing agent, if any; registration and filing fees of the SEC; expenses of registering or qualifying securities of the Fund for sale in the various states; freight and other charges in connection with the shipment of the Fund’s portfolio securities; fees and expenses of non-interested Trustees; salaries of shareholder relations personnel; costs of shareholders meetings; insurance; interest; brokerage costs; and litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses.  The Trust or the Adviser, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Subadviser for any expenses of the Fund or the Adviser as may be reasonably incurred by such Subadviser on behalf of the Fund or the Adviser.  The Subadviser shall keep and supply to the Trust and the Adviser reasonable records of all such expenses.
8

5.       Compensation.  For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement, the Subadviser is entitled to the fee listed for the Fund on Exhibit A hereto.  Such fees will be computed daily and paid no later than the seventh (7th) business day following the end of each month, from the Adviser, calculated at an annual rate based on the Subadviser Assets’ average daily net assets.
 
The method of determining the net asset value of the Subadviser Assets for purposes hereof shall be the same as the method of determining net asset value for purposes of establishing the offering and redemption price of the shares of the Trust as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.  If this Agreement shall be effective for only a portion of a month with respect to the Fund, the aforesaid fee shall be prorated for the portion of such month during which this Agreement is in effect for the Fund.
 
6.       Representations and Warranties of Subadviser.  The Subadviser represents and warrants to the Adviser and the Trust as follows:
 
(a)       The Subadviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act;
 
(b)       The Subadviser is registered as a Commodity Trading Advisor under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the “CEA”), with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”), or is not required to file such registration;
 
(c)       The Subadviser is a corporation duly organized and properly registered and operating under the laws of the State of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted hereunder;
 
(d)       The execution, delivery and performance by the Subadviser of this Agreement are within the Subadviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary actions of its directors or shareholders, and no action by, or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Subadviser for execution, delivery and performance by the Subadviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Subadviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a violation of, or a material default under, (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Subadviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Subadviser; and
 
(e)       The Form ADV of the Subadviser previously provided to the Adviser and the Trust is a true and complete copy of the form, including that part or parts of the Form ADV filed with the SEC, that part or parts maintained in the records of the Adviser, and/or that part or parts provided or offered to clients, in each case as required under the Advisers Act and rules thereunder, and the information contained therein is accurate and complete in all material respects and does not omit to state any material
9

fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
 
7.       Representations and Warranties of Adviser.  The Adviser represents and warrants to the Subadviser as follows:
 
(a)       The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act;
 
(b)       The Adviser has filed a notice of exemption pursuant to Rule 4.14 under the CEA with the CFTC and the National Futures Association or is not required to file such exemption;
 
(c)       The Adviser is a business trust duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted hereunder;
 
(d)       The execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement are within the Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its directors, shareholders or managing unitholder, and no action by, or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a violation of, or a material default under, (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Adviser;
 
(e)       The Form ADV of the Adviser previously provided to the Subadviser and the Trust is a true and complete copy of the form, including that part or parts of the Form ADV filed with the SEC, that part or parts maintained in the records of the Adviser, and/or that part or parts provided or offered to clients, in each case as required under the Advisers Act and rules thereunder, and the information contained therein is accurate and complete in all material respects and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
 
(f)       The Adviser acknowledges that it received a copy of the Subadviser’s Form ADV prior to the execution of this Agreement; and
 
(g)       The Adviser and the Trust have duly entered into the Advisory Agreement pursuant to which the Trust authorized the Adviser to delegate certain of its duties under the Advisory Agreement to other investment advisers, including without limitation, the appointment of a subadviser with respect to assets of each of the Trust’s
10

mutual fund series, including without limitation the Adviser’s entering into and performing this Agreement.
 
8.       Representations and Warranties of the Trust.  The Trust represents and warrants to the Adviser and the Subadviser as follows:
 
(a)       The Trust is a statutory trust duly formed and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with the power to own and possess its assets and carry on its business as it is now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted hereunder;
 
(b)       The Trust is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act and has elected to qualify and has qualified, together with the Fund, as a regulated investment company under the Code, and the Fund’s shares are registered under the Securities Act;
 
(c)       Each of the Fund and the Trust is a “qualified eligible person” as defined in Rule 4.7 of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).  The Trust consents to being treated as an exempt account under Rule 4.7 of the CFTC;
 
(d)       The execution, delivery and performance by the Trust of this Agreement are within the Trust’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Trust and its Board of Trustees, and no action by, or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Trust for the execution, delivery and performance by the Trust of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Trust of this Agreement do not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, (ii) the Trust’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Trust; and
 
(e)       The Trust acknowledges that it received a copy of the Subadviser’s Form ADV prior to the execution of this Agreement.
 
9.       Survival of Representations and Warranties; Duty to Update Information.  All representations and warranties made by the Subadviser, the Adviser and the Trust pursuant to the recitals above and Sections 6, 7 and 8, respectively, shall survive for the duration of this Agreement and the parties hereto shall promptly notify each other in writing upon becoming aware that any of the foregoing representations and warranties are no longer true or accurate in all material effects.
 
10.       Liability and Indemnification.
 
(a)       Liability.  The Subadviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering its services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, but otherwise, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Subadviser or a reckless disregard of its duties hereunder, the Subadviser, each of its affiliates and all
11

respective partners, officers, directors and employees (“Affiliates”) and each person, if any, who within the meaning of the Securities Act controls the Subadviser (“Controlling Persons”), if any, shall not be subject to any expenses or liability to the Adviser, any other subadviser to the Fund, the Trust or the Fund or any of the Fund’s shareholders, in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, including without limitation for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of Subadviser Assets.  The Adviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering its obligations in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, but otherwise (except as set forth in Section 10(c) below), in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser or a reckless disregard of its duties hereunder, the Adviser, any of its Affiliates and each of the Adviser’s Controlling Persons, if any, shall not be subject to any liability to the Subadviser, for any act or omission in the case of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of Subadviser Assets.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall relieve the Adviser and the Subadviser from any of their obligations under applicable law, including, without limitation, the federal and state securities laws and the CEA.
 
(b)       Indemnification.  The Subadviser shall indemnify the Adviser, the Trust and the Fund, and their respective Affiliates and Controlling Persons for any liability and expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, which the Adviser, the Trust and/or the Fund and their respective Affiliates and Controlling Persons may sustain as a result of the Subadviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the federal and state securities laws or the CEA.  The Adviser shall indemnify the Subadviser, its Affiliates and its Controlling Persons, for any liability and expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, which may be sustained as a result of the Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the federal and state securities laws or the CEA.
 
The Trust shall indemnify the Subadviser, its Affiliates and its Controlling Persons, for any liability and expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, which may be sustained as a result of the Trust’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the federal and state securities laws or the CEA.
 
(c)       The Subadviser shall not be liable to the Adviser for (i) any acts of the Adviser or any other subadviser to the Fund with respect to the portion of the assets of the Fund not managed by Subadviser, or (ii) acts of the Subadviser which result from acts of the Adviser, including, but not limited to, a failure of the Adviser to provide accurate and current information with respect to any records maintained by the Adviser
12

or any other subadviser to the Fund, which records are not also maintained by or otherwise available to the Subadviser upon reasonable request.  The Adviser agrees that Subadviser shall manage the Subadviser Assets as if they were a separate operating Fund as set forth in Section 2(b) of this Agreement.  The Adviser shall indemnify the Subadviser, its Affiliates and Controlling Persons from any liability arising from the conduct of the Adviser and any other subadviser with respect to the portion of the Fund’s assets not allocated to the Subadviser.
 
(d)       Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Subadviser shall not be responsible or liable for its failure to perform under this Agreement or for any losses to any Fund resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of the Subadviser or its agents, including but not limited to nationalization, strikes, expropriation, devaluation, seizure, or similar action by any governmental authority, de facto or de jure, or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting any Fund’s property; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utilities or telecommunications systems; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry,  including changes in market rules and conditions affecting the execution and settlement of transactions;  or acts of war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God or any other similar event.  The Subadviser shall use reasonable commercial efforts to mitigate any losses resulting from such events and shall maintain a commercially reasonable business recovery plan.  For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 10(d) shall relieve Subadviser or its Affiliates of any liability or indemnification that arise from the Subadviser’s (or its Affiliates’) willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law.
 
11.       Duration and Termination.
 
(a)       Duration.  Unless sooner terminated, this Agreement shall go into effect as to any Fund covered by this Agreement initially or at such later time as such Fund commences operations pursuant to an effective amendment to the Trust’s Registration Statement and shall remain in effect for an initial period of no more than two years that terminates on the second May 1st that occurs following the date thereof, and, for any Fund subsequently added to this Agreement, an initial period of no more than two years that terminates on the second May 1st that occurs following the effective date of this Agreement with respect to such Fund, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods with respect to each such Fund, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Trust’s Board of Trustees or vote of the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting if holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present in person or by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund; provided that in either event its continuance also is approved by a majority of the Trust’s Trustees who are not
13

interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
 
(b)       Termination.  Notwithstanding whatever may be provided herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time with respect to the Fund, without payment of any penalty:
 
(i)       By vote of a majority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, or by “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), or by the Adviser, in each case, upon not more than 60 days’ written notice to the Subadviser;
 
(ii)       By any party hereto immediately upon written notice to the other parties in the event of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by either of the other parties; or
 
(iii)       By the Subadviser upon not less than 120 days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Trust.
 
This Agreement shall not be assigned (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) and shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment or upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement.
 
12.       Duties of the Adviser.  The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and shall oversee and review the Subadviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement.  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall obligate the Adviser to provide any funding or other support for the purpose of directly or indirectly promoting investments in the Fund.
 
13.       Reference to Adviser and Subadviser.
 
(a)       Neither the Adviser nor any Affiliate or agent of the Adviser shall make reference to or use the name of Subadviser or any of its Affiliates, or any of their clients, except references concerning the identity of and services provided by the Subadviser to the Fund, which references shall not differ in substance from those included in the Prospectus and this Agreement, in any advertising or promotional materials without the prior approval of Subadviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  The Adviser hereby agrees to make all reasonable efforts to cause the Fund and any Affiliate thereof to satisfy the foregoing obligation.
 
(b)       Neither the Subadviser nor any Affiliate or agent of it shall make reference to or use the name of the Adviser or any of its Affiliates, or any of their clients, except references concerning the identity of and services provided by the Adviser to the Fund or to the Subadviser, which references shall not differ in substance from those included in the Prospectus and this Agreement, in any advertising or promotional
14

materials without the prior approval of Adviser, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  The Subadviser hereby agrees to make all reasonable efforts to cause any Affiliate of the Subadviser to satisfy the foregoing obligation.
 
14.       Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent of the parties, provided that the terms of any material amendment shall be approved by:  (a) the Trust’s Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as required by the 1940 Act), and (b) the vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, if such approval is required by applicable law.
 
15.       Confidentiality.  Subject to the duties of the Adviser, the Trust and the Subadviser to comply with applicable law, including any demand of any regulatory or taxing authority having jurisdiction, the parties hereto shall treat as confidential and shall not disclose any and all information pertaining to the Fund and the actions of the Subadviser, the Adviser and the Fund in respect thereof (the “Confidential Information”); except to the extent:
 
(a)       Authorized.  The Adviser or the Trust has authorized such disclosure;
 
(b)       Court or Regulatory Authority.  Disclosure of such information is expressly required or requested by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction or applicable federal or state regulatory authorities;
 
(c)       Publicly Known Without Breach.  Such information becomes known to the general public without a breach of this Agreement or a similar confidential disclosure agreement regarding such information;
 
(d)       Already Known.  Such information already was known by the party prior to the date hereof;
 
(e)       Received From Third Party.   Such information was or is hereafter rightfully received by the party from a third party (expressly excluding the Fund’s custodian, prime broker and administrator) without restriction on its disclosure and without breach of this Agreement or of a similar confidential disclosure agreement regarding them; or
 
(f)       Independently Developed.  The party independently developed such information.
 
In addition, the Subadviser may disclose Confidential Information  to its officers, employees, affiliates and agents and to other third parties (including, without limitation, custodians, brokers, counterparties and trade data repositories) in connection with the performance of its services under this Agreement or to assist or enable the effective management of the Adviser’s overall relationship with the Subadviser and its affiliated entities.
15

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Adviser authorizes and consents to the disclosure of the Adviser’s identity as a client of the Subadviser in any representative client list prepared by the Subadviser for use in its marketing materials.  This entire Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
 
16.       Notice.  Any notice that is required to be given by the parties to each other under the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing, delivered, or mailed postpaid to the other parties, or transmitted by facsimile with acknowledgment of receipt, to the parties at the following addresses or facsimile numbers, which may from time to time be changed by the parties by notice to the other party:
 
(a)       If to the Subadviser:
 
BNY Mellon Asset Management North America
201 Washington Street, 14th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Attention :  Client Service Manager

 
(b)       If to the Adviser:
 
Nationwide Fund Advisors
One Nationwide Plaza
Mail Code 5-02-210R
Columbus, OH 43215
Attention:  Legal Department

 
(c)       If to the Trust:
 
Nationwide Mutual Funds
One Nationwide Plaza
Mail Code 5-02-210R
Columbus, OH 43215
Attention:  Legal Department

17.       Jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with substantive laws of the State of Delaware without reference to choice of law principles thereof and in accordance with the 1940 Act.  In the case of any conflict, the 1940 Act shall control. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally confirms and agrees that it is and shall continue to be (i) subject to the jurisdiction of the state courts of the State of Delaware, and (ii) subject to service of process in the State of Delaware. Unless the parties consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the non-exclusive jurisdiction for any actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be the state and federal courts located in the State of
16

Delaware (the “Delaware Courts”).  Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally  (a) agrees not to commence any litigation relating thereto except in the Delaware Courts and (b) waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such litigation in the Delaware Courts and agrees not to plead or claim in any Delaware Court, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, that (i) such litigation brought therein has been brought in any inconvenient forum, (ii) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason other than the failure to lawfully serve process, or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.
 
18.       Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
 
19.       Certain Definitions.  For the purposes of this Agreement and except as otherwise provided herein, “interested person,” “affiliated person,” and “assignment” shall have their respective meanings as set forth in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the SEC.
 
20.       Captions.  The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof.
 
21.       Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision or applicable law, the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected adversely and shall remain in full force and effect.
 
22.       Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with all exhibits, attachments and appendices, contains the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
 
23.       Nationwide Mutual Funds and its Trustees.  The terms “Nationwide Mutual Funds” and the “Trustees of Nationwide Mutual Funds” refer respectively to the Trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not individually or personally, acting from time to time under the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust made and dated as of October 28, 2004, as has been or may be amended and/or restated from time to time, and to which reference is hereby made.
 
24.       No Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit and convenience of the Trust, the Adviser and the Subadviser and there are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as granting, vesting, creating or conferring any direct, indirect, or derivative right of action, or any other right or benefit, upon past, present or future shareholders of any Fund or upon any other third party.
 
25.       Multi-Manager Funds.  In connection with securities transactions for the Fund, the Subadviser that is (or whose affiliated person is) entering into the transaction, and any
17

other investment manager that is advising an affiliate of the Fund (or portion of the Fund) (collectively, the "Managers" for the purposes of this section) entering into the transaction are prohibited from consulting with each other concerning transactions for the Fund in securities or other assets and, if both Managers are responsible for providing investment advice to the Fund, the Manager's responsibility in providing advice is expressly limited to a discrete portion of the Fund's portfolio that it manages.
 
This prohibition does not apply to communications by the Adviser in connection with the Adviser's (i) overall supervisory responsibility for the general management and investment of the Fund's assets; (ii) determination of the allocation of assets among the Manager(s), if any; and (iii) investment discretion with respect to the investment of Fund assets not otherwise assigned to a Manager.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first written above.
 
PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH ACCOUNTS OF QUALIFIED ELIGIBLE PERSONS, THIS BROCHURE OR ACCOUNT DOCUMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE, AND HAS NOT BEEN, FILED WITH THE COMMISSION.  THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION DOES NOT PASS UPON THE MERITS OF PARTICIPATING IN A TRADING PROGRAM OR UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF COMMODITY TRADING ADVISOR DISCLOSURE.  CONSEQUENTLY, THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION HAS NOT REVIEWED OR APPROVED THIS TRADING PROGRAM OR THIS BROCHURE OR ACCOUNT DOCUMENT.

 
 
TRUST
 
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Christopher C. Graham
 
 
Name:
Christopher C. Graham
 
 
Title:
CIO
 
       
       
 
ADVISER
 
NATIONWIDE FUND ADVISORS
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Christopher C. Graham
 
 
Name:
Christopher C. Graham
 
 
Title:
CIO
 
   
   
 
SUBADVISER
 
MELLON INVESTMENTS CORPORATION
       
       
 
By:
/s/ A.B. Over
 
 
Name:
Alex B. Over
 
 
Title:
Managing Director
 
18

EXHIBIT A
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
AMONG
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS,
NATIONWIDE FUND ADVISORS
AND BNY MELLON ASSET MANAGEMENT NORTH AMERICA CORPORATION

Effective July 13, 2018
Amended August 5, 2019*

Funds of the Trust
 
Subadvisory Fees
Nationwide Dynamic US Growth Fund
 
0.23% on Aggregate Subadviser Assets† of up to $500 million;
   
0.19% on Aggregate Subadviser Assets† of $500 million and more but less than $1 billion;
   
0.165% on Aggregate Subadviser Assets† of $1 billion and more but less than $5 billion; and
   
0.15% on Aggregate Subadviser Assets† of $5 billion and more.
     
Nationwide Mellon Disciplined Value Fund
 
0.30% on all Subadviser Assets


*As approved at the Board of Trustees Meeting held on June 11-12, 2019.


† The term “Aggregate Subadviser Assets” shall mean the aggregate amount resulting from the combination of Subadviser Assets of the Nationwide Dynamic US Growth Fund together with the Subadviser Assets (as defined in a Subadvisory Agreement among Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust, Nationwide Fund Advisors and BNY Mellon Asset Management North America Corporation, dated July 13, 2018) of the NVIT Dynamic US Growth Fund, a series of Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust.


[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]
19

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Exhibit A on the effective date set forth above.
 
 
 
TRUST
 
NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Christopher C. Graham
 
 
Name:
Christopher C. Graham
 
 
Title:
CIO
 
       
       
 
ADVISER
 
NATIONWIDE FUND ADVISORS
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Christopher C. Graham
 
 
Name:
Christopher C. Graham
 
 
Title:
CIO
 
       
       
 
SUBADVISER
 
MELLON INVESTMENTS CORPORATION
       
       
 
By:
/s/ A.B. Over
 
 
Name:
Alex B. Over
 
 
Title:
Managing Director
 


20
EX-16.11.a

Law Offices
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
2000 K Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 822-9611



September 27, 2019

Nationwide Mutual Funds
One Nationwide Plaza, Mail Code 5-02-210
Columbus, Ohio 43215

 
Subject:
Registration Statement on Form N‑14

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Nationwide Mutual Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Registration Statement on Form N-14 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  The purpose of the Registration Statement is to register shares to be issued in connection with the acquisition of all of the assets of, and the assumption of all of the liabilities of, the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, by and in exchange for Class A, Class R, Class R6, and Institutional Service Class shares of the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund (“Shares”), another series of the Trust (the “Transaction”).

In connection with this opinion, we have examined:  (i) a copy of the Trust’s Certificate of Trust, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 1, 2004, and amended on April 24, 2007 and January 14, 2011; (ii) the Trust’s Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, amended and restated as of June 17, 2009 (“Declaration of Trust”); (iii) the Trust’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, amended and restated as of June 17, 2009 (“Bylaws”); (iv) a Good Standing Certificate, dated September 27, 2019, from the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and (v) resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) in connection with the Transaction as well as other documents and items we deem material to this opinion.

This opinion is based exclusively on the provisions of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act governing the issuance of the shares of the Trust, and does not extend to the securities or “blue sky” laws of the State of Delaware or other states.

We have assumed the following for purposes of this opinion:

1.       The Shares will be issued in accordance with the Declaration of Trust, Bylaws and resolutions of the Board relating to the creation, authorization and issuance of shares.

2.       The Shares will be issued against payment therefor as described in the Prospectus/Information Statement and Statement of Additional Information relating thereto included in the Registration Statement, and that such payments will have been at least equal to their respective net asset values.

On the basis of the foregoing, it is our opinion that, when issued and paid for upon the terms provided in the Registration Statement, the Shares to be issued pursuant to the Registration Statement will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

Nationwide Mutual Funds
September 27, 2019
Page 2


We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and any amendments related thereto.


 
Very truly yours,
       
 
STRADLEY RONON STEVENS & YOUNG, LLP
       
       
 
BY:
/s/ Peter Hong             
 
   
Peter Hong, a Partner
 
EX-16.14.a
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-14 of Nationwide Mutual Funds of our report dated December 19, 2018, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights, which appears in the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund and Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund’s (formerly known as, Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund) Annual Report on Form N-CSR for the year ended October 31, 2018.  We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and "Financial Highlights" in such Registration Statement.
 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP        
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 27, 2019
EX-16.16.a

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust, as indicated beside his name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, his attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganization of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund (to be renamed the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund prior to the reorganization), a series of the Trust, and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has herewith set his name and seal as of this 11th day of June 2019.


/s/ Charles E. Allen
 
Charles E. Allen, Trustee
 

STATE OF OHIO
   
)
     
)  ss:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
   
)


Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared Charles E. Allen, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he executed and delivered the same for purposes therein expressed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal this 11th day of June 2019.


           
/s/ Amy E. Haid
 
           
Name: Amy E. Haid
 
           
Notary Public
 
[SEAL]

My Commission Expires:  No Expiration

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust, as indicated beside her name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, her attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganization of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund (to be renamed the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund prior to the reorganization), a series of the Trust, and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has herewith set her name and seal as of this 11th day of June 2019.


/s/ Barbara I. Jacobs
 
Barbara I. Jacobs, Trustee
 

STATE OF OHIO
   
)
     
)  ss:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
   
)

Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared Barbara I. Jacobs, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that she executed and delivered the same for purposes therein expressed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal this 11th day of June 2019.


           
/s/ Amy E. Haid
 
           
Name: Amy E. Haid
 
           
Notary Public
 
[SEAL]

My Commission Expires:  No Expiration

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust, as indicated beside her name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, her attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganization of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund (to be renamed the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund prior to the reorganization), a series of the Trust, and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has herewith set her name and seal as of this 11th day of June 2019.


/s/ Paula H.J. Cholmondeley
 
Paula H.J. Cholmondeley, Trustee
 


STATE OF OHIO
   
)
     
)  ss:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
   
)


Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared Paula H.J. Cholmondeley, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that she executed and delivered the same for purposes therein expressed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal this 11th day of June 2019.


           
/s/ Amy E. Haid
 
           
Name: Amy E. Haid
 
           
Notary Public
 
[SEAL]

My Commission Expires:  No Expiration

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust, as indicted beside her name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, her attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganization of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund (to be renamed the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund prior to the reorganization), a series of the Trust, and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has herewith set her name and seal as of this 11th day of June 2019.


/s/ Phyllis Kay Dryden
 
Phyllis Kay Dryden, Trustee
 


STATE OF OHIO
   
)
     
)  ss:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
   
)


Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared Phyllis Kay Dryden, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that she executed and delivered the same for purposes therein expressed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal this 11th day of June 2019.


           
/s/ Amy E. Haid
 
           
Name: Amy E. Haid
 
           
Notary Public
 
[SEAL]

My Commission Expires:  No Expiration

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust, as indicated beside his name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, his attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganization of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund (to be renamed the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund prior to the reorganization), a series of the Trust, and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has herewith set his name and seal as of this 11th day of June 2019.


/s/ Douglas F. Kridler
 
Douglas F. Kridler, Trustee
 


STATE OF OHIO
   
)
     
)  ss:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
   
)


Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared Douglas F. Kridler, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he executed and delivered the same for purposes therein expressed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal this 11th day of June 2019.


           
/s/ Amy E. Haid
 
           
Name: Amy E. Haid
 
           
Notary Public
 
[SEAL]

My Commission Expires:  No Expiration

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust, as indicated beside his name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, his attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganization of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund (to be renamed the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund prior to the reorganization), a series of the Trust, and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has herewith set his name and seal as of this 11th day of June 2019.


/s/ David C. Wetmore
 
David C. Wetmore, Trustee
 


STATE OF OHIO
   
)
     
)  ss:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
   
)


Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared David C. Wetmore, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he executed and delivered the same for purposes therein expressed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal this 11th day of June 2019.


           
/s/ Amy E. Haid
 
           
Name: Amy E. Haid
 
           
Notary Public
 
[SEAL]

My Commission Expires:  No Expiration

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust, as indicated beside his name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, his attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganization of Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund (to be renamed the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund prior to the reorganization), a series of the Trust, and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has herewith set his name and seal as of this 11th day of June 2019.


/s/ Keith F. Karlawish
 
Keith F. Karlawish, Trustee
 


STATE OF OHIO
   
)
     
)  ss:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
   
)

Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared Keith F. Karlawish, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he executed and delivered the same for purposes therein expressed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal this 11th day of June 2019.


           
/s/ Amy E. Haid
 
           
Name: Amy E. Haid
 
           
Notary Public
 
[SEAL]

My Commission Expires:  No Expiration

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust, as indicated beside her name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, her attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganization of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund (to be renamed the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund prior to the reorganization), a series of the Trust, and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has herewith set her name and seal as of this 11th day of June 2019.


/s/ M. Diane Koken
 
M. Diane Koken, Trustee
 


STATE OF OHIO
   
)
     
)  ss:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
   
)


Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared M. Diane Koken, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that she executed and delivered the same for purposes therein expressed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal this 11th day of June 2019.


           
/s/ Amy E. Haid
 
           
Name: Amy E. Haid
 
           
Notary Public
 
[SEAL]

My Commission Expires:  No Expiration

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust, as indicated beside her name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, her attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganization of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund (to be renamed the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund prior to the reorganization), a series of the Trust, and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has herewith set her name and seal as of this 11th day of June 2019.


/s/ Carol A. Kosel
 
Carol A. Kosel, Trustee
 


STATE OF OHIO
   
)
     
)  ss:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
   
)


Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared Carol A. Kosel, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that she executed and delivered the same for purposes therein expressed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal this 11th day of June 2019.


           
/s/ Amy E. Haid
 
           
Name: Amy E. Haid
 
           
Notary Public
 
[SEAL]

My Commission Expires:  No Expiration

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is an Officer of the Trust, as indicated beside his name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, his attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganization of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund (to be renamed the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund prior to the reorganization), a series of the Trust, and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has herewith set his name and seal as of this 11th day of June 2019.


Principal Executive Officer
 
   
/s/ Michael S. Spangler  
Michael S. Spangler, President and Chief Executive Officer
 


STATE OF OHIO
   
)
     
)  ss:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
   
)


Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared Michael S. Spangler, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he executed and delivered the same for purposes therein expressed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal this 11th day of June 2019.


           
/s/ Teresa A. Alfred
 
           
Name: Teresa A. Alfred
 
           
Notary Public
 
[SEAL]

My Commission Expires:  February 22, 2024

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is an Officer of the Trust, as indicated beside his name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, his attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganization of the Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination 2015 Fund (to be renamed the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund prior to the reorganization), a series of the Trust, and any and all amendments thereto, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has herewith set his name and seal as of this 11th day of June 2019.


Principal Accounting & Financial Officer
 
   
/s/ Joseph Finelli
 
Joseph Finelli, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
 


STATE OF OHIO
   
)
     
)  ss:
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN
   
)


Before me, a Notary Public in and for said county and state, personally appeared Joseph Finelli, known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and who acknowledged to me that he executed and delivered the same for purposes therein expressed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal this 11th day of June 2019.


           
/s/ Lori K. Cramer
 
           
Name: Lori K. Cramer
 
           
Notary Public
 
[SEAL]

My Commission Expires:  September 30, 2021
EX-16.16.a.1

Nationwide Mutual Funds

Certificate of Assistant Secretary

The following was duly certified by each Trustee of the Nationwide Mutual Funds on June 11, 2019 and remains in effect on the date hereof:

WHEREAS, NATIONWIDE MUTUAL FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), has filed or will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), a registration statement with respect to the issuance and sale of shares of the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Trustee of the Trust, as indicated beside his name;

NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints ALLAN J. OSTER and KATHERINE D. GIBSON, and each of them with power to act without the others, his attorney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign such Registration Statements of the Trust on Form N-14 under the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act as it relates to the reorganizations, and any and all amendments thereto, of the following series of the Trust: Nationwide Destination 2010 Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Nationwide Destination Retirement Fund, a series of the Trust, with power to affix the corporate seal of said Trust thereto and to attest said seal and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, hereby granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing requisite to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that which said attorneys, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


 
Nationwide Mutual Funds
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Allan J. Oster
 
   
Allan J. Oster
 
   
Assistant Secretary
 


Dated: September 24, 2019