8	Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

Portfolio of Investments  (continued)
December 31, 2020

Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

9

Portfolio of Investments  (continued)
December 31, 2020

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

10	Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

Portfolio of Investments  (continued)
December 31, 2020

Fair value measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

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

■	Level 2 – prices determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)

■	Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical Level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose net asset values are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not typically statistically fair valued. Typical Level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are traded in the European region or Asia Pacific region time zones which are typically statistically fair valued, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by Columbia Wanger Asset Management’s Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.

The Committee is responsible for applying the Wanger Advisors Trust Portfolio Pricing Policy and the Columbia Wanger Asset Management pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees.

The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which Columbia Wanger Asset Management believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund’s investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.

The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2020:

	Level 1 ($)	Level 2 ($)	Level 3 ($)	Total ($)
Investments in Securities
Common Stocks
Consumer Discretionary	98,677,922	—	—	98,677,922
Consumer Staples	22,571,309	—	—	22,571,309
Financials	39,081,603	—	—	39,081,603
Health Care	268,689,881	—	—	268,689,881
Industrials	104,568,642	—	—	104,568,642
Information Technology	135,316,393	—	—	135,316,393
Materials	11,341,720	—	—	11,341,720
Real Estate	20,150,072	—	—	20,150,072
Total Common Stocks	700,397,542	—	—	700,397,542
Limited Partnerships
Consumer Discretionary	4,760,140	—	—	4,760,140
Total Limited Partnerships	4,760,140	—	—	4,760,140
Securities Lending Collateral	20,609,459	—	—	20,609,459
Money Market Funds	3,273,726	—	—	3,273,726
Total Investments in Securities	729,040,867	—	—	729,040,867

See the Portfolio of Investments for all investment classifications not indicated in the table.

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

11

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2020

Assets
Investments in securities, at value*
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $478,580,555)	$725,767,141
Affiliated issuers (cost $3,272,850)	3,273,726
Receivable for:
Investments sold	876,557
Capital shares sold	5,195
Dividends	159,189
Securities lending income	52,787
Foreign tax reclaims	899
Prepaid expenses	15,369
Trustees’ deferred compensation plan	341,643
Total assets	730,492,506
Liabilities
Due upon return of securities on loan	20,609,459
Payable for:
Capital shares purchased	1,009,186
Investment advisory fee	16,856
Service fees	105,671
Administration fees	975
Trustees’ fees	807
Compensation of chief compliance officer	1,208
Other expenses	64,045
Trustees’ deferred compensation plan	341,643
Total liabilities	22,149,850
Net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock	$708,342,656
Represented by
Paid in capital	443,632,973
Total distributable earnings (loss)	264,709,683
Total - representing net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock	$708,342,656
Shares outstanding	28,763,524
Net asset value per share	24.63
* Includes the value of securities on loan	19,189,748

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

12	Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

Statement of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2020

Net investment income
Income:
Dividends — unaffiliated issuers	$2,687,298
Dividends — affiliated issuers	161,283
Income from securities lending — net	99,324
Foreign taxes withheld	(16,551)
Total income	2,931,354
Expenses:
Investment advisory fee	5,195,256
Service fees	648,006
Administration fees	298,825
Trustees’ fees	70,361
Custodian fees	10,707
Printing and postage fees	118,077
Audit fees	33,268
Legal fees	126,365
Compensation of chief compliance officer	2,603
Other	45,937
Total expenses	6,549,405
Net investment loss	(3,618,051)
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) — net
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Investments — unaffiliated issuers	19,204,180
Investments — affiliated issuers	(7,684)
Futures contracts	5,110,705
Net realized gain	24,307,201
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments — unaffiliated issuers	115,817,338
Investments — affiliated issuers	876
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)	115,818,214
Net realized and unrealized gain	140,125,415
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations	$136,507,364

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

13

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

	Year Ended December 31, 2020	Year Ended December 31, 2019
Operations
Net investment loss	$(3,618,051)	$(528,026)
Net realized gain	24,307,201	65,313,747
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)	115,818,214	107,201,072
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations	136,507,364	171,986,793
Distributions to shareholders
Net investment income and net realized gains	(64,805,114)	(115,476,309)
Total distributions to shareholders	(64,805,114)	(115,476,309)
Increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock activity	(30,313,016)	28,452,376
Total increase in net assets	41,389,234	84,962,860
Net assets at beginning of year	666,953,422	581,990,562
Net assets at end of year	$708,342,656	$666,953,422

    

	Year Ended		Year Ended
	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
	Shares	Dollars ($)	Shares	Dollars ($)
Capital stock activity
Subscriptions	473,106	9,018,672	440,992	9,950,457
Distributions reinvested	3,474,805	64,805,114	5,823,314	115,476,309
Redemptions	(5,141,351)	(104,136,802)	(4,421,151)	(96,974,390)
Total net increase (decrease)	(1,193,440)	(30,313,016)	1,843,155	28,452,376

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

14	Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

Financial Highlights

The following table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share held for the periods shown. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. Total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect payment of the expenses that apply to the variable accounts or contract charges, if any. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

    

Notes to Financial Highlights
(a)	Had the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates not waived a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.
(b)	In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios.

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

15

Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2020

Fund share valuation

Fund shares are sold and redeemed on a continuing basis at net asset value. Net asset value per share is determined daily as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading by dividing the total value of the Fund’s investments and other assets, less liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

Derivative instruments

The Fund invests in certain derivative instruments, as detailed below, in seeking to meet its investment objectives. Derivatives are instruments whose values depend on, or are derived from, in whole or in part, the value of one or more securities, currencies, commodities, indices, or other assets or instruments. Derivatives may be used to increase investment flexibility (including to maintain cash reserves while maintaining desired exposure to certain assets), for risk management (hedging) purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs and to pursue higher investment returns. The Fund may also use derivative instruments to mitigate certain investment risks, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. Derivatives may involve various risks, including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligations under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market (making it difficult for the Fund to sell or terminate, including at favorable prices) and the potential for market movements which may expose the Fund to gains or losses in excess of the amount shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The notional amounts of derivative instruments, if applicable, are not recorded in the financial statements.

A derivative instrument may suffer a marked-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform its obligations under the contract. The Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on over-the-counter derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain netted against any collateral held by the Fund and the amount of any variation margin held by the counterparty, plus any replacement costs or related amounts. With exchange-traded or centrally cleared derivatives, there is reduced counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the clearinghouse or central counterparty (CCP) provides some protection in the case of clearing member default. The clearinghouse or CCP stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, additional counterparty credit risk is failure of the clearinghouse or CCP. However, credit risk still exists in exchange-traded or centrally cleared derivatives with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a broker’s customer account. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, U.S. bankruptcy laws will typically allocate that shortfall on a pro-rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers (including the Fund), potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

In order to better define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Fund mitigate its counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (ISDA Master Agreement) or similar agreement with its derivatives counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty that governs over-the-counter derivatives and foreign exchange forward contracts and contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative instrument’s payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default (close-out netting), including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Note, however, that bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset or netting in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events.

Collateral (margin) requirements differ by type of derivative. Margin requirements are established by the clearinghouse or CCP for exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivatives. Brokers can ask for margin in excess of the minimum in certain circumstances. Collateral terms for most over-the-counter derivatives are subject to regulatory requirements to exchange variation margin with trading counterparties and may have contract specific margin terms as well. For over-the-counter derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the marked-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any variation margin currently pledged by the Fund and/or the counterparty. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a party has to exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold (e.g., $250,000) before a transfer has to be made. To the extent

Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

17

Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2020

amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. The Fund may also pay interest expense on collateral to the broker and/or CCP. Any interest expense paid by the Fund is shown on the Statement of Operations. The Fund attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by only entering into agreements with counterparties that it believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties.

Certain ISDA Master Agreements allow counterparties of over-the-counter derivatives transactions to terminate derivatives contracts prior to maturity in the event the Fund’s net asset value declines by a stated percentage over a specified time period or if the Fund fails to meet certain terms of the ISDA Master Agreement, which would cause the Fund to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty. The Fund also has termination rights if the counterparty fails to meet certain terms of the ISDA Master Agreement. In determining whether to exercise such termination rights, the Fund would consider, in addition to counterparty credit risk, whether termination would result in a net liability owed from the counterparty.

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are exchange-traded and represent commitments for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund bought and sold futures contracts to maintain appropriate equity market exposure while keeping sufficient cash to accommodate daily operations. These instruments may be used for other purposes in future periods. Upon entering into futures contracts, the Fund bears risks that it may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and may realize a loss. Additional risks include counterparty credit risk, the possibility of an illiquid market, and that a change in the value of the contract or option may not correlate with changes in the value of the underlying asset.

Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund deposits cash or securities with the broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), in an amount sufficient to meet the initial margin requirement. The initial margin deposit must be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Cash deposited as initial margin is recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as margin deposits. Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Portfolio of Investments. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day. The variation margin payments are equal to the daily change in the contract value and are recorded as variation margin receivable or payable and are offset in unrealized gains or losses. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed or expires. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Effects of derivative transactions in the financial statements

The following tables are intended to provide additional information about the effect of derivatives on the financial statements of the Fund, including: the fair value of derivatives by risk category and the location of those fair values in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities; and the impact of derivative transactions over the period in the Statement of Operations, including realized and unrealized gains (losses). The derivative instrument schedules following the Portfolio of Investments present additional information regarding derivative instruments outstanding at the end of the period, if any.

At December 31, 2020, the Fund had no outstanding derivatives.

The following table indicates the effect of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) in the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020:

Amount of realized gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income
Risk exposure category	Futures contracts ($)
Equity risk	5,110,705

18	Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2020

The following table is a summary of the average outstanding volume by derivative instrument for the year ended December 31, 2020:

Derivative instrument	Average notional amounts ($)*
Futures contracts — long	10,271,100

    

*	Based on the ending quarterly outstanding amounts for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Securities lending

The Fund may lend securities up to one-third of the value of its total assets to certain approved brokers, dealers, banks or other institutional borrowers of securities that the Fund’s securities lending agent has determined are credit worthy under guidelines established by the Board of Trustees, to earn additional income. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities, including the economic equivalent of dividends or interest generated by the security. The Fund also receives a fee for the loan. The Fund has the ability to recall the loans at any time and could do so in order to vote proxies or to sell the loaned securities. Each loan is collateralized by cash that exceeded the value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined daily at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. The Fund typically invests the cash collateral in the Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund, a third-party institutional government money market fund in accordance with investment guidelines contained in the securities lending agreement and approved by the Board of Trustees. The income earned from the securities lending program is paid to the Fund, net of any fees remitted to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, the Fund’s lending agent, and borrower rebates. The Fund’s investment manager, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (the Investment Manager or CWAM), does not retain any fees earned by the lending program. Generally, in the event of borrower default, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. In the event the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral, there may be a potential loss to the Fund. Some of these losses may be indemnified by the lending agent. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to the investment of collateral. The net lending income earned by the Fund as of December 31, 2020, is included in the Statement of Operations.

The following table indicates the total amount of securities loaned by type, reconciled to gross liability payable upon return of the securities loaned by the Fund as of December 31, 2020:

Offsetting of assets and liabilities

The following table presents the Fund’s gross and net amount of assets and liabilities available for offset under netting arrangements as well as any related collateral received or pledged by the Fund as of December 31, 2020:

	Goldman Sachs ($)
Liabilities
Collateral on Securities Loaned	20,609,459
Total Liabilities	20,609,459
Total Financial and Derivative Net Assets	(20,609,459)
Financial Instruments	19,189,748
Net Amount (a)	(1,419,711)

    

(a)	Represents the net amount due from/(to) counterparties in the event of default.

Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

19

Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2020

Security transactions and investment income

Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes amortization of discounts on debt obligations when required for federal income tax purposes. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis.

Income recognition

Corporate actions and dividend income are generally recorded net of any non-reclaimable tax withholdings, on the ex-dividend date or upon receipt of ex-dividend notification in the case of certain foreign securities.

The Fund may receive distributions from holdings in equity securities, exchange traded funds (ETFs), limited partnerships (LPs), other regulated investment companies (RICs), and real estate investment trusts (REITs), which report information as to the tax character of their distributions annually. These distributions are allocated to dividend income, capital gain and return of capital based on actual information reported. Return of capital is recorded as a reduction of the cost basis of securities held. If the Fund no longer owns the applicable securities, return of capital is recorded as a realized gain. With respect to REITs, to the extent actual information has not yet been reported, estimates for return of capital may be made by the Fund’s management. Management’s estimates are subsequently adjusted when the actual character of the distributions is disclosed by the REITs, which could result in a proportionate change in return of capital to shareholders.

Awards, if any, from class action litigation related to securities owned may be recorded as a reduction of cost of those securities. If the applicable securities are no longer owned, the proceeds are recorded as realized gains.

Expenses

General expenses of the Trust are allocated to the Fund and the other series of the Trust based upon relative net assets or other expense allocation methodologies determined by the nature of the expense. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund.

Federal income tax status

The Fund intends to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code available to regulated investment companies and, in the manner provided therein, intends to distribute substantially all its taxable income, as well as any net realized gain on sales of investments and foreign currency transactions reportable for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund paid no federal income taxes and no federal income tax provision was required. The Fund meets the exception under Internal Revenue Code Section 4982(f) and the Fund expects not to be subject to federal excise tax.

Foreign taxes

Gains in certain countries may be subject to foreign taxes at the fund level. The Fund accrues for such foreign taxes on realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction. The amount, if any, is disclosed as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Guarantees and indemnification

In the normal course of business, the Trust on behalf of the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnities. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims against the Fund. Also under the Trust’s organizational documents, the trustees and officers of the Trust are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of their duties to the Trust. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities to be remote.

20	Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2020

to Participating Insurance Companies and other financial intermediaries (together, Participating Organizations) for various sub-transfer agency and other shareholder services each Participating Organization provides to its clients, customers and participants that are invested directly or indirectly in the Fund, up to a cap approved by the Board of Trustees from time to time.

The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues from fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due to the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Fund.

Distributor

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, serves as the Fund’s distributor and principal underwriter.

Note 4. Federal tax information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP because of temporary or permanent book to tax differences.

At December 31, 2020, these differences were primarily due to differing treatment for deferral/reversal of wash sale losses, trustees’ deferred compensation, re-characterization of distributions for investments, net operating loss reclassification, investments in partnerships and passive foreign investment company (PFIC) holdings. To the extent these differences were permanent, reclassifications were made among the components of the Fund’s net assets. Temporary differences do not require reclassifications.

The following reclassifications were made:

Excess of distributions over net investment income ($)	Accumulated net realized gain ($)	Paid in capital ($)
868,820	(823,042)	(45,778)

Net investment income (loss) and net realized gains (losses), as disclosed in the Statement of Operations, and net assets were not affected by this reclassification.

The tax character of distributions paid during the years indicated was as follows:

Year Ended December 31, 2020			Year Ended December 31, 2019
Ordinary income ($)	Long-term capital gains ($)	Total ($)	Ordinary income ($)	Long-term capital gains ($)	Total ($)
11,175,433	53,629,681	64,805,114	28,410,551	87,065,758	115,476,309

Short-term capital gain distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions for tax purposes.

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed ordinary income ($)	Undistributed long-term capital gains ($)	Capital loss carryforwards ($)	Net unrealized appreciation ($)
16,191,240	7,092,755	—	241,727,168

At December 31, 2020, the cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes along with the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on that cost was:

Federal tax cost ($)	Gross unrealized appreciation ($)	Gross unrealized (depreciation) ($)	Net unrealized appreciation ($)
487,313,699	250,657,629	(8,930,461)	241,727,168

22	Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2020

Tax cost of investments and unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) may also include timing differences that do not constitute adjustments to tax basis.

Management is required to determine whether a tax position of the Fund is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognized by the Fund is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Management is not aware of any tax positions in the Fund for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. However, management’s conclusions may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, new tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations (including relevant court decisions). The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

Note 5. Portfolio information

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales other than short-term obligations for the year ended December 31, 2020, were $529,053,736 and $595,020,098, respectively. The amount of purchase and sales activity impacts the portfolio turnover rate reported in the Financial Highlights.

Note 6. Line of credit

The Fund has access to a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by Citibank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. whereby the Fund may borrow for the temporary funding of shareholder redemptions or for other temporary or emergency purposes. Pursuant to a December 1, 2020 amendment, the credit facility, which is a collective agreement between the Fund and certain other funds managed by the Investment Manager or an affiliated investment manager, severally and not jointly, permits collective borrowings up to $950 million. Interest is charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate equal to the higher of (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the one-month LIBOR rate and (iii) the overnight bank funding rate, plus in each case, 1.25%. Each borrowing under the credit facility matures no later than 60 days after the date of borrowing. The Fund also pays a commitment fee equal to its pro rata share of the unused amount of the credit facility at a rate of 0.15% per annum. The commitment fee is included in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. This agreement expires annually in December unless extended or renewed. Prior to the December 1, 2020 amendment, the Fund had access to a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by Citibank, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. which permitted collective borrowings up to $1 billion. Interest was charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate equal to the higher of (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the one-month LIBOR rate and (iii) the overnight bank funding rate, plus in each case, 1.00%.

The Fund had no borrowings during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Note 7. Significant risks

Health care sector risk

The Fund may be more susceptible to the particular risks that may affect companies in the health care sector than if it were invested in a wider variety of companies in unrelated sectors. Companies in the health care sector are subject to certain risks, including restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, government approval of medical products and services, competitive pricing pressures, and the rising cost of medical products and services (especially for companies dependent upon a relatively limited number of products or services). Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including, government regulation, obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so), product liability and other similar litigation as well as product obsolescence.

Market and environment risk

The Fund may incur losses due to declines in the value of one or more securities in which it invests. These declines may be due to factors affecting a particular issuer, or the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the relevant market(s) more generally. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the

Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

23

Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2020

Fund, including causing difficulty in assigning prices to hard-to-value assets in thinly traded and closed markets, significant redemptions and operational challenges. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health issues, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions.

The Fund’s performance may also be significantly negatively impacted by the economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 public health crisis has become a pandemic that has resulted in, and may continue to result in, significant global economic and societal disruption and market volatility due to disruptions in market access, resource availability, facilities operations, imposition of tariffs, export controls and supply chain disruption, among others. Such disruptions may be caused, or exacerbated by, quarantines and travel restrictions, workforce displacement and loss in human and other resources. The uncertainty surrounding the magnitude, duration, reach, costs and effects of the global pandemic, as well as actions that have been or could be taken by governmental authorities or other third parties, present unknowns that are yet to unfold. The impacts, as well as the uncertainty over impacts to come, of COVID-19 – and any other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future – could negatively affect global economies and markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious illness outbreaks and epidemics in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems, governments and financial markets. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The disruptions caused by COVID-19 could prevent the Fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund.

The Investment Manager and its affiliates have systematically implemented strategies to address the operating environment spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. To promote the safety and security of our employees and to assure the continuity of our business operations, we have implemented a work from home protocol for virtually all of our employee population, restricted business travel, and provided resources for complying with the guidance from the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and governments. Our operations teams seek to operate without significant disruptions in service. Our pandemic strategy takes into consideration that a pandemic could be widespread and may occur in multiple waves, affecting different communities at different times with varying levels of severity. We cannot, however, predict the impact that natural or man-made disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic, may have on the ability of our employees and third-party service providers to continue ordinary business operations and technology functions over near- or longer-term periods.

Shareholder concentration risk

At December 31, 2020, two unaffiliated shareholders of record owned 34.1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund in one or more accounts. The Fund has no knowledge about whether any portion of those shares was owned beneficially. Affiliated shareholders of record owned 59.2% of the outstanding shares of the Fund in one or more accounts. Subscription and redemption activity by concentrated accounts may have a significant effect on the operations of the Fund. In the case of a large redemption, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at inopportune times, including its liquid positions, which may result in Fund losses and the Fund holding a higher percentage of less liquid positions. Large redemptions could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for non-redeeming Fund shareholders.

Small- and mid-cap company risk

Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies (small- and mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.

24	Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)
December 31, 2020

Note 8. Subsequent events

Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through the date the financial statements were issued and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

Note 9. Information regarding pending and settled legal proceedings

Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions, and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased Fund redemptions, reduced sale of Fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Fund. Further, although we believe proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund, these proceedings are subject to uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial or one or more of its affiliates that provides services to the Fund.

Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

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*	On December 10, 2020, the Board of Trustees appointed Mr. Rudis as Chair, effective January 1, 2021.

(1)	The Trustees oversee the series of Wanger Advisors Trust and Columbia Acorn Trust.

(2)

As permitted under the Trust’s Bylaws, Mr. Wanger serves as a non-voting Trustee Emeritus of Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust. Prior to September 2009, Mr. Wanger served as an “interested” trustee of the Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust. Mr. Wanger was considered an “interested person” of the Trusts and of CWAM within the meaning of the 1940 Act because of certain ownership interests.

(3)	Dates prior to April 1992 correspond to the date first elected as a director of The Acorn Fund, Inc., the Trust’s predecessor.

28	Wanger USA  | Annual Report 2020

*	On December 10, 2020, the Board of Trustees appointed Mr. Clarke as the Treasurer and Principal Accounting and Financial Officer of the Trust, effective January 1, 2021.

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Wanger USA

P.O. Box 219104

Kansas City, MO 64121-9104

  

Please read and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses for any fund carefully before investing. For variable fund and variable contract prospectuses, which contain this and other important information, including the fees and expenses imposed under your contract, investors should contact their financial advisor or insurance representative. Read the prospectus for the Fund and your variable contract carefully before investing. Columbia Wanger Funds are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and are managed by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. All rights reserved. Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110-2804

© 2021 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.

C-1466 AV (02/21)