485APOS 1 fp0083323-1_485apos.htm

 

Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2023

 

1933 Act Registration File No. 033-20827

1940 Act Registration File No. 811-05518

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ X ]
Pre-Effective Amendment No.     [   ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 305   [ X ]

 

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [ X ]
Amendment No. 310   [ X ]
           

(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (609) 731-6256

Copies to:

 

STEVEN PLUMP   JILLIAN L. BOSMANN, ESQUIRE
The RBB Fund, Inc.   Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
615 East Michigan Street   One Logan Square, Suite 2000
Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202-5207   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

[   ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[   ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
[   ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[   ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ X ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[   ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

[   ] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus (the “Prospectus”) is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion—Dated April 27, 2023

 

Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund
Institutional Shares (Ticker: [ ])

Retail Shares (NOT OFFERED FOR SALE)

 

Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund
Institutional Shares (Ticker: [ ])

Retail Shares (NOT OFFERED FOR SALE)

 

Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund
Institutional Shares (Ticker: [ ])

Retail Shares (NOT OFFERED FOR SALE)

 

of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

Prospectus

 

[  ], 2023

 

Investment Adviser: 

F/m Investments, LLC d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC

 

This Prospectus gives vital information about the [Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, the Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund and the Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund] (each a “Fund” and together the “Funds” or the “Oakhurst Funds”), each an investment portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”), including information on investment policies, risks and fees. For your own benefit and protection, please read it before you invest and keep it on hand for future reference.

 

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

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

A look at the goals, strategies, risks and financial history of the Funds.
 
Details about the Funds’ service providers.
 
Policies and instructions for opening, maintaining and closing an account in a Fund.

   
SUMMARY SECTIONS 2
Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund 2
Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund 12
Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund 21
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT EACH FUND‘S INVESTMENTS AND RISKS 30
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS 39
Investment Adviser  39
Portfolio Managers 40
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 41
Pricing of Fund Shares 41
Sales Charges 42
Market Timing 42
Purchase of Fund Shares 43
Redemption of Fund Shares 47
Dividends and Distributions 50
Taxes 51
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 55
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 56
FOR MORE INFORMATION Back Cover

 

1 

 

SUMMARY SECTIONS

 

Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund

 

Investment Objective

 

The investment objective of the Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund (for this section only, the “Fund”) is total return.

 

Expenses and Fees

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) Institutional Shares Retail Shares
Management Fees 0.50% 0.50%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees None 0.25%
Other Expenses(1)   [   ]% [   ]%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(2)   [   ]% [   ]%
Less: Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements(3) [   ]% [   ]%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements(3)

[   ]% [   ]%

 

 

(1)Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, as a series of F/m Funds Trust (or this section only, the “Predecessor Fund”), reorganized into the Fund following the close of business on [ ], 2023 (the “Reorganization”). Accordingly, the Fund’s “Other Expenses” have been restated to reflect expenses estimated to be incurred for the Fund for the current fiscal year.

(2)[Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Management Fee Reductions will differ from the Fund’s ratio of total expenses to average net assets or the Fund’s ratio of net expenses to average net assets in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which do not reflect “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.”]

(3)[Under the terms of the expense limitation agreement entered into by The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) and F/m Investments, LLC d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), the Adviser has contractually agreed, for two years following the Reorganization, to reduce Management Fees and to absorb Other Expenses to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding brokerage costs, taxes, borrowing costs, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses’) to an amount not exceeding 0.58% and 0.83% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the Institutional Class shares and Retail Class shares, respectively, for the first year following the Reorganization and 0.60% and 0.85% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the Institutional Class shares and Retail Class shares, respectively, for the second year following the Reorganization. Management fee reductions and Other Expenses absorbed by the Adviser are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of 3 years following the date such fees and expenses were waived or reimbursed, provided that the repayments do not cause Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding brokerage costs, taxes, borrowing costs, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses’) to exceed either: (i) the expense limitation in effect at the time such fees and expenses were waived or absorbed; or (ii) any expense limitation in effect at the time the Adviser seeks reimbursement of such fees and expenses. This agreement may be terminated by either party upon 60 days’ prior written notice, provided, however, the Adviser may not terminate this agreement without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company and this agreement will terminate automatically if the Adviser ceases to serve as investment adviser to the Fund.]

 

2 

 

Example:

 

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, reinvest dividends and distributions, and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and [takes into account the Adviser’s contractual arrangement to maintain the Fund’s expenses at the agreed upon level until [ ]]. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

    1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
Institutional Shares   $[   ]   $[  ]   $[   ]   $[   ]
Retail Shares   $[   ]   $[   ]   $[   ]   $[   ]

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. During the most recent fiscal year, the Predecessor Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 48% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective of total return by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade fixed-income securities that Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) believes offer the potential for capital appreciation and current income. Total return for the Fund will consist of income, dividends and capital appreciation. The Fund may invest in various types of fixed-income securities, including, but not limited to, those issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies, corporate bonds, convertible securities, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. Mortgage-backed securities include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, as well as by non-governmental issuers such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, other private issuers, and private mortgage insurance companies. Collateralized mortgage obligations are debt obligations that pool together mortgages and separate them into short-, medium-, and long-term positions (“tranches”). Tranches pay different rates of interest depending on their maturity and anticipated cash flow.

 

Normally, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in investment grade fixed-income securities. Investment grade fixed-income securities are rated in the four highest credit categories (AAA, AA, A, BBB, or an equivalent rating) by at least one nationally recognized rating agency or unrated securities that the Sub-Adviser considers to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in non-investment grade fixed income securities (hereafter referred to as “junk bonds” or “high yield securities”).

 

The Fund has adopted an investment policy to concentrate its investments in agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities. This means the Fund will invest at least 25% of its total assets in agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities. From time to time the Fund may emphasize investment in other particular sectors of the fixed income market. The Fund may also invest in thinly traded securities that are privately placed but eligible for purchase and sale by certain qualified institutional buyers (such as the Fund) under Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities or other investments that are illiquid.

 

3 

 

The Sub-Adviser attempts to maximize the Fund’s total return by actively managing the Fund’s average maturity, sector weightings, and specific security holdings. The Sub-Adviser also actively manages the Fund’s average duration, which is a measure of the sensitivity of the price of a fixed-income investment to a change in interest rates. For example, if interest rates move up 1 percentage point (1%) while the Fund’s duration is 4 years, the Fund’s share price would be expected to decline by 4%. The larger the duration number, the greater an investment’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In constructing the portfolio, the Sub-Adviser applies a disciplined maturity adjustment strategy that attempts to identify long-term interest rate trend patterns. If the Sub-Adviser perceives that a change in interest rates represents a long-term interest rate trend rather than a short-term swing, the Sub-Adviser will adjust the Fund’s average maturity. The Fund’s average maturity will depend on the Sub-Adviser’s assessment of both the relative yields available on securities with differing maturities and future changes in interest rates. While the Sub-Adviser may take advantage of the entire range of fixed-income maturities, the Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity, which is the average of all the current maturities of the bonds held in the Fund, will generally range from 90 days up to 10 years. The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity will be actively monitored and adjusted based on the Sub-Adviser’s view of interest rate trends. The Sub-Adviser may sell a security based upon its assessment of interest rate trends or when more attractive opportunities become available.

 

Principal Risks

 

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund’s principal risks are presented in alphabetical order to facilitate finding particular risks and comparing them with other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears. Different risks may be more significant at different times depending on market conditions or other factors.

 

The Fund is subject to market risk, which is the risk that the Fund’s share price will fluctuate as market prices fluctuate. At times there may be an imbalance of supply and demand in the fixed income markets which could result in greater price volatility, less liquidity, wider trading spreads and a lack of price transparency. Decisions by the Federal Reserve on interest rate policy can have a significant effect on the value of fixed-income securities. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years, having been reduced first to address the global financial crisis that began in 2008, and later in an effort to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision by the Federal Reserve to aggressively increase interest rates and sell some of the U.S. Government securities on its balance sheet (“Quantitative Tightening”) in order to control the effects of inflation may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the prolonged period of low interest rates and the potential market reaction to these initiatives. The Fund is also subject to management risk, which is the risk that the Sub-Adviser’s analysis of economic conditions and expectations regarding interest rate changes may fail to produce the intended results. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund may not be appropriate for use as a complete investment program.

 

At times when the Fund emphasizes a particular sector of the fixed income market, the value of the Fund’s net assets will be more susceptible to the financial, market or economic events affecting that sector than would be the case for mutual funds that do not emphasize investment in a particular sector. This may increase the risk of loss associated with an investment in the Fund and increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price.

 

4 

 

Concentration Risk - Mortgage-Backed Securities. To the extent the Fund’s investments are concentrated in the securities of a particular market segment or asset class, the Fund’s investments may be more susceptible to an increased risk of loss due to adverse events, than the market as a whole. As of [ ], the Fund had [ ]% of the value of its net assets invested in collateralized mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of “locking in” attractive long-term interest rates because of the need to reinvest prepayments of principal and the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to greater prepayment risk during periods when interest rates decline. Prepayment risk is the risk that the principal on mortgage-backed securities, other asset-backed securities or any fixed income security with an embedded call option may be prepaid at any time, which could reduce yield and market value. This could reduce the effective maturity of a mortgage-backed security and cause the Fund to reinvest its assets at a lower prevailing interest rate. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to extension risk which is the risk that rising interest rates will increase the effective maturity of mortgage-backed securities due to the deceleration of prepayments. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. Non-agency mortgage-backed securities have no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payment and may have a limited market especially when there is perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Mortgage-backed securities may also be subject to risks unique to the housing industry, including mortgage lending practices, defaults, foreclosures and changes in real estate values. The Fund’s investments in collateralized mortgage obligations are subject to the risk that payments may not be made on time, prepayment and extension risk and market risk when interest rates rise. Collateralized mortgage securities may be less liquid and may exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage securities. The value of mortgage-backed securities may be negatively affected by higher interest rates and deteriorating economic conditions and could potentially result in a higher rate of defaults and foreclosures. As a result of the Fund’s policy to concentrate in mortgage-backed securities, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with these securities to a greater degree than a fund that does not concentrate in mortgage-backed securities. 

 

Corporate Bonds. As of [ ], the Fund had [ ]% of the value of its net assets invested in corporate bonds. Corporate bonds are typically issued by public or private companies to finance their operations and are distinct from debt securities issued by a government or its agencies. Corporate bonds may have more speculative characteristics in their ability to repay principal and interest than other types of fixed income securities, such as government securities.

 

Cyber Security Risk. Cyber security risk is the risk of an unauthorized breach and access to Fund assets, Fund or customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Fund, Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other service providers and financial intermediaries to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality or prevent Fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions. The Fund and Adviser have limited ability to prevent or mitigate cyber security incidents affecting third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or Adviser. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its service providers may adversely impact and cause financial losses to the Fund or its shareholders. Issuers of securities in which the Fund invests are also subject to cyber security risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable and a wide variety of factors can cause interest rates to rise, such as central bank monetary policies, inflation rates, supply and demand and general economic conditions. The value of the Fund’s shares generally is expected to increase during periods of falling interest rates and to decrease during periods of rising interest rates. The magnitude of these fluctuations will generally be greater if the Fund holds securities with longer maturities or lower quality ratings. The interest earned on the Fund’s investments in fixed income securities may decline when prevailing interest rates fall. Over the longer-term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the prolonged period of low interest rates, the effect of government fiscal policy initiatives, and the potential market reaction to those initiatives. The Fund is also subject to the risk that the income generated by its investments may not keep pace with inflation.

 

5 

 

Other Fixed Income Securities Risks:

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Deterioration in the financial condition of an issuer or deterioration in general economic conditions could cause an issuer to fail to make timely payments of principal and interest. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may affect the value of the Fund’s investments in that issuer. A credit agency’s rating represents the organization’s opinion as to the credit quality of a security but is not an absolute standard of quality or guarantee as to the creditworthiness of an issuer. Ratings from a credit agency present an inherent conflict of interest, because the agency is paid by the entities whose securities they rate. Rating agencies may fail to move quickly enough to change ratings in response to changing circumstances, and a rating may not reflect the fine shadings of risks within a given quality grade.

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Deterioration in the financial condition of an issuer or deterioration in general economic conditions could cause an issuer to fail to make timely payments of principal and interest. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may affect the value of the Fund’s investments in that issuer. A credit agency’s rating represents the organization’s opinion as to the credit quality of a security but is not an absolute standard of quality or guarantee as to the creditworthiness of an issuer. Ratings from a credit agency present an inherent conflict of interest, because the agency is paid by the entities whose securities they rate. Rating agencies may fail to move quickly enough to change ratings in response to changing circumstances, and a rating may not reflect the fine shadings of risks within a given quality grade.

 

LIBOR Transition Risk. The Fund may invest in securities that are based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). In March 2021, it was announced that most LIBOR settings will no longer be published after the end of 2021 and a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. Although the transition away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation date, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and any potential effects on the Fund or on certain instruments in which the Fund invests. LIBOR transition risk is the risk that the transition from LIBOR to alternative interest rate benchmarks may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, a reduction in the value of certain LIBOR based instruments held by the Fund, or other unintended consequences.

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a limited market for a security may make it difficult for that security to be sold at an advantageous time or price, which could prevent the Fund from selling the security at the approximate price that it is valued or the time it desires to sell. Liquidity risk may be magnified during times of instability in the credit markets, rising interest rates, high selling activity, or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed income mutual funds may be higher than normal. The capacity of traditional dealers to engage in fixed income trading has not kept pace with the fixed income market’s growth, causing dealer inventories to be at or near historical lows relative to market size. The reduction in dealer inventories could lead to decreased liquidity, increased volatility and wider spreads, which may become exacerbated during periods of economic or political stress. Lower rated securities may be subject to greater levels of liquidity risk. If a fixed income security is downgraded or declines in price, the market demand may be limited, making that security difficult to sell. Additionally, the market for certain fixed-income securities may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions, independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer.

 

6 

 

Maturity Risk. Longer-term securities generally have greater price fluctuations and are more sensitive to interest rate changes than shorter-term securities. Therefore, the Fund may experience greater price fluctuations when it holds securities with longer maturities.

 

Privately Placed and Rule 144A Securities. As of [ ], the Fund had [ ]% of the value of its net assets invested in Rule 144A securities. Investments in Rule 144A securities and other privately placed securities may be less liquid and subject to greater volatility than publicly traded securities. An insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers purchasing Rule 144A securities could adversely affect the marketability of such securities and the Fund may be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at a reasonable price. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from these sales could be less than those originally paid by the Fund or less than what may be considered the fair value of such securities. Companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that might be applicable to publicly traded securities.

 

Risks Associated With Other Types of Fixed-Income Securities:

 

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, preferred stocks, and other securities that pay interest or dividends and are convertible into common stocks or carry the right to purchase common stock. In general, a convertible security performs more like a stock when the price of the underlying stock is high (because it is assumed that it will be converted into the stock) and more like a bond when the price of the underlying stock is low (because it is assumed that it will mature without being converted). Therefore a convertible security is subject to risks associated with both fixed-income and equity securities. The return and value of an equity security will fluctuate in response to stock market movements. Factors such as earnings, interest rates, political events, war, acts of terrorism, government defaults or shutdowns, public health issues, recessions or other events could have a significant effect on the stock market and the value of convertible securities.

 

High Yield Securities. High-yield securities or junk bonds are often considered to be speculative and involve greater risk of default or price changes than investment grade fixed-income securities due to changes in the issuer’s or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness. The issuers of these securities may not be as financially strong as the issuers of higher rated securities. Prices of lower-rated securities have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes and more sensitive to adverse economic changes and individual corporate developments than more highly rated investments. When a security’s rating is reduced below investment grade, it may be more difficult for the Fund to receive income from its investment.

 

Other Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities may be affected by factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the receivables, the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit or other credit enhancements or the market’s assessment of the quality of the underlying security.

 

U.S. Government Securities. Some U.S. Government securities, such as U.S. Government agency notes and bonds, are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government, meaning they are only supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Government or by the credit of the agency issuing the obligation. If the Fund invests in a U.S. Government security that is not backed by the U.S. Government, there is no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide support, and the Fund’s performance could be adversely impacted if there is a deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer.

 

7 

 

Performance Information

 

The Fund was reorganized following the close of business on [ ], 2023, to acquire the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor Fund, a series of the F/m Funds Trust, in exchange for shares of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund is the successor to the Predecessor Fund, and the following performance information shown prior [ ], 2023, is that of the Predecessor Fund. The Fund has an investment objective, strategies and policies substantially similar to the Predecessor Fund, which was also sub-advised by the Adviser.

 

The bar chart below illustrates the performance of the Predecessor Fund’s Institutional Shares, which will differ from Retail Shares to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses and inception dates. As of the date of the Prospectus, Retail Shares have not been offered for sale, so there is no performance information available. The information shows you how the Predecessor Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

 

The performance table below shows how the Predecessor Fund’s average annual total returns for 1 year, 5 years and 10 years compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The performance information that follows reflects the performance of the investment adviser to the Predecessor Fund from its inception until November 16, 2020. From November 16, 2020 until December 29, 2020, F/m Investments, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Advisors, served as the Fund’s interim adviser. From December 29, 2020 until [ ], 2023, Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC served as the investment adviser to the Fund and F/m Investments, LLC, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Advisors, served as the Fund’s sub-advisor. The Predecessor Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information, current through the most recent month end is available by calling 1-(800) 292-6775.

 

Performance information represents only past performance, before and after taxes, and does not necessarily indicate future results. Performance reflects fee waivers in effect. If fee waivers were not in place, the Fund’s performance would be reduced. Updated performance information is available by visiting www.fm-funds.com or by calling 1-800-292-6775.

 

Institutional Shares

 

[bar chart to be included for institutional shares as of 12/31/22]

 

During the period shown in the chart, the highest quarterly return was [_] (for the quarter ended [_]) and the lowest quarterly return was [_]% (for the quarter ended [_]). The year-to-date total return through [_] was [_]%.

 

8 

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022

 

Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund 1 Year   5 Years   10 Years
Institutional Class Shares*          
Return Before Taxes [  ]%   [  ]%   [  ]%
Return After Taxes on Distributions [  ]%   [  ]%   [  ]%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares [  ]%   [  ]%   [  ]%
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index [  ]%   [  ]%   [  ]%

 

 

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

 

9 

 

Management of the Fund

 

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

 

F/m Investments, LLC, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management is the investment adviser of the Fund.

 

Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC is the sub-adviser of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Name Title with Adviser Tenure with the Fund
Barry P. Julien, CFA® Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager Since Inception in 2012
John Han, CFA®   Senior Credit Analyst and Assistant Portfolio Manager Since 2023

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

  Minimum Initial Investment Subsequent Minimum Investment
Institutional Class Shares $100,000 $1,000
Retail Class Shares $1,000 $100

 

You can purchase and redeem shares of the Fund only on days the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open. Shares of the Fund may be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the shares, such as the initial and subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations, as further detailed in the section entitled “Purchase of Fund Shares – Purchases Through Intermediaries.” Shares of the Fund may also be purchased and redeemed directly through the Company by the means described below.

 

Purchase and Redemption By Mail:

 

Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

P.O. Box 701 

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701

 

Overnight Mail: 

Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund 

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Purchase and Redemption By Wire:

 

Before sending any wire, call U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (the “Transfer Agent”) at [ ] to confirm the current wire instructions for the Fund.

 

10 

 

Redemption By Telephone:

 

If you select the option to redeem by telephone on your account application, you may call the Transfer Agent at [ ].

 

Tax Information

 

Except for tax-advantaged retirement plans and accounts and other tax-exempt investors, you will be subject to tax to the extent the Fund makes distributions of ordinary income or net capital gains. Distributions may be taxable upon withdrawal from retirement accounts.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

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

 

11 

 

SUMMARY SECTION

 

Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund

 

Investment Objective

 

The investment objective of the [Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund] (for this section only, the “Fund”) is to seek a high level of income consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity.

 

Expenses and Fees

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) Institutional Shares Retail Shares
Management Fees 0.35% 0.35%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees None 0.25%
Other Expenses(1)   [   ]% [   ]%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(2)   [   ]% [   ]%
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements(3) [   ]% [   ]%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements(3)

[   ]% [   ]%

 

 

(1)Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund, as a series of F/m Funds Trust (for this section only, the “Predecessor Fund”), reorganized into the Fund following the close of business on [ ], 2023 (the “Reorganization”). Accordingly, the Fund’s “Other Expenses” have been restated to reflect expenses estimated to be incurred for the Fund for the current fiscal year.

(2)[Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Management Fee Reductions will differ from the Fund’s ratio of total expenses to average net assets or the Fund’s ratio of net expenses to average net assets in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which do not reflect “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.”]

(3)[Under the terms of the expense limitation agreement entered into by The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) and the F/m Investments, LLC d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), the Adviser has contractually agreed, for two years following the Reorganization, to reduce Management Fees and to absorb Other Expenses to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding brokerage costs, taxes, borrowing costs, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses’) to an amount not exceeding 0.60% and 0.85% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the Institutional Class shares, respectively. Management fee reductions and Other Expenses absorbed by the Adviser are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of 3 years following the date such fees and expenses were waived or reimbursed, provided that the repayments do not cause Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding brokerage costs, taxes, borrowing costs, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses’) to exceed either: (i) the expense limitation in effect at the time such fees and expenses were waived or absorbed; or (ii) any expense limitation in effect at the time the Adviser seeks reimbursement of such fees and expenses. This agreement may be terminated by either party upon 60 days’ prior written notice, provided, however, the Adviser may not terminate this agreement without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company and this agreement will terminate automatically if the Adviser ceases to serve as investment adviser to the Fund.]

 

12 

 


Example

 

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, reinvest dividends and distributions, and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and [takes into account the Adviser’s contractual arrangement to maintain the Fund’s expenses at the agreed upon level until [ ]]. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

    1 Year 3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
Institutional Shares   $[   ] $[   ]   $[   ]   $[   ]
Retail Shares   $[   ] $[   ]   $[   ]   $[   ]

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. During the most recent fiscal year, the Predecessor Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 70% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of short duration fixed-income securities. The Fund may invest in various types of fixed-income securities, including, but not limited to, those issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies, corporate bonds, convertible securities, bank obligations, money market securities, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. Mortgage-backed securities include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, as well as by non-governmental issuers such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, other private issuers, and private mortgage insurance companies. Collateralized mortgage obligations are debt obligations that pool together mortgages and separate them into short-, medium-, and long-term positions (“tranches”). Tranches pay different rates of interest depending on their maturity and anticipated cash flow.

 

Normally, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in investment grade bonds. Investment grade bonds are rated in the four highest credit categories (AAA, AA, A, BBB, or an equivalent rating) by at least one nationally recognized rating agency or unrated securities that the Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) considers to be of comparable quality. In addition, up to 20% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in non-investment grade bonds (hereafter referred to as “junk bonds” or “high yield securities”).

 

The Fund has adopted an investment policy to concentrate its investments in agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities. This means the Fund will invest at least 25% of its total assets in agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities. From time to time the Fund may emphasize investment in other particular sectors of the fixed-income market. The Fund may also invest in thinly traded securities that are privately placed but eligible for purchase and sale by certain qualified institutional buyers (such as the Fund) under Rule 144A or other exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities or other investments that are illiquid.

 

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The Sub-Adviser attempts to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by actively managing the Fund’s sector and industry weightings, and specific security holdings. The Sub-Adviser also actively manages the Fund’s average duration, which is a measure of the sensitivity of the price of a fixed-income investment to a change in interest rates. For example, if interest rates move up 1 percentage point (1%) while the Fund’s duration is 4 years, the Fund’s share price would be expected to decline by 4%. The larger the duration number, the greater an investment’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In constructing the portfolio, the Sub-Adviser applies a disciplined maturity adjustment strategy that attempts to identify long-term interest rate trend patterns. If the Sub-Adviser perceives that a change in interest rates represents a long-term interest rate trend rather than a short-term swing, the Sub-Adviser will adjust the Fund’s average duration. The Fund’s average duration will depend on the Sub-Adviser’s assessment of both the relative yields available on securities with differing maturities and future changes in interest rates. While the Fund may invest in securities with varying maturities, the Fund’s average duration will typically range from 90 days up to 3 years. The Fund will calculate its effective duration by using the nearest call date or maturity of its securities, whichever comes first. The Fund’s average duration will be actively monitored and adjusted based on the Sub-Adviser’s view of interest rate trends. The Sub-Adviser may sell a security based upon its assessment of interest rate trends or when more attractive opportunities become available.

 

Principal Risks

 

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund’s principal risks are presented in alphabetical order to facilitate finding particular risks and comparing them with other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears. Different risks may be more significant at different times depending on market conditions or other factors.

 

’The Fund is subject to market risk, which is the risk that the Fund’s share price will fluctuate as market prices fluctuate. At times there may be an imbalance of supply and demand in the fixed income markets which could result in greater price volatility, less liquidity, wider trading spreads and a lack of price transparency. Decisions by the Federal Reserve on interest rate policy can have a significant effect on the value of fixed-income securities. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years, having been reduced first to address the global financial crisis that began in 2008, and later in an effort to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision by the Federal Reserve to aggressively increase interest rates and sell some of the U.S. Government securities on its balance sheet (“Quantitative Tightening”) in order to control the effects of inflation may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the prolonged period of low interest rates and the potential market reaction to these initiatives. The Fund is also subject to management risk, which is the risk that the Sub-Adviser’s analysis of economic conditions and expectations regarding interest rate changes may fail to produce the intended results. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund may not be appropriate for use as a complete investment program.

 

At times when the Fund emphasizes a particular sector of the fixed-income market, the value of the Fund’s net assets will be more susceptible to the financial, market or economic events affecting that sector than would be the case for mutual funds that do not emphasize investment in a particular sector. This may increase the risk of loss associated with an investment in the Fund and increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price.

 

Concentration Risk - Mortgage-Backed Securities. To the extent the Fund’s investments are concentrated in the securities of a particular market segment or asset class, the Fund’s investments may be more susceptible to an increased risk of loss due to adverse events, than the market as a whole. As of [ ], the Fund had [ ]% of the value of its net assets invested in collateralized mortgage-backed obligations. Mortgage-backed securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of “locking in” attractive long-term interest rates because of the need to reinvest prepayments of principal and the possibility of any unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to greater prepayment risk during periods when interest rates decline. Prepayment risk is the risk that the principal on mortgage-backed securities, other asset-backed securities or any fixed income security with an embedded call option may be prepaid at any time, which could reduce yield and market value. This could reduce the effective maturity of a mortgage-backed security and cause the Fund to reinvest its assets at a lower prevailing interest rate. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to extension risk which is the risk that rising interest rates will increase the effective maturity of mortgage-backed securities due to the deceleration of prepayments. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. Non-agency mortgage-backed securities have no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payment and may have a limited market especially when there is perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Mortgage-backed securities may also be subject to risks unique to the housing industry, including mortgage lending practices, defaults, foreclosures and changes in real estate values. The Fund’s investments in collateralized mortgage obligations are subject to the risk that payments may not be made on time, prepayment and extension risk and market risk when interest rates rise. Collateralized mortgage securities may be less liquid and may exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage securities. The value of mortgage-backed securities may be negatively affected by higher interest rates and deteriorating economic conditions and could potentially result in a higher rate of defaults and foreclosures. As a result of the Fund’s policy to concentrate in mortgage-backed securities, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with these securities to a greater degree than a fund that does not concentrate in mortgage-backed securities.

 

14 

 

Corporate Bonds. As of [ ], the Fund had [ ]% of the value of its net assets invested in corporate bonds. Corporate bonds are typically issued by public or private companies to finance their operations and are distinct from debt securities issued by a government or its agencies. Corporate bonds may have more speculative characteristics in their ability to repay principal and interest when due than other types of fixed income securities, such as government securities.

 

Cyber Security Risk. Cyber security risk is the risk of an unauthorized breach and access to Fund assets, Fund or customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Fund, Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other service providers and financial intermediaries to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality or prevent Fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions. The Fund and Adviser have limited ability to prevent or mitigate cyber security incidents affecting third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or Adviser. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its service providers may adversely impact and cause financial losses to the Fund or its shareholders. Issuers of securities in which the Fund invests are also subject to cyber security risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable and a wide variety of factors can cause interest rates to rise, such as central bank monetary policies, inflation rates, supply and demand and general economic conditions. The value of the Fund’s shares generally is expected to increase during periods of falling interest rates and to decrease during periods of rising interest rates. The magnitude of these fluctuations will generally be greater if the Fund holds securities with longer maturities or lower quality ratings. Over the longer-term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the prolonged period of low interest rates, the effect of government fiscal policy initiatives and the potential market reaction to those initiatives. The Fund is also subject to the risk that the income generated by its investments may not keep pace with inflation.

 

15 

 

Other Fixed Income Securities Risks:

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Deterioration in the financial condition of an issuer or deterioration in general economic conditions could cause an issuer to fail to make timely payments of principal and interest. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may affect the value of the Fund’s investments in that issuer. A credit agency’s rating represents the organization’s opinion as to the credit quality of a security but is not an absolute standard of quality or guarantee as to the creditworthiness of an issuer. Ratings from a credit agency present an inherent conflict of interest, because the agency is paid by the entities whose securities they rate. Rating agencies may fail to move quickly enough to change ratings in response to changing circumstances, and a rating may not reflect the fine shadings of risks within a given quality grade.

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Deterioration in the financial condition of an issuer or deterioration in general economic conditions could cause an issuer to fail to make timely payments of principal and interest. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may affect the value of the Fund’s investments in that issuer. A credit agency’s rating represents the organization’s opinion as to the credit quality of a security but is not an absolute standard of quality or guarantee as to the creditworthiness of an issuer. Ratings from a credit agency present an inherent conflict of interest, because the agency is paid by the entities whose securities they rate. Rating agencies may fail to move quickly enough to change ratings in response to changing circumstances, and a rating may not reflect the fine shadings of risks within a given quality grade.

 

LIBOR Transition Risk. The Fund may invest in securities that are based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). In March 2021, it was announced that most LIBOR settings will no longer be published after the end of 2021 and a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. Although the transition away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation date, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and any potential effects on the Fund or on certain instruments in which the Fund invests. LIBOR transition risk is the risk that the transition from LIBOR to alternative interest rate benchmarks may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, a reduction in the value of certain LIBOR based instruments held by the Fund, or other unintended consequences.

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a limited market for a security may make it difficult for that security to be sold at an advantageous time or price, which could prevent the Fund from selling the security at the approximate price that it is valued or the time it desires to sell. Liquidity risk may be magnified during times of instability in the credit markets, rising interest rates, high selling activity, or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed income mutual funds may be higher than normal. The capacity of traditional dealers to engage in fixed income trading has not kept pace with the fixed income market’s growth, causing dealer inventories to be at or near historical lows relative to market size. The reduction in dealer inventories could lead to decreased liquidity, increased volatility and wider spreads, which may become exacerbated during periods of economic or political stress. Lower rated securities may be subject to greater levels of liquidity risk. If a fixed income security is downgraded or declines in price, the market demand may be limited, making that security difficult to sell. Additionally, the market for certain fixed-income securities may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions, independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer.

 

16 

 

Maturity Risk. Longer-term securities generally have greater price fluctuations and are more sensitive to interest rate changes than shorter-term securities. Therefore, the Fund may experience greater price fluctuations when it holds securities with longer maturities.

 

Privately Placed and Rule 144A Securities. As of [ ], the Fund had [ ]% of the value of its portfolio invested in Rule 144A securities. Investments in Rule 144A securities and other privately placed securities may be less liquid and subject to greater volatility than publicly traded securities. An insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers purchasing Rule 144A securities could adversely affect the marketability of such securities and the Fund may be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at a reasonable price. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from these sales could be less than those originally paid by the Fund or less than what may be considered the fair value of such securities. Companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that might be applicable to publicly traded securities.

 

Risks Associated With Other Types of Fixed-Income Securities:

 

Bank Obligation Investments. The value of the Fund’s investments in bank obligations will be more susceptible to adverse events affecting the U.S. banking industry. Banks are highly regulated and any decisions by regulators that limit the loans a bank may make or the interest rates or fees they charge, may negatively impact a bank’s profitability.

 

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, preferred stocks, and other securities that pay interest or dividends and are convertible into common stocks or carry the right to purchase common stock. In general, a convertible security performs more like a stock when the price of the underlying stock is high (because it is assumed that it will be converted into the stock) and more like a bond when the price of the underlying stock is low (because it is assumed that it will mature without being converted). Therefore a convertible security is subject to risks associated with both fixed-income and equity securities. The return and value of an equity security will fluctuate in response to stock market movements. Factors such as earnings, interest rates, political events, war, acts of terrorism, government defaults or shutdowns, public health issues, recessions or other events could have a significant effect on the stock market and the value of convertible securities.

 

High Yield Securities. High-yield securities or junk bonds are often considered to be speculative and involve greater risk of default or price changes than investment grade fixed-income securities due to changes in the issuer’s or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness. The issuers of these securities may not be as financially strong as the issuers of higher rated securities. Prices of lower-rated securities have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes and more sensitive to adverse economic changes and individual corporate developments than more highly rated investments. When a security’s rating is reduced below investment grade, it may be more difficult for the Fund to receive income from its investment.

 

Other Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities may be affected by factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the receivables, the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit or other credit enhancements or the market’s assessment of the quality of the underlying security.

 

U.S. Government Securities. Some U.S. Government securities, such as U.S. Government agency notes and bonds, are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government, meaning they are only supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Government or by the credit of the agency issuing the obligation. If the Fund invests in a U.S. Government security that is not backed by the U.S. Government, there is no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide support, and the Fund’s performance could be adversely impacted if there is a deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer.

 

17 

 

Performance Information

 

The Fund was reorganized following the close of business on [ ], 2023, to acquire the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor Fund, a series of the F/m Funds Trust, in exchange for shares of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund is the successor to the Predecessor Fund, and following performance information shown prior [ ], 2023, is that of the Predecessor Fund. The Fund has an investment objective, strategies and policies substantially similar to the Predecessor Fund, which was also advised by the sub-Adviser.

 

The bar chart below illustrates the performance of the Predecessor Fund’s Institutional Shares, which will differ from Retail Shares to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses and inception dates. As of the date of the Prospectus, Retail Shares have not been offered for sale, so there is no performance information available. The information shows you how the Predecessor Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

 

The performance table below shows how the Predecessor Fund’s average annual total returns for 1 year, 5 years and since inception periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The performance information that follows reflects the performance of the investment adviser to the Predecessor Fund from its inception until November 16, 2020. From November 16, 2020 until December 29, 2020, F/m Investments, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Advisors, served as the Fund’s interim adviser. From December 29, 2020 until [  ], 2023, Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC served as the investment adviser to the Fund and F/m Investments, LLC, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Advisors, served as the Fund’s sub-advisor. The Predecessor Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information, current through the most recent month end is available by calling 1-(800) 292-6775. Performance information represents only past performance, before and after taxes, and does not necessarily indicate future results. Performance reflects fee waivers in effect. If fee waivers were not in place, the Fund’s performance would be reduced. Updated performance information is available by visiting www.fm-funds.com or by calling 1-800-292-6775.

 

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

 

Institutional Shares

 

[bar chart to be included for institutional shares as of 12/31/22]

 

During the period shown in the chart, the highest quarterly return was [_] (for the quarter ended [_]) and the lowest quarterly return was [_]% (for the quarter ended [_]). The year-to-date total return through [_] was [_]%.

 

18 

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022

 

Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund 1 Year 5 Years

Since Inception

(April 26, 2013)

Institutional Class Shares      
Return Before Taxes [  ]% [  ]% [  ]%
Return After Taxes on Distributions [  ]% [  ]% [  ]%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares [  ]% [  ]% [  ]%
ICE BofA U.S. Corp./Govt. 1-3 Years Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) [  ]% [  ]% [  ]%

 

 

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

 

Management of the Fund

 

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

 

F/m Investments, LLC, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management is the investment adviser of the Fund.

 

Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC is the sub-adviser of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Name Title with Adviser Tenure with the Fund
Barry P. Julien, CFA® Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager Since Inception in 2015
John Han, CFA®   Senior Credit Analyst and Assistant Portfolio Manager Since 2023

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

  Minimum Initial Investment Subsequent Minimum Investment
Institutional Class Shares $100,000 $1,000
Retail Class Shares $1,000 $100

 

You can purchase and redeem shares of the Fund only on days the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open. Shares of the Fund may be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the shares, such as the initial and subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations, as further detailed in the section entitled “Purchase of Fund Shares – Purchases Through Intermediaries.” Shares of the Fund may also be purchased and redeemed directly through the Company by the means described below.

 

19 

 

Purchase and Redemption By Mail:

 

Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fun 

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

P.O. Box 701 

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701

 

Overnight Mail: 

Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund 

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Purchase and Redemption By Wire:

 

Before sending any wire, call U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (the “Transfer Agent”) at [ ] to confirm the current wire instructions for the Fund.

 

Redemption By Telephone:

 

If you select the option to redeem by telephone on your account application, you may call the Transfer Agent at [ ].

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund intends to make distributions that generally may be taxed at ordinary income or capital gains rates.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

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

 

20 

 

SUMMARY SECTION

 

Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund

 

Investment Objective

 

The investment objective of the [Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit] Fund (for this section only, the “Fund”) is to seek a high level of income and capital appreciation.

 

Expenses and Fees

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) Institutional Shares Retail Shares
Management Fees 0.50% 0.50%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees None 0.25%
Other Expenses(1)   [   ]% [   ]%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(2)   [   ]% [   ]%
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements(3) [   ]% [   ]%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements(3)

[   ]% [   ]%

 

 

(1)Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, as a series of F/m Funds Trust (or this section only, the “Predecessor Fund”), reorganized into the Fund following the close of business on [ ], 2023 (the “Reorganization”). Accordingly, the Fund’s “Other Expenses” have been restated to reflect expenses estimated to be incurred for the Fund for the current fiscal year.

(2)[Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Management Fee Reductions will differ from the Fund’s ratio of total expenses to average net assets or the Fund’s ratio of net expenses to average net assets in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which do not reflect “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.”]

(3)[Under the terms of the expense limitation agreement entered into by The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) and the F/m Investments, LLC d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), the Adviser has contractually agreed, for two years following the Reorganization, to reduce Management Fees and to absorb Other Expenses to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding brokerage costs, taxes, borrowing costs, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses’) to an amount not exceeding 0.95% and 1.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the Institutional Class and Retail Class shares, respectively. Management fee reductions and Other Expenses absorbed by the Adviser are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of 3 years following the date such fees and expenses were waived or reimbursed, provided that the repayments do not cause Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding brokerage costs, taxes, borrowing costs, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses’) to exceed either: (i) the expense limitation in effect at the time such fees and expenses were waived or absorbed; or (ii) any expense limitation in effect at the time the Adviser seeks reimbursement of such fees and expenses. This agreement may be terminated by either party upon 60 days’ prior written notice, provided, however, the Adviser may not terminate this agreement without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company and this agreement will terminate automatically if the Adviser ceases to serve as investment adviser to the Fund.]

 

21 

 

Example

 

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, reinvest dividends and distributions, and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and [takes into account the Adviser’s contractual arrangement to maintain the Fund’s expenses at the agreed upon level until [ ]]. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

    1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Institutional Shares   $[   ] $[   ] $[   ] $[   ]
Retail Shares   $[   ] $[   ] $[   ] $[   ]

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. During the most recent fiscal year, the Predecessor Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 53% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in a diversified portfolio of non-investment grade debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) and floating rate senior secured loans issued by corporations, partnerships, and other business entities (“High Yield Securities”). For the purposes of this Fund, High Yield Securities include, but are not limited to, traditional corporate bonds, senior loans (including senior “lite” loans) and participation interests, floating rate and non-income producing securities, such as zero coupon bonds which pay interest only at maturity, and payment in-kind bonds which pay interest in the form of additional securities. High Yield Securities are rated below the lowest investment grade category (BBB- by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”); Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or comparably rated by at least one independent credit rating agency) or if unrated, are determined by the Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) to be of comparable quality, at the time of purchase. The Fund may invest in securities that are privately placed but eligible for purchase and sale by certain qualified institutional buyers (such as the Fund) under Rule 144A or other exemptions of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

The Fund seeks to maintain an average duration of 3.5 years or less and there is no maximum duration on individual securities held by the Fund. The Fund will calculate its effective duration by using the nearest call date or maturity of its securities, whichever comes first. Duration is a measure of the Fund’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates. For example, if interest rates move up one percentage point (1%) while the Fund’s duration is 4-years, the Fund’s share price would be expected to decline by 4%.

 

The Fund may also invest in participation interests in loans that are generally deemed High Yield Securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in illiquid or thinly traded securities, but will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities or other investments that are illiquid. The Fund may also invest in preferred stocks and convertible securities. From time to time the Fund may emphasize investment in one or more particular sectors of the fixed income market.

 

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The Sub-Adviser utilizes a bottom-up security selection process, with an emphasis on a company’s industry position, management quality, cash flow characteristics, asset protection and quality, liquidity and covenants. The Sub-Adviser generally will look for companies whose prospects are stable or improving and offer an assurance of debt repayment. The Sub-Adviser combines security and credit research in the selection process based upon its view of the business cycles, interest rate trends, yield curve analysis and sector analysis. The Sub-Adviser attempts to manage volatility and principal risk through issue, industry and quality diversification and selection of issues that are higher in the capital structure. A security will be sold when an issuer no longer meets the Sub-Adviser’s criteria for investment or when a more attractive investment is available. The Sub-Adviser attempts to mitigate interest rate risk by investing in certain High Yield Securities (also known as “junk bonds”), such as floating rate securities (including loans) and short maturity bonds, which may be less sensitive to interest rate changes.

 

Principal Risks

 

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund’s principal risks are presented in alphabetical order to facilitate finding particular risks and comparing them with other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears. Different risks may be more significant at different times depending on market conditions or other factors.

 

The Fund is subject to market risk, which is the risk that the Fund’s share price will fluctuate as market prices fluctuate. At times there may be an imbalance of supply and demand in the fixed income markets which could result in greater price volatility, less liquidity, wider trading spreads and a lack of price transparency. Decisions by the Federal Reserve on interest rate policy can have a significant effect on the value of fixed-income securities. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years, having been reduced first to address the global financial crisis that began in 2008, and later in an effort to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision by the Federal Reserve to aggressively increase interest rates and sell some of the U.S. Government securities on its balance sheet (“Quantitative Tightening”) in order to control the effects of inflation may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the prolonged period of low interest rates and the potential market reaction to these initiatives. The Fund is also subject to management risk, which is the risk that the Sub-Adviser’s security and credit research and expectations regarding interest rate changes or the creditworthiness of an issuer may fail to produce the intended results. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund may not be appropriate for use as a complete investment program.

 

Corporate Bonds. As of [ ], the Fund had [ ]% of the value of its net assets invested in corporate bonds. Corporate bonds are typically issued by public or private companies to finance their operations and are distinct from debt securities issued by a government or its agencies. Corporate bonds may have more speculative characteristics in their ability to repay principal and interest when due than other types of fixed income securities, such as government securities.

 

Cyber Security Risk. Cyber security risk is the risk of an unauthorized breach and access to Fund assets, Fund or customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Fund, Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other service providers and financial intermediaries to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality or prevent Fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions. The Fund and Adviser have limited ability to prevent or mitigate cyber security incidents affecting third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or Adviser. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its service providers may adversely impact and cause financial losses to the Fund or its shareholders. Issuers of securities in which the Fund invests are also subject to cyber security risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures.

 

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High Yield Securities. High-yield securities or junk bonds are often considered to be speculative and involve greater risk of default or price changes than investment grade fixed-income securities due to changes in the issuer’s or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness. The issuers of these securities may not be as financially strong as the issuers of higher rated securities. Prices of lower-rated securities have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes and more sensitive to adverse economic changes and individual corporate developments than more highly rated investments. When a security’s rating is reduced below investment grade, it may be more difficult for the Fund to receive income from its investment.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable and a wide variety of factors can cause interest rates to rise, such as central bank monetary policies, inflation rates, supply and demand and general economic conditions. The value of the Fund’s shares generally is expected to increase during periods of falling interest rates and to decrease during periods of rising interest rates. The magnitude of these fluctuations will generally be greater if the Fund holds securities with longer maturities or lower quality ratings. The interest earned on the Fund’s investments in fixed income securities may decline when prevailing interest rates fall. Over the longer-term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the prolonged period of low interest rates, the effect of government fiscal policy initiatives, and the potential market reaction to those initiatives. The Fund is also subject to the risk that the income generated by its investments may not keep pace with inflation.

 

Loan Interests Risk. Loans are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this Prospectus, including credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, which may prevent the Fund from selling its loan interests at a desirable time or a price that represents fair market value. Loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loans made to finance highly leveraged companies or transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.

 

The Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interests, and it normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower.

 

The senior loan market has seen a significant increase in loans with weaker lender protections including, but not limited to, limited financial maintenance covenants or, in some cases, no financial maintenance covenants (i.e., “covenant-lite loans”) that would typically be included in a traditional loan agreement and general weakening of other restrictive covenants applicable to the borrower, such as limitations on incurrence of additional debt, restrictions on payments of junior debt or restrictions on dividends and distributions. Weaker lender protections such as the absence of financial maintenance covenants in a loan agreement and the inclusion of “borrower-favorable” terms may impact recovery values and/or trading levels of senior loans in the future. The absence of financial maintenance covenants in a loan agreement generally means that the lender may not be able to declare a default if financial performance deteriorates. This may hinder the Fund’s ability to reprice credit risk associated with a particular borrower and reduce the Fund’s ability to restructure a problematic loan and mitigate potential loss. As a result, the Fund’s exposure to losses on investments in senior loans may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle or changes in market or economic conditions.

 

Senior loans are also subject to a heightened amount of valuation risk because of the limited public information available regarding senior loans. If the Fund holds a senior loan through another financial institution or relies on a financial institution to administer the loan, its receipt of principal and interest on the loan may be subject to the credit risk of that financial institution. Although senior loans are generally secured by specific collateral, there can be no assurance that liquidation of such collateral would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal or that such collateral could be readily liquidated.

 

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No active trading market may exist for certain senior loans, which may make these loans difficult to accurately value or impair the ability of the Fund to realize full value in the event it needs to sell its position. Lastly, senior loans may not be considered “securities,” and the Fund may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.

 

Other Fixed Income Securities Risks:

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Deterioration in the financial condition of an issuer or deterioration in general economic conditions could cause an issuer to fail to make timely payments of principal and interest. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may affect the value of the Fund’s investments in that issuer. A credit agency’s rating represents the organization’s opinion as to the credit quality of a security but is not an absolute standard of quality or guarantee as to the creditworthiness of an issuer. Ratings from a credit agency present an inherent conflict of interest because the agency is paid by the entities whose securities they rate. Rating agencies may fail to move quickly enough to change ratings in response to changing circumstances and a rating may not reflect the fine shadings of risks within a given quality grade.

 

LIBOR Transition Risk. The Fund may invest in securities that are based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). In March 2021, it was announced that most LIBOR settings will no longer be published after the end of 2021 and a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. Although the transition away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation date, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and any potential effects on the Fund or on certain instruments in which the Fund invests. LIBOR transition risk is the risk that the transition from LIBOR to alternative interest rate benchmarks may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, a reduction in the value of certain LIBOR based instruments held by the Fund, or other unintended consequences.

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a limited market for a security may make it difficult for that security to be sold at an advantageous time or price, which could prevent the Fund from selling the security at the approximate price that it is valued or the time it desires to sell. Liquidity risk may be magnified during times of instability in the credit markets, rising interest rates, high selling activity, or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed income mutual funds may be higher than normal. The capacity of traditional dealers to engage in fixed income trading has not kept pace with the fixed income market’s growth, causing dealer inventories to be at or near historical lows relative to market size. The reduction in dealer inventories could lead to decreased liquidity, increased volatility and wider spreads, which may become exacerbated during periods of economic or political stress. Lower rated securities may be subject to greater levels of liquidity risk. If a fixed income security is downgraded or declines in price, the market demand may be limited, making that security difficult to sell. Additionally, the market for certain fixed-income securities may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions, independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer.

 

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Maturity Risk. Longer-term securities generally have greater price fluctuations and are more sensitive to interest rate changes than shorter-term securities. Therefore, the Fund may experience greater price fluctuations when it holds securities with longer maturities.

 

Prepayment and Extension Risk. The Fund’s performance could be affected if borrowers pay back principal on certain debt securities before or after the market anticipates such payments, shortening or lengthening their duration. Due to a decline in interest rates or an excess in cash flow, a debt security might be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity. As a result, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield, may not benefit from any increase in value that might otherwise result from declining interest rates and may lose any premium it paid to acquire the security. Floating rate securities can be less sensitive to prepayment risk. Higher interest rates generally result in slower payoffs, which effectively increase duration, heighten interest rate risk, and increase the potential for price declines.

 

Privately Placed and Rule 144A Securities. As of [ ], the Fund had [ ]% of the value of its portfolio invested in Rule 144A securities. Investments in Rule 144A securities and other privately placed securities may be less liquid and subject to greater volatility than publicly traded securities. An insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers purchasing Rule 144A securities could adversely affect the marketability of such securities and the Fund may be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at a reasonable price. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from these sales could be less than those originally paid by the Fund or less than what may be considered the fair value of such securities. Companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that might apply to publicly traded securities.

 

Risks Associated With Other Types of Fixed-Income Securities:

 

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, preferred stocks, and other securities that pay interest or dividends and are convertible into common stocks or carry the right to purchase common stock. In general, a convertible security performs more like a stock when the price of the underlying stock is high (because it is assumed that it will be converted into the stock) and more like a bond when the price of the underlying stock is low (because it is assumed that it will mature without being converted). Therefore a convertible security is subject to risks associated with both fixed-income and equity securities. The return and value of an equity security will fluctuate in response to stock market movements. Factors such as earnings, interest rates, political events, war, acts of terrorism, government defaults or shutdowns, public health issues, recessions or other events could have a significant effect on the stock market and the value of convertible securities.

 

Sector Risk. To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. Individual sectors may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the broader market. The industries that constitute a sector may all react in the same way to economic, political or regulatory events.

 

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Performance Information

 

The Fund was reorganized following the close of business on [ ], 2023, to acquire the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor Fund, a series of the F/m Funds Trust, in exchange for shares of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund is the successor to the Predecessor Fund, and following performance information shown prior [ ], 2023, is that of the Predecessor Fund. The Fund has an investment objective, strategies and policies substantially similar to the Predecessor Fund, which was also advised by the Adviser.

 

The bar chart below illustrates the performance of the Predecessor Fund’s Institutional Shares, which will differ from Retail Shares to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses and inception dates. As of the date of the Prospectus, Retail Shares have not been offered for sale, so there is no performance information available. The information shows you how the Predecessor Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

 

The performance table below shows how the Predecessor Fund’s average annual total returns for 1 year, 5 years and since inception periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The performance information that follows reflects the performance of the investment adviser to the Predecessor Fund from its inception until November 16, 2020. From November 16, 2020 until December 29, 2020, F/m Investments, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Advisors, served as the Fund’s interim adviser. From December 29, 2020 until [ ], 2023, Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC served as the investment adviser to the Fund and F/m Investments, LLC, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Advisors, served as the Fund’s sub-advisor. The Predecessor Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information, current through the most recent month end is available by calling 1-(800) 292-6775.

 

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

 

Institutional Shares

 

[bar chart to be included for institutional shares as 12/31/22]

 

During the period shown in the chart, the highest quarterly return was [_] (for the quarter ended [_]) and the lowest quarterly return was [_]% (for the quarter ended [_]). The year-to-date total return through [_] was [_]%.

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022

 

Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund 1 Year 5 Years

Since Inception

(October 1, 2015)

Institutional Class Shares      
Return Before Taxes [  ]% [  ]% [  ]%
Return After Taxes on Distributions [  ]% [  ]% [  ]%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares [  ]% [  ]% [  ]%
ICE BofA 1-5 Year U.S. Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index [  ]% [  ]% [  ]%

 

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

 

Management of the Fund

 

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

 

F/m Investments, LLC, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management is the investment adviser of the Fund.

 

Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC is the sub-adviser of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Name Title with Adviser Tenure with the Fund
Barry P. Julien, CFA® Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager Since Inception in 2015
John Han, CFA® Senior Credit Analyst and Assistant Portfolio Manager Since 2023

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

  Minimum Initial Investment Subsequent Minimum Investment
Institutional Shares $100,000 $1,000
Retail Shares $1,000 $100

 

You can purchase and redeem shares of the Fund only on days the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open. Shares of the Fund may be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the shares, such as the initial and subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations, as further detailed in the section entitled “Purchase of Fund Shares – Purchases Through Intermediaries.” Shares of the Fund may also be purchased and redeemed directly through the Company by the means described below.

 

Purchase and Redemption by Mail:

 

Regular Mail: 

Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund 

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

P.O. Box 701 

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701

 

Overnight Mail: 

Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund 

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

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Purchase and Redemption by Wire:

 

Before sending any wire, call U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (the “Transfer Agent”) at [ ] to confirm the current wire instructions for the Fund.

 

Redemption By Telephone:

 

If you select the option to redeem by telephone on your account application, you may call the Transfer Agent at [ ].

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund intends to make distributions that generally may be taxed at ordinary income or capital gains rates.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

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

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT EACH FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

This section provides some additional information about the Funds’ investments and certain portfolio management techniques that the Funds may use. More information about the Funds’ investments and portfolio management techniques, and related risks, is included in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

This Prospectus describes the Funds’ principal investment strategies, and the Fund will normally invest in the types of securities described in this Prospectus. In addition to the investments and strategies described in this Prospectus, the Fund also may invest, to a lesser extent, in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices that are not part of its principal investment strategy. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this Prospectus, are described in detail in the Fund’s SAI. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

 

Investment Objectives

 

Each Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) without shareholder approval. Shareholders will, however, receive 60 days’ prior notice of any changes. Any such changes may result in a Fund having an investment objective different from the objective that the shareholder considered appropriate at the time of investment in the Fund.

 

Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund

 

The investment objective of the Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund (the “Fixed Income Fund”) is total return. Total return for the Fund will consist of income dividends and capital appreciation.

 

Investment Strategies

 

The Fixed Income Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective of total return by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade fixed-income securities that the Sub-Adviser believes offer the potential for capital appreciation and current income. Using bottom-up research and macroeconomic analysis, the Sub-Adviser seeks to construct a portfolio that can provide a return greater than inflation over a complete market cycle. The Sub-Adviser expects a complete market cycle will last 3 to 7 years. The Sub-Adviser attempts to maximize the total return of the Fund by actively managing the Fund’s average maturity, sector weightings, and specific security holdings. In constructing the portfolio, the Sub-Adviser applies a disciplined maturity adjustment strategy that attempts to identify long-term interest rate trend patterns. If the Sub-Adviser perceives that a change in interest rates represents a long-term interest rate trend rather than a short-term swing, the Sub-Adviser will adjust the Fund’s average maturity. In its efforts to predict interest rate trends, the Sub-Adviser monitors the following cyclical factors:

 

Domestic and worldwide inflation;

 

Corporate profits;

 

Budget and trade deficits;

 

Gross Domestic Product and global outlook; and

 

Changes in political, social and regulatory environments.

 

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The Fund’s average maturity will depend on the Sub-Adviser’s assessment of both the relative yields available on securities with differing maturities and future changes in interest rates. While the Sub-Adviser may take advantage of the entire range of fixed-income maturities, the Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity, which is the average of all the current maturities of the bonds held in the Fund, will generally range from 90 days up to 10 years. The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity will be actively monitored and adjusted based on the Sub-Adviser’s view of interest rate trends. The Sub-Adviser may sell a security based upon its assessment of interest rate trends or when more attractive opportunities become available.

 

The Fund may invest in various types of fixed-income securities, including, but not limited to, those issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies, corporate bonds, convertible securities, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. Normally, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in investment grade fixed-income securities, but the Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in high yield securities, also known as junk bonds. These investment percentages are measured at the time of purchase. Investment grade fixed-income securities are rated in the four highest credit categories (AAA, AA, A, BBB, or an equivalent rating) by at least one nationally recognized rating agency or unrated securities that the Sub-Adviser considers to be of comparable quality. If a fixed-income security held by the Fund receives a split rating from two nationally recognized rating agencies, the Sub-Adviser will determine which rating is appropriate. The Fund will invest at least 25% of its total assets in agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may invest in Rule 144A securities or other privately placed securities. The Fund may also invest in money market instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its strategies. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities or other investments that are illiquid.

 

Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund

 

The investment objective of the Oakhurst Short Duration Fund (the “Short Duration Fund”) is to seek a high level of income consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity.

 

Investment Strategies

 

The Short Duration Bond Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of short duration fixed-income securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in investment grade bonds. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in junk bonds (which percentage is measured at the time of purchase). Using bottom-up research and macroeconomic analysis, the Sub-Adviser seeks to construct a portfolio by actively managing the Funds average duration, sector and industry weightings, and specific security holdings. In constructing the portfolio, the Sub-Adviser applies a disciplined maturity adjustment strategy that attempts to identify long-term interest rate trend patterns. If the Sub-Adviser perceives that a change in interest rates represents a long-term interest rate trend rather than a short-term swing, the Sub-Adviser will adjust the Funds average duration. In its efforts to forecast interest rate trends, the Sub-Adviser monitors the following cyclical factors:

 

Domestic and worldwide inflation;

Corporate profits;

Budget and trade deficits;

Gross Domestic Product and global outlook; and

Changes in political, social and regulatory environments.

 

The Fund’s average duration will depend on the Sub-Adviser’s assessment of both the relative yields available on securities with differing maturities and future changes in interest rates. While the Fund may invest in securities with varying maturities, the Funds average duration will typically range from 90 days up to 3 years. The Fund’s average duration will be actively monitored and adjusted based on the Sub-Adviser’s view of interest rate trends. The Sub-Adviser may sell a security based upon its assessment of interest rate trends or when more attractive opportunities become available.

 

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The Fund may invest in various types of fixed-income securities, including, but not limited to, those issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies, corporate bonds, convertible securities, bank obligations, money market securities, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. Investment grade bonds are rated in the four highest credit categories (AAA, AA, A, BBB, or an equivalent rating) by at least one nationally recognized rating agency or unrated securities that the Sub-Adviser considers to be of comparable quality. If a fixed-income security held by the Fund receives a split rating from two nationally recognized rating agencies, the Sub-Adviser will determine which rating is appropriate. The Fund will invest at least 25% of its total assets in agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may invest in Rule 144A securities or other privately placed securities. The Fund may also invest in money market instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its strategies. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities or other investments that are illiquid.

 

Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund

 

The Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund’s (“High Yield Credit Fund”) investment objective is to seek a high level of income and capital appreciation.

 

Investment Strategies

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including any borrowings for investment purposes) in a diversified portfolio of High Yield Securities. Using bottom-up research and fundamental analysis, the Sub-Adviser seeks to construct a portfolio by actively managing the Fund’s credit quality, effective duration, sector and industry weightings, and specific security holdings. The Sub-Adviser uses its top-down view to determine portfolio construction parameters based on its outlook of the business cycle, corporate profits and sector analysis. The Sub-Adviser’s disciplined fundamental analysis process determines industry and company capital allocations. The Sub-Adviser generally seeks companies with stable or improving prospects using its internal bottom-up research. The Sub-Adviser emphasizes cash flow characteristics, industry position, management quality, liquidity and asset coverage. Relative value is another major factor in security selection. The Sub-Adviser seeks to manage portfolio volatility through issue, industry and quality diversification. While the Fund may invest in securities with varying maturities, the Fund seeks to maintain an effective duration of 3.5 years or less. In the same context, the Sub-Adviser will emphasize securities with final maturities below five years. The Fund may invest in Rule 144A securities or other privately placed securities. The Sub-Adviser may sell a security based upon its assessment of credit quality and outlook or when more attractive opportunities become available.

 

The Fund’s High Yield Securities will be rated below the lowest investment grade category (BBB- by S&P, Baa3 by Moody’s, or an equivalent rating by at least one nationally recognized rating agency) or if unrated, are determined by the Sub-Adviser to be of comparable quality, at the time of purchase. If a High Yield Security held by the Fund receives a split rating from two nationally recognized rating agencies, the Sub-Adviser will determine which rating is appropriate. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities or other investments that are illiquid.

 

Additional Information About Each Fund’s Principal Investments and Risks

 

As with any mutual fund investment, the Funds’ returns will vary and you could lose money. Each Fund is subject to market risk, which is the risk that the Fund’s share price will fluctuate as market prices fluctuate. At times there may be an imbalance of supply and demand in the fixed income markets which could result in greater price volatility, less liquidity, wider trading spreads and a lack of price transparency. Decisions by the Federal Reserve on interest rate policy can have a significant effect on the value of fixed-income securities. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years, having been reduced first to address the global financial crisis that began in 2008, and later in an effort to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision by the Federal Reserve to aggressively increase interest rates and sell some of the U.S. Government securities on its balance sheet (“Quantitative Tightening”) in order to control the effects of inflation may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the prolonged period of low interest rates and the potential market reaction to these initiatives. Each Fund is also subject to management risk, which is the risk that the Sub-Adviser’s analysis of economic conditions and expectations regarding interest rate changes or the creditworthiness of an issuer may fail to produce the intended results. An investment in a Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Funds may not be appropriate for use as a complete investment program.

 

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From time to time a Fund may emphasize investment in one or more particular sectors of the fixed-income market. At times when a Fund emphasizes a particular sector, the value of its net assets will be more susceptible to the financial, market or economic events affecting that sector than would be the case for mutual funds that do not emphasize investment in a particular sector. This may increase the risk of loss associated with an investment in a Fund and increase the volatility of a Fund’s share price.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable and a wide variety of factors can cause interest rates to rise, such as central bank monetary policies, inflation rates, supply and demand and general economic conditions. The value of a Fund’s shares generally is expected to increase during periods of falling interest rates and to decrease during periods of rising interest rates. The magnitude of these fluctuations will generally be greater if the Fund holds securities with longer maturities or lower quality ratings. The interest earned on the Fund’s investments in fixed income securities may decline when prevailing interest rates fall. Over the longer-term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the prolonged period of low interest rates, the effect of government fiscal policy initiatives and the potential market reaction to those initiatives. The Fund is also subject to the risk that the income generated by its investments may not keep pace with inflation.

 

Other Fixed-Income Securities Risks

 

Maturity Risk. Longer-term securities tend to have greater price fluctuations and are more sensitive to interest rate changes than shorter-term securities. Generally, the longer the maturity or duration of a fixed-income security, the greater the impact of a rise in interest rates on the security’s value. The average maturity and duration of a Fund’s fixed-income securities will affect the volatility of the Fund’s share price. Consequently, a Fund may experience greater price fluctuations when it holds securities with longer maturities.

 

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Deterioration in the financial condition of an issuer or deterioration in general economic conditions could cause an issuer to fail to make timely payments of principal and interest. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may affect the value of a Fund’s investments in that issuer.

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a security cannot be sold at an advantageous time or price, which could prevent the Fund from selling the security at the approximate price that it is valued or the time it desires to sell. Liquidity risk may be magnified during times of instability in the credit markets, rising interest rates, high selling activity, or other circumstances. If a fixed income security is downgraded or declines in price, the market demand may be limited, making that security difficult to sell. Additionally, the market for certain fixed-income securities may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer.

 

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A credit agency’s rating represents the organization’s opinion as to the credit quality of a security but is not an absolute standard of quality or guarantee as to the creditworthiness of an issuer. Ratings from a credit agency present an inherent conflict of interest because the agency is paid by the entities whose securities they rate. Rating agencies may fail to move quickly enough to change ratings in response to changing circumstances and a rating may not reflect the fine shadings of risk within a given quality grade.

 

Liquidity risk may result from the lack of an active market, the reduced number of traditional market participants, or the reduced capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in debt securities. The capacity of traditional dealers to engage in fixed-income trading has not kept pace with the bond market’s growth. As a result, dealer inventories of corporate bonds, which indicate the ability to “make markets,” i.e., buy or sell a security at the quoted bid and ask price, respectively, are at or near historic lows relative to market size. Because market makers provide stability to fixed income markets, the significant reduction in dealer inventories could lead to decreased liquidity, increased volatility and wider spreads, which may become exacerbated during periods of economic or political stress. In addition, liquidity risk may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment in which investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal; the selling of fixed-income securities to satisfy fund shareholder redemptions may result in an increased supply of such securities during periods of reduced investor demand due to a lack of buyers, thereby impairing a Fund’s ability to sell such securities.

 

Prepayment and Extension Risk. A Fund’s performance could be affected if borrowers pay back principal on certain debt securities before or after the market anticipates such payments, shortening or lengthening their duration. Due to a decline in interest rates or an excess in cash flow, a debt security might be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity. As a result, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield, may not benefit from any increase in value that might otherwise result from declining interest rates and may lose any premium it paid to acquire the security. Floating rate securities can be less sensitive to prepayment risk. Higher interest rates generally result in slower payoffs, which effectively increase duration, heighten interest rate risk, and increase the potential for price declines.

 

LIBOR Transition Risk. A Fund may invest in securities that are based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). In March 2021, it was announced that most LIBOR settings will no longer be published after the end of 2021 and a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will no longer be published after June 30, 2023. Although the transition away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation date, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and any potential effects on the Fund or on certain instruments in which the Fund invests. LIBOR transition risk is the risk that the transition from LIBOR to alternative interest rate benchmarks may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, a reduction in the value of certain LIBOR based instruments held by the Fund, or other unintended consequences.

 

 Risks Associated With Various Types of Fixed-Income Securities:

 

U.S. Government Securities. Some U.S. Government securities, such as U.S. Government agency notes and bonds, are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government, meaning they are only supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Government or by the credit of the agency issuing the obligation. If a Fund invests in a U.S. Government security that is not backed by the U.S. Government, there is no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide support and the Fund’s performance could be adversely impacted if there is a deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer.

 

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Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of “locking in” attractive long-term interest rates because of the need to reinvest prepayments of principal and the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. Mortgage-backed securities are typically subject to greater prepayment risk during periods when interest rates decline. Prepayment risk is the risk that the principal on mortgage-backed securities, other asset-backed securities or any fixed-income security with an embedded call option may be prepaid at any time, which could reduce yield and market value. This could reduce the effective maturity of a mortgage-backed security and cause a Fund to reinvest its assets at a lower prevailing interest rate. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to extension risk which is the risk that rising interest rates will increase the effective maturity of mortgage-backed securities due to the deceleration of prepayments. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. Non-agency mortgage-backed securities have no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payment and may have a limited market especially when there is perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Mortgage-backed securities may also be subject to risks unique to the housing industry, including mortgage lending practices, defaults, foreclosures and changes in real estate values. The Funds’ investments in collateralized mortgage obligations are subject to the risk that payments may not be made on time, prepayment and extension risk and market risk when interest rates rise. Collateralized mortgage securities may be less liquid and may exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage securities. The value of mortgage-backed securities may be negatively affected by higher interest rates and deteriorating economic conditions and could potentially result in a higher rate of defaults and foreclosures.

 

Corporate Bonds. Corporate bonds are typically issued by public or private companies to finance their operations and are distinct from debt securities issued by a government or its agencies. Corporate bonds may have more speculative characteristics in their ability to repay principal and interest when due than other types of fixed income securities, such as government securities.

 

Other Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are fixed income securities backed by other assets such as credit card, automobile or consumer loan receivables, retail installment loans, or participations in pools of leases. Credit support for these securities may be based on the structural features such as subordination or overcollateralization and/or provided through credit enhancements by a third party. Even with a credit enhancement by a third party, there is still risk of loss. There could be inadequate collateral or no collateral for asset-backed securities. The value of asset-backed securities may be affected by factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the receivables, the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit or other credit enhancements or the market’s assessment of the quality of the underlying security.

 

High Yield Securities. High Yield Securities or junk bonds are often considered to be speculative and involve greater risk of default or price changes than investment grade fixed-income securities due to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness. The issuers of these securities may not be as financially strong as the issuers of higher rated securities and these securities may be subject to greater levels of liquidity risk. Prices of High Yield Securities have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes and more sensitive to adverse economic changes and individual corporate developments than more highly rated investments. When a security’s rating is reduced below investment grade, it may be more difficult for a Fund to receive income from its investment.

 

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Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, preferred stocks, and other securities that pay interest or dividends and are convertible into common stocks or carry the right to purchase common stock. Convertible securities consequently often involve attributes of both fixed income and equity instruments, and investment in such securities require analysis of both credit and stock market risks. In general, a convertible security performs more like a stock when the price of the underlying stock is high (because it is assumed that it will be converted into the stock) and more like a bond when the price of the underlying stock is low (because it is assumed that it will mature without being converted). The return and value of an equity security will fluctuate in response to stock market movements. Factors such as earnings, interest rates, political events, war, acts of terrorism, government defaults or shutdowns, public health issues, recessions or other events could have a significant effect on the stock market and the value of convertible securities. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporations’ capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable non-convertible securities. Convertible securities may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument and in some instances may be subject to conversion into or an exchange for another security at the option of the issuer.

 

Privately Placed and Rule 144A Securities. Investments in privately placed securities or Rule 144A securities may be less liquid and subject to greater volatility than publicly traded securities. An insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers could adversely affect the marketability of privately placed securities and the Fund may be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at a reasonable price. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from these sales could be less than those originally paid by the Fund or less than what may be considered the fair value of such securities. Companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that might apply to publicly traded securities.

 

Bank Obligation Investments ([Short Duration Bond Fund]). The value of a Fund’s investments in bank obligations will be more susceptible to adverse events affecting the U.S. banking industry. Banks are highly regulated and any decisions by regulators that limit the loans a bank may make or the interest rates or fees they charge, may negatively impact a bank’s profitability.

 

Loan Interests Risk ([High Yield Credit Fund]). Loans are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this Prospectus, including credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. Loan interests generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, which may prevent the Fund from selling its loan interests at a desirable time or a price that represents fair market value. Loan interests may at times be illiquid. Loans made to finance highly leveraged companies or transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.

 

The Fund may acquire a participation interest in a loan that is held by another party. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interests, and it normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower.

 

The senior loan market has seen a significant increase in loans with weaker lender protections including, but not limited to, limited financial maintenance covenants or, in some cases, no financial maintenance covenants (i.e., “covenant-lite loans”) that would typically be included in a traditional loan agreement and general weakening of other restrictive covenants applicable to the borrower such as limitations on incurrence of additional debt, restrictions on payments of junior debt or restrictions on dividends and distributions. Weaker lender protections such as the absence of financial maintenance covenants in a loan agreement and the inclusion of “borrower-favorable” terms may impact recovery values and/or trading levels of senior loans in the future. The absence of financial maintenance covenants in a loan agreement (including leveraged loans) generally means that the lender may not be able to declare a default if financial performance deteriorates. This may hinder the Fund’s ability to reprice credit risk associated with a particular borrower and reduce the Fund’s ability to restructure a problematic loan and mitigate potential loss. As a result, the Fund’s exposure to losses on investments in senior loans may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle or changes in market or economic conditions.

 

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Senior loans are also subject to a heightened amount of valuation risk because of the limited public information available regarding senior loans. If the Fund holds a senior loan through another financial institution or relies on a financial institution to administer the loan, its receipt of principal and interest on the loan may be subject to the credit risk of that financial institution. Although senior loans are generally secured by specific collateral, there can be no assurance that liquidation of such collateral would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal or that such collateral could be readily liquidated.

 

No active trading market may exist for certain senior loans, which may make these loans difficult to accurately value or impair the ability of the Fund to realize full value in the event it needs to sell its position. Lastly, senior loans may not be considered “securities,” and the Fund may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.

 

Sector Risk. To the extent a Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. Individual sectors may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the broader market. The industries that constitute a sector may all react in the same way to economic, political or regulatory events.

 

Cyber Security Risk. With the increased use of technologies such as the internet to conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). Cyber security failures or breaches by the Fund’s Adviser and other service providers (including, but not limited to, Fund accountant, custodian, transfer agent and administrator), and the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value (“NAV”), impediments to trading, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. While the Adviser has established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Fund and issuers in which the Fund invests, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or Adviser. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. Issuers of securities in which the Fund invests are also subject to cyber security risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures.

 

NON-PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES (ALL FUNDS)

 

Temporary Defensive Position. From time to time, each Fund may take temporary defensive positions in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. For example, a Fund may hold all or a portion of its assets in money market instruments, including money market funds or repurchase agreements. If a Fund invests in a money market fund, the shareholders of the Fund will indirectly incur the operating expenses of such fund. As a result of engaging in these temporary measures, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. A Fund may also invest in money market instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its strategies.

 

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Foreign Securities. Each Fund may invest in foreign corporate and foreign government debt securities. Each Fund’s foreign investments must meet the same quality requirements of its U.S. debt instruments. The High Yield Credit Fund may invest in floating rate senior secured loans issued by foreign corporations. Each Fund’s investments in foreign government debt securities and foreign corporate bonds will generally be U.S. dollar denominated.

 

Active and Frequent Trading. Each Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities based upon the Sub-Advisor’s assessment of the economy and relative values in the fixed income markets.

 

NON-PRINCIPAL RISKS (ALL FUNDS)

 

Foreign Securities. The value of foreign securities may be affected by the imposition of new government regulations, changes in diplomatic relations between the U.S. and another country, political and economic instability, the imposition or tightening of exchange controls, tariffs, increased taxation and confiscation of investor assets. Foreign securities markets may have limited regulatory oversight and greater price volatility, higher trading costs, difficulties in settlement, limits on foreign ownership and less stringent accounting and disclosure requirements. Changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency may reduce the value of an investment in a security denominated in that foreign currency.

 

Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become interconnected which increases the possibility that economic, financial or political events in one sector or region could have potentially adverse effects on global economies or markets. For example, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the responses and sanctions by other countries and the potential for wider military conflicts or war, could continue to have adverse effects on regional and global economies and may further strain global supply chains, and negatively affect global growth and inflation. Natural or environmental disasters or climate related events, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis, and widespread disease, including pandemics and epidemics, have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and the markets. The outbreak of an infections respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, and efforts to contain its spread, have resulted, and may continue to result in labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand for certain products and services and significant disruptions to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies, sectors, industries, interest rates and investor sentiment.

 

Active and Frequent Trading Risk. A Fund’s strategy of investing on a short-term basis might result in a high degree of portfolio turnover. In addition, a Fund’s turnover rate may vary significantly from time to time depending on economic and market conditions. High portfolio turnover rates will increase a Fund’s transaction costs, which can adversely affect the Fund’s performance. A high portfolio turnover rate may also cause higher transaction costs and higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders.

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

 

A description of the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of each Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the SAI. The SAI is incorporated herein.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

 

Investment Adviser

 

F/m Investments, LLC d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser is located at 3050 K Street, N.W., Suite 201, Washington, D.C. 20007. The Adviser’s primary business is to provide a variety of investment management services to registered investment companies. The Adviser is responsible for providing a continuous program of investing the Fund’s assets and determining the portfolio composition of the Fund. F/m is wholly owned by F/m Acceleration which in turn is wholly owned by Diffractive Managers Group (“Diffractive”), a multi-boutique asset management company. As of December 31, 2022, the Adviser had approximately $1.7 billion in assets under management.

 

Management Fees

 

The Adviser is paid a fee equal to the annual rate of 0.50% of the Fixed Income Fund’s average daily net assets; 0.35% of the Short Duration Bond Fund’s average daily net assets; and 0.75% of the High Yield Credit Fund’s average daily net assets. During the most recent fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, the Fixed Income Fund, the Short Duration Bond Fund and the High Yield Credit Fund paid investment advisory fees (after fee reductions) equal to 0.26%, 0.18% and 0.59%, respectively, of average daily net assets. The Adviser may pay certain financial institutions (which may include banks, brokers, securities dealers and other industry professionals) a fee for providing distribution related services and/or for performing certain administrative servicing functions for Fund shareholders to the extent these institutions are allowed to do so by applicable statute, rule or regulation.

 

[The Adviser has entered into a contractual agreement with each Fund under which it has agreed to reduce its investment advisory fee and to absorb Fund expenses to the extent necessary to limit total annual operating expenses (excluding brokerage costs, taxes, borrowing costs, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses) to an amount not exceeding a percentage of average daily net assets applicable to a share class as follows:

 

  Fiscal Year Ending August 31, 2024 Fiscal Year Ending August 31, 2025
Fixed Income Fund Retail Shares 0.83% 0.85%
Fixed Income Fund Institutional Shares 0.58% 0.60%
Short Duration Bond Fund Retail Shares 0.85% 0.85%
Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional Shares 0.60% 0.60%
High Yield Credit Fund Retail Shares 1.20% 1.20%
High Yield Credit Fund Institutional Shares 0.95% 0.95%

 

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Any such fee reductions by the Adviser or payments by the Adviser of expenses which are a Fund’s obligation, are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of 3 years following the date such fees were reduced or expenses were paid, provided that the repayment does not cause the Fund’s total annual operating expenses to exceed the foregoing expense limits as of the time of either the waiver or the reimbursement. The contractual agreements are currently in effect for two years following the Reorganization.]

 

Sub-Adviser

 

The Company and the Adviser have received an exemptive order from the SEC with respect to the Funds that permits the Adviser to engage or terminate a Sub-Adviser, and to enter into and materially amend an existing sub-advisory agreement, upon the approval of the Board, without obtaining shareholder approval. This arrangement has been approved by the Board. Consequently, under the exemptive order, the Adviser has the right to hire, terminate and replace a Sub-Adviser when the Board and the Adviser feel that a change would benefit a Fund. The exemptive order enables a Fund to operate with greater efficiency and without incurring the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of sub-advisory agreements.

 

Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC serves as the sub-adviser to the Funds. The Sub-Adviser is located at 1875 Century Park E, Suite 950, Los Angeles, California 90067. Subject to the authority of the Board and the supervision of the Adviser, the Adviser retains the Sub-Adviser, to provide the Funds with a continuous program of investing each Fund’s assets and determining the portfolio composition of each Fund.

 

The Sub-Adviser is paid a fee equal to the annual rate of 0.475% of the Fixed Income Fund’s average daily net assets, 0.325% of the Short Duration Bond Fund’s average daily net assets, and 0.725% of the Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund’s average daily net assets. Compensation of the Sub-Adviser is paid by the Adviser (not the Funds) at the annual rate of the average value of a Fund’s daily net assets. The Sub-Adviser’s fee is reduced on a pro-rata basis to the extent that the Adviser reduces its advisory fees or reimburses expenses of the Funds.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Funds’ investment advisory agreements with the Adviser and the sub-advisory agreements with the Sub-Adviser will be available in the Funds’ first annual or semi-annual shareholder report.

 

[Portfolio Managers]

 

The SAI contains additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers’ ownership of shares of a Fund.  

 

Barry P. Julien, CFA® - Mr. Julien is Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser and Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Adviser. Prior to November 16, 2020, he was Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of First Western and lead portfolio manager on First Western’s investment grade strategies. Prior to joining First Western, Mr. Julien was President and Chief Investment Officer at McKee Investment Management, and subsequently a Principal at Stonebridge Capital Management where he managed the company’s fixed income portfolio. Mr. Julien graduated cum laude from the University of California at San Diego with a BA in Economics and he earned his MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley where he was awarded the Sutro Fellowship in Finance. He is a CFA charterholder and a member of CFA® Society of Los Angeles. Mr. Julien has been responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund since its respective inception date.

 

John Han - Mr. Han is CFA®, CPA® is a Senior Credit Analyst and Assistant Portfolio Manager of the Adviser and has been responsible for the day-to-day management of each Acquired Fund since January 2023. Prior to November 16, 2020, Mr. Han was a Senior Credit Analyst of First Western, the Fund’s previous investment adviser.

 

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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

Pricing of Fund Shares

 

The Institutional Class and the Retail Class of shares of the Funds are priced at their NAV. The NAV per share of each class of shares of the Funds is calculated as follows:

 

    Value of Assets Attributable to a Class  
  NAV = -Value of Liabilities Attributable to the same Class  
    Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class  

 

Each Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. The NYSE is generally open Monday through Friday, except national holidays. The NYSE also may be closed on national days of mourning or due to natural disaster or other extraordinary events or emergency. Due to the fact that different expenses are charged to each Class of shares, the NAV of each Class of a Fund may vary. A Fund will effect purchases of Fund shares at the NAV next calculated after receipt by the Transfer Agent of your purchase order in good order. The Funds will effect redemptions of Fund shares at the NAV next calculated after receipt by the Transfer Agent of your redemption request in good order as described below.

 

A Fund’s equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange market system will be valued at the last sale price, except for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”). Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ will be valued at the official closing price. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, equity securities will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities are valued using an independent pricing service, which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings, and deemed representative of market values at the close of the market. Foreign securities, currencies and other securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of such currencies against the U.S. dollar provided by a pricing service. All assets denominated in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the time of valuation. If a Fund holds foreign equity securities, the calculation of the Fund’s NAV will not occur at the same time as the determination of the value of the foreign equities securities in the Fund’s portfolio, since these securities are traded on foreign exchanges.

 

Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses). Investments in exchange-traded and closed-end funds will be valued at their market price.

 

If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable by the Funds’ administrator, in consultation with the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, securities will be valued by the Adviser, as valuation designee, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board and under the Board’s ultimate supervision. In addition, the prices of foreign securities may be affected by events that occur after the close of a foreign market but before a Fund prices its Shares. In such instances, a foreign security may be fair valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by a Fund to price its investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

 

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Market Timing

 

In accordance with the policy adopted by its Board, the Company discourages and does not accommodate market timing and other excessive trading practices. Purchases should be made with a view to longer-term investment only. Excessive short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders. The Company and the Adviser reserve the right to (i) reject a purchase or exchange order, (ii) delay payment of immediate cash redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days, (iii) revoke a shareholder’s privilege to purchase Fund shares (including exchanges), or (iv) limit the amount of any exchange involving the purchase of Fund shares. An investor may receive notice that their purchase order or exchange has been rejected after the day the order is placed or after acceptance by a financial intermediary. It is currently expected that a shareholder would receive notice that its purchase order or exchange has been rejected within 48 hours after such purchase order or exchange has been received by the Company in good order. The Company and the Adviser will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase orders. To minimize harm to the Company and its shareholders (or the Adviser), the Company (or the Adviser) will exercise its right if, in the Company’s (or the Adviser’s) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Company (or the Adviser), has been or may be disruptive to a Fund. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm a Fund and its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of a Fund and its shareholders to those of the Adviser or any affiliated person or associated person of the Adviser.

 

Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board, the Adviser has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. The Adviser reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information related to the trading activity in a Fund in order to assess the likelihood that the Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, the Adviser, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. If, in its judgment, the Adviser detects excessive, short-term trading, it may reject or restrict a purchase request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with a Fund. The Adviser may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. The Adviser will apply the criteria in a manner that, in its judgment, will be uniform.

 

There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to identify market timers, particularly if they are investing through intermediaries.

 

If necessary, the Company may prohibit additional purchases of Fund shares by a financial intermediary or by certain customers of the financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may also monitor their customers’ trading activities in the Funds. The criteria used by intermediaries to monitor for excessive trading may differ from the criteria used by the Company. If a financial intermediary fails to enforce the Company’s excessive trading policies, the Company may take certain actions, including terminating the relationship.

 

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Purchase of Fund Shares

 

Shares representing interests in a Fund are offered continuously for sale by Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”).

 

General. You may also purchase shares of the Funds at the NAV per share next calculated after your order is received by the Transfer Agent in good order as described below. Each Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. After an initial purchase is made, the Transfer Agent will set up an account for you on the Company’s records. The minimum initial investment in the Funds for Institutional Class Shares is $100,000. The minimum initial investment in the Funds for Retail Class Shares is $1,000. There is a minimum amount of $1,000 and $100 for subsequent investment in Institutional Class Shares and Retail Class Shares, respectively. The minimum initial investment requirements may be reduced or waived from time to time. You can purchase shares of the Funds only on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchases Through Intermediaries. Shares of the Funds may also be available through Service Organizations. Certain features of the shares, such as the initial and subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose minimum investment requirements. Service Organizations may also impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if shares are purchased directly from the Company. Therefore, you should contact the Service Organization acting on your behalf concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption of shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing your accounts with the Service Organization. Service Organizations will be responsible for promptly transmitting client or customer purchase and redemption orders to the Company in accordance with their agreements with the Company or its agent and with clients or customers. Service Organizations or, if applicable, their designees that have entered into agreements with the Company or its agent may enter confirmed purchase orders on behalf of clients and customers, with payment to follow no later than the Company’s pricing on the following business day. If payment is not received by such time, the Service Organization could be held liable for resulting fees or losses. The Company will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when a Service Organization, or, if applicable, its authorized designee, accepts a purchase or redemption order in good order if the order is actually received by the Company in good order not later than the next business morning. If a purchase order is not received by a Fund in good order, the Transfer Agent will contact the financial intermediary to determine the status of the purchase order. Orders received by the Company in good order will be priced at the appropriate Fund’s NAV next computed after such orders are deemed to have been received by the Service Organization or its authorized designee.

 

For administration, sub-accounting, transfer agency and/or other services, the Adviser, the Distributor or their affiliates may pay Service Organizations and certain recordkeeping organizations a fee (the “Service Fee”) relating to the average annual NAV of accounts with the Company maintained by such Service Organizations or recordkeepers. The Service Fee payable to any one Service Organization is determined based upon a number of factors, including the nature and quality of services provided, the operations processing requirements of the relationship and the standardized fee schedule of the Service Organization or recordkeeper.

 

In addition to fees that a Fund may pay to a Service Organization under a Plan of Distribution for the Retail Class Shares, a Fund may enter into agreements with Service Organizations pursuant to which the Fund will pay a Service Organization for networking, sub-transfer agency, sub-administration and/or sub-accounting services. These payments are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by the Service Organization or (2) a fixed dollar amount for each account serviced by the Service Organization. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial.

 

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Shares of each Fund may also be available on brokerage platforms of firms that have agreements with the Company to offer such shares when acting solely on an agency basis for the purchase or sale of such shares. If you transact in Shares of a Fund through one of these programs, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker.

 

[Purchases By Telephone. Investors may purchase additional [Institutional Class shares and Retail Class shares] of the Funds by calling (toll free) [ ]. If you elected this option on your account application, and your account has been open for at least 7 business days, telephone orders will be accepted via electronic funds transfer from your bank account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. You must have banking information established on your account prior to making a purchase. If your order is received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, your shares will be purchased at the NAV calculated on the day your order is placed.]

 

Telephone trades must be received by or prior to market close for same day pricing. During periods of high market activity, shareholders may encounter higher than usual call waits. Please allow sufficient time to place your telephone transaction.]

 

Initial Investment By Mail. Subject to acceptance by the Funds, an account may be opened by completing and signing an Account Application and mailing it to the Transfer Agent at the address noted below, together with a check payable to the Fund that you are purchasing. All checks must be in U.S. Dollars drawn on a domestic bank. The Funds will not accept payment in cash or money orders. The Funds do not accept post-dated checks or any conditional order or payment. To prevent check fraud, the Funds will not accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares.

 

Regular Mail Overnight or Express Mail
Oakhurst Funds Oakhurst Funds
c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
P.O. Box 701 615 East Michigan Street, 3rd Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701 Milwaukee, WI 53202-5207

 

The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be their agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the Transfer Agent’s post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests does not constitute receipt by the Transfer Agent of the Fund. Receipt of purchase orders or redemption requests is based on when the order is received at the Transfer Agent’s offices.

 

Shares will be purchased at the NAV next computed after the time the application and funds are received in proper order and accepted by the Funds. The Transfer Agent will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Funds, for any payment that is returned. It is the policy of the Funds not to accept applications under certain circumstances or in amounts considered disadvantageous to shareholders. The Funds reserve the right to reject any application.

 

Initial Investment By Wire. If you are making your first investment in the Funds, before you wire funds, the Transfer Agent must have a completed account application. You may mail or overnight deliver your account application to the Transfer Agent. Upon receipt of your completed account application, the Transfer Agent will establish an account for you. The account number assigned will be required as part of the instruction that should be provided to your bank to send the wire. Your bank must include both the name of the Fund you are purchasing, the account number, and your name so that monies can be correctly applied. Your bank should transmit funds by wire to:

 

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Wire Instructions: 

U.S. Bank National Association 

777 East Wisconsin Ave 

Milwaukee WI 53202 

ABA 075000022 

Credit:  

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services 

Account #112-952-137 

For Further Credit to: 

[Oakhurst Fund Name] 

(shareholder registration) 

(shareholder account number)

 

Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time to be eligible for same day pricing. The Funds and U.S. Bank, N.A. are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions.

 

Subsequent Investments – By Wire. Before sending your wire, please contact the Transfer Agent to advise them of your intent to wire funds. This will ensure prompt and accurate credit upon receipt of your wire.

 

[Telephone Purchase. Investors may purchase additional shares of the Funds by calling [ ]. If you did not decline this option on your account application, and your account has been open for at least 7 business days, telephone orders, in amounts of $100 or more, will be accepted via electronic funds transfer from your bank account through the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) network. You must have banking information established on your account prior to making a purchase. If your order is received prior to 4 p.m. Eastern time, your shares will be purchased at the NAV calculated on the day your order is placed.

 

In order to arrange for telephone options after an account has been opened or to change your bank account, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent. The request must be signed by each shareholder of the account and may require a signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program member, or other form of signature authentication from a financial institution source.]

 

Additional Investments. To make additional investments once you have opened your account, write your account number on the check and send it together with the Invest by Mail form from your most recent confirmation statement received from the Transfer Agent. If you do not have the Invest by Mail form, include the Fund name, your name, address, and account number on a separate piece of paper along with your check. Initial and additional purchases made by check or electronic funds transfer (ACH) cannot be redeemed until payment of the purchase has been collected. This may take up to 15 calendar days from the purchase date. Shareholders can avoid this delay by utilizing the wire purchase option.

 

[Automatic Investment Plan. Once your account has been opened with the initial minimum investment, you may make additional purchases at regular intervals through an automatic investment plan (the “Automatic Investment Plan”). The Automatic Investment Plan provides a convenient method to have monies deducted from your bank account, for investment into the Fund, on a monthly or quarterly basis. In order to participate in the Automatic Investment Plan, each purchase must be in the amount of $250 or more, and your financial institution must be a member of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. If your bank rejects your payment, the Fund’s transfer agent will charge a $25 fee to your account. To begin participating in the Automatic Investment Plan, please complete the Automatic Investment Plan section on the account application or call the Fund’s transfer agent at [ ]for instructions. Any request to change or terminate your Automatic Investment Plan should be submitted to the Transfer Agent five (5) days prior to the Reorganization.]

 

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Retirement Plans/IRA Accounts. The Funds offer prototype documents for a variety of retirement accounts for individuals and small businesses. Please call [ ] for information on:

 

Individual Retirement Plan, including Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs

 

Small Business Retirement Plans, including Simple IRAs and SEP IRAs

 

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts

 

There may be special distribution requirements for a retirement account, such as required distributions or mandatory federal income tax withholding. For more information, call the number listed above. You may be charged a $15 annual account maintenance fee for each retirement account up to a maximum of $30 annually and a $25 fee for transferring assets to another custodian or for closing a retirement account.

 

Purchases in Kind. In certain circumstances, shares of the Funds may be purchased “in kind” (i.e., in exchange for securities, rather than cash). The securities rendered in connection with an in-kind purchase must be liquid securities that are not restricted as to transfer and have a value that is readily ascertainable in accordance with the Company’s valuation procedures. Securities accepted by a Fund will be valued, as set forth in this Prospectus, as of the time of the next determination of NAV after such acceptance. The shares of a Fund that are issued to the investor in exchange for the securities will be determined as of the same time. All dividends, subscriptions, or other rights that are reflected in the market price of accepted securities at the time of valuation become the property of the Fund and must be delivered to the Fund by the investor upon receipt from the issuer. A Fund will not accept securities in exchange for its shares unless such securities are, at the time of the exchange, eligible to be held by the Fund and satisfy such other conditions as may be imposed by the Adviser or the Company. Purchases in-kind may result in the recognition of gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on securities transferred to the Funds.

 

Other Purchase Information. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of shares or to reject purchase orders when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interest of the Funds. The Adviser will monitor each Fund’s total assets and may, subject to Board approval, decide to close a Fund at any time to new investments or to new accounts due to concerns that a significant increase in the size of a Fund may adversely affect the implementation of the Fund’s strategy. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, may also choose to reopen a Fund to new investments at any time, and may subsequently close the Fund again should concerns regarding the Fund’s size recur. If a Fund closes to new investments, the Fund may be offered only to certain existing shareholders of the Fund and certain other persons who may be subject to cumulative, maximum purchase amounts, as follows:

 

a.persons who already hold shares of the closed Fund directly or through accounts maintained by brokers by arrangement with the Adviser;

 

b.employees of the Adviser and their spouses, parents and children; and

 

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c.Directors of the Company.

 

Distributions to all shareholders of a closed Fund will continue to be reinvested unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Adviser, subject to the Board’s discretion, reserves the right to implement other purchase limitations at the time of closing, including limitations on current shareholders.

 

Purchases of a Fund’s shares will be made in full and fractional shares of the Fund calculated to three decimal places. Certificates for shares will not be issued.

 

Good Order. A purchase request is considered to be in good order when all necessary information is provided and all required documents are properly completed, signed and delivered (i.e., the purchase request includes the name of the Fund; the dollar amount of shares to be purchased; your account application or investment stub; and a check payable to the Fund). Purchase requests not in good order may be rejected.

 

Customer Identification Program. In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, please note that the Transfer Agent will verify certain information on your account application as part of the Company’s Anti-Money Laundering Program. As requested on the account application, you must supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. If you are opening the account in the name of a legal entity (e.g., partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, etc.), you must also supply the identity of the beneficial owners. Mailing addresses containing only a P. O. Box will not be accepted. If you need additional assistance when completing your account application, please contact the Transfer Agent at [  ].

 

Applications without the required information, may not be accepted. After acceptance, to the extent permitted by applicable law or its customer identification program, the Company reserves the right (a) to place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; or (b) to refuse an investment in a Company portfolio or to involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that an investor’s identity is not verified. The Company and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares when an investor’s identity cannot be verified.

 

Redemption of Fund Shares

 

You may redeem shares of the Funds at the next NAV calculated after a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent in good order. A Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. You can redeem shares of a Fund only on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below.

 

You may redeem shares of a Fund by mail, or, if you are authorized, by telephone. The value of shares redeemed may be more or less than the purchase price, depending on the market value of the investment securities held by the Fund.

 

Redemption By Mail. Your redemption requests should be addressed to [Oakhurst Fund Name], c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701, or for overnight delivery to [Oakhurst Fund Name], c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 and must include:

 

A signature guarantee, from either a Medallion program member or a non-Medallion program member, is required in the following situations:

 

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If ownership is being changed on your account;

When a redemption is received by the Transfer Agent and the account address has changed within the last 15 calendar days;

When redemption proceeds are payable or sent to any person, address or bank account not on record;

For all redemptions in excess of $100,000 from any shareholder account.

 

The Funds may waive any of the above requirements in certain instances. In addition to the situations described above, the Funds and/or the Transfer Agent reserve the right to require a signature guarantee in other instances based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation.

 

Non-financial transactions, including establishing or modifying certain services on an account, may require a signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program member, or other acceptable form of authentication from a financial institution source.

 

Signature guarantees will generally be accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations, as well as from participants in the NYSE Medallion Signature Program and the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”). A notary public is not an acceptable signature guarantor.

 

The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be their agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the Transfer Agent’s post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests does not constitute receipt by the Transfer Agent of the Funds. Receipt of purchase orders or redemption requests is based on when the order is received at the Transfer Agent’s offices.

 

Redemption By Telephone. If you did not decline telephone options on your account application, you may initiate a redemption of shares in the amount up to the total value of the account by calling the Transfer Agent at [ ].

 

Investors may have a check sent to the address of record, proceeds may be wired to a shareholder’s bank account of record, or funds may be sent via electronic funds transfer through the ACH network, also to the bank account of record. Wires are subject to a $15 fee paid by the investor, but the investor does not incur any charge when proceeds are sent via the ACH system. Once a telephone transaction has been placed, it cannot be canceled or modified after the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time).

 

In order to arrange for telephone options after an account has been opened or to change your bank account, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent. The request must be signed by each shareholder of the account and may require a signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program member, or other form of signature authentication from a financial institution source.

 

Telephone trades must be received by or prior to market close. During periods of high market activity, shareholders may encounter higher than usual call waits. Please allow sufficient time to place your telephone transaction.

 

Before executing an instruction received by telephone, the Transfer Agent will use reasonable procedures to confirm that the telephone instructions are genuine. The telephone call may be recorded and the caller may be asked to verify certain personal identification information. If the Funds or their agents follow these procedures, they cannot be held liable for any loss, expense or cost arising out of any telephone redemption request that is reasonably believed to be genuine. This includes fraudulent or unauthorized requests. If an account has more than one owner or authorized person, the Funds will accept telephone instructions from any one owner or authorized person.

 

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IRA and other retirement plan redemptions. If you have an IRA, you must indicate on your written redemption request whether or not to withhold federal income tax. Redemption requests failing to indicate an election to have tax withheld will be subject to 10% withholding.

 

Shares held in IRA accounts may be redeemed by telephone at [ ]. Investors will be asked whether or not to withhold taxes from any distribution.

 

Other Redemption Information. Redemption proceeds for shares of a Fund recently purchased by check or electronic funds transfer through the ACH network may not be distributed until payment for the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen calendar days from the purchase date. Shareholders can avoid this delay by utilizing the wire purchase option. Redemption proceeds will ordinarily be paid within seven business days after a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent in good order. The Company may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date at times when the NYSE or the bond market is closed or under any emergency circumstances as determined by the SEC. A Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests by paying out proceeds from cash or cash equivalent holdings, or by selling portfolio securities. In stressed market conditions, redemption methods may include redeeming in kind.

 

If the Board determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of a Fund to make payment wholly or partly in cash, redemption proceeds may be paid in whole or in part by an in-kind distribution of readily marketable securities held by a Fund instead of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC and the Company’s Policy and Procedure Related to the Processing of In-Kind Redemptions. Investors generally will incur brokerage charges on the sale of portfolio securities so received in the payment of redemptions. If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in-kind, the shareholder will bear the market risk of the securities received in the redemption until their disposition and should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities. The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, so that each Fund is obligated to redeem its shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund.

 

Good Order. A redemption request is considered to be in good order when your request includes: (1) the name of the Fund, (2) the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, (3) the account number and (4) signatures by all of the shareholders whose names appear on the account registration with a signature guarantee, if applicable. Redemption requests not in good order may be delayed.

 

Involuntary Redemption. Because the Funds incur certain fixed costs in maintaining shareholder accounts, a Fund may require you to redeem all of your shares in the Fund on 30 days’ written notice if the value of your shares is less than the minimum investment requirement for Retail shares (due to redemption), or such other minimum amount as a Fund may determine from time to time. An involuntary redemption constitutes a sale. You should consult your tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of involuntary redemptions. You may increase the value of your shares in a Fund to the minimum amount within the 30-day period. In addition, all shares of a Fund are subject to involuntary redemption if the Board of Directors determines to liquidate the Fund. An involuntary redemption will create a capital gain or a capital loss, which may have tax consequences about which you should consult your tax advisor.

 

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Dividends and Distributions

 

Each Fund will distribute substantially all of the net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, of the Fund to the Fund’s shareholders. All distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional shares unless you elect otherwise.

 

Each Fund will declare and pay dividends from net investment income monthly. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed at least annually.

 

The ex-dividend, record and payable dates of any annual distribution will be available by calling [ ].

 

All distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional shares unless you elect one the following options: (1) receive dividends in cash while reinvesting capital gain distributions in additional Fund shares; (2) receive capital gain distributions in cash while reinvesting dividends in additional Fund shares; or (3) receive all distributions in cash. If you elect to receive distributions and/or capital gains paid in cash, and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the check, or if a check remains outstanding for six months, the Funds reserve the right to reinvest the distribution check in your account, at a Fund’s current NAV, and to reinvest all subsequent distributions. You may change the distribution option on your account as any time. You should notify the Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone at least five (5) days prior to the next distribution.

 

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Taxes

 

The following is a summary of certain United States tax considerations relevant under current law, which may be subject to change in the future. Except where otherwise indicated, the discussion relates to investors who are individual United States citizens or residents. You should consult your tax adviser for further information regarding federal, state, local and/or foreign tax consequences relevant to your specific situation.

 

Distributions. Each Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income, including its net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). Except as otherwise discussed below, you will be subject to federal income tax on Fund distributions regardless of whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income, except as discussed below.

 

Distributions attributable to the net capital gain of a Fund will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares. The maximum federal long-term capital gain rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is currently 23.8% (which includes a 3.8% Medicare tax). You will be notified annually of the tax status of distributions to you.

 

Distributions of “qualifying dividends” will also generally be taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates, as long as certain requirements are met. In general, if 95% or more of the gross income of a Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of dividends received from domestic corporations or “qualified” foreign corporations (“qualifying dividends”), then all distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be taxed at long-term capital gains rates. But if less than 95% of the gross income of a Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of qualifying dividends, then distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be qualifying dividends only to the extent they are derived from qualifying dividends earned by the Fund. For the lower rates to apply, you must have owned your Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before a Fund’s ex-dividend date (and the Fund will need to have met a similar holding period requirement with respect to the shares of the corporation paying the qualifying dividend). The amount of a Fund’s distributions that qualify for this favorable treatment may be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities (if any), a high portfolio turnover rate or investments in debt securities or non-qualified foreign corporations.

 

Each Fund may make distributions to you of “section 199A dividends” with respect to qualified dividends that it receives with respect to such Fund’s investments in REITs. A section 199A dividend is any dividend or part of such dividend that such Fund pays to you and reports as a section 199A dividend in written statements furnished to you. Distributions paid by a Fund that are eligible to be treated as section 199A dividends for a taxable year may not exceed the “qualified REIT dividends” received by such Fund from a REIT reduced by the Fund’s allocable expenses. Section 199A dividends may be taxed to individuals and other non-corporate shareholders at a reduced effective federal income tax rate, provided you have satisfied a holding period requirement for such Fund’s shares and satisfied certain other conditions. For the lower rates to apply, you must have owned your applicable Fund shares for at least 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date that is 45 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date, but only to the extent that you are not under an obligation (under a short-sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.

 

Distributions from a Fund will generally be taxable to you in the taxable year in which they are paid, with one exception. Distributions declared by a Fund in October, November or December and paid in January of the following year are taxed as though they were paid on December 31.

 

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The Funds may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes on income or gain from certain foreign securities. If more than 50% of the value of the total assets of a Fund consists of stocks and securities (including debt securities) of foreign corporations at the close of a taxable year, a Fund may elect, for federal income tax purposes, to treat certain foreign taxes paid by it, including generally any withholding and other foreign income taxes, as paid by its shareholders. If a Fund makes this election, the amount of those foreign taxes paid by a Fund will be included in its shareholders’ income pro rata (in addition to taxable distributions actually received by them), and each such shareholder will be entitled either (1) to credit that proportionate amount of taxes against U.S. federal income tax liability as a foreign tax credit or (2) to take that amount as an itemized deduction. If a Fund is not eligible or chooses not to make this election, the Fund will be entitled to deduct any such foreign taxes in computing the amounts it is required to distribute.

 

A portion of distributions paid by a Fund to shareholders that are corporations may also qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations, subject to certain holding period requirements and debt financing limitations. The amount of the dividends qualifying for this deduction may, however, be reduced as a result of a Fund’s securities lending activities (if any), by a high portfolio turnover rate or by investments in debt securities or foreign corporations.

 

If you purchase shares just before a distribution, the purchase price will reflect the amount of the upcoming distribution, but you will be taxed on the entire amount of the distribution received, even though, as an economic matter, the distribution simply constitutes a return of capital. This adverse tax result is known as “buying into a dividend.”

 

Sales of Shares. You will generally recognize taxable gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on a sale or redemption of your shares based on the difference between your cost basis in the shares and the amount you receive for them. Generally, you will recognize long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Fund shares for over twelve months at the time you dispose of them.

 

Any loss realized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a disposition of shares of a Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the same Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of a Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.

 

For shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012, each Fund (or relevant broker or financial adviser) is required to compute and report to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and furnish to Fund shareholders cost basis information when such shares are sold. The Funds have elected to use the average cost method, unless you instruct a Fund to use a different IRS-accepted cost basis method, or choose to specifically identify your shares at the time of each sale. If your account is held by your broker or other financial adviser, they may select a different cost basis method. In these cases, please contact your broker or other financial adviser to obtain information with respect to the available methods and elections for your account. You should carefully review the cost basis information provided by the Funds and make any additional basis, holding period or other adjustments that are required when reporting these amounts on your federal and state income tax returns. Fund shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the best IRS-accepted cost basis method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how the cost basis reporting requirements apply to them.

 

52 

 

IRAs and Other Tax-Qualified Plans. The one major exception to the preceding tax principles is that distributions on, and sales and redemptions of, shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable unless such shares were acquired with borrowed funds.

 

Backup Withholding. Each Fund may be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the IRS a percentage of taxable dividends or gross proceeds realized upon sale payable to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct tax identification number in the manner required, or who are subject to withholding by the IRS for failure to properly include on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Fund that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so or that they are “exempt recipients.” The current backup withholding rate is 24%.

 

U.S. Tax Treatment of Foreign Shareholders. Generally, nonresident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign investors are subject to a 30% withholding tax on dividends paid by a U.S. corporation, although the rate may be reduced for an investor that is a qualified resident of a foreign country with an applicable tax treaty with the United States. In the case of a regulated investment company such as a Fund, however, certain categories of dividends are exempt from the 30% withholding tax. These generally include dividends attributable to a Fund’s net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses), dividends attributable to a Fund’s interest income from U.S. obligors, and dividends attributable to net short-term capital gains of a Fund.

 

Foreign shareholders will generally not be subject to U.S. tax on gains realized on the sale or redemption of shares of a Fund, except that a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in a calendar year will be taxable on such gains and on capital gain dividends from the Fund.

 

In contrast, if a foreign investor conducts a trade or business in the United States and the investment in a Fund is effectively connected with that trade or business, then the foreign investor’s income from the Fund will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates in a manner similar to the income of a U.S. citizen or resident.

 

Each Fund will also generally be required to withhold 30% tax on certain payments to foreign entities that do not provide a Form W-8BEN-E that evidences their compliance with, or exemption from, specified information reporting requirements under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

 

All foreign investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the tax consequences in their country of residence of an investment in a Fund.

 

Shares of the Fund have not been registered for sale outside of the United States and certain U.S. territories.

 

State and Local Taxes. You may also be subject to state and local taxes on income and gain from Fund shares. State income taxes may not apply, however, to the portions of the Fund’s distributions, if any, that are attributable to interest on U.S. government securities. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax status of distributions in your state and locality.

 

More information about taxes is contained in the Funds’ SAI.

 

53 

 

Distribution Arrangements

 

The Board has adopted a Plan of Distribution for Retail Class Shares of the Funds (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the Funds’ Distributor is entitled to receive from the Fund a distribution fee with respect to the Shares, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, of up to 0.25%, of the Retail Class Shares, on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Retail Class Shares of a Fund. The actual amount of such compensation under the Plan is agreed upon by the Company’s Board and by the Distributor. Because these fees are paid out of each Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Plan may be used by the Distributor to cover expenses that are related to (i) the sale of the Shares, (ii) ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of shareholders, and (iii) sub-transfer agency services, sub-accounting services or administrative services related to the sale of the Shares, all as set forth in each Fund’s 12b-1 Plan. Ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of shareholders may include updating and mailing the Prospectus and shareholder reports, responding to inquiries regarding shareholder accounts and acting as agent or intermediary between shareholders and a Fund or its service providers. The Distributor may delegate some or all of these functions to Service Organizations. See “Purchases Through Intermediaries” above. The Plan obligates a Fund, during the period it is in effect, to accrue and pay to the Distributor on behalf of the Shares the fee agreed to under the Distribution Agreement. Payments under the Plan are not tied exclusively to expenses actually incurred by the Distributor, and the payments may exceed distribution expenses actually incurred. Institutional shares are not subject to any 12b-1 fees.

 

54 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Householding. In an effort to decrease costs, the Funds intend to reduce the number of duplicate prospectuses and other similar documents you receive by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders we reasonably believe are from the same family or household. Once implemented, if you would like to discontinue householding for your accounts, please call the Transfer Agent toll-free at [ ] to request individual copies of these documents. Once the Funds receive notice to stop householding, we will begin sending individual copies thirty days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.

 

Lost Shareholder, Inactive Accounts and Unclaimed Property. It is important that a Fund maintains a correct address for each shareholder.  An incorrect address may cause a shareholder’s account statements and other mailings to be returned to the Fund.  Based upon statutory requirements for returned mail, the Fund will attempt to locate the shareholder or rightful owner of the account.  If a Fund is unable to locate the shareholder, then it will determine whether the shareholder’s account can legally be considered abandoned.  Your mutual fund account may be transferred to the state government of your state of residence if no activity occurs within your account during the “inactivity period” specified in your state’s abandoned property laws.  A Fund is legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) abandoned property to the appropriate state’s unclaimed property administrator in accordance with statutory requirements.  The shareholder’s last known address of record determines which state has jurisdiction.  Please proactively contact the Transfer Agent at [ ] (toll free) at least annually to ensure your account remains in active status.

 

If you are a resident of the state of Texas, you may designate a representative to receive notifications that, due to inactivity, your mutual fund account assets may be delivered to the Texas Comptroller.  Please contact the Transfer Agent if you wish to complete a Texas Designation of Representative form.

 

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE FUNDS’ SAI INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

 

55 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand each Predecessor Funds’ financial performance for the past five years. The financial information presented for each applicable period prior to [ ], 2023 is that of the applicable Predecessor Fund. Each Fund is the accounting successor to its corresponding Predecessor Fund as a result of a reorganization of each of the Predecessor Fund into it’s the respective Funds following the close of business on [ ], 2023. Each Fund has adopted the financial statements of its respective Predecessor Fund. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Predecessor Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in each Predecessor Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been derived from the financial statements and has been audited by [ ], the independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Predecessor Funds’ financial statements, are included in the Annual Report dated August 31, 2022 and the Semi-Annual Report dated February 28, 2022, which is available upon request.

 

56 

 

[INSERT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS]

 

Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund – Institutional Shares

 

Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund – Institutional Shares

 

Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund – Institutional Shares

 

57 

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

FACTS WHAT DO THE OAKHURST FUNDS DO WITH YOUR  PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why? Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you  how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

 

●    Social Security number 

●    account balances 

●    account transactions 

●    transaction history 

●    wire transfer instructions 

●    checking account information

 

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How? All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Oakhurst Funds chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your information

Do the Oakhurst Funds share?

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purpose — 
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

Yes

 

No

 

For our marketing purposes — 
to offer our products and services to you 

Yes

 

Yes

No

 

No

For joint marketing with other financial companies Yes No
For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences

Yes

 

Yes

No

 

No

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness

No

 

No

 

We don’t share

 

We don’t share

For our affiliates to market to you No We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you No We don’t share

 

Questions?  

 

 

 

What we do  
How do the Oakhurst Funds protect my personal information? To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How do the Oakhurst Funds collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

●    open an account

 

●    provide account information

 

●    give us your contact information

 

●    make a wire transfer

 

●    tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

 

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

●    sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your creditworthiness

 

●    affiliates from using your information to market to you

 

●    sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

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

Definitions  
Affiliates

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

 

●    F/m Investments, LLC d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC, the investment adviser, and Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC the sub-adviser, to The Oakhurst Funds could be deemed to be affiliates. 

Nonaffiliates

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

 

●    The Oakhurst Funds do not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. 

Joint marketing

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

 

●    The Oakhurst Funds do not currently have any joint marketing arrangements with other financial institutions.

 

 

 

OAKHURST FIXED INCOME FUND

OAKHURST SHORT DURATION BOND FUND  

OAKHURST SHORT DURATION HIGH YIELD CREDIT FUND 

of
The RBB Fund, Inc.
([ ])

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

This Prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the Funds is available free of charge, upon request, including:

 

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports:

 

The Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports will contain additional information about each Fund’s investments, describe each Fund’s performance, list portfolio holdings, and discuss recent market conditions and economic trends. The annual report will include fund strategies that significantly affected each Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

Statement of Additional Information:

 

The Funds’ SAI, dated [  ], has been filed with the SEC. The SAI, which includes additional information about the Funds, may be obtained free of charge, along with the annual and semi-annual reports (once available), by calling [  ]. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (and is legally part of this Prospectus). The SAI is available by visiting www.fm-funds.com or copy may be obtained by calling [  ].

 

Shareholder Inquiries:

 

Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time) Monday-Friday. Call: [  ].

 

Purchases and Redemptions:

 

Call your registered representative or [ ].

 

Written Correspondence

 

Post Office Address:  

Oakhurst Funds 

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

PO Box 701 

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701 

     

Street Address:

 

 

Oakhurst Funds 

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

 

 

Securities and Exchange Commission:

 

You may view and copy information about the Company and the Funds, including the SAI, by visiting the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents by paying a duplicating fee and sending an electronic request to the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-05518

 

 

 

 

The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion—Dated April 27, 2023

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

OAKHURST FIXED INCOME FUND

 

Institutional Shares Ticker Symbol: [  ]

Retail Shares Ticker Symbol: [  ]

 

 OAKHURST SHORT DURATION BOND FUND

 

Institutional Shares Ticker Symbol: [  ]

Retail Shares Ticker Symbol: [  ]

 

 OAKHURST SHORT DURATION HIGH YIELD CREDIT FUND

 

Institutional Shares Ticker Symbol: [  ] 

Retail Shares Ticker Symbol: [  ]

 

each a series of THE RBB FUND, INC

 

[  ], 2023

 

Investment Adviser:

 

F/m Investments, LLC d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides supplementary information pertaining to shares of the Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund and Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund (each a “Fund” and together, the “Funds” or the “Oakhurst Funds”) of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”).  This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read only in conjunction with the Fund’s current Prospectus (the “Prospectus”) dated [ ], 2023.  This SAI supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained without charge by writing c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, or by calling [ ]. The Prospectus is incorporated by reference into this SAI.

 

Each of Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund and Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund are accounting successors of Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund and Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund, respectively, each a series of F/m Funds Trust (each a “Predecessor Fund” and together, the “Predecessor Funds”).  The financial statements and financial highlights for the Predecessor Funds (File No. 333-180717) for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, which are contained in the Annual Report for that fiscal year, are hereby incorporated herein by reference into this SAI. These financial statements have been audited by [ ], the Predecessor Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, whose report thereon is incorporated herein by reference. The financial statements and financial highlights for the Predecessor Funds for the fiscal period ended February 28, 2023, which are contained in the Semi-Annual Report for that fiscal period are hereby incorporated herein by reference into this SAI.

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

GENERAL INFORMATION   1
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES 1
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS 1
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 23
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 26
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 27
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY 27
CODE OF ETHICS 37
PROXY VOTING 37
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES 37
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES 38
INVESTMENT ADVISER 38
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 41
ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT 42
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT 43
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT 44
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 44
PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 45
FUND TRANSACTIONS 45
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION 47
TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES 48
VALUATION OF SHARES 49
TAXES 49
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPANY SHARES 51
MISCELLANEOUS 52
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 52
APPENDIX A A-1
APPENDIX B B-1

 

1 

 

 GENERAL INFORMATION

 

The Company is an open-end management investment company currently consisting of [ ] separate portfolios.  The Company is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and was organized as a Maryland corporation on February 29, 1988.  This SAI pertains only to the shares of Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund, and Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund, each a diversified portfolio. F/m Investments, LLC, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Funds. Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser” or “Oakhurst”). Each Fund has registered two classes of shares: Institutional Shares and Retail Shares. Retail Shares have not commenced operations as of the date of the SAI.

 

On [  ], each Predecessor Fund reorganized each class of its shares into a corresponding Fund of the Company as follows (each, a “Reorganization”):

 

F/m Funds Trust Company
Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund
Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund
Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

 

The following supplements the information contained in the Prospectus concerning the investment objectives of the Funds.

 

The investment objective of the Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund (the “Fixed Income Fund”)] is total return. The Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund (the “Short Duration Bond Fund”) seeks a high level of income consistent with preservation of capital and liquidity. The investment objective of the Oakhurst Duration High Yield Credit Fund (the “High Yield Credit Fund”)] is to seek a high level of income and capital appreciation.

 

There can be no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. 

 

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

 

The following supplements the information contained in the Prospectus concerning the investment objectives and policies of the Funds. To the extent an investment policy or risk is discussed in this SAI but not in the Prospectuses, such policy is not a principal policy or risk of the Fund(s). Except as indicated, the information below relates only to those Funds that are authorized to invest in the instruments or securities described below. A Fund may not necessarily invest in all of the instruments or use all of the investment techniques permitted by the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI, or invest in such instruments or engage in such techniques to the full extent permitted by the Funds’ investment policies and limitations.

 

Asset-Backed Securities - In addition to CMOs, a Fund may invest in other asset-backed securities backed by loans such as automobile loans, credit card receivables, marine loans, recreational vehicle loans and manufactured housing loans. Typically, asset-backed securities represent undivided fractional interests in a trust whose assets consist of a pool of loans and security interests in the collateral securing the loans. Payments of principal and interest on asset-backed securities are passed through monthly to certificate holders and are usually guaranteed up to a certain amount and time period by a letter of credit issued by a financial institution. In some cases, asset-backed securities are divided into senior and subordinated classes so as to enhance the quality of the senior class. Underlying loans are subject to risks of prepayment, which may reduce the overall return to certificate holders. If the letter of credit is exhausted and the full amounts due on underlying loans are not received because of unanticipated costs, depreciation, damage or loss of the collateral securing the contracts, or other factors, certificate holders may experience delays in payment or losses on asset-backed securities. The Funds may invest in other asset-backed securities, including those that may be developed in the future.  

1 

 

Bank Debt Instruments - Bank debt instruments in which the Funds may invest consist of certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits issued by national banks and state banks, trust companies and mutual savings banks, or by banks or institutions the accounts of which are insured up to prescribed limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates evidencing the indebtedness of a commercial bank to repay funds deposited with it for a definite period of time (usually from fourteen days to one year) at a stated or variable interest rate. Bankers’ acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft which has been drawn on it by a customer, which instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and of the drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate. Time deposits maturing in more than seven days will be subject to each Fund’s policy with respect to illiquid investments.

 

These bank debt instruments are generally not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency, except that certificates of deposit may be insured for up to $250,000. The profitability of the banking industry depends largely upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. New government regulations, a downturn in general economic conditions or exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers may impact the value of bank debt instruments.

 

Borrowing and Pledging - Each Fund may borrow from banks for the clearance of securities transactions and may pledge assets in connection with borrowings. Each Fund’s policies on borrowing and pledging are fundamental policies that may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of its outstanding shares. Borrowing may cause greater fluctuation in a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) until the borrowing is repaid. Borrowing involves the creation of a liability and money borrowed by a Fund will be subject to interest expense and other costs.

 

Each Fund has established an uncommitted senior secured line of credit with its custodian that permits the Fund to borrow money for the purposes of maintaining necessary liquidity to make payments for redemptions of Fund shares or for temporary emergency purposes; provided, however, that a Fund will not purchase any additional investments while such borrowings are outstanding. The Funds are required to maintain specified asset coverage with respect to borrowings under requirements of the 1940 Act and the terms of the loan agreements. During the August 31, 2022 fiscal year, none of the Funds borrowed under their respective lines of credit.

 

The risks of borrowing include higher volatility in the Fund’s NAV and the relatively greater effect on its NAV caused by declines in the prices of the Fund’s investments, adverse market movements and increases in the cost of borrowing. The effect of borrowing in a declining market could be a greater decrease in the Fund’s NAV than if the Fund had not borrowed money. In an extreme case, if a Fund’s current investment income were not sufficient to meet the interest expense of borrowing, it could be necessary for the Fund to liquidate certain of its investments at an inopportune time.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Each Fund may invest in Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”). CMOs are generally backed by mortgage pass-through securities or whole mortgage loans. CMOs are usually structured into classes of varying maturities and principal payment priorities. The prepayment sensitivity of each class may or may not resemble that of the CMO’s collateral depending on the maturity and structure of that class. CMOs pay interest and principal (including prepayments) monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. The prices and yields of CMOs are determined, in part, by assumptions about cash flows from the rate of payments of the underlying mortgage. Changes in interest rates may cause the rate of expected prepayments of those mortgages to change. These prepayment risks can make the prices of CMOs very volatile when interest rates change. That volatility will affect a Fund’s share price. The Sub-Adviser will invest in classes of CMOs only if their characteristics and interest rate sensitivity fit the investment objective and policies of a Fund. As of [ ], the Fixed Income Fund and the Short Duration Bond Fund had [ ]% and [ ]%, respectively, of their net assets invested in CMOs.

 

2 

 

Commercial Paper - Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from one to two hundred seventy days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. Certain notes may have floating or variable rates. Variable and floating rate notes with a demand notice period exceeding seven days will be subject to a Fund’s policy with respect to illiquid investments unless, in the judgment of the Sub-Adviser, such note is liquid.

 

Commercial paper represents an unsecured promise by the issuer to pay principal and interest when due, and is subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors. Adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments could materially impact the ability of an issuer to pay, when due, principal and interest.

 

The rating of Prime-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Moody’s. Among the factors considered by Moody’s in assigning ratings are the following: evaluation of the management of the issuer; economic evaluation of the issuer’s industry or industries and an appraisal of speculative-type risks that may be inherent in certain areas; evaluation of the issuer’s products in relation to competition and customer acceptance; liquidity; amount and quality of long-term debt; trend of earnings over a period of 10 years; the financial strength of the parent company and the relationships which exist with the issuer; and recognition by the management of obligations which may be present or may arise as a result of public interest questions and preparations to meet such obligations. These factors are all considered in determining whether the commercial paper is rated Prime-1. Commercial paper rated A-1 (highest quality) by S&P has the following characteristics: liquidity ratios are adequate to meet cash requirements; long-term senior debt is rated “A” or better, although in some cases “BBB” credits may be allowed; the issuer has access to at least two additional channels of borrowing; basic earnings and cash flow have an upward trend with allowance made for unusual circumstances; typically, the issuer’s industry is well established and the issuer has a strong position within the industry; and the reliability and quality of management are unquestioned. The relative strength or weakness of the above factors determines whether the issuer’s commercial paper is rated A-1. Fitch’s highest rating for commercial paper is F1 which indicates the strongest capacity for repayment of financial commitments. Fitch’s short-term ratings provide an opinion on the vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

 

Convertible Securities - Each Fund may invest in convertible securities, which may include bonds and preferred stocks. A convertible security is a security that may be converted either at a stated price or rate within a specified period of time into a specified number of shares of common stock. By investing in convertible securities, a Fund seeks the opportunity, through the conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the common stock into which the securities are convertible, while investing at a better price than may be available on the common stock or obtaining a higher fixed rate of return than is available on the common stock. The value of a convertible security is a function of its “investment value” (determined by its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege) and its “conversion value” (the security’s worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock). The credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also affect the investment value of a convertible security. The conversion value of a convertible security is determined by the market price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value is low relative to the investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent the market price of the underlying common stock approaches or exceeds the conversion price, the price of the convertible security will be increasingly influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the instrument governing the convertible debt security. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption, the Fund must permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. 

 

3 

 

Corporate Debt Securities - The investment return of corporate debt securities reflects interest earnings and changes in the market value of the security. The market value of a corporate debt obligation may be expected to rise and fall inversely with interest rates generally. There also exists the risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument.

 

The Funds may invest in corporate debt securities of foreign issuers that are denominated in foreign currency. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in domestic securities. These include: differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a country), political instability which can affect U.S. investments in foreign countries and potential restrictions on the flow of international capital. In addition, foreign securities and dividends and interest payable on those securities may be subject to foreign taxes, including taxes withheld from payments on those securities. Foreign securities often trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and therefore may exhibit greater price volatility. Changes in foreign exchange rates will affect the value of those securities which are denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As of [ ], the Fixed Income Fund, the Short Duration Bond Fund and the High Yield Fund had [ ]%, [ ]% and [ ]%, respectively, of their net assets invested in corporate debt securities.

 

Cyber Security Risk - The Fund and its service providers may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from breaches in cyber security. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, or lose operational capacity. Breaches in cyber security include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber-attacks. Cyber security breaches affecting the Fund, Sub-Adviser, Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Fund. For instance, cyber security breaches may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value (“NAV”), cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund’s investment in such companies to lose value. While the Fund and its service providers have established information technology and data security programs and have in place business continuity plans and other systems designed to prevent losses and mitigate cyber security risk, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that cyber-attacks may be highly sophisticated. Furthermore, the Fund has limited ability to prevent or mitigate cyber security incidents affecting third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund, Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, and the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect the Fund or its shareholders. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

 

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Economic and Market Events Risk and Geopolitical Risk - Events in the financial sector may cause an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. These events have included, but are not limited to: bankruptcies, corporate restructurings, and other similar events, events related to the sub-prime mortgage crisis in 2008; governmental efforts to limit short selling and high frequency trading; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; social, political and economic instability in Europe; economic stimulus by the Japanese central bank; changes in energy prices and currency exchange rates; and China’s economic slowdown. Interconnected global economies and financial markets increase the possibility that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. Both domestic and foreign equity markets have experienced increased volatility and turmoil, with issuers that have exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets particularly affected, and it is uncertain when these conditions will recur. Banks and financial service companies could suffer losses if interest rates were to rise or economic conditions deteriorate.

 

While the extreme volatility and disruption that the U.S. and global markets experienced for an extended period of time related to the sub-prime mortgage crisis in 2008 had, until the recent coronavirus outbreak, generally subsided, uncertainty and periods of volatility still remained, and risks to a robust resumption of growth persisted. The health crisis cause by the coronavirus outbreak in 2020 has exacerbated other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries and negatively affected the global economy as well as the economics of individual countries and the markets in general, in significant and unforeseen ways. The pandemic has disrupted the supply chains that many businesses depend upon and accelerated trends towards working remotely and shopping on-line, which may negatively affect certain business sectors, as well as companies that have been slow to transition to an on-line business model. Although vaccines for COVID-19 have been approved, issues related to vaccine availability and uptake, as well as the continued risk of variants or mutations of COVID-19, among other factors, make it impossible to predict the timing of an end to the pandemic. The government response to these events, including emergency health measures, welfare benefit programs, fiscal stimulus, industry support programs and measures that impact interest rates, among other responses, is also a factor that may impact the financial markets and the value of a Fund’s holdings. These disruptions have led to general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy and the stability of the markets and resulted in an increase in defaults and bankruptcies. These developments may also result in the inability of corporate issuers in business sectors adversely impacted by the spread of COVID-19 to make timely payment of interest and principal on their outstanding debt obligations, leading to defaults by and bankruptcies of these issuers. Thus, developments relating to COVID-19 may result in U.S. and global financial markets continuing to experience significant volatility and price declines, and there is a risk of possible financial market trading disruptions and closures, data disruptions and illiquidity. To the extent these developments affect the financial markets and companies in which a Fund invests, they may adversely affect the investment performance of the Fund.

 

Relatively high market volatility and reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect many issuers worldwide. Actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, such as interventions in currency markets, could cause high volatility in the equity and fixed-income markets. The Federal Reserve has enacted various programs since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to support liquidity operations and funding in the financial markets, including massively expanding its reverse repurchase agreement operations, adding $1.5 trillion of liquidity to the banking system; establishing swap lines with other major central banks to provide dollar funding; establishing a program to support money market funds; easing various bank capital buffers; providing funding backstops for businesses to provide bridging loans for up to four years; and providing funding to help credit flow in asset-backed securities markets. In June 2022, the Federal Reserve began a quantitative tightening program to reduce its U.S. treasury and mortgage-backed securities holdings in order to reduce the excessive liquidity in the banking system, and the Federal Reserve began to raise interest rates in 2022. The impact of quantitative tightening, interest rate increases, inflation or other adverse conditions (e.g., increased selling of certain fixed-income investments across other pooled investment vehicles or accounts, changes in investor perceptions or changes in government intervention in the markets) could cause the value of fixed income investments to decrease. Over the longer term, rising interest rates may present greater risks than has historically been the case due to the recent extended period of low rates, the effect of government fiscal initiatives, and the potential market reaction to those initiatives. Reduced liquidity may result in less money being available to purchase raw materials, goods and services from emerging markets, which may result in a decline in the prices of these economic staples. It may also result in emerging market issuers having more difficulty obtaining financing, which may cause a decline in the prices of their securities. To the extent these developments affect the financial markets and companies in which the Fund invests, they may adversely affect the investment performance of the Fund.

 

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Political turmoil within the United States and abroad may also impact the Funds. Although the U.S. Government has honored its credit obligations, it remains possible that the United States could default on its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the United States would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of a Fund’s investments. Similarly, political events within the U.S. at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of a Fund’s investments and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. and other securities markets. Fiscal stimulus packages such as the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, some of the largest stimulus packages in recent history, serve to further increase the federal budget deficit, which could lead to the downgrading of the long-term sovereign credit rating of the U.S.

 

The Funds are subject to the risk that geopolitical events may disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets generally. War, terrorism and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Those events, as well as other changes in foreign and domestic political and economic conditions could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, secondary trading, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of a Fund’s investments. At such times, a Fund’s exposure to the risks described elsewhere in this SAI and in the Prospectus can increase and it may be difficult for a Fund to implement its investment program for a period of time.

 

The Funds may be subject to inflation and deflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the present value of assets or income of a Fund will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the present value of money. Unanticipated or persistent inflation may have a material and adverse impact on the financial condition or results of operations of companies in which a Fund may invest, which may cause the value of the Fund’s holdings in such companies to decline. In addition, higher interest rates that often accompany or follow periods of high inflation may cause investors to favor asset classes other than common stocks, which may lead to broader market declines not necessarily related to the performance of specific companies. Deflation risk is the risk that the prices of goods and services in the U.S. and many foreign economies may decline over time. Deflation may have an adverse effect on stock prices and the creditworthiness of issuers and may make defaults on debt more likely. If a country’s economy slips into a deflationary pattern, it could last for a prolonged period and be difficult to reverse.

 

Emerging Market Debt - An “emerging market” is any country that the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations or its authorities has determined to have a low or middle-income economy. Investments in debt securities of governments of emerging market countries can involve a high degree of risk. The governmental entity that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt. A governmental entity’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the governmental entity’s policy towards the International Monetary Fund and the political constraints to which a governmental entity may be subject. Governmental entities may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a governmental entity’s implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor’s obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds to the governmental entity, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts in a timely manner. Consequently, governmental entities may default on their sovereign debt. Holders of sovereign debt (including a Fund) may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to governmental agencies. Moreover, certain participants in the secondary market for the sovereign debt may be directly involved in negotiating the terms of these arrangements and may therefore have access to information not available to other market participants, including the Funds.

 

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The ability of an emerging country governmental issuer to make timely payments on its obligations is likely to be influenced strongly by the issuer’s balance of payments, including export performance, and its access to international credits and investments. An emerging country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities could be vulnerable to a decline in the international prices of one or more of those commodities. Increased protectionism on the part of an emerging country’s trading partners could also adversely affect the country’s exports and adversely affect its trade account surplus, if any. To the extent that emerging countries receive payment for their exports in currencies other than dollars or non-emerging country currencies, the emerging country issuer’s ability to make debt payments denominated in dollars or non-emerging market currencies could be affected.

 

To the extent that an emerging country cannot generate a trade surplus, it must depend on continuing loans from foreign governments, multilateral organizations or private commercial banks, aid payments from foreign governments and on inflows of foreign investment. The access of emerging countries to these forms of external funding may not be certain, and a withdrawal of external funding could adversely affect the capacity of emerging country governmental issuers to make payments on their obligations. In addition, the cost of servicing emerging country debt obligations can be affected by a change in international interest rates since the majority of these obligations carry interest rates that are adjusted periodically based upon international rates.

 

Another factor bearing on the ability of emerging countries to repay debt obligations is the level of international reserves of a country. Fluctuations in the level of these reserves affect the amount of foreign exchange readily available for external debt payments and thus could have a bearing on the capacity of emerging countries to make payments on these debt obligations.

 

As a result of the foregoing or other factors, a governmental obligor, especially in an emerging country, may default on its obligations. If such an event occurs, a Fund may have limited legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. Remedies must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of foreign sovereign debt securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country. In addition, no assurance can be given that the holders of commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the holders of other foreign sovereign debt obligations in the event of default under the commercial bank loan agreements. 

 

Equity Securities - Equity securities generally take on the form of common stocks or preferred stocks as well as securities convertible into common stock. Equity securities represent a proportionate share of the ownership of a company and their value is based on the success of the company as well as general market conditions. Equity securities may also include warrants, rights or equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures or similar enterprises. The High Yield Credit Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in equity securities when the Sub-Adviser believes their risk/reward characteristics are more favorable than those of fixed income securities. Equity securities are subject to inherent market risks and fluctuations. Equity securities may fluctuate in value due to earnings and other developments affecting a particular company or industry, stock market trends and general economic conditions, investor perceptions, interest rate changes and other factors beyond the control of the Sub-Adviser. Equity securities tend to move in cycles and may experience periods of turbulence and instability.

 

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Foreign Securities -Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These include: differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a country), political instability which can affect U.S. investments in foreign countries and potential restrictions on the flow of international capital. International trade tensions and the imposition of tariffs (or other trade restrictions, including economic sanctions) by the U.S. or other countries may adversely affect the price of foreign securities. In addition, foreign securities and dividends and interest payable on those securities may be subject to foreign taxes, including taxes withheld from payments on those securities. Foreign securities often trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and therefore may exhibit greater price volatility. Changes in foreign exchange rates will affect the value of those securities which are denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

 

Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine beginning in February 2022 and the economic and diplomatic responses by the United States and other countries have led to increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets and could continue to adversely affect regional and global economic markets for securities and commodities in the foreseeable future. In response to Russia’s actions, various governments, including the United States, imposed heavy and broad-ranging economic sanctions on certain Russian individuals, corporate and banking entities, and other industries and businesses. The sanctions restrict companies from doing business with Russia and Russian companies, prohibit transactions with the Russian central bank and other key Russian financial institutions and entities, ban Russian airlines and ships from using many other countries’ airspace and ports and place a freeze on certain Russian assets. The sanctions also removed some Russian banks from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (“SWIFT”), the electronic banking network that connects banks globally to facilitate cross-border payments. In addition, the United States has banned oil and other energy imports from Russia, the European Union (“EU”) has imposed a partial embargo on Russian crude oil and petroleum products, and the United Kingdom (the “UK”) made a commitment to phase out oil imports from Russia by the end of 2022. The current events, including sanctions and the potential for future sanctions, and Russia’s retaliatory responses to those sanctions and actions, may continue to adversely impact the Russian economy. The duration of ongoing hostilities and the vast array of sanctions and related events cannot be predicted.

 

General economic and financial conditions and events in particular countries or geographic regions may adversely impact the prices of securities held by a Fund. For example, EU member countries that use the Euro as their currency (so-called Eurozone countries) lack the ability to implement an independent monetary policy and may be significantly affected by requirements that limit their fiscal options. European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and have been adversely affected by concerns of economic downturns, credit rating downgrades, rising government debt and possible default on or restructuring of government debt in several European countries.

 

The risk of investing in Europe may be heightened due to the steps taken by the UK to officially withdraw from the EU on January 31, 2020 (commonly known as “Brexit”). On December 30, 2020, the EU and the UK signed the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (“TCA”) which governs certain aspects of the EU and the UK’s relationship, many of which remain subject to further negotiation. Uncertainties remain relating to certain aspects of the UK’s future economic, trading, and legal relationships with the EU and other countries. As a result of Brexit, the UK, the EU, and the broader global economy may experience substantial volatility in foreign exchange markets and a sustained weakness in the British pound’s exchange rate against the U.S. dollar, the euro, and other currencies. Brexit may also result in increased illiquidity and has already increased the complexities of trading and exacerbated existing inflationary and supply chain challenges. Brexit may also destabilize some or all of the other EU member countries and/or the Eurozone. There are risks associated with the potential uncertainty and consequences that may follow Brexit, including volatility in exchange rates and interest rates. Brexit could adversely affect European or worldwide political, regulatory, economic, or market conditions and could contribute to instability in global political institutions, regulatory agencies, and financial markets. Brexit could also lead to legal uncertainty and politically divergent national laws and regulations as a new relationship between the UK and EU is defined. Brexit may also destabilize some or all of the other EU member countries and/or the Eurozone.

 

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Global economies and financial markets have become increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibility that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact companies or foreign exchange rates in a different country or region. The severity and duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations. Some governmental authorities at times have taken steps to devalue their currencies substantially or have taken other steps to counter actual or anticipated market or other developments. Steps by those regulators and authorities to implement, or to curtail or taper, these activities could have substantial negative effects on the financial markets. The withdrawal of support, failure of efforts in response to a financial crisis or investor perceptions that these efforts are not succeeding could negatively affect financial markets in general as well as the values and liquidity of certain securities. The U.S. Government has, in the past, discouraged certain foreign investments by U.S. investors through taxation, economic sanctions or other restrictions and it is possible that the Fund could be prohibited from investing in securities issued by companies subject to such restrictions. The imposition of sanctions by the U.S. or another government or country could cause disruptions to the country’s financial system and economy, which could negatively impact the value of securities issued by that country. Geopolitical and other risks, including war, terrorism, trade disputes, political or economic dysfunction within some nations, public health crises and related geopolitical events, as well as environmental disasters such as earthquakes, fires and floods, may add to instability in world economies and markets generally. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in international, national and local border closings and other significant travel restrictions and disruptions, significant disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, enhanced health screenings, significant challenges in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event cancellations and restrictions, as well as general concern and uncertainty. These impacts also caused significant volatility and declines in global financial markets.

 

If a Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in investments tied economically to (or related to) a particular geographic region, foreign country or particular market, it will have more exposure to regional and country economic risks than a fund that invests throughout the world’s economies. A recession, debt crisis, or decline in currency valuation in one country within a region can spread to other countries in that region. Furthermore, to the extent a Fund invests in the securities of companies located in a particular geographic region or foreign country, it may be particularly vulnerable to events affecting companies located in that region or country because those companies may share common characteristics, are often subject to similar business risks and regulatory burdens, and often react similarly to specific economic, market, political or other developments.

 

Illiquid Securities - Each Fund may invest in illiquid securities, which are those that the Sub-Adviser reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Generally, these investments include, among others: (i) private placements and other securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or for which there is no readily available market (e.g., when trading in the security is suspended, or, in the case of unlisted securities, when market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers); and (ii) repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days. Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, a Fund is prohibited from acquiring any illiquid investment if, immediately after the acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. If through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, a Fund were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid investments, it would seek to take appropriate steps to manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. The Funds have established a liquidity risk management program and related procedures to manage the liquidity risks of the Funds in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act. The Funds have designated the Sub- Adviser as the administrator of the liquidity risk management program, responsible for classifying the liquidity of each portfolio investment and assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risks.

 

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Liquidity risk may result from the lack of an active market, a reduced number of traditional market participants, or the reduced capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities. The debt market has experienced considerable growth, and financial institutions making markets in instruments purchased and sold by a Fund (e.g., bond dealers) have been subject to increased regulation. The impact of that growth and regulation on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to engage in trading or “making a market” in such instruments remains unsettled. As a result, a Fund, when seeking to sell its portfolio investments, could find that selling is more difficult than anticipated, especially during times of high market volatility. Market participants attempting to sell the same or a similar instrument at the same time as a Fund could exacerbate a Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other investments that it might otherwise prefer to hold, or forego another more appealing investment opportunity. Certain investments that were liquid when purchased by a Fund may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the interest rate or credit environments) may also adversely affect the liquidity and the value of a Fund’s investments. In addition, liquidity risk may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment in which investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal; the selling of fixed-income securities to satisfy fund shareholder redemptions may result in an increased supply of such securities during periods of reduced investor demand due to a lack of buyers, thereby impairing a Fund’s ability to sell such securities. Generally, there is less public information available about issuers of securities that are not publicly traded than issuers of publicly traded securities.

 

Investment Company Shares - Each Fund may, from time to time, invest in securities of other investment companies, including, without limitation, money market funds. Each Fund expects to rely on Rule 12d1-1 under the 1940 Act when purchasing shares of a money market fund. Under Rule 12d1-1, a Fund may generally invest without limitation in money market funds as long as the Fund pays no sales charge (“sales charge”), as defined in rule 2830(b)(8) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), or service fee, as defined in rule 2830(b)(9) of the Conduct Rules of FINRA, charged in connection with the purchase, sale, or redemption of securities issued by the money market fund (“service fee”); or the investment adviser waives its management fee in an amount necessary to offset any sales charge or service fee. Each Fund expects to rely on Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act when purchasing shares of other investment companies that are not money market funds. Under Section 12(d)(1)(F), each Fund may generally acquire shares of another investment company unless, immediately after such acquisition, the Fund and its affiliated persons would hold more than 3% of the investment company’s total outstanding stock (the “3% Limitation”). In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act in November 2020, which allows, subject to certain conditions, the Funds to invest in other registered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and other registered investment companies to invest in the Funds beyond the limits contained in Section 12(d) of the 1940 Act. In the event that there is a proxy vote with respect to shares of another investment company purchased and held by the Fund under Section 12(d)(1)(F), then the Fund will either (i) vote such shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities; or (ii) contact its shareholders for instructions regarding how to vote the proxy. Investments in other investment companies subject the Funds to additional operating and management fees and expenses. For example, Fund investors will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by underlying investment companies in which the Funds invest, in addition to a Fund’s direct fees and expenses.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds. An ETF is an investment company that holds a portfolio of common stock or bonds generally designed to track the performance of a securities index or sector of an index. ETFs are traded on a securities exchange based on their market value. An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional registered investment company (i.e., one that is not exchange traded), including the risk that the general level of stock prices or bond prices, or that the prices of stocks or bonds within a particular sector, may increase or decrease, thereby affecting the value of the shares of an ETF. In addition, all ETFs will have costs and expenses that will be passed on to a Fund and these costs and expenses will in turn increase the expenses of the Fund. Your cost of investing in a Fund will generally be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs. ETFs are also subject to the following risks that often do not apply to conventional investment companies: (i) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a discount to the ETF’s NAV, and as a result, ETFs may experience more price volatility than other types of portfolio investments and such volatility could negatively impact the NAV of a Fund; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained at a sufficient volume; (iii) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange deems such action appropriate; and (iv) ETF shares may be delisted from the exchange on which they trade, or “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices used by the exchange) may temporarily halt trading in the ETF’s stock. ETFs are also subject to the risks of the underlying securities or sectors that the ETF is designed to track. Finally, there may be legal limitations and other conditions imposed by SEC rules on the amount of the ETF shares that a Fund may acquire.

 

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LIBOR Transition Risk - The London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) is a measure of the average interest rate at which major global banks can borrow from one another. LIBOR, which is used exclusively in the U.S. and globally as a benchmark or reference rate for various commercial and financial contracts, was phased out at the end of 2021, except the majority of the U.S. dollar LIBOR publications will be phased out by June 30, 2023. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. On March 15, 2022, the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act was signed into law and provides a statutory fallback mechanism on a nationwide basis to replace LIBOR with a benchmark that is based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). SOFR is the average rate at which institutions can borrow U.S. dollars overnight while posting U.S. Treasury bonds as collateral. Various financial industry groups have begun planning for the transition from LIBOR, but there are obstacles to converting certain longer-term securities and transactions to new reference rates. It is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR on a Fund until new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products, instruments and contracts are commercially accepted. The transition away from LIBOR may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR. The transition may also result in a reduction in the value of certain instruments held by the Funds. Any such effects of the transition away from LIBOR, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses to the Funds.

 

Loans, Loan Assignments, and Loan Participations (High Yield Credit Fund Only) - Loan interests are a form of direct debt instrument in which the High Yield Credit Fund may invest by taking an assignment of all or a portion of an interest in a loan previously held by another institution or by acquiring a participation in an interest in a loan that continues to be held by another institution. The High Yield Credit Fund may invest in secured and unsecured loans. The senior loan market has seen a significant increase in loans with few or none of the financial maintenance covenants (i.e., “covenant-lite loans”) that have traditionally protected lenders, including more aggressive terms that favor borrowers with respect to restrictions regarding additional debt, payment terms, income requirements and asset dispositions. A substantial amount of the senior loans held by the Fund are expected to be covenant-lite loans, meaning the Fund may be unable to declare an event of default if financial performance deteriorates, renegotiate the terms of the loan based upon the elevated risk levels or take other actions to help mitigate losses. Loans are subject to the same risks as other direct debt instruments discussed within this SAI.

 

Loans may be considered floating rate securities which provide for automatic adjustment of the interest rate at fixed intervals (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, or semi-annually) or automatic adjustment of the interest rate whenever a specified interest rate or index changes. The interest rate on floating rate securities ordinarily is determined by reference to LIBOR, SOFR, a particular bank’s prime rate, the 90-day U.S. Treasury Bill rate, the rate of return on commercial paper or bank certificates of deposit, an index of short-term tax-exempt rates or some other objective measure.

 

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Loans are generally subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Loans are not currently listed on any securities exchange or automatic quotation system. As a result, there may not be a recognized, liquid public market for loan interests. In addition, a loan agreement may contain restrictive covenants and these covenants may place restrictions on dividend payments by a borrower and limits on a borrower’s total debt. The loan agreement may also contain a covenant requiring the borrower to prepay the loan with any free cash flow. A breach of a covenant by a borrower is normally an event of default, which provides the agent or the lenders the right to call the outstanding loan.

 

Loans normally are not registered with the SEC or any state securities commission or listed on any securities exchange. As a result, the amount of public information available about a specific loan historically has been less extensive than if the loan were registered or exchange traded. They may also not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the High Yield Credit Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the strong anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.

 

Loans may be repaid early so the actual maturity of loans is typically shorter than their stated final maturity calculated solely on the basis of the stated life and payment schedule. The degree to which borrowers prepay loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, may be affected by general business conditions, market interest rates, the borrower’s financial condition and competitive conditions among lenders. Such prepayments may require the High Yield Credit Fund to replace an investment with a lower yielding security which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s share price. Prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Floating rate loans can be less sensitive to prepayment risk, but the High Yield Credit Fund’s NAV may still fluctuate in response to interest rate changes because variable interest rates may reset only periodically and may not rise or decline as much as interest rates in general.

 

Purchasers and sellers of loans may pay certain fees, such as an assignment fee. In addition, the High Yield Credit Fund incurs expenses associated with researching and analyzing potential loan investments, including legal fees.

 

Loans purchased by the High Yield Credit Fund may represent interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged corporate acquisitions, known as “leveraged buy-out” transactions, leveraged recapitalization loans and other types of acquisition financing. The highly leveraged capital structure of the borrowers in such transactions may make such loans especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.

 

The High Yield Credit Fund may invest in second lien secured loans and secured and unsecured subordinated loans, including bridge loans (“Junior Loans”). In the event of a bankruptcy or liquidation, second lien secured loans are generally paid only if the value of the borrower’s collateral is sufficient to satisfy the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders and even then, the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed to the High Yield Credit Fund. Second lien secured loans give investors priority over general unsecured creditors in the event of an asset sale.

 

Junior Loans are subject to the same general risks inherent to any loan investment, including credit risk, market and liquidity risk, and interest rate risk. Due to their lower place in the borrower’s capital structure, Junior Loans involve a higher degree of overall risk than senior loans of the same borrower. The High Yield Credit Fund may invest in bridge loans or bridge facilities. These represent short-term loan arrangements (e.g., 12 to 18 months) typically made by a borrower in anticipation of intermediate-term or long-term permanent financing. Most bridge loans are structured as floating-rate debt with step-up provisions under which the interest rate on the bridge loan rises over time. Thus, the longer the loan remains outstanding, the more the interest rate increases. In addition, bridge loans commonly contain a conversion feature that allows the bridge loan investor to convert its loan interest into senior exchange notes if the loan has not been prepaid in full on or prior to its maturity date. Bridge loans may be subordinate to other debt and may be secured or unsecured.

 

Like any loan, bridge loans involve credit risk. Bridge loans are generally made with the expectation that the borrower will be able to obtain permanent financing in the near future. Any delay in obtaining permanent financing subjects the bridge loan investor to increased risk. A borrower’s use of bridge loans also involves the risk that the borrower may be unable to locate permanent financing to replace the bridge loan, which may impair the borrower’s perceived creditworthiness.

 

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The High Yield Credit Fund’s ability to receive payments in connection with loans depends on the financial condition of the borrower. The Sub-Adviser will not rely solely on another lending institution’s credit analysis of the borrower, but will perform its own investment analysis of the borrower. The Sub-Adviser’s analysis may include consideration of the borrower’s financial strength, managerial experience, debt coverage, additional borrowing requirements or debt maturity schedules, changing financial conditions, and responsiveness to changes in business conditions and interest rates. Indebtedness of borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor involves substantially greater risks and may be highly speculative. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. In connection with the restructuring of a loan or other direct debt instrument outside of bankruptcy court in a negotiated work-out or in the context of bankruptcy proceedings, equity securities or junior debt securities may be received in exchange for all or a portion of an interest in the security. 

 

The High Yield Fund will take whatever action it considers appropriate in the event of anticipated financial difficulties, default or bankruptcy of the borrower or other entity obligated to repay a loan. Such action may include: (i) retaining the services of various persons or firms (including affiliates of the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser) to evaluate or protect any collateral or other assets securing the loan or acquired as a result of any such event; (ii) managing (or engaging other persons to manage) or otherwise dealing with any collateral or other assets so acquired; and (iii) taking such other actions (including, but not limited to, payment of operating or similar expenses relating to the collateral) as the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may deem appropriate to reduce the likelihood or severity of loss on the Fund’s investment and/or maximize the return on such investment. The Fund will incur additional expenditures in taking protective action with respect to loans in (or anticipated to be in) default and assets securing such loans. In certain circumstances, the Fund may receive equity or equity-like securities from a borrower to settle the loan or may acquire an equity interest in the borrower. Representatives of the Fund also may join creditor or similar committees relating to loans.

 

Loans are typically administered by a bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (the “agent”) for a lending syndicate of financial institutions. In a typical loan, the agent administers the terms of the loan agreement and is responsible for the collection of principal and interest and fee payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to all lenders that are parties to the loan agreement. In addition, an institution (which may be the agent) may hold collateral on behalf of the lenders.

 

Typically, under loan agreements, the agent is given broad authority in monitoring the borrower’s performance and is obligated to use the same care it would use in the management of its own property. In asserting rights against a borrower, the High Yield Credit Fund normally will be dependent on the willingness of the lead bank to assert these rights, or upon a vote of all the lenders to authorize the action.

 

If an agent becomes insolvent, or has a receiver, conservator, or similar official appointed for it by the appropriate regulatory authority, or becomes a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding, the agent’s appointment may be terminated and a successor agent would be appointed. If an appropriate regulator or court determines that assets held by the agent for the benefit of the purchasers of loans are subject to the claims of the agent’s general or secured creditors, the High Yield Credit Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. The High Yield Credit Fund may be subject to similar risks when it buys a participation interest or an assignment from an intermediary.

 

Although most of the loans in which the High Yield Credit Fund invests are secured, there is no assurance that the collateral can be promptly liquidated, or that its liquidation value will be equal to the value of the debt. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral if the value of the initial collateral declines. As a result, a loan may not always be fully collateralized and can decline significantly in value. Some loans are unsecured. If the borrower defaults on an unsecured loan, the High Yield Credit Fund will be a general creditor and will not have rights to any specific assets of the borrower.

 

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If a borrower becomes insolvent, access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy may pay only a small portion of the amount owed, if they are able to pay at all. If a secured loan is foreclosed, the High Yield Credit Fund will likely be required to bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. There is also a possibility that the Fund will become the owner of its pro rata share of the collateral which may carry additional risks and liabilities. In addition, under legal theories of lender liability, the High Yield Credit Fund potentially might be held liable as a co-lender. In the event of a borrower’s bankruptcy or insolvency, the borrower’s obligation to repay the loan may be subject to certain defenses that the borrower can assert as a result of improper conduct by the agent.

 

Loan Assignments. When the High Yield Credit Fund purchases a loan by assignment, the Fund typically succeeds to the rights of the assigning lender under the loan agreement and becomes a lender under the loan agreement. Subject to the terms of the loan agreement, the Fund typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning lender. Assignments may be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

 

Loan Participations. The High Yield Credit Fund’s rights under a participation interest with respect to a particular loan may be more limited than the rights of original lenders or of investors who acquire an assignment of that loan. In purchasing participation interests, the Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation interest (the “participating lender”) and only when the participating lender receives the payments from the borrower.

 

In a participation interest, the High Yield Credit Fund will usually have a contractual relationship only with the selling institution and not the underlying borrower. The Fund normally will have to rely on the participating lender to demand and receive payments in respect of the loans, and to pay those amounts on to the Fund; thus, the High Yield Credit Fund will be subject to the risk that the lender may be unwilling or unable to do so. In such a case, the Fund would not likely have any rights against the borrower directly. In addition, the Fund generally will have no right to object to certain changes to the loan agreement agreed to by the participating lender.

 

In buying a participation interest, the High Yield Credit Fund might not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the related loan and may be subject to any rights of set off the borrower has against the selling institution. In the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the borrower, the obligation of the borrower to repay the loan may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by the borrower as a result of any improper conduct of the participating lender. As a result, the Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that exist when the Fund is an original lender or assignee.

 

In buying a participation interest, the High Yield Credit Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the participating lender. If the participating lender fails to perform its obligations under the participation agreement, the Fund might incur costs and delays in realizing payment and suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. If a participating lender becomes insolvent, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of that lender. As a general creditor, the Fund may not benefit from a right of set-off that the lender has against the borrower. The High Yield Credit Fund will acquire a participation interest only if the Sub-Adviser determines that the participating lender or other intermediary participant selling the participation interest is creditworthy.

 

Loan participation interests may not be rated by independent rating agencies and therefore, investments in a particular loan participation may depend almost exclusively on the credit analysis of the borrower performed by the Sub-Adviser.

 

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The High Yield Credit Fund’s policies limit the percentage of its assets that can be invested in the securities of one issuer or in issuers primarily involved in one industry. Current legal interpretations by the SEC staff require the Fund to treat both the lending bank and the borrower as the “issuers” of a loan participation by the Fund. In combination, the High Yield Credit Fund’s policies and the SEC staff’s interpretations limit the amount the Fund can invest in loan participations. For example, in the case of a loan participation where a bank or other lending institution serves as a financial intermediary between the Fund and the corporate borrower, if the participation does not shift to the High Yield Credit Fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the corporate borrower, SEC interpretations require the Fund to treat both the lending bank or other lending institution and the corporate borrower as “issuers.” Treating a financial intermediary as an issuer of indebtedness may restrict the High Yield Credit Fund’s ability to invest in indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or group of intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying borrowers represent many different companies and industries.

 

Lower Rated Debt Securities - Lower-rated debt securities (commonly called “junk” bonds) are rated less than “investment grade” by a nationally recognized statistical rating agency (“NRSRO”) or determined to be of comparable creditworthiness by the Sub-Adviser. Securities rated in any category below Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or BBB by S&P or Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) are generally considered to be “junk” bonds. Lower-rated debt securities are often considered to be speculative and involve greater risk of default or price changes than higher-rated securities due to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness. Prices of lower-rated securities have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes and more sensitive to adverse economic changes and individual corporate developments than more highly rated investments. An economic downturn tends to disrupt the market for lower-rated securities and adversely affect their values. Such an economic downturn may be expected to result in increased price volatility of lower-rated securities and of the value of a Fund’s shares, and an increase in issuers’ defaults on such securities. Each of the Fixed Income Fund and the Short Duration Bond Fund may invest, at the time of purchase, up to 20% of its net assets in lower rated debt securities and will promptly sell these securities as necessary in order to limit its aggregate investments in such securities to 20% of net assets. This may cause the Fund to suffer a loss. Under normal circumstances, the High Yield Credit Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in non-investment grade securities. 

 

Investment grade fixed-income securities are rated in the four highest credit categories (AAA, AA, A, BBB, or an equivalent rating) at the time of purchase by at least one NRSRO, or unrated securities that the Sub-Adviser considers to be of comparable quality. If a fixed-income security held by a Fund receives a split rating from two NRSROs the Sub-Adviser will determine which rating is appropriate.

 

The credit rating of a security does not necessarily address its market risk (that is, the risk that the value of a security will be adversely affected due to movement of the overall stock market or changes in the level of interest rates). Also, ratings may, from time to time, be changed to reflect developments in the issuer’s financial condition. Lower-rated securities held by a Fund have speculative characteristics which are apt to increase in number and significance with each lower rating category.

 

See Appendix A to this SAI for a description of the credit ratings assigned by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch.

 

Mortgage-Related Securities - Mortgage-related securities are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, as well as by non-governmental issuers such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, other private issuers, and private mortgage insurance companies. Mortgage-related securities are interests in pools of residential or commercial mortgage loans, including mortgage loans made by savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, commercial banks and others. Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as securities for sale to investors by various governmental and government-related entities. The value of some mortgage-related securities in which a Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like other fixed income investments, the ability of a Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. Mortgage-related securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of “locking in” attractive long-term interest rates because of the need to reinvest prepayments of principal and the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. In addition, in the case of privately issued mortgage-related and asset-backed securities, the Funds take the position that such instruments do not represent interests in any particular industry or group of industries. Each of the Fixed Income Fund and the Short Duration Bond Fund will invest at least 25% of its total assets in mortgage-related securities.

 

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Mortgage Pass-Through Securities - Mortgage “pass-through” securities are securities representing interests in “pools” of mortgage loans secured by residential or commercial real property. Interests in pools of mortgage-related securities differ from other forms of debt securities, which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. Instead, these securities provide a monthly payment which consists of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on their residential or commercial mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Additional payments are caused by repayments of principal resulting from the sale of the underlying property, refinancing or foreclosure, net of fees or costs which may be incurred. Some mortgage-related securities (such as securities issued by Ginnie Mae) are described as “modified pass-through.” These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, at the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether or not the mortgagor actually makes the payment.

 

The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages will affect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security, and may have the effect of shortening or extending the effective maturity of the security beyond what was anticipated at the time of purchase. Early repayment of principal on some mortgage-related securities (arising from prepayments of principal due to sale of the underlying property, refinancing, or foreclosure, net of fees and costs which may be incurred) may expose a Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Also, if a security subject to prepayment has been purchased at a premium, the value of the premium would be lost in the event of prepayment. Like other fixed income debt securities, when interest rates rise, the value of a mortgage-related security generally will decline; however, when interest rates are declining, the value of mortgage-related securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as other fixed income securities. To the extent that unanticipated rates of prepayment on underlying mortgages increase the effective maturity of a mortgage-related security, the volatility of such security can be expected to increase.

 

Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage pass-through securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae) or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac). The principal governmental guarantor of mortgage-related securities is Ginnie Mae. Ginnie Mae is a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by institutions approved by Ginnie Mae (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by pools of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (the “FHA”), or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

 

Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government) include Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Fannie Mae purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/services which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers.

 

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Pass-through securities issued by Fannie Mae are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by Fannie Mae but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Instead, they are supported only by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations.

 

Freddie Mac, a government-sponsored corporation, was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. Freddie Mac issues Participation Certificates (“PCs”) which represent interests in conventional mortgages from Freddie Mac’s national portfolio. Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Instead, they are supported only by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations.

 

In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) announced that FNMA and FHLMC had been placed in conservatorship. Since that time, FNMA and FHLMC have received significant capital support through U.S. Treasury preferred stock purchases, as well as U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve purchases on their mortgage-backed securities. The FHFA and the U.S. Treasury (through its agreement to purchase FNMA and FHLMC preferred stock) have imposed strict limits on the size of their mortgage portfolios. Although the mortgage-backed securities purchase programs ended in 2010, the U.S. Treasury continued its support for the entities’ capital as necessary to prevent a negative net worth through at least 2012. When a credit agency downgraded long-term U.S. Government debt in August 2011, the agency also downgraded FNMA and FHLMC’s bond ratings from AAA to AA+, based on their direct reliance on U.S. Government support (although that rating did not directly relate to their mortgage-backed securities). No assurance can be given that the Federal Reserve or the U.S. Treasury will ensure that FNMA and FHLMC remain successful in meeting their obligations with respect to the debt and mortgage-backed securities they issue.

 

Since the deterioration of worldwide economic and liquidity conditions that became acute in 2008, mortgage-backed securities have been subject to greater liquidity risk. These conditions may occur again. Also, government actions and proposals affecting the terms of underlying home loans and the inability of borrowers to refinance existing loans (e.g., sub-prime mortgages), have had, and may continue to have, adverse valuation and liquidity effects on mortgage-backed securities. Although liquidity of mortgage-backed securities has improved recently, there can be no assurance that in the future the market for mortgage-backed securities will continue to improve and become more liquid.

 

Mortgage-backed securities issued by private issuers do not have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee, but may have credit enhancement provided by external entities such as banks or financial institutions or achieved through the structuring of the transaction itself. Examples of such credit enhancements arising out of the structure of the transaction include the issue of senior and subordinated securities (e.g., the issuance of securities by a special purpose vehicles in multiple classes or “tranches,” with one or more classes being senior to other subordinated classes as to the payment of principal and interest, with the result that defaults on the underlying mortgage loans are borne first by the holders of the subordinated class); creation of “reserve funds” (in which case cash or investments, sometimes funded from a portion of the payments on the underlying mortgage loans, are held in reserve against future losses); and “over-collateralization” (in which case the scheduled payments on, or the principal amount of, the underlying mortgage loans exceeds that required to make payment of the securities and pay any servicing or other fees). However, there can be no guarantee that credit enhancements, if any, will be sufficient to prevent losses in the event of defaults on the underlying mortgage loans.

 

If a Fund purchases subordinated mortgage-backed securities, the payments of principal and interest on the Fund’s subordinated securities generally will be made only after payments are made to the holders of securities senior to the Fund’s securities. Therefore, if there are defaults on the underlying mortgage loans, the Fund will be less likely to receive payments of principal and interest, and will be more likely to suffer a loss. Privately issued mortgage-backed securities are not traded on an exchange and there may be a limited market for the securities, especially when there is a perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Without an active trading market, mortgage-backed securities held in a Fund’s portfolio may be particularly difficult to value because of the complexities involved in assessing the value of the underlying mortgage loans.

 

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In addition, mortgage-backed securities that are issued by private issuers are not subject to the underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that are applicable to those mortgage-backed securities that have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result, the mortgage loans underlying private mortgage-backed securities may have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than government or government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities and have wider variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and borrower characteristics. Privately issued pools more frequently include second mortgages, high loan-to-value mortgages and manufactured housing loans. The coupon rates and maturities of the underlying mortgage loans in a private-label mortgage-backed securities pool may vary to a greater extent than those included in a government guaranteed pool, and the pool may include subprime mortgage loans. Subprime loans refer to loans made to borrowers with weakened credit histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their loans. For these reasons, the loans underlying these securities have had in many cases higher default rates than those loans that meet government underwriting requirements.

 

The Funds may also invest in commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”). CMBS include securities that reflect an interest in, and are secured by, mortgage loans on commercial real property. Many of the risks of investing in CMBS reflect the risks of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans. These risks reflect the effects of local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the ability of tenants to make loan payments, and the ability of a property to attract and retain tenants. CMBS may be less liquid and exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage- or asset-backed securities.

 

Municipal Bonds - Each Fund may invest in municipal bonds which represent debt obligations issued by states, municipalities, and other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities, and instrumentalities of states and multi-state agencies or authorities (collectively, municipalities), the interest on which may, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer at the time of issuance, be exempt from federal and/or state income tax. Municipal bonds include securities from a variety of sectors, each of which has unique risks. Municipal bonds include, but are not limited to, general obligation bonds, limited obligation bonds, and revenue bonds.

 

General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Limited obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Revenue or special tax bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other tax, but not from general tax revenues. Revenue bonds are subject to the credit risk of the underlying project or enterprise (or its corporate user) rather than the credit risk of the issuing municipality.

 

Like other debt securities, municipal bonds are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and call risk. Obligations of issuers of municipal bonds are generally subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors. However, the obligations of certain issuers may not be enforceable through the exercise of traditional creditors’ rights. The reorganization under the federal bankruptcy laws of a municipal bond issuer or payment obligor bonds may result in, among other things, the municipal bonds being cancelled without repayment or repaid only in part. In addition, Congress or state legislatures may seek to extend the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or impose other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations. Litigation and natural disasters, as well as adverse economic, business, legal, or political developments may introduce uncertainties in the market for municipal bonds or materially affect the credit risk of particular bonds. Further, certain municipalities of the United States and its territories are financially strained and may face the possibility of default on their debt obligations, which could directly or indirectly detract from a Fund’s performance.

 

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Negative Interest Rates - Certain European countries and Japan have experienced negative interest rates on deposits and debt instruments have traded at negative yields. A negative interest rate policy is an unconventional central bank monetary policy tool where nominal target interest rates are set with a negative value (i.e., below zero percent) intended to help create self-sustaining growth in the local economy. If a bank charges negative interest, instead of receiving interest on deposits, a depositor must pay the bank fees to keep money with the bank. To the extent a Fund has a bank deposit or holds a debt instrument with a negative interest rate to maturity, the Fund would generate a negative return on that investment.

 

Pay-In-Kind Securities - Pay-In-kind securities normally give the issuer an option to pay cash at a coupon payment date or give the holder of the security a similar bond with the same coupon rate and a face value equal to the amount of the coupon payment that would have been made. The market prices of pay-in-kind securities generally are more volatile than the prices of securities that pay interest in cash and pay-in-kind securities are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than other types of debt securities having similar credit quality and maturities.

 

Preferred Stock - Preferred stock has a preference in liquidation (and generally dividends) over common stock but is subordinated in liquidation to debt. As a general rule, the market value of preferred stocks with fixed dividend rates and no conversion rights varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, with the price determined by the dividend rate. Some preferred stocks are convertible into other securities (for example, common stock) at a fixed price and ratio or upon the occurrence of certain events. The market price of convertible preferred stocks generally reflects an element of conversion value. Because many preferred stocks lack a fixed maturity date, these securities generally fluctuate substantially in value when interest rates change; such fluctuations often exceed those of long-term bonds of the same issuer. Some preferred stocks pay an adjustable dividend that may be based on an index, formula, auction procedure or other dividend rate reset mechanism. In the absence of credit deterioration, adjustable rate preferred stocks tend to have more stable market values than fixed rate preferred stocks. All preferred stocks are also subject to the same types of credit risks of the issuer as corporate bonds. In addition, because preferred stock is junior to debt securities and other obligations of an issuer, deterioration in the credit rating of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more senior debt security with similar yield characteristics. Preferred stocks in which the Fixed Income Fund and the Short Duration Bond Fund invests will be rated investment grade by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of the Sub-Adviser. The High Yield Credit Fund may invest in below investment grade preferred stocks.

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) - The Funds may invest in REITs. Equity REITs invest directly in real property while mortgage REITs invest in mortgages on real property. REITs may be subject to certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, including declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, and variations in rental income. REITs pay dividends to their shareholders based upon available funds from operations. It is quite common for these dividends to exceed the REIT’s taxable earnings and profits resulting in the excess portion of such dividends being designated as a return of capital. Each Fund intends to include the gross dividends from such REITs in its distributions to its shareholders and, accordingly, a portion of the Fund’s distributions may also be designated as a return of capital.

 

By investing in REITs indirectly through a Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his or her proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of the REITs. Recent tax reform legislation permits a direct REIT shareholder to claim a 20% qualified business income deduction for ordinary REIT dividends but does not permit a Fund paying dividends attributable to such income to pass through this special treatment to shareholders. Unless further legislation provides for a pass-through, shareholders in a Fund are required to treat such distributions as ordinary dividend income. 

 

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Repurchase Agreements - Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements fully collateralized by obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. A repurchase agreement is a short term investment in which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires ownership of a U.S. Government obligation (which may be of any maturity) and the seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a future time at a set price, thereby determining the yield during the Fund’s holding period (usually not more than seven days from the date of purchase). Any repurchase transaction in which a Fund engages will require full collateralization of the seller’s obligation during the entire term of the repurchase agreement. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default of the seller, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses in value. However, each Fund intends to enter into repurchase agreements only with its custodian, other banks with assets of $1 billion or more and registered securities dealers determined by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to be creditworthy.

 

Restricted Securities - Restricted securities, including securities eligible to be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Rule 144A Securities”), may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933. Where registration is required, a Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, a Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell. Restricted securities will be priced at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with consistently applied procedures adopted by and under the general supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), with the assistance of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. It may be difficult to sell restricted securities at prices representing their fair market value. If registration of restricted securities is necessary, a considerable period of time may elapse between the decision to sell and the effective date of the registration statement. During that time, the price of the securities to be sold may be affected by adverse market conditions. As of [ ], the Fixed Income Fund, the Short Duration Bond Fund and the High Yield Fund had [ ]%, [ ]% and [ ]%, respectively, of the value of their net assets invested in Rule 144A Securities.

 

U.S. Government Securities - U.S. Government securities are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. Treasury, or by various agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government. Agencies and instrumentalities established by the U.S. Government include the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Land Bank, the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae” or “FNMA”), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac” or “FHLMC”), the Small Business Administration, the Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, the Federal Financing Bank, the Federal Farm Credit Banks, the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, the Resolution Funding Corporation, the Financing Corporation of America and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Some U.S. Government securities, such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Other U.S. Government securities, such as the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality, which may include the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, while others, such as those of Fannie Mae, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality

 

In the case of U.S. Government securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against the U.S. Government itself in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. U.S. Government securities are subject to price fluctuations based upon changes in the level of interest rates, which will generally result in all such securities changing in price in the same way, i.e., all such securities experiencing appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when interest rates rise.

 

20 

 

U.S. Treasury obligations include Treasury bills, Treasury notes, and Treasury bonds. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one year or less; Treasury notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years.

 

Government debt can be adversely affected by large and sudden changes in local and global economic conditions that result in increased debt levels. The total public debt of the U.S. as a percentage of gross domestic product has grown rapidly since the beginning of the 2008-2009 financial downturn and was further accelerated with the U.S. Government’s response to the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. Fiscal stimulus packages directed towards supporting American workers and businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, are the largest economic stimulus packages in recent history. Government agencies project that the U.S. will continue to maintain high debt levels for the foreseeable future. Although high debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, they may create certain systematic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented. A high national debt level may increase market pressures to meet government funding needs, which may drive debt costs higher and cause the U.S. Treasury to sell additional debt with shorter maturity periods, thereby increasing refinancing risk. A high national debt also raises concerns that the U.S. Government will not be able to make principal or interest payments when they are due, which may adversely impact the value of certain instruments held by a Fund. In August 2011, S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) lowered the long-term sovereign credit rating of U.S. Government securities from AAA to AA+ and also downgraded the long-term credit ratings of U.S. government-sponsored enterprises. In explaining the downgrade, S&P cited, among other reasons, controversy over raising the statutory debt ceiling and growth in public spending. Because of the U.S. Government’s debt burden, it is possible that the U.S. Government may not be able to meet its financial obligations or that securities issued by the U.S. Government may experience further credit downgrades or downgrades by other rating agencies. Such a credit event may result in higher interest rates or cause significant disruption across various financial markets and asset classes. In the worst case, unsustainable debt levels could cause long-term declines in the valuation of the U.S. dollar and prevent the U.S. Government from implementing effective counter-cyclical fiscal policy in economic downturns. From time to time, uncertainty regarding the status of negotiations in the U.S. Government to increase the statutory debt ceiling could increase the risk that the U.S. Government may default on payments on certain U.S. Government securities, cause the credit rating of the U.S. Government to be downgraded, increase volatility in both the stock and bond markets, result in higher interest rates, reduce prices of U.S. Treasury securities, and/or increase the costs of certain types of debt.

 

Zero Coupon Bonds and Treasury STRIPS - U.S. Government securities include “zero coupon” securities that have no coupons or have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, individual interest coupons from such securities that trade separately, and evidence of receipt of such securities. STRIPS are zero coupon securities that represent U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds that have been issued without interest coupons or stripped of their unmatured interest coupons, interest coupons that have been stripped from such U.S. Treasury securities, and receipts or certificates representing interests in such stripped U.S. Treasury securities and coupons. A STRIPS security pays no interest in cash to its holder during its life although interest is accrued for federal income tax purposes. Its value represents the difference between its face value at the time of maturity and the price when it was acquired, which is generally an amount significantly less than its face value. Investing in STRIPS may help to preserve capital during periods of declining interest rates. In anticipation of an interest rate decline, a Fund might purchase STRIPS, the value of which would be expected to increase when interest rates decline.

 

STRIPS do not entitle the holder to any periodic payments of interest prior to maturity. Accordingly, such securities usually trade at a deep discount from their face or par value and will be subject to greater market value fluctuations from changing interest rates than debt obligations of comparable maturities that make periodic distributions of interest. On the other hand, because there are no periodic interest payments to be reinvested prior to maturity, STRIPS eliminate the reinvestment risk and lock in a rate of return to maturity. Current federal tax law requires that a holder of a STRIPS security accrue a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased as income each year even though the Fund received no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. Because interest on zero coupon securities is not distributed on a current basis but is, in effect, compounded, zero coupon securities tend to be subject to greater market risk than interest-paying securities with similar maturity and credit qualities.

 

21 

 

Variable and Floating Rate Securities - Variable and floating rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. The terms of such obligations must provide that interest rates are adjusted periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index as provided in the respective obligations. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be event based, such as based on a change in the prime rate.

 

The Funds may invest in floating rate debt instruments (“floaters”). The interest rate on a floater is a variable rate which is tied to another interest rate, such as a money-market index or U.S. Treasury bill rate. The interest rate on a floater resets periodically, typically every six months. Because of the interest rate reset feature, floaters provide the Funds with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, but generally do not allow a Fund to participate fully in appreciation resulting from any general decline in interest rates.

 

The Funds may also invest in inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”). The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floating rate security generally will exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate obligation of similar credit quality.

 

When-Issued Securities - The Funds may purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis. When-issued securities are purchased for delivery beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price and yield and thereby involve the risk that the yield obtained in the transaction will be less than that available in the market when delivery takes place. Delivery of and payment for these securities typically occurs 15 to 90 days after the commitment to purchase. Each Fund will only make commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued basis with the intention of actually acquiring the securities. Although the Funds will only make commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued basis with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, a Fund may sell these securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable by the Sub-Adviser as a matter of investment strategy. In addition, a Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis only if delivery and payment for the securities takes place within 120 days after the date of the transaction. Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 18 of the 1940 Act, the Funds may invest in a security on a when-issued or forward settling basis, or with a non-standard settlement cycle, and the transaction will be deemed not to involve a senior security, provided that: (1) the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction; and (2) the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and the securities held in a Fund’s portfolio are subject to changes in market value based upon changes in the level of interest rates (which will generally result in all of those securities changing in value in the same way, i.e., all those securities experiencing appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when interest rates rise). Therefore, if in order to achieve higher returns, a Fund remains substantially fully invested at the same time that it has purchased securities on a when-issued basis, there will be a possibility that the market value of the Fund’s assets will experience greater fluctuation. The purchase of securities on a when-issued basis may involve a risk of loss if the broker-dealer selling the securities fails to deliver after the value of the securities has risen.

 

When the time comes for a Fund to make payment for securities purchased on a when-issued basis, the Fund will do so by using then-available cash flow, by sale of other securities or, although it would not normally expect to do so, by directing the sale of the securities purchased on a when-issued basis themselves (which may have a market value greater or less than the Fund’s payment obligation). A Fund will not accrue income with respect to a when-issued security prior to its stated delivery date.

 

22 

 

Warrants and Rights - Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specified price and are valid for a specific time period. Prices of warrants do not necessarily move in concert with the prices of the underlying securities. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a shorter duration and are distributed by the issuer to its shareholders. Investments in warrants and rights involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for resale, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors, and failure of the price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of reaching a level at which the warrant or right can be prudently exercised (in which event the warrant or right may expire without being exercised, resulting in a loss of the Fund’s entire investment therein).

 

Temporary Defensive Positions - From time to time, each Fund may take temporary defensive positions in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. For example, a Fund may hold all or a portion of its assets in money market instruments, including money market funds or repurchase agreements. If a Fund invests in a money market fund, the shareholders of the Fund will indirectly pay the operating expenses of such fund. As a result of engaging in these temporary measures, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

Each Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment limitations which may not be changed with respect to a Fund without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares (as defined in Section 2(a) (42) of the 1940 Act). As used in this SAI and in the Prospectus, “shareholder approval” and a “majority of the outstanding shares” of a Fund means, with respect to the approval of an investment advisory agreement, a distribution plan or a change in a fundamental investment limitation, the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Unless otherwise noted, a Fund’s investment goals and strategies described in the Prospectus may be changed by the Board without the approval of the Fund’s shareholders.

 

Fixed Income Fund and Short Duration Bond Fund:

 

1. Borrowing Money. Each Fund will not borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude a Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions.

 

2. Senior Securities. Each Fund will not issue senior securities. This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund’s engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff.

 

3. Underwriting. Each Fund will not underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent that a Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities or when selling its own shares.

 

4. Real Estate. Each Fund will not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation also does not preclude a Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate, including real estate investment trusts.

 

23 

 

5. Commodities. Each Fund will not purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts except as may be permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing, selling and entering into financial futures contracts (including futures contracts on indices of securities, interest rates and currencies), options on financial futures contracts (including futures contracts on indices of securities, interest rates and currencies), warrants, swaps, forward contracts, foreign currency spot and forward contracts or other derivative instruments, including derivatives related to physical commodities; or purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by commodities; or purchasing or selling securities of companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities.

 

6. Loans. Each Fund will not make loans to other persons, except (a) by loaning portfolio securities, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements, or (c) by purchasing nonpublicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this limitation, the term “loans” shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.

  

7. Concentration. Each Fund will not invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry, except that each Fund will concentrate in the mortgage-backed securities industry, which shall include agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities. For purposes of the foregoing concentration policy, obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities that are not mortgage-backed securities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto shall not be considered part of any industry.

 

High Yield Credit Fund:

 

1. Borrowing Money. The Fund will not borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions.

 

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

 

3. Underwriting. The Fund will not underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities or when selling its own shares.

 

4. Real Estate. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation also does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate, including real estate investment trusts. 

 

24 

 

5. Commodities. The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts except as may be permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended, or unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing, selling and entering into financial futures contracts (including futures contracts on indices of securities, interest rates and currencies), options on financial futures contracts (including futures contracts on indices of securities, interest rates and currencies), warrants, swaps, forward contracts, foreign currency spot and forward contracts or other derivative instruments, including derivatives related to physical commodities; or purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by commodities; or purchasing or selling securities of companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities.

 

6. Loans. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except (a) by loaning portfolio securities, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements, or (c) by purchasing nonpublicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this limitation, the term “loans” shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other forms of direct debt securities, such as loans and loan participations.

 

7. Concentration. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in a particular industry. This limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.

 

With respect to the percentages adopted by the Funds as maximum limitations on its investment policies and limitations, an excess above the fixed percentage will not be a violation of the policy or limitation unless the excess results immediately and directly from the acquisition of any security or the action taken. This paragraph does not apply to the borrowing policies set forth in paragraph(s) 1 above. With respect to the fundamental investment limitation regarding Concentration, the Funds will rely on Standard Industrial Classification Codes for determining a security’s industry type. With respect to the fundamental investment limitation regarding securities lending, there is no present intention to engage in the practice of securities lending. At such time as a Fund engages in the practice of securities lending, the Funds will adopt procedures in order to manage the risks of securities lending.

 

[Notwithstanding any of the foregoing limitations, any investment company, whether organized as a trust, association or corporation, or a personal holding company, may be merged or consolidated with or acquired by the Company, provided that if such merger, consolidation or acquisition results in an investment in the securities of any issuer prohibited by said paragraphs, the Company shall, within ninety days after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of all of the securities of such issuer so acquired or such portion thereof as shall bring the total investment therein within the limitations imposed by said paragraphs above as of the date of consummation.]

 

Non-Fundamental (All Funds). The following limitations have been adopted by the Funds and are “non-fundamental,” i.e., they may be changed by the Board without the approval of shareholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or regulatory policy.

 

1. Pledging. Each Fund will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in fundamental limitations (1) above. Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.

 

2. Margin Purchases. Each Fund will not purchase securities or evidences of interest thereon on “margin.” This limitation is not applicable to short term credit obtained by a Fund for the clearance of purchases and sales or redemption of securities, or to arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques.

 

25 

 

3. Illiquid Investments. Each Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in securities for which there are legal or contractual restrictions on resale and other illiquid securities.

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Company has adopted, on behalf of the Funds, a policy relating to the selective disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings by the Adviser, Board, officers, or third party service providers, in accordance with regulations that seek to ensure that disclosure of information about portfolio holdings is in the best interest of Fund shareholders.  The policies relating to the disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings are designed to allow disclosure of portfolio holdings information where necessary to the Fund’s operation without compromising the integrity or performance of the Fund.  It is the policy of the Company that disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings to a select person or persons prior to the release of such holdings to the public (“selective disclosure”) is prohibited, unless there are legitimate business purposes for selective disclosure.

 

The Company discloses portfolio holdings information as required in regulatory filings and shareholder reports, discloses portfolio holdings information as required by federal and state securities laws and may disclose portfolio holdings information in response to requests by governmental authorities.  As required by the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the Company will disclose each Fund’s portfolio holdings in applicable regulatory filings, including shareholder reports, reports on Form N-CSR, Form N-CEN, and Form N-PORT, or such other filings, reports or disclosure documents as the applicable regulatory authorities may require.

 

Generally, after the [30th] business day of the month following each calendar quarter end, each Fund may provide, at the Adviser’s discretion, its portfolio holdings to various rating and ranking organizations. In addition, generally after the 30th business day of the month following each calendar quarter end, each Fund may post to its website a list of its top ten holdings or full portfolio holdings at the discretion of the Adviser. The timing, frequency and type (i.e., ratings/rankings/holdings) of disclosure may change at the Adviser’s discretion, as well as whether to post to each Fund’s website.

 

The Company may distribute or authorize the distribution of information about a Fund’s portfolio holdings that is not publicly available to its third-party service providers, which include U.S. Bank, N.A., the custodian; U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services”), the administrator, accounting agent and transfer agent; [  ], the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm; Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, legal counsel; FilePoint, the financial printer; the Funds’ proxy voting service(s); and the Company’s liquidity classification agent. These service providers are required to keep such information confidential, and are prohibited from trading based on the information or otherwise using the information except as necessary in providing services to a Fund.  Such holdings are released on conditions of confidentiality, which include appropriate trading prohibitions. “Conditions of confidentiality” include confidentiality terms included in written agreements, implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g., attorney-client relationship), or required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custody services provided by financial institutions). Portfolio holdings may also be provided earlier to shareholders and their agents who receive redemptions in kind that reflect a pro rata allocation of all securities held in a Fund’s portfolio.

 

Portfolio holdings may also be disclosed, upon authorization by a designated officer of the Adviser, to (i) certain independent reporting agencies recognized by the SEC as acceptable agencies for the reporting of industry statistical information and (ii) financial consultants to assist them in determining the suitability of the Funds as an investment for their clients, in each case in accordance with the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the Company’s and the Adviser’s fiduciary duties to Fund shareholders.  Disclosures to financial consultants are also subject to a confidentiality agreement and/or trading restrictions.  The foregoing disclosures are made pursuant to the Company’s policy on selective disclosure of portfolio holdings.  The Board or a committee thereof may, in limited circumstances, permit other selective disclosure of portfolio holdings subject to a confidentiality agreement and/or trading restrictions.

 

26 

 

The Adviser reserves the right to refuse to fulfill any request for portfolio holdings information from a shareholder or non-shareholder if it believes that providing such information will be contrary to the best interests of a Fund.

 

The Board provides ongoing oversight of the Company’s policies and procedures and compliance with such policies and procedures.  As part of this oversight function, the Board receives from the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as necessary, reports on compliance with these policies and procedures.  In addition, the Board receives an annual assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the policies and procedures with respect to a Fund, and any changes thereto, and an annual review of the operation of the policies and procedures.  Any violation of the policy set forth above as well as any corrective action undertaken to address such violation must be reported by the Adviser, director, officers or third party service providers to the Company’s CCO, who will determine whether the violation should be reported immediately to the Board or at its next quarterly Board meeting.

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

Portfolio turnover measures the percentage of a Fund’s total portfolio market value that was purchased or sold during the period. A Fund’s turnover rate provides an indication of how transaction costs (which are not included in the Fund’s expenses) may affect the Fund’s performance. Also, funds with a high turnover may be more likely to distribute capital gains that may be taxable to shareholders.

 

Each Predecessor Funds’ portfolio turnover rates for the two most recent fiscal years are stated below. Portfolio turnover rates could change significantly in response to turbulent market conditions.

 

  Portfolio Turnover
 

Fiscal Year Ended

August 31, 2022

Fiscal Year Ended  

August 31, 2021

Fixed Income Fund 48% 52%
Short Duration Bond Fund 70% 102%
High Yield Credit Fund 53% 60%

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the oversight of the Board, subject to the laws of the State of Maryland and the Company’s Charter. The Directors are responsible for deciding matters of overall policy and overseeing the actions of the Company’s service providers. The officers of the Company conduct and supervise the Company’s daily business operations.

 

Directors who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act) are referred to as “Independent Directors.” Directors who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Company are referred to as “Interested Directors.” The Board is currently composed of seven Independent Directors and one Interested Director. The Board has selected Arnold M. Reichman, an Independent Director, to act as Chairman. Mr. Reichman’s duties include presiding at meetings of the Board and interfacing with management to address significant issues that may arise between regularly scheduled Board and Committee meetings. In the performance of his duties, Mr. Reichman will consult with the other Independent Directors and the Company’s officers and legal counsel, as appropriate. The Chairman may perform other functions as requested by the Board from time to time.

 

27 

 

The Board meets as often as necessary to discharge its responsibilities. Currently, the Board conducts regular, in-person meetings at least four times a year, and holds special in-person or telephonic meetings as necessary to address specific issues that require attention prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting. The Board also relies on professionals, such as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firms and legal counsel, to assist the Directors in performing their oversight responsibilities.

 

The Board has established seven standing committees — Audit, Contract, Executive, Nominating and Governance, Product Development, Regulatory Oversight, and Valuation Committees. The Board may establish other committees, or nominate one or more Directors to examine particular issues related to the Board’s oversight responsibilities, from time to time. Each Committee meets periodically to perform its delegated oversight functions and reports its findings and recommendations to the Board. For more information on the Committees, see the section entitled “Standing Committees.”

 

The Board has determined that the Company’s leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to effectively perform its oversight responsibilities.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth in this section.

 

Name, Address,

and Age

Position(s)

Held with

Company

Term of Office

and

Length of

Time

Served1

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund 

Complex

Overseen by

Director*

Other

Directorships

Held by Director

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 89

Director 1988 to present From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications). [57] AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

Gregory P. Chandler

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 56

Director 2012 to present

Since 2020, Chief Financial Officer, Herspiegel Consulting LLC (life sciences consulting services); 2020, Chief Financial Officer, Avocado Systems Inc. (cyber security software provider); 2009-2020, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services).

[57]

FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company); Wilmington Funds (12 portfolios) (registered investment company); Emtec, Inc. (until December 2019); FS Investment Corporation (business development Company) (until December 2018).

Lisa A. Dolly

615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53202

Age: 56

Director October 2021 to present From July 2019-December 2019, Chairman, Pershing LLC (broker dealer, clearing and custody firm); January 2016-June 2019, Chief Executive Officer, Pershing, LLC. [57] Allfunds Group PLC (United Kingdom wealthtech and fund distribution provider); Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (trade association for broker dealers, investment banks and asset managers); Hightower Advisors (wealth management firm).

28 

 

Name, Address,

and Age

Position(s)

Held with

Company

Term of Office

and

Length of

Time

Served1

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund 

Complex

Overseen by

Director*

Other

Directorships

Held by Director

Nicholas A. Giordano

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 79

Director 2006 to present Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations. [57] IntriCon Corporation (biomedical device manufacturer); Wilmington Funds (12 portfolios) (registered investment company); Independence Blue Cross (healthcare insurance) (until 2021).

Arnold M. Reichman

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 74

Chairman

 

Director

2005 to present

1991 to present

Retired. [57] EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company) (until August 2022).

Brian T. Shea

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age:62

Director 2018 to present From 2014-2017, Chief Executive Officer, BNY Mellon Investment Services (fund services, global custodian and securities clearing firm); from 1983-2014, Chief Executive Officer and various positions, Pershing LLC (broker dealer, clearing and custody firm). [57]

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (financial services technology company); Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (financial services company); WisdomTree Investments, Inc.(asset management company) (until March 2019).

Robert A. Straniere

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 81

Director 2006 to present

Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm).

[57] None.
INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

Robert Sablowsky

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 84

Vice Chairman

 

Director

2016 to present

1991 to present

Since 2002, Senior Director – Investments and, prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).

[57] None.
OFFICERS

Steven Plump

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 63

President August 2022 to present From 2011 to 2021, Executive Vice President, PIMCO LLC. N/A N/A

 

29 

 

Name, Address,

and Age

Position(s)

Held with

Company

Term of Office

and

Length of

Time

Served1

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund 

Complex

Overseen by

Director*

Other

Directorships

Held by Director

Salvatore Faia, JD,

CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance, LLC

Gateway Corporate

Center, Suite 216

223 Wilmington West

Chester Pike

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Age: 60

Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company); since 2021, Chief Compliance Officer of The RBB Fund Trust; President of The RBB Fund Trust from 2021 to 2022; President of The RBB Fund, Inc. from 2009 to 2022. N/A N/A

James G. Shaw

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 62

Chief Financial Officer

and

Secretary

Chief Operating Officer

2016 to present

 

August 2022 to present

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (since 2016) and Chief Operating Officer (since 2022) of The RBB Fund, Inc.; Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (since 2021) and Chief Operating Officer (since 2022) of The RBB Fund Trust; from 2005 to 2016, Assistant Treasurer of The RBB Fund, Inc.; from 1995 to 2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).

N/A N/A

Craig A. Urciuoli

615 East Michigan Street Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 48

Director of Marketing & Business Development 2019 to present Director of Marketing & Business Development of The RBB Fund, Inc. (since 2019) and The RBB Fund Trust (since 2021); from 2000-2019, Managing Director, Third Avenue Management LLC (investment advisory firm). N/A N/A

Jennifer Witt

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 40

Assistant Treasurer 2018 to present Since 2020, Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (fund administrative services firm); from 2016 to 2020, Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services; from 2007 to 2016, Supervisor, Nuveen Investments (registered investment company). N/A N/A

 

30 

 

Name, Address,

and Age

Position(s)

Held with

Company

Term of Office

and

Length of

Time

Served1

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund 

Complex

Overseen by

Director*

Other

Directorships

Held by Director

Edward Paz

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 51

Assistant Secretary

2016 to present

Since 2007, Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (fund administrative services firm).

N/A N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square

Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 63

Assistant

Secretary

1999 to present Since 1993, Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm). N/A N/A

Jillian L. Bosmann

One Logan Square

Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Age: 44

Assistant

Secretary

2017 to present

Since 2017, Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).

N/A N/A

 

*Each Director oversees [ ] portfolios of the fund complex, consisting of the series in the Company ([ ] portfolios) and The RBB Fund Trust ([9] portfolios).

 

1.Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his or her successor is elected and qualified or his or her death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Giordano, Sablowsky and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

2.Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

Director Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and/or Skills

 

The information above includes each Director’s principal occupations during the last five years. Each Director possesses extensive additional experience, skills and attributes relevant to his or her qualifications to serve as a Director.  The cumulative background of each Director led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director of the Company. Mr. Brodsky has over 40 years of senior executive-level management experience in the cable television and communications industry.  Mr. Chandler has demonstrated leadership and management abilities as evidenced by his senior executive level positions in the investment technology consulting/services and investment banking/brokerage industries, and also serves on various boards. Ms. Dolly has over three decades of experience in the financial services industry, and she has demonstrated her leadership and management abilities by serving in numerous senior executive-level positions. Mr. Giordano has years of experience as a consultant to financial services organizations and also serves on the boards of other registered investment companies. Mr. Reichman brings decades of investment management experience to the Board, in addition to senior executive-level management experience.  Mr. Sablowsky has demonstrated leadership and management abilities as evidenced by his senior executive-level positions in the financial services industry. Mr. Shea has demonstrated leadership and management abilities as evidenced by his senior executive-level positions in the brokerage, clearing, and investment services industry, including service on the boards of industry regulatory organizations and a university.  Mr. Straniere has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years and has served on the boards of an asset management company and another registered investment company.

 

31 

 

Standing Committees

 

The responsibilities of each Committee of the Board and its members are described below.

 

Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee comprised of three Independent Directors. The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Brodsky, Chandler and Giordano. The Audit Committee, among other things, reviews results of the annual audit and approves the firm(s) to serve as independent auditors. The Audit Committee convened three times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.

 

Contract Committee. The Board has a Contract Committee comprised of the Interested Director and four Independent Directors. The current members of the Contract Committee are Ms. Dolly and Messrs. Brodsky, Chandler, Sablowsky and Straniere. The Contract Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the approval and continuation of agreements and plans of the Company. The Contract Committee convened five times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.

 

Executive Committee. The Board has an Executive Committee comprised of the Interested Director and three Independent Directors. The current members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Chandler, Giordano, Reichman and Sablowsky. The Executive Committee may generally carry on and manage the business of the Company when the Board is not in session. The Executive Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board has a Nominating and Governance Committee comprised of three Independent Directors. The current members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Messrs. Brodsky, Giordano and Reichman. The Nominating and Governance Committee recommends to the Board all persons to be nominated as Directors of the Company. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the Committee care of the Company’s Secretary. The Nominating and Governance Committee convened two times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.

 

Product Development Committee. The Board has a Product Development Committee comprised of the Interested Director and three Independent Directors. The current members of the Product Development Committee are Messrs. Chandler, Reichman, Sablowsky, and Shea. The Product Development Committee oversees the process regarding the addition of new investment advisers and investment products to the Company. The Product Development Committee convened five times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.

 

Regulatory Oversight Committee. The Board has a Regulatory Oversight Committee comprised of the Interested Director and four Independent Directors. The current members of the Regulatory Oversight Committee are Ms. Dolly and Messrs. Reichman, Sablowsky, Shea and Straniere. The Regulatory Oversight Committee monitors regulatory developments in the mutual fund industry and focuses on various regulatory aspects of the operation of the Company. The Regulatory Oversight Committee convened four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.

 

Valuation Committee. The Board has a Valuation Committee comprised of the Interested Director and two officers of the Company. The members of the Valuation Committee are Messrs. Faia, Sablowsky and Shaw. The Valuation Committee is responsible for reviewing fair value determinations. The Valuation Committee convened four times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.

 

Risk Oversight

 

The Board performs its risk oversight function for the Company through a combination of (1) direct oversight by the Board as a whole and Board committees and (2) indirect oversight through the Company’s investment advisers and other service providers, Company officers and the Company’s CCO. The Company is subject to a number of risks, including but not limited to investment risk, compliance risk, operational risk, reputational risk, credit risk and counterparty risk. Day-to-day risk management with respect to the Company is the responsibility of the Company’s investment advisers or other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk) that carry out the Company’s investment management and business affairs. Each of the investment advisers and the other service providers have their own independent interest in risk management and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models and may differ from the Company’s and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls.

 

32 

 

The Board provides risk oversight by receiving and reviewing on a regular basis reports from the Company’s investment advisers or other service providers, receiving and approving compliance policies and procedures, periodic meetings with the Company’s portfolio managers to review investment policies, strategies and risks, and meeting regularly with the Company’s CCO to discuss compliance reports, findings and issues. The Board also relies on the Company’s investment advisers and other service providers, with respect to the day-to-day activities of the Company, to create and maintain procedures and controls to minimize risk and the likelihood of adverse effects on the Company’s business and reputation.

 

Board oversight of risk management is also provided by various Board Committees. For example, the Audit Committee meets with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firms to ensure that the Company’s respective audit scopes include risk-based considerations as to the Company’s financial position and operations. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight. The Board’s oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Company’s investments or activities.

 

Director Ownership of Shares of the Company

 

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Director in each Fund and in all of the portfolios of the Company (which for each Director comprise all registered investment companies within the Company’s family of investment companies overseen by him or her), as of December 31, 2022, including amounts through the deferred compensation plan:

 

33 

 

Name of Director

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities

in the

Fixed Income Fund

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities

in the

Duration Fund]

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities

in the

Short Duration High Yield Fund

Aggregate Dollar

Range of Equity

Securities in All

Registered Investment

Companies Overseen

by Director

within the

Family of Investment

Companies

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS      
Julian A. Brodsky [None] [None] [None] [Over $100,000]
Gregory P. Chandler [  ] [  ] [  ] [Over $100,000]
Lisa A. Dolly [None] [None] [None] [None]
Nicholas A. Giordano [  ] [  ] [  ] [$10,001-$50,000]
Arnold M. Reichman [None] [None] [None] [$50,001-$100,000]
Brian T. Shea [  ] [  ] [  ] [$10,001-$50,000]
Robert A. Straniere [None] [None] [None] [$1-$10,000]
INTERESTED DIRECTOR        

Robert Sablowsky

[None] [None] [None] [Over $100,000]

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Compensation

 

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company and The RBB Fund Trust, based on an allocation formula, pay each Director a retainer at the rate of $150,000 annually, $13,500 for each regular meeting of the Board, $5,000 for each Regulatory Oversight Committee meeting attended in-person, $4,000 for each other committee (excluding the Regulatory Oversight Committee) meeting attended in-person, and $2,000 for each committee meeting attended telephonically or special meeting of the Board attended in-person or telephonically. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Regulatory Oversight Committee each receives an additional fee of $20,000 for his services. The Chairman of the Contract Committee and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee each receives an additional fee of $10,000 per year for his services. The Vice Chairman of the Board receives an additional fee of $35,000 per year for his services in this capacity and the Chairman of the Board receives an additional fee of $75,000 per year for his services in this capacity.

 

From January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022, the Company and The RBB Fund Trust, based on an allocation formula, paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $125,000 annually, $13,500 for each regular meeting of the Board, $3,500 for each committee meeting attended in-person, and $2,000 for each committee meeting attended telephonically or special meeting of the Board attended in-person or telephonically. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Regulatory Oversight Committee each received an additional fee of $20,000 for his services. The Chairman of the Contract Committee and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee each received an additional fee of $10,000 per year for his services. The Vice Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $35,000 per year for his services in this capacity and the Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $75,000 per year for his services in this capacity.

 

34 

 

From April 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021, the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $125,000 annually, $10,000 for each regular meeting of the Board, $3,500 for each committee meeting attended in-person, and $2,000 for each committee meeting attended telephonically or special meeting of the Board attended in-person or telephonically. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Regulatory Oversight Committee each received an additional fee of $20,000 for his services. The Chairman of the Contract Committee and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee each received an additional fee of $10,000 per year for his services. The Vice Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $35,000 per year for his services in this capacity and the Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $75,000 per year for his services in this capacity.

 

Directors are reimbursed for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board or any committee thereof. An employee of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serves as CCO of the Company and served as President of the Company until August 2022. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company and The RBB Fund Trust, and such compensation is determined by the Board. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, Vigilant Compliance LLC received $758,511 in the aggregate from all series of the Company and The RBB Fund Trust for its services. Employees of the Company serve as President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Director of Marketing & Business Development, and are compensated for services provided.

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, each of the following members of the Board and the President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Director of Marketing & Business Development received compensation from the Company and The RBB Fund Trust in the following amounts:

 

35 

 

Name of

Director/Officer

Aggregate

Compensation

from the Funds

Pension or

Retirement

Benefits Accrued as part of Funds Expenses

Total

Compensation

From

Fund Complex

Paid to

Directors

or Officers

Independent Directors:      
Julian A. Brodsky, Director None  N/A $198,000
J. Richard Carnall, Director(1) None  N/A $0
Gregory P. Chandler, Director None  N/A $232,500
Lisa A. Dolly, Director(2) None N/A $182,000
Nicholas A. Giordano, Director None  N/A $210,000

Arnold M. Reichman,

Director and Chairman

None  N/A $282,000
Brian T. Shea, Director None  N/A $182,500
Robert A. Straniere, Director None  N/A $203,500
Interested Director:      
Robert Sablowsky, Director None  N/A $262,500
Officers:      
Steven Plump, President (3) None N/A $20,000
James G. Shaw, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary None  N/A $315,500
Craig Urciuoli, Director of Marketing & Business Development None  N/A $262,032

 

(1)Mr. Carnall retired from his role as a Director effective October 1, 2021.

(2)Ms. Dolly was appointed as a Director effective October 1, 2021.

(3)Mr. Plump was appointed President on August 4, 2022.

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, none of the members of the Board and the Treasurer and Secretary and Director of Marketing & Business Development received compensation from the Funds.

 

Each compensated Director is entitled to participate in the Company’s deferred compensation plan (the “DC Plan”). Under the DC Plan, a compensated Director may elect to defer all or a portion of his or her compensation and have the deferred compensation treated as if it had been invested by the Company in shares of one or more of the portfolios of the Company. The amount paid to the Directors under the DC Plan will be determined based upon the performance of such investments.

 

As of [ ], the Independent Directors and their respective immediate family members (spouse or dependent children) did not own beneficially or of record any securities of the Company’s investment advisers or distributor, or of any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment advisers or distributor.

 

Director Emeritus Program

 

The Board has created a position of Director Emeritus, whereby an incumbent Director who has attained at least the age of 75 and completed a minimum of fifteen years of service as a Director may, in the sole discretion of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company (“Committee”), be recommended to the full Board to serve as Director Emeritus.

 

36 

 

A Director Emeritus that has been approved as such receives an annual fee in an amount equal to up to 50% of the annual base compensation paid to a Director. Compensation will be determined annually by the Committee and the Board with respect to each Director Emeritus. In addition, a Director Emeritus will be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in connection with their service, including expenses of travel and lodging incurred in attendance at Board meetings. A Director Emeritus will continue to receive relevant materials concerning the Funds and will be available to consult with the Directors at reasonable times as requested. However, a Director Emeritus does not have any voting rights at Board meetings and is not subject to election by shareholders of the Funds.

 

A Director Emeritus will be permitted to serve in such capacity from year to year at the pleasure of the Committee and the Board for up to three years.

 

From October 1, 2021 to January 26, 2023, J. Richard Carnall served as a Director Emeritus of the Company. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, J. Richard Carnall received compensation for his role as a Director Emeritus in the following amounts:

 

Aggregate Compensation from the Funds Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as part of Funds Expenses Total Compensation From Fund Complex Paid to Directors or Officers
None  N/A $62,500

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Company, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that permits personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Company, subject to certain restrictions.

 

PROXY VOTING

 

The Board has delegated the responsibility of voting proxies with respect to the portfolio securities purchased and/or held by the Funds to the Sub-Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight.  In exercising its voting obligations, the Sub-Adviser is guided by its general fiduciary duty to act prudently and in the interest of the Funds.  The Sub-Adviser will consider factors affecting the value of a Fund’s investments and the rights of shareholders in its determination on voting portfolio securities.

 

The Sub-Adviser will vote proxies in accordance with its Proxy Policies and Procedures, which are included in Appendix B to this SAI. The Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures describe how it intends to vote proxies relating to the Fund’s portfolio securities.

 

The Company is required to disclose annually each Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX.  Each Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended August 31st is available without charge upon request by calling [  ], or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

As the Funds are newly created mutual funds that were organized to acquire the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor Funds in exchange for shares of the Funds, the information provided below is for the respective Predecessor Fund of each Fund.

 

37 

 

As of [ ], 2023, to the Company’s knowledge, the following named persons at the addresses shown below were owners of record of approximately 5% or more of the total outstanding shares of the Predecessor Funds as indicated below. See “Additional Information Concerning Company Shares” below. Any shareholder that owns 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund may be presumed to “control” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) the Fund. Shareholders controlling a portfolio or class could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of a Fund on any matter requiring approval of the shareholders of the Fund.

 

Class, Shareholder Name and Address

Percentage of

Shares Owned as of

[ ]

 
[Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund] — Institutional Class:    

[  ]

[   ] %
[Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund]— Institutional Class:    
[   ] [   ]%
[Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund] — Institutional Class:    

[  ]

[   ] %

 

As of [  ], 2023, Directors and Officers as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each of the Predecessor Funds.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

The Funds’ investment adviser is F/m Investments, LLC d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), located at 3050 K Street, N.W., Suite 201, Washington, D.C. 20007. The Adviser is wholly-owned by F/m Acceleration, LLC which in turn is wholly owned by Diffractive Managers Group, a multi-boutique asset management company. Prior to [ ], 2023, Oakhurst Capital Management, LLC served as the investment adviser to the Predecessor Funds (the “Initial Adviser”).

 

[Advisory Agreement with the Company.  The Adviser renders advisory services to the Funds pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) dated as of [ ], 2023. Subject to the supervision of the Board, the Adviser will provide for the overall management of the Funds including (i) the provision of a continuous investment program for the Funds, including investment research and management with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents, (ii) the determination from time to time of what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold by the Funds, and (iii) the placement from time to time of orders for all purchases and sales of securities and other investments made for the Funds. The Adviser will provide the services rendered by it in accordance with the Funds’ investment objective, restrictions and policies as stated in the Prospectus and in this SAI. The Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment, mistake of law, or for any loss suffered by the Funds in connection with the performance of the Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement.]

 

38 

 

The Fixed Income Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee computed at the annual rate of 0.50% of its average daily net assets; the Short Duration Bond Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee computed at the annual rate of 0.35% of its average daily net assets; and the High Yield Credit Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee computed at the annual rate of 0.75% of its average daily net assets.

 

[The Adviser has entered into a contractual agreement with the Fund under which it has agreed to reduce its investment advisory fee and to absorb Fund expenses to the extent necessary to limit total annual operating expenses (excluding brokerage costs, taxes, borrowing costs, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses) to an amount not exceeding 0.58% of the average daily net assets attributable to Institutional Shares for the Fixed Income Fund for the first year following the Reorganization and 0.60% for the second year following the Reorganization; 0.83% of the average daily net assets attributable to Retail Shares for the Fixed Income Fund for the first year following the Reorganization and 0.85% for the second year following the Reorganization; 0.60% of the average daily net assets attributable to Institutional Shares for the Short Duration Bond Fund; 0.85% of the average daily net assets attributable to Retail Shares for the Short Duration Bond Fund; 0.95% of the average daily net assets attributable to Institutional Shares of the High Yield Credit Fund; and 1.20% of the average daily net assets attributable to Retail Shares of the High Yield Credit Fund. The contractual agreement for the Fund is currently in effect for two years following the Reorganization. Any payments by the Adviser of expenses which are the Fund’s obligation, are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of three years following the fiscal year in which such fees were reduced or expenses were paid, provided that the repayment does not cause the Fund’s total annual operating expenses to exceed the foregoing expense limitations as of the time of the waiver or repayment. ]

 

[Except as otherwise noted in the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under the Advisory Agreement. The Fund bears all of its own expenses not specifically assumed by the Adviser. General expenses of the Company not readily identifiable as belonging to a portfolio of the Company are allocated among all investment portfolios by or under the direction of the Board in such manner as it deems to be fair and equitable. Expenses borne by the Fund include, but are not limited to the following (or the Fund’s share of the following): (a) the cost (including brokerage commissions) of securities purchased or sold by the Fund and any losses incurred in connection therewith; (b) fees payable to and expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund by the Adviser; (c) filing fees and expenses relating to the registration and qualification of the Company and the Fund’s shares under federal and/or state securities laws and maintaining such registrations and qualifications; (d) fees and salaries payable to the Company’s Directors and officers; (e) taxes (including any income or franchise taxes) and governmental fees; (f) costs of any liability and other insurance or fidelity bonds; (g) any costs, expenses or losses arising out of a liability of or claim for damages or other relief asserted against the Company or the Fund for violation of any law; (h) legal, accounting and auditing expenses, including legal fees of special counsel for the independent Directors; (i) charges of custodians and other agents; (j) expenses of setting in type and printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto for existing shareholders, reports, statements, and confirmations to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (k) costs of mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto to existing shareholders, as well as reports to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (1) any extraordinary expenses; (m) fees, voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (n) costs of mailing and tabulating proxies and costs of shareholders’ and Directors’ meetings; (o) costs of independent pricing services to value a portfolio’s securities; and (p) the costs of investment company literature and other publications provided by the Company to its Directors and officers. Distribution expenses, transfer agency expenses, expenses of preparation, printing and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and reports to shareholders, and organizational expenses and registration fees, identified as belonging to a particular class of the Company, are allocated to such class.]

 

39 

 

The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall at all times have all rights in and to the Fund’s name and all investment models used by or on behalf of the Fund. The Adviser may use the Fund’s name or any portion thereof in connection with any other mutual fund or business activity without the consent of any shareholder, and the Company has agreed to execute and deliver any and all documents required to indicate its consent to such use.

 

The Predecessor Funds paid the Initial Adviser the following advisory fees, including waivers and reimbursements for the past three fiscal years:

 

   

Net Management

Fees Accrued

 

Waivers and/or 

Reimbursements

 

Net Management

Fees Paid to Adviser

 
Fixed Income Fund              
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022   $573,921   $272,412   $301,509  
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021   $656,937*   $270,710   $385,227  
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020   $427,856*   $234,598   $193,285  
Short Duration Bond Fund              
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022   $294,537   $139,749   $154,788  
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021   $476,736*   $69,712   $407,024  
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020   $380,136*   $83,691   $296,445  
High Yield Credit Fund              
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022   $635,767   $133,686   $502,081  
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021   $475,789*   $146,315   $329,474  
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020   $313,939*   $140,433   $173,506  

 

*Prior to November 13, 2020, advisory fees were paid to the prior investment adviser to each of the Funds.

 

The Sub-Adviser

 

The Adviser, with the approval of the Board, has retained Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC, 3050 K Street, N.W., Suite 201, Washington, D.C. 20007 to serve as sub-adviser to the Funds. Prior to [ ], 2023, F/m Investments, LLC d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC served as the sub-adviser to the Predecessor Funds (the “Initial Sub-Adviser”). Prior to December 29, 2020, no sub-advisory fees were paid as there was no sub-adviser to any of the Funds.

 

Under the terms of a Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for selecting the portfolio securities for investment by each Fund, subject to the general supervision of the Board and the Adviser. The Adviser (not the Funds) pays the Sub-Adviser a fee equal to the annual rate of 0.475% of the Fixed Income Fund’s average daily net assets, 0.325% of the Short Duration Bond Fund’s average daily net assets, and 0.725% of the High Yield Credit Fund’s average daily net assets. The Sub-Adviser’s fees are reduced on a pro rata basis to the extent that the Adviser reduces its advisory fees or reimburses expenses of a Fund. During the fiscal years ended August 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021, the Initial Sub-Adviser received a fee equal to the annual rate of 0.025% of each Predecessor Fund’s average daily net assets resulting in the following sub-advisory fees from the Adviser.

 

40 

 

Fiscal Year Ended Fixed Income Fund Short Duration Bond Fund High Yield Credit Fund
August 31, 2021 $15,157* $19,388* $9,293*
August 31, 2022 $29,836* $21,240* $22,068*

 

*Prior to [  ], 2023, advisory fees were paid to the Initial Sub-Adviser.

 

By its terms, each Sub-Advisory Agreement will remain in force for an initial term of two years and from year-to-year thereafter, provided such continuance is approved at least annually by: (1) the Board; or (2) a vote of the majority of a Fund’s outstanding shares; provided that in either event continuance is also approved by a majority of the members of the Board who are not “interested persons” of the Company within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Each Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time, on sixty days’ written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board, by a vote of the majority of a Fund’s outstanding shares, or by the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser. Each Sub-Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined by the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement for the applicable Fund.

 

THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

This section includes information about the Funds’ portfolio managers, including information about other accounts they manage, the dollar range of Fund shares they own and how they are compensated.

 

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

 

The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the Funds with respect to which information is provided) for which the portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. This information is provided as of [ ].

 

Name of Portfolio Manager Type of Accounts  

Total

# of

Accounts

Managed

 

Total Assets

(in millions) 

 

# of Accounts 

Managed that

Advisory Fee

Based on

Performance

 

Total Assets 

that Advisory

Fee Based on

Performance

(in millions)

 
Barry P. Julien Other Registered Investment Companies:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  
  Other Accounts:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  
                     
John Han Other Registered Investment Companies:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  
  Other Accounts:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  
                     

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Description of Compensation.  The Portfolio Managers are paid a base salary and may receive a discretionary bonus depending on, among other things, the financial results of the Sub-Adviser. In addition, Mr. Julien participates in an executive bonus pool. The executive bonus pool is based upon a revenue share and the participants are the senior portfolio managers of the Sub-Adviser.

 

Conflict of Interest. The investment strategies of the Funds and other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers are similar. The Sub-Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to address conflicts in allocation of investment opportunities between the Funds and other accounts managed by the Sub-Adviser. These policies are designed to ensure equitable treatment of all accounts. In addition, procedures are in place to monitor personal trading by the portfolio managers to ensure that the interests of the Sub-Adviser’s clients come first.

 

Securities Ownership. As of August 31, 2022, the portfolio managers owned securities of the Predecessor Funds in the amount set forth in the table below.

 

Portfolio Manager   Dollar Value of Securities Beneficially Owned*
Fixed Income Fund    
Barry P. Julien, CFA®   $[   ]
John Han, CFA®   $[   ]
Short Duration Bond Fund    
Barry P. Julien, CFA®   $[   ]
John Han, CFA®   $[   ]
High Yield Credit Fund    
Barry P. Julien, CFA®   $[   ]
John Han, CFA®   $[   ]

 

*Dollar ranges are as follows: none; $1-$10,000; $10,001-$50,000; $50,001-$100,000; $100,001-$500,000; $500,001-$1,000,000; and over $1,000,000.

 

ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT

 

Fund Services, located at 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as fund administrator to the Funds pursuant to a fund administration servicing agreement and serves as fund accountant pursuant to a fund accounting servicing agreement (the “Administration Agreements”).  Under the fund accounting servicing agreement, Fund Services has agreed to furnish to the Funds statistical and research data, clerical, accounting and bookkeeping services, and certain other services required by the Funds.  Under the fund administration servicing agreement, Fund Services has agreed to provide fund administration services to the Company.  These services include the preparation and coordination of the Company’s annual post-effective amendment filing and supplements to the Funds’ registration statement, the preparation and assembly of board meeting materials, and certain other services necessary to the Company’s fund administration. In addition, Fund Services has agreed to prepare and file various reports with the appropriate regulatory agencies and prepare materials required by the SEC or any state securities commission having jurisdiction over the Funds.

 

The Administration Agreements provide that Fund Services shall be obligated to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties and that Fund Services shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Company in connection with its duties under the Administration Agreements, except a loss resulting from Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the applicable Administration Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties thereunder.

 

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Fund Services receives a fee under the Administration Agreements based on the average daily net assets of the Company.

 

Previous Administrators and Transfer Agents: Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus”), 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, served as the Administrator, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent to the Predecessor Fund pursuant to an Administration Agreement, a Fund Accounting Agreement and a Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement.

 

The administration, accounting and transfer agent fees paid to Ultimus by the Predecessor Funds for the past three fiscal years are as follows:

   
Fixed Income Fund  

Administration,

Accounting and

Transfer Agent Fees

Paid

For the fiscal year August 31, 2022   $148,316
For the fiscal year August 31, 2021   $158,560
For the fiscal year August 31, 2020   $215,073
Short Duration Bond Fund    
For the fiscal year August 31, 2022   $116,291
For the fiscal year August 31, 2021   $157,465
For the fiscal year August 31, 2020   $138,220
High Yield Credit Fund    
For the fiscal year August 31, 2022   $118,189
For the fiscal year August 31, 2021   $99,272
For the fiscal year August 31, 2020   $80,011

 

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

 

U.S. Bank, N.A., (the “Custodian”), 1555 North RiverCenter Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, Suite 302, is custodian of the Funds’ assets pursuant to a custodian agreement (the “Custodian Agreement”).  Under the Custodian Agreement, the Custodian: (a) maintains a separate account or accounts in the name of the Funds; (b) holds and transfers portfolio investments on account of the Funds; (c) accepts receipts and makes disbursements of money on behalf of the Funds; (d) collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the Funds’ portfolio investments; and (e) makes periodic reports to the Board concerning the Funds’ operations. The Custodian is authorized to select one or more banks or trust companies to serve as sub-custodian on behalf of the Funds, provided that the Custodian remains responsible for the performance of all of its duties under the Custodian Agreement and holds the Funds harmless from the acts and omissions of any affiliate, sub-custodian or domestic sub-custodian.  For its services to the Funds under the Custodian Agreement, the Custodian receives a fee based on the Funds’ average gross assets calculated daily and payable monthly. Transaction charges and out-of-pocket expenses are also charged to the Funds. Fund Services and the Custodian are affiliates.

 

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TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

Fund Services, also serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund pursuant to a transfer agency and servicing agreement (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”), under which Fund Services:  (a) issues and redeems shares of the Funds; (b) addresses and mails all communications by the Funds to record owners of the shares, including reports to shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and proxy materials for its meetings of shareholders; (c) maintains shareholder accounts and, if requested, sub-accounts; and (d) makes periodic reports to the Board concerning the operations of the Funds.  Fund Services may, subject to the Board’s approval, assign its duties as transfer and dividend disbursing agent to any affiliate. For its services to the Funds under the Transfer Agency Agreement, Fund Services receives an annual fee based on the number of accounts in the Funds and the Funds’ average gross assets calculated daily and payable monthly. Transaction charges and out-of-pocket expenses are also charged to the Funds.

 

Fund Services also provides services relating to the implementation of the Company’s Anti-Money Laundering Program.  In addition, Fund Services provides services relating to the implementation of the Funds’ Customer Identification Program, including verification of required customer information and the maintenance of records with respect to such verification.

 

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), whose principal business address is 111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as the underwriter to the Funds pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”).  The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).  The Distributor is not affiliated with the Company, the Adviser, or the Sub-Adviser.

 

Under the Distribution Agreement with the Funds, the Distributor serves as the agent of the Company in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Funds.  The Distributor continually distributes shares of the Funds on a best efforts basis.  The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of Fund shares.  The Distributor and its officers have no role in determining the investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Company.

 

The Distributor may enter into agreements with selected broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries for distribution of shares of the Funds.  With respect to certain financial intermediaries and related fund “supermarket” platform arrangements, the Funds and/or the Adviser, rather than the Distributor, typically enter into such agreements.  These financial intermediaries may charge a fee for their services and may receive shareholder service or other fees from parties other than the Distributor.  These financial intermediaries may otherwise act as processing agents and are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase, redemption and other requests to the Funds.

 

Investors who purchase shares through financial intermediaries will be subject to the procedures of those intermediaries through which they purchase shares, which may include charges, investment minimums, cutoff times and other restrictions in addition to, or different from, those listed herein.  Information concerning any charges or services will be provided to customers by the financial intermediary through which they purchase shares.  Investors purchasing shares of the Funds through financial intermediaries should acquaint themselves with their financial intermediary’s procedures and should read the Prospectus in conjunction with any materials and information provided by their financial intermediary.  The financial intermediary, and not its customers, will be the shareholder of record, although customers may have the right to vote shares depending upon their arrangement with the financial intermediary.  The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Funds for its distribution services except the distribution/service fees with respect to the shares of those classes for which a Rule 12b-1 distribution plan is effective.  The Adviser pays the Distributor a fee for certain distribution-related services.

 

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The Distribution Agreement has an initial term of up to two years and will continue in effect only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of a Fund’s outstanding voting securities in accordance with the 1940 Act.  The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Company on behalf of the Funds on no less than 60 days’ written notice when authorized either by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds or by vote of a majority of the members of the Board who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Agreement, or by the Distributor, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).  The Distribution Agreement provides that the Distributor shall not be liable for any loss suffered by the Company in connection with the performance of the Distributor’s obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement, except a loss resulting from the Distributor’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of such duties and obligations, or by reason of its reckless disregard thereof.

 

RULE 12B-1 PLAN

 

As described in the Prospectus, each Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 plan (the “Plan”) for its Retail Shares. The Plan, among other things, permits the Retail Shares to pay the Distributor a quarterly service fee at annual rates not exceeding 0.25% of the assets of the Retail Shares as compensation for its services as principal underwriter of the shares of such classes. Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Plan (together with the Distribution Agreement) was approved by the Funds’ Board, including a majority of the Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Plan or the Distribution Agreement. The principal types of activities for which payments under the Plan may be made include payments to intermediaries for shareholder servicing, for “no transaction fee” or wrap programs, and for retirement plan recordkeeping. Payments under the Plan also may be made for activities such as advertising, printing and mailing the Prospectus to persons who are not current shareholders, compensation to underwriters, compensation to broker-dealers, compensation to sales personnel, and interest, carrying or other financing charges. The Company believes that the Plan benefits the Company by increasing net sales of the Funds (or reducing net redemptions), potentially allowing a Fund to benefit from economies of scale.

 

The Plan may be terminated by vote of a majority of the Independent Directors, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant class of shares of the Fund. The Plan may be amended by vote of the relevant Directors, including a majority of the relevant independent Directors, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. Any change in the Plan that would materially increase the fees payable thereunder by the relevant class of shares of a Fund requires approval by a vote of the holders of a majority of such shares outstanding. The Funds’ Directors review quarterly a written report of such costs and the purposes for which such costs have been incurred.

 

The Plan will continue in effect for successive one-year periods, provided that each such continuance is specifically approved (i) by the vote of a majority of the Independent Directors and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the entire Board cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding securities of the relevant class.

 

By reason of his affiliation with the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, Alexander Morris may be deemed to have a financial interest in the operation of the Plan. As of the date of this SAI, the Retail Shares have not commenced operations.

 

FUND TRANSACTIONS

 

Subject to policies established by the Board and oversight by the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for each Fund’s portfolio decisions and the placing of the Funds’ portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities that are debt securities usually are principal transactions in which portfolio securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Purchases from underwriters of securities generally include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers may include the spread between the bid and asked prices. Transactions on stock exchanges involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Transactions in the over-the-counter markets are generally principal transactions with dealers. With respect to the over-the-counter markets, the Funds, where possible, will deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except under circumstances where better price and execution are available elsewhere.

 

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In placing portfolio transactions, the Sub-Adviser seeks the best qualitative execution for the Funds, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. The Sub-Adviser generally seeks favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received. The Sub-Adviser may not give consideration to sales of shares of the Company as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions. However, the Sub-Adviser may place portfolio transactions with brokers or dealers that promote or sell the Funds’ shares so long as such placements are made pursuant to policies approved by the Board that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of the broker’s execution and not on its sales efforts.

 

Brokerage Transactions

 

The Sub-Adviser is specifically authorized to select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage and research services to the Funds and/or the other accounts over which the Sub-Adviser exercises investment discretion and to pay such brokers or dealers a commission in excess of the commission another broker or dealer would charge if the Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. The determination may be viewed in terms of a particular transaction or the Sub-Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the Company and to other accounts over which it exercises investment discretion.

 

No brokerage commissions were paid by the Predecessor Funds during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020. All transactions were conducted on a principal basis.

 

Research services include supplemental research, securities and economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities and analyses of reports concerning performance of accounts. The research services and other information furnished by brokers through whom a Fund effects securities transactions may also be used by the Sub-Adviser in servicing its other advisory accounts. Similarly, research and information provided by brokers or dealers serving other clients may be useful to the Sub-Adviser in connection with its services to a Fund. Although research services and other information are useful to the Funds and the Sub-Adviser, it is not possible to place a dollar value on the research and other information received. It is the opinion of the Board and the Sub-Adviser that the provision of such research and other information will not reduce the overall cost to the Sub-Adviser of performing its duties to the Funds under the Sub-Advisory Agreements.

 

While each Fund does not deem it practicable and in its best interests to solicit competitive bids for commission rates on each transaction, consideration is regularly given to posted commission rates as well as other information concerning the level of commissions charged on comparable transactions by qualified brokers. No Fund has an obligation to deal with any broker or dealer in the execution of its transactions.

 

Under the 1940 Act, persons affiliated with the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser may be prohibited from dealing with a Fund as a principal in the purchase and sale of securities. Therefore, an affiliate of the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser will not be approved to serve as a Fund’s dealer in connection with over-the-counter transactions. However, an affiliate may serve as a Fund’s broker in over-the-counter transactions conducted on an agency basis and will receive brokerage commissions in connection with such transactions.

 

46 

 

The Funds will not enter into any brokerage transactions with an affiliate if such transactions would be unfair or unreasonable to Fund shareholders, and any commissions will be paid solely for the execution of trades and not for any other services. The Investment Advisory Agreements provide that affiliates of the Adviser may receive brokerage commissions in connection with effecting such transactions for the Funds. In determining the commissions to be paid to an affiliate, it is the policy of each Fund that such commissions will, in the judgment of the Board, be (a) at least as favorable to the Fund as those that would be charged by other qualified brokers having comparable execution capability and (b) at least as favorable to the Fund as commissions contemporaneously charged by an affiliate on comparable transactions for its most favored unaffiliated customers, except for customers of an affiliate considered by a majority of the Independent Directors not to be comparable to a Fund.

 

The Investment Advisory Agreements do not provide for a reduction of the Adviser’s fee by the amount of any profits earned by an affiliate from brokerage commissions generated from portfolio transactions of the Funds. While the Funds contemplate no ongoing arrangements with any other brokerage firms, brokerage business may be given from time to time to other firms. An affiliate will not receive reciprocal brokerage business as a result of the brokerage business placed by the Funds with others.

 

As of August 31, 2022, the Predecessor Funds held debt securities issued by the parent companies of the following “regular broker-dealers” as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

Regular Broker-Dealer Fund Aggregate Value of Securities Held
Wells Fargo Securities LLC Fixed Income Fund $1,306,293
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Fixed Income Fund $ 912,105
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Short Duration Bond Fund $1,419,296
Wells Fargo Securities LLC Short Duration Bond Fund $1,643,184
Morgan Stanley Short Duration Bond Fund $ 547,066

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

 

Read the Funds’ Prospectus for information regarding the purchase and redemption of Fund shares. The following information supplements information in the Funds’ Prospectus.

 

You may purchase shares through an account maintained by your brokerage firm, financial institutions and industry professionals (“Service Organizations”) and you may also purchase shares directly by mail or wire.  The Company reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase of a Fund’s shares by making payment in whole or in part in securities chosen by the Company and valued in the same way as they would be valued for purposes of computing a Fund’s NAV.  If payment is made in securities, a shareholder may incur transaction costs in converting these securities into cash.  A shareholder will also bear any market risk or tax consequences as a result of a payment in securities.  The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act so that a Fund is obligated to redeem its shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund. A shareholder will bear the risk of a decline in market value and any tax consequences associated with a redemption in securities.

 

Under the 1940 Act, the Company may suspend the right to redemption or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “NYSE”) is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), or during which the SEC restricts trading on the NYSE or determines an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or valuation of portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC may permit.  (The Company may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions).

 

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Shares of the Funds are subject to redemption by the Company, at the redemption price of such shares as in effect from time to time, including, without limitation: (1) to reimburse the Funds for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for the benefit of a shareholder as provided in the Prospectus from time to time; (2) if such redemption is, in the opinion of the Board, desirable in order to prevent the Company or the Funds from being deemed a “personal holding company” within the meaning of the Code; (3) or if the net income with respect to any particular class of common stock should be negative or it should otherwise be appropriate to carry out the Company’s responsibilities under the 1940 Act.

 

Each Fund has the right to redeem your shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares of the Fund you previously purchased or subscribed for.

 

Other Purchase Information

 

If shares of the Funds are held in a “street name” account with an authorized dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial owner’s account will be performed by the authorized dealer, and not by a Fund and its Transfer Agent.  Since the Funds will have no record of the beneficial owner’s transactions, a beneficial owner should contact the authorized dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account.  The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with a Fund involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the authorized dealer.

 

Each Fund has established a Retail and an Institutional class of shares. Before choosing a share class, you should consider the following factors, as well as any other relevant facts and circumstances. As of the date of this SAI, Retail Shares are not available for purchase.

 

Retail Shares are sold through certain financial intermediaries and may have higher expenses than Institutional shares, since they are subject to a distribution fee of 0.25% of net assets. Institutional shares are not subject to distribution fees but have a higher minimum investment requirement than Retail Shares. For more information, see the Funds’ Prospectus.

 

TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES

 

The Company’s telephone transaction procedures include the following measures: (1) requiring the appropriate telephone transaction privilege forms; (2) requiring the caller to provide the names of the account owners, the account social security number and name of the Fund, all of which must match the Company’s records; (3) requiring the Company’s service representative to complete a telephone transaction form, listing all of the above caller identification information; (4) permitting exchanges (if applicable) only if the two account registrations are identical; (5) requiring that redemption proceeds be sent only by check to the account owners of record at the address of record, or by electronic funds transfer through the ACH network or by wire only to the owners of record at the bank account of record; (6) sending a written confirmation for each telephone transaction to the owners of record at the address of record within five (5) business days of the call; and (7) maintaining tapes of telephone transactions for six months, if the Company elects to record shareholder telephone transactions. For accounts held of record by broker-dealers, financial institutions, securities dealers, financial planners and other industry professionals, additional documentation or information regarding the scope of a caller’s authority is required. Finally, for telephone transactions in accounts held jointly, additional information regarding other account holders is required. Shares held in IRA accounts may be redeemed by telephone at [ ]. Investors will be asked whether or not to withhold taxes from any distribution.

 

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VALUATION OF SHARES

 

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Board, the NAV per share of each Fund is calculated by determining the value of the net assets attributed to the Fund and dividing by the number of outstanding shares of the Fund. All securities are valued on each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally, but not always, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) or such other time as the NYSE or National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) market may officially close. The term “Business Day” means any day the NYSE is open for trading, which is Monday through Friday except for holidays. The NYSE is generally closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day (observed), Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday (observed), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the NYSE is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Company reserves the right to reprocess purchase, redemption and exchange transactions that were initially processed at a NAV other than the Fund’s official closing NAV (as the same may be subsequently adjusted), and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders based on the official closing NAV. The Company reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC. In addition, the Fund may compute its NAV as of any time permitted pursuant to any exemption, order or statement of the SEC or its staff.

 

The securities of each Fund are valued under the direction of the Funds’ administrator and under the general supervision of the Board.  Prices are generally determined using readily available market prices.  Subject to the approval of the Board, the Funds may employ outside organizations, which may use a matrix or formula method that takes into consideration market indices, matrices, yield curves and other specific adjustments in determining the approximate market value of portfolio investments.  This may result in the investments being valued at a price that differs from the price that would have been determined had the matrix or formula method not been used.  All cash, receivables, and current payables are carried on a Fund’s books at their face value.  Other assets, if any, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Funds’ Valuation Committee under the direction of the Board.

 

The procedures used by any pricing service and its valuation results are reviewed by the officers of the Company under the general supervision of the Board.

 

Each Fund may hold portfolio securities that are listed on foreign exchanges.  These securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Funds do not calculate NAV.  As a result, the value of these investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Fund shares.

 

TAXES

 

The following summarizes certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that are not described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Funds or their shareholders, and the discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Potential investors should consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations.

 

The discussions of the federal tax consequences in the Prospectus and this SAI are based on the Code and the regulations issued under it, and court decisions and administrative interpretations, as in effect on the date of this SAI.  Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly alter the statements included herein, and any such changes or decisions may be retroactive.

 

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General

 

Each Fund qualified during its last taxable year and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code. As such, each Fund generally is exempt from federal income tax on its net investment income and realized capital gains that it distributes to shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, each Fund must meet three important tests each year.

 

First, a Fund must derive with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities or currencies, or net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

Second, generally, at the close of each quarter of a Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of the issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities of (1) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), (2) two or more issuers that the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or (3) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

Third, a Fund must distribute an amount equal to at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) before taking into account any deduction for dividends paid, and 90% of its tax-exempt income, if any, for the year.

 

Each Fund intends to comply with these requirements. If a Fund were to fail to make sufficient distributions, it could be liable for corporate income tax and for excise tax in respect of the shortfall or, if the shortfall is large enough, the Fund could be disqualified as a regulated investment company. If for any taxable year a Fund were not to qualify as a regulated investment company, all its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. In that event, shareholders would recognize dividend income on distributions to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, and corporate shareholders could be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

 

The Code imposes a nondeductible 4% excise tax on regulated investment companies that fail to distribute each year an amount equal to specified percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses). Each Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions each year to avoid liability for this excise tax.

 

[As of December 31, 2022, the Predecessor Funds had no capital loss carryforwards.]

 

Taxation of Certain Investments

 

The tax principles applicable to transactions in financial instruments, such as futures contracts and options, that may be engaged in by a Fund, and investments in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”), are complex and, in some cases, uncertain. Such transactions and investments may cause a Fund to recognize taxable income prior to the receipt of cash, thereby requiring the Fund to liquidate other positions, or to borrow money, so as to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to avoid corporate-level tax.  Moreover, some or all of the taxable income recognized may be ordinary income or short-term capital gain, so that the distributions may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

 

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In addition, in the case of any shares of a PFIC in which a Fund invests, the Fund may be liable for corporate-level tax on any ultimate gain or distributions on the shares if the Fund fails to make an election to recognize income annually during the period of its ownership of the shares.

 

State and Local Taxes

 

Although the Funds each expect to qualify as a “regulated investment company” and to be relieved of all or substantially all federal income taxes, depending upon the extent of its activities in states and localities in which its offices are maintained, in which its agents or independent contractors are located or in which it is otherwise deemed to be conducting business, each Fund may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPANY SHARES

 

The Company has authorized capital of 100 billion shares of common stock at a par value of $0.001 per share. Currently, 90.623 billion shares have been classified into 213 classes. However, the Company only has approximately 54 active share classes that have begun investment operations. Under the Company’s charter, the Board has the power to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock from time to time.

 

Each share that represents an interest in a Fund has an equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging to the Fund with each other share that represents an interest in the Fund, even where a share has a different class designation than another share representing an interest in the Fund.  Shares of the Company do not have preemptive or conversion rights.  When issued for payment as described in the Prospectus, shares of the Company will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

The Company does not currently intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law.  The Company’s amended By-Laws provide that shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding shares of all classes of common stock of the Company have the right to call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more directors. To the extent required by law, the Company will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.

 

Holders of shares of each class of the Funds will vote in the aggregate and not by class on all matters, except where otherwise required by law. Further, shareholders of the Company will vote in the aggregate and not by portfolio except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interests of the shareholders of a particular portfolio or class of shares. Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of such Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Company shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each portfolio affected by the matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a portfolio shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each portfolio in the matter are identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the portfolio. Under Rule 18f-2 the approval of an investment advisory agreement or distribution agreement or any change in a fundamental investment objective or fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a portfolio only if approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such portfolio. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the selection of independent public accountants and the election of directors are not subject to the separate voting requirements and may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of an investment company voting without regard to a portfolio.  Shareholders of the Company are entitled to one vote for each full share held (irrespective of class or portfolio) and fractional votes for fractional shares held.  Voting rights are not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate shares of common stock of the Company may elect all of the Directors.

 

51 

 

Notwithstanding any provision of Maryland law requiring a greater vote of shares of the Company’s common stock (or of any class voting as a class) in connection with any corporate action, unless otherwise provided by law (for example by Rule 18f-2 discussed above), or by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, the Company may take or authorize such action upon the favorable vote of the holders of more than 50% of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock voting without regard to class (or portfolio).

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Anti-Money Laundering Program

 

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

 

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that certain of their service providers have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity, and conducting a complete and thorough review of all new account applications. The Funds will not transact business with any person or legal entity whose identity and beneficial owners, if applicable, cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

Counsel

 

The law firm of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996, serves as independent counsel to the Company and the Independent Directors.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

[  ], located at [  ], serves as the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, and in that capacity audits the Funds’ financial statements.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The 2022 audited financial statements, which include the financial highlights of each Predecessor Fund for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019, as set forth in the Predecessor Fund’s annual report to shareholders, including the notes thereto and the report of the independent registered public accountant, are incorporated herein by reference. 

 

52 

 

APPENDIX A

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

 

Short-Term Credit Ratings

 

An S&P Global Ratings short-term issue credit rating is generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. The following summarizes the rating categories used by S&P Global Ratings for short-term issues:

 

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

 

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

 

“A-3” – A short-term obligation rated “A-3” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“B” – A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

 

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

 

“D” – A short-term obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

 

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Ratings – S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. A foreign currency rating on an issuer can differ from the local currency rating on it when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, versus obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

 

“NR” – This indicates that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.

 

Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) short-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment.

 

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

 

“P-1” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

“P-2” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

“P-3” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

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

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated issuer, obligation and/or program.

 

Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short-term” based on market convention.1 Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

 

“F1” – Securities possess the highest short-term credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

 
1A long-term rating can also be used to rate an issue with short maturity.

 

A-1

 

“F2” – Securities possess good short-term credit quality. This designation indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

“F3” – Securities possess fair short-term credit quality. This designation indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

 

“B” – Securities possess speculative short-term credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

“C” – Securities possess high short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

 

“RD” – Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

 

“D” – Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an issue of a rated issuer that are not and have not been rated.

 

The DBRS Morningstar® Ratings Limited (“DBRS Morningstar”) short-term obligation ratings provide DBRS Morningstar’s opinion on the risk that an issuer will not meet its short-term financial obligations in a timely manner. The obligations rated in this category typically have a term of shorter than one year. The R-1 and R-2 rating categories are further denoted by the subcategories “(high)”, “(middle)”, and “(low)”.

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS Morningstar for commercial paper and short-term debt:

 

“R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is exceptionally high. Unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

 

“R-1 (middle)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is very high. Differs from “R-1 (high)” by a relatively modest degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-1 (low)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is substantial. Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating categories. May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

“R-2 (high)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (high)” is considered to be at the upper end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-2 (middle)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (middle)” is considered to be of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.

 

“R-2 (low)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (low)” is considered to be at the lower end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events. A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer’s ability to meet such obligations.

 

“R-3” – Short-term debt rated “R-3” is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit quality. There is a capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due. May be vulnerable to future events and the certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of developments.

 

“R-4” – Short-term debt rated “R-4” is considered to be of speculative credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain.

 

“R-5” – Short-term debt rated “R-5” is considered to be of highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due.

 

“D” – Short-term debt rated “D” is assigned when the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding-up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods. DBRS Morningstar may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.

 

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by S&P Global Ratings for long-term issues:

 

“AAA” – An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

A-2

 

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

 

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

 

“BBB” – An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“CC” – An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The “CC” rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

 

“C” – An obligation rated “C” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

 

“D” – An obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within the next five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or the next 30 calendar days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) – Ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

 

“NR” – This indicates that a rating has not been assigned, or is no longer assigned.

 

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Ratings - S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. A foreign currency rating on an issuer can differ from the local currency rating on it when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, versus obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

 

Moody’s long-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations with an original maturity of eleven months or more. Such ratings reflect both on the likelihood of default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

 

“Aaa” – Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

 

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

 

“A” – Obligations rated “A” are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 

“Baa” – Obligations rated “Baa” are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

 

“Ba” – Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A-3

 

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

 

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

 

“NR” – Is assigned to unrated obligations, obligation and/or program.

 

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

 

“AAA” – Securities considered to be of the highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

 

“AA” – Securities considered to be of very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

“A” – Securities considered to be of high credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

 

“BBB” – Securities considered to be of good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

 

“BB” – Securities considered to be speculative. “BB” ratings indicates an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

 

“B” – Securities considered to be highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that material credit risk is present

 

“CCC” – A “CCC” rating indicates that substantial credit risk is present.

 

“CC” – A “CC” rating indicates very high levels of credit risk.

 

“C” – A “C” rating indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

 

Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned “RD” or “D” ratings but are instead rated in the “CCC” to “C” rating categories, depending on their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Fitch believes that this approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below “CCC”.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated issue of a rated issuer.

 

The DBRS Morningstar long-term obligation ratings provide DBRS Morningstar’s opinion on the risk that investors may not be repaid in accordance with the terms under which the long-term obligation was issued. The obligations rated in this category typically have a term of one year or longer. All rating categories other than AAA and D also contain subcategories “(high)” and “(low)”. The absence of either a “(high)” or “(low)” designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category. The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS Morningstar for long-term debt:

 

“AAA” – Long-term debt rated “AAA” is of the highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

 

“AA” – Long-term debt rated “AA” is of superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered high. Credit quality differs from “AAA” only to a small degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“A” – Long-term debt rated “A” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial, but of lesser credit quality than “AA.” May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

“BBB” – Long-term debt rated “BBB” is of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“BB” – Long-term debt rated “BB” is of speculative, non-investment grade credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is uncertain. Vulnerable to future events.

 

“B” – Long-term debt rated “B” is of highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations.

 

A-4

 

“CCC”, “CC” and “C” – Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is of very highly speculative credit quality. In danger of defaulting on financial obligations. There is little difference between these three categories, although “CC” and “C” ratings are normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to default or subordinated to obligations rated in the “CCC” to “B” range. Obligations in respect of which default has not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the “C” category.

 

“D” – A security rated “D” is assigned when the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods. DBRS Morningstar may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.

 

Municipal Note Ratings

 

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

 

Amortization schedule - the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

 

Source of payment - the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

 

Municipal Short-Term Note rating symbols are as follows:

 

“SP-1” – A municipal note rated “SP-1” exhibits a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

 

“SP-2” – A municipal note rated “SP-2” exhibits a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

“SP-3” – A municipal note rated “SP-3” exhibits a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

“D” – This rating is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

 

Moody’s uses the global short-term Prime rating scale (listed above under Short-Term Credit Ratings) for commercial paper issued by U.S. municipalities and nonprofits. These commercial paper programs may be backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities, or by an issuer’s self-liquidity.

 

For other short-term municipal obligations, Moody’s uses one of two other short-term rating scales, the Municipal Investment Grade (“MIG”) and Variable Municipal Investment Grade (“VMIG”) scales provided below.

 

Moody’s uses the MIG scale for U.S. municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, Moody’s uses the MIG scale for bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.

 

MIG Scale

 

“MIG-1” – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

“MIG-2” – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

“MIG-3” – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

 

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

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated obligation, obligation and/or program.

 

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”), Moody’s assigns both a long-term rating and a short-term payment obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer’s ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term payment obligation rating addresses the ability of the issuer or the liquidity provider to meet any purchase price payment obligation resulting from optional tenders (“on demand”) and/or mandatory tenders of the VRDO. The short-term payment obligation rating uses the VMIG scale. Transitions of VMIG ratings with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions of Prime ratings reflecting the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.

 

A-5

 

Moody’s typically assigns the VMIG rating if the frequency of the payment obligation is less than every three years. If the frequency of the payment obligation is less than three years but the obligation is payable only with remarketing proceeds, the VMIG short-term rating is not assigned and it is denoted as “NR”.

 

“VMIG-1” – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

 

“VMIG-2” – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

 

“VMIG-3” – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

 

“SG” – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated obligation, obligation and/or program.

 

About Credit Ratings

 

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

 

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities.

 

Fitch’s credit ratings are forward-looking opinions on the relative ability of an entity or obligation to meet financial commitments. Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) are assigned to corporations, sovereign entities, financial institutions such as banks, leasing companies and insurers, and public finance entities (local and regional governments). Issue-level ratings are also assigned and often include an expectation of recovery, which may be notched above or below the issuer-level rating. Issue ratings are assigned to secured and unsecured debt securities, loans, preferred stock and other instruments. Credit ratings are indications of the likelihood of repayment in accordance with the terms of the issuance. In limited cases, Fitch may include additional considerations (i.e., rate to a higher or lower standard than that implied in the obligation’s documentation).

 

DBRS Morningstar offers independent, transparent, and innovative credit analysis to the market. Credit ratings are forward-looking opinions about credit risk that reflect the creditworthiness of an issuer, rated entity, security and/or obligation based on DBRS Morningstar’s quantitative and qualitative analysis in accordance with applicable methodologies and criteria. They are meant to provide opinions on relative measures of risk and are not based on expectations of, or meant to predict, any specific default probability. Credit ratings are not statements of fact. DBRS Morningstar issues credit ratings using one or more categories, such as public, private, provisional, final(ized), solicited, or unsolicited. From time to time, credit ratings may also be subject to trends, placed under review, or discontinued. DBRS Morningstar credit ratings are determined by credit rating committees.

A-6

 

APPENDIX B 

 

Proxy Voting

 

[INSERT PROXY VOTING POLICIES] 

 

B-1 

 

 

The information in this prospectus (the “Prospectus”) is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion—Dated April 27, 2023

 

F/M INVESTMENTS LARGE CAP FOCUSED FUND

 

Institutional Shares (Ticker: [  ])

Investor Shares (Ticker: [  ])

 

of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

Prospectus

 

[  ], 2023

 

Investment Adviser: 

F/m Investments, LLC

 

This Prospectus gives vital information about the F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund (the “Fund”) each an investment portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”), including information on investment policies, risks and fees. For your own benefit and protection, please read it before you invest and keep it on hand for future reference.

 

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

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 

 

A look at the goals, strategies, risks and financial history of the Fund.
 
Details about the Fund’s service providers.
 
Policies and instructions for opening, maintaining and closing an account in a Fund.

 

SUMMARY SECTION 1
    
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS INVESTMENTS AND RISKS 8
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS 14
Investment Adviser 14
Portfolio Managers 14
   
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION 15
Pricing of Fund Shares 15
Sales Charges 21
Market Timing 16
Purchase of Fund Shares 17
Redemption of Fund Shares 21
Dividends and Distributions 25
Taxes 25
   
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 28
   
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 29
   
FOR MORE INFORMATION Back Cover

 i

 

SUMMARY SECTION

 

 

F/m Investment Large Cap Focused Fund

 

Investment Objective

 

The investment objective of F/m Investment Large Cap Focused Fund (the “Fund”) is long-term growth of capital.

 

Expenses and Fees

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (the “Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year

as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Investor
Class
Institutional
Class
Management Fees 0.70 % 0.70%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.25% None
Other Expenses(1)    [   ] % [    ]%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses [   ]% [    ]%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(2) [   ]% [    ]%
Less:  Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (3) [   ]% [    ]%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Management Fee Reductions(3) [   ]% [   ]%

 

(1)F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund, a series of F/m Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”), reorganized into the Fund following the close of business on [ ], 2023. Accordingly, the Fund’s “Other Expenses” have been restated to reflect expenses estimated to be incurred for the Fund for the current fiscal year.

(2)[Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Management Fee Reductions will differ from the Fund’s ratio of total expenses to average net assets or the Fund’s ratio of net expenses to average net assets in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which do not reflect “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.”]

(3)[Under the terms of the expense limitation agreement entered into by The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) and F/m Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”), the Adviser has contractually agreed, for two years following the effective date, to reduce Management Fees and to absorb Fund expense to the extent necessary to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding interest, taxes, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) to an amount not exceeding 1.15% and 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares, respectively. Management fee reductions and Other Expenses absorbed by the Adviser are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of 3 years following the date such fees and expenses were waived or reimbursed, provided that the repayments do not cause Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding interest, taxes, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) to exceed either: (i) the expense limitation in effect at the time such fees and expenses were waived or absorbed; or (ii) any expense limitation in effect at the time the Adviser seeks reimbursement of such fees and expenses. This agreement may be terminated by either party upon 60 days’ prior written notice, provided, however, the Adviser may not terminate this agreement without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company and this agreement will terminate automatically if the Adviser ceases to serve as investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser has the right to seek reimbursement from the Fund for amounts up to the aggregate amount that the Adviser had waived or reimbursed the Predecessor Fund under an expense limitation agreement with the Predecessor Fund for the three-year period ending after the specific fee waiver or reimbursement, but only if such reimbursement can be achieved without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.]

 

Example

 

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, reinvest dividends and distributions, and then hold or redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and [takes into account the Adviser’s contractual arrangement to maintain the Fund’s expenses at the agreed upon level until [ ]] . Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 1

 

  1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Institutional Class $[   ] $[   ] $[   ] $[   ]
Investor Class $[   ] $[   ] $[   ] $[   ]

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. During the most recent fiscal year, the Predecessor Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 169% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Summary of Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund’s principal investment objective is long-term growth of capital. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by purchasing equity securities that the Adviser believes are likely to appreciate. The Adviser will focus on companies that exhibit accelerating growth in earnings and revenue. The Adviser generally seeks to purchase equity securities of large capitalization U.S. companies, and may purchase American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) of international companies trading on U.S. exchanges. The Fund may invest across different industries and sectors. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of large capitalization companies. The Fund considers large capitalization companies to include those that have a market capitalization, at the time of investment, comparable to the securities held in the S&P 500® Index. As of [December 31, 2022], the S&P 500® Index included U.S. companies with a median market capitalization of $[ ] billion. The market capitalization of the companies in the S&P 500 Index ranged from $[ ] billion to $[ ] trillion as of [December 31, 2022]. At times, the Fund may emphasize investment in a particular industry or sector. As of [December 31, 2022], the Fund had approximately [ ]% of its net assets invested in stocks within the [technology sector].

 

The Adviser uses quantitative screens to evaluate liquidity, capitalization, domicile, and desired risk attributes to determine an initial universe of large capitalization companies from which the Fund may invest. The Adviser then uses a quantitative process to evaluate company fundamentals and stock price trends of the investment candidates. Macroeconomic influences on portfolio candidates are considered before selecting the final securities for purchase in the portfolio. The Adviser considers whether to sell a particular security when the security receives declining scores from the Adviser’s proprietary model or the security causes the Fund’s portfolio to be exposed to unintended risks.

 

The periodic reconstitution and rebalancing of the portfolio according to the Fund’s quantitative investment strategy may result in significant portfolio turnover. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction expenses, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. High portfolio turnover also may result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains, which, when distributed, are taxable to shareholders. With respect to any percentage restriction on investment or use of assets in the Fund’s investment strategies, if such a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time a transaction is affected, a later increase or decrease in such percentage resulting from changes in values of securities or loans or amounts of net assets or security characteristics will not be considered a violation of the restriction. Any such changes in percentages do not require the sale of a security, but rather the Adviser will consider which action is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders, including the sale of the security.

 2

 

The Fund is a “non-diversified” fund, which means it can invest in fewer securities at any one time than a diversified fund.

 

Summary of Principal Risks

 

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The Fund’s principal risks are presented in alphabetical order to facilitate finding particular risks and comparing them with other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears. Different risks may be more significant at different times depending on market conditions or other factors.

 

Cyber Security Risk. Cyber security risk is the risk of an unauthorized breach and access to Fund assets, Fund or customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or the risk of an incident occurring that causes the Fund, Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, distributor and other service providers and financial intermediaries to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality or prevent Fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions. The Fund and Adviser have limited ability to prevent or mitigate cyber security incidents affecting third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or Adviser. Successful cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures or events affecting the Fund or its service providers may adversely impact and cause financial losses to the Fund or its shareholders. Issuers of securities in which the Fund invests are also subject to cyber security risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures.

 

Depositary Receipts Risk - Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition to investment risks associated with the underlying issuer, depositary receipts expose the Fund to additional risks associated with the non-uniform terms that apply to depositary receipt programs, credit exposure to the depository bank and to the sponsors and other parties with whom the depository bank establishes the programs, currency risk and liquidity risk. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose information that is, in the United States, considered material. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding these issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts.

 

Equity Securities Risk - The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s activities and financial condition and in overall market conditions. Economic, political, and financial conditions, or industry or economic trends or developments, may for varying periods of time cause volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in the markets. The Fund’s investments in equity securities expose it to sudden and unpredictable drops in value and the potential for extended periods of lackluster performance.

 

Foreign Securities Risk - Foreign investments may be affected by changes in a foreign country’s exchange rates, political and social instability, changes in economic or taxation policies, difficulties enforcing obligations, decreased liquidity, and increased volatility. Foreign companies may be subject to less regulation resulting in less publicly available information about the companies.

 

Large Cap Security Risk - Larger capitalization companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technological developments and consumer tastes, have fewer opportunities to expand the market for their products or services, and may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies.

 

Market Risk - Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets, including fluctuation in interest rates, national and international economic conditions, and general equity market conditions.

 

Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become interconnected which increases the possibility that economic, financial or political events in one sector or region could have potentially adverse effects on global economies or markets. For example, Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, the responses and sanctions by other countries, and the potential for wider military conflicts or war, could continue to have adverse effects on regional and global economies, and may further strain global supply chains, and negatively affect global growth and inflation. Natural or environmental disasters or climate related events, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis, and widespread disease, including pandemics and epidemics, have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and the markets. For example, the outbreak of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, and efforts to contain its spread, have resulted, and may continue to result in labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand for certain products and services, and significant disruptions to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies, sectors, industries, interest rates and investor sentiment. 

 3

 

Management Style Risk - The Fund intends to invest in growth-oriented stocks and the Fund’s performance may at times be better or worse than that of similar funds with other focuses or that have a broader investment style. There is no guarantee that the Adviser’s investment techniques and risk analyses, including its reliance on quantitative models, will produce the intended results.

 

Sector Risk - Sector risk is the possibility that a certain sector may perform differently than other sectors or as the market as a whole. Although the Fund does not intend to concentrate its investments in any particular sector or sectors, the Fund may emphasize investments in one or more sectors, which may cause the Fund to have increased relative exposure to the price movements of those sectors. At times when the Fund emphasizes a particular sector, the value of its net assets will be more susceptible to the financial, market or economic events affecting that sector than would be the case for mutual funds that do not emphasize investment in a particular sector. This may increase the risk of loss associated with an investment in the Fund and increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price. As of [   ] 2023, the Fund had approximately [  ]% of its net assets invested in stocks within the technology sector. The values of securities of companies in the technology sector may be significantly affected adversely by competitive pressures, short product cycles, aggressive pricing and rapid obsolescence of existing technologies and products.

 

Portfolio Turnover Risk - The periodic reconstitution and rebalancing of the portfolio according to the Fund’s quantitative investment strategy may result in significant portfolio turnover. High portfolio turnover (e.g., an annual rate greater than 100% of the average value of the Fund’s portfolio) involves correspondingly greater expenses to the Fund and may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. 

 

Risk of Non-Diversification - The Fund is a non-diversified portfolio, which means that it has the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of securities than a portfolio that is “diversified.” Non-diversification increases the risk that the Fund’s share price could decrease to a larger extent than a Fund that is diversified because of the poor performance of a single investment. 

 4

 

Fund Performance

 

The Fund was reorganized following the close of business on [   ], 2023, to acquire the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor Fund, a series of F/m Funds Trust, in exchange for shares of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund is the successor to the Predecessor Fund, and the following performance information shown prior to [  ], 2023, is that of the Predecessor Fund. The Predecessor Fund adopted the past performance of the F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund, a series of IDX Funds, (the “Original Fund”) as its own and the bar chart and performance tables include the performance of the Original Fund prior to January 18, 2022. The Fund has an investment objective, strategies and policies substantially similar to the Predecessor Fund, which was also advised by the Adviser.

 

The following performance information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Predecessor Fund from year to year. The chart assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The bar chart shows the performance of the Institutional Class shares for each full calendar year over the lifetime of the Predecessor Fund. The performance table shows how the Predecessor Fund’s average annual total returns for one year, five years, and since inception periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. On November 1, 2022, the Predecessor Fund changed its primary benchmark index from the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to the Russell 1000 Growth Index because the Russell 1000 Growth Index is more representative of the Fund’s portfolio characteristics. Effective on November 1, 2022, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is used as the Fund’s secondary benchmark index, replacing its previous secondary index, the Russell 1000 Index.

 

The table below compares the average annual returns of the Predecessor Fund for the one year, five year, and since inception periods to a broad-based market index for the same periods. The performance of the Original Fund through April 2020 reflects its performance under the previous adviser. Performance of the Original Fund from April 2020 through January 18, 2022 reflects the performance of the Adviser. Performance information represents only past performance, before and after taxes, and does not necessarily indicate future results. Updated performance information is available by visiting www.fm-funds.com or by calling 1-800-292-6775.

 

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

 

Institutional Class

 

[bar chart to be included for institutional shares as of 12/31/22]

 

During the period shown in the chart, the highest quarterly return was [_] (for the quarter ended [_]) and the lowest quarterly return was [_]% (for the quarter ended [_]). The year-to-date total return through [_] was [_]%. 

 5

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022         

 

  1 Year 5 Years Since Inception
(October 3, 2016)
Institutional Class Shares      
Return Before Taxes [   ]% [   ]% [   ]%
Return After Taxes on Distributions [   ]% [   ]% [   ]%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares [   ]% [   ]% [   ]%
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) [   ]% [   ]% [   ]%
Russell 1000 Growth Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) [   ]% [   ]% [   ]%
Russell 1000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) [   ]% [   ]% [   ]%
Investor Class Shares      
Return Before Taxes [   ]% [   ]% [   ]%

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual Federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Institutional Shares only, and the after-tax returns for Investor Shares will vary to the extent it has different expenses.

 

Management of the Fund

 

Investment Adviser

 

F/m Investments, LLC is the investment adviser of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Name Title with Adviser Tenure with the Fund
Francisco J. Bido Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager Since Inception
Alexander Morris Chief Investment Officer Since 2020

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

  Minimum Initial Investment Subsequent Minimum Investment
Investor Class $1,000 None
Institutional Class $100,000 None

 6

 

Investors generally may meet the minimum investment amount for the Institutional Class by aggregating multiple accounts within the Fund if desired. Account minimums may be waived for accounts held by clients of the Adviser or for certain other accounts, at the discretion of the Adviser.

 

You can purchase and redeem shares of the Fund only on days the New York Stock Exchange “(“NYSE”“) is open. Shares of the Fund may be available through certain brokerage firms, financial institutions and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Organizations”). Certain features of the shares, such as the initial and minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations, as further detailed in the section entitled “Purchase of Fund Shares – Purchases Through Intermediaries.” Shares of the Fund may also be purchased and redeemed directly through the Company by the means described below.

 

Purchase and Redemption By Mail:

 

 

F/m Investments Large Cap Focused

Fund 

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

P.O. Box 701 

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701

 

Overnight Mail: 

F/m Investments Large Cap Focused

Fund 

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202-5207 

   

 

Purchase By Wire:

 

Before sending any wire, call U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (the “Transfer Agent”) at [  ] to confirm the current wire instructions for the Fund.

 

Redemption By Telephone:

 

Call the Transfer Agent at [  ].

 

Taxes Information 

Except for tax-advantaged retirement plans and accounts and other tax-exempt investors, you will be subject to tax to the extent the Fund makes distributions of ordinary income or net capital gains. Distributions may be taxable upon withdrawal from retirement accounts.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries 

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

 7

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED AND RISKS

 

This section provides some additional information about the Fund’s investments and certain portfolio management techniques that the Fund may use. More information about the Fund’s investments and portfolio management techniques, and related risks, is included in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). This Prospectus describes the Fund’s principal investment strategies, and the Fund will normally invest in the types of securities described in this Prospectus. In addition to the investments and strategies described in this Prospectus, the Fund also may invest, to a lesser extent, in other securities, use other strategies and engage in other investment practices that are not part of its principal investment strategy. These investments and strategies, as well as those described in this Prospectus, are described in detail in the Fund’s SAI. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

The Fund’s principal investment objective is long-term growth of capital.

 

The investment objective of the Fund may be changed without shareholder approval. If a decision is made to change the Fund’s investment objective, shareholders will be provided with at least 60 days’ advance notice of the change.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by purchasing equity securities that the Adviser believes are likely to appreciate. The Adviser will focus on companies that exhibit accelerating growth in earnings and revenue. The Adviser generally seeks to purchase equity securities of large capitalization U.S. companies, and may purchase American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) of international companies trading on U.S. exchanges. The Fund may invest across different industries and sectors. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of large capitalization companies. The Fund considers large capitalization companies to include those that have a market capitalization, at the time of investment, comparable to the securities held in the S&P 500® Index. As of [December 31, 2022], the S&P 500® Index included U. S. companies with a median market capitalization of $[  ] billion. The market capitalization of the companies in the S&P 500 Index ranged from $[  ] billion to $[  ] trillion as of [December 31, 2022]. At times, the Fund may emphasize investment in a particular industry or sector. As of [December 31, 2022], the Fund had approximately [  ]% of its net assets invested in stocks within the [technology sector].

 

The Adviser uses quantitative screens to evaluate liquidity, capitalization, domicile, and desired risk attributes to determine an initial universe of large capitalization companies from which the Fund may invest. The Adviser then uses a quantitative process to evaluate company fundamentals and stock price trends of the investment candidates. Macroeconomic influences on portfolio candidates are considered before selecting the final securities for purchase in the portfolio. The Adviser considers whether to sell a particular security when the security receives declining scores from the Adviser’s proprietary model or the security causes the Fund’s portfolio to be exposed to unintended risks.

 

The periodic reconstitution and rebalancing of the portfolio according to the Fund’s quantitative investment strategy may result in significant portfolio turnover. A higher rate of portfolio turnover increases transaction expenses, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. High portfolio turnover also may result in the realization of substantial net short-term capital gains, which, when distributed, are taxable to shareholders.

 

The Fund is a “non-diversified” fund, which means it can invest in fewer securities at any one time than a diversified fund. 

 8

 

PRINCIPAL RISKS

 

Cyber Security Risk. With the increased use of technologies such as the internet to conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). Cyber security failures or breaches by the Fund’s Adviser and other service providers (including, but not limited to, Fund accountant, custodian, transfer agent and administrator), and the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. While the Adviser has established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Fund and issuers in which the Fund invests, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or Adviser. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. Issuers of securities in which the Fund invests are also subject to cyber security risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cyber-attacks or other cyber-failures.

 

Depositary Receipts Risk. Investment in depositary receipts may be subject to some of the same risks as direct investment in foreign companies, which includes international trade, currency, political, regulatory and diplomatic risks. Depositary receipts may be available through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the security underlying the receipt and the depository, whereas an unsponsored facility is established by the depository without participation by the issuer of the underlying security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all of the costs of the unsponsored facility. The depository of an unsponsored facility is frequently under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through, to the holders of the receipts, voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. The depository of unsponsored depositary receipts may provide less information to receipt holders.

 

Equity Securities Risk. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s activities and financial condition and in overall market conditions. Economic, political, and financial conditions, or industry or economic trends or developments, may for varying periods of time cause volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in the markets. The Fund’s investments in equity securities expose it to sudden and unpredictable drops in value and the potential for extended periods of lackluster performance.

 

Foreign Securities Risk. Securities of companies located outside the U.S. involve additional risks that can increase the potential for losses in the Fund to the extent that it invests in these securities. Investments in foreign securities may be affected by currency controls and exchange rates; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market volatility; differing securities market structures; higher transaction costs; and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends.

 

oSpecial Risks Related to Foreign Securities. Foreign securities involve special risks and costs, which are considered by the Adviser in evaluating the creditworthiness of issuers. Foreign securities fluctuate in price because of political, financial, social and economic events in foreign countries (including, for example, military confrontations, war and terrorism). A foreign security could also lose value because of more or less stringent foreign securities regulations and less stringent accounting and disclosure standards. In addition, foreign markets may have greater volatility than domestic markets and foreign securities may be less liquid and harder to value than domestic securities. Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. International trade barriers or economic sanctions against foreign countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals may adversely affect the Fund’s foreign holdings or exposures. Foreign securities, and in particular foreign debt securities, are sensitive to changes in interest rates. In addition, investment in the securities of foreign governments involves the risk that foreign governments may default on their obligations or may otherwise not respect the integrity of their debt. Investment in foreign securities may involve higher costs than investment in U.S. securities, including higher transaction and custody costs as well as the imposition of additional taxes by foreign governments. Foreign investments also may involve risks associated with the level of currency exchange rates, less complete financial information about the issuers, less market liquidity, more market volatility and political instability. Moreover, clearance and settlement procedures may differ from those in the U.S. and in certain markets such procedures have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, thus making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on dividend income, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign holdings, the possible establishment of exchange controls or freezes on the convertibility of currency, trade restrictions (including tariffs) or the adoption of other governmental restrictions might adversely affect an investment in foreign securities. Additionally, foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing and recordkeeping requirements. The Adviser may determine not to invest in, or may limit the Fund’s overall investment in, a particular issuer, country or geographic region due to, among other things, heightened risks regarding repatriation restrictions, confiscation of assets and property, expropriation or nationalization.

 9

 

oDeveloped Countries Investing Risk. The Fund’s investment in a developed country issuer may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with developed countries. Developed countries tend to represent a significant portion of the global economy and have generally experienced slower economic growth than some less developed countries. In addition, developed countries may be impacted by changes to the economic conditions of certain key trading partners, regulatory burdens, debt burdens and the price or availability of certain commodities.

 

Developed countries generally tend to rely on services sectors (e.g., the financial services sector) as the primary means of economic growth. A prolonged slowdown in, among others, services sectors is likely to have a negative impact on economies of certain developed countries. Developed countries experienced a significant economic slowdown during the recent financial crisis. In the past, certain developed countries have been targets of terrorism. Acts of terrorism in developed countries or against their interests abroad may cause uncertainty in the financial markets and adversely affect the performance of the issuers to which a Fund has exposure. Heavy regulation of, among others, labor and product markets may have an adverse effect on certain issuers. Such regulations may negatively affect economic growth or cause prolonged periods of recession. Many developed countries are heavily indebted and face rising healthcare and retirement expenses. In addition, price fluctuations of certain commodities and regulations impacting the import of commodities may negatively affect developed country economies.

 

oRussia/Ukraine Risk. On February 24, 2022, Russia commenced military action in Ukraine. Russia's military interventions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to additional sanctions being levied by the United States, EU and other countries against Russia. Russia's military incursion and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy and financial markets and thus could affect the value of the Fund’s investments, even beyond any direct exposure the Fund may have to Russian issuers or the adjoining geographic regions. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial. Any such disruptions caused by Russian military action or resulting sanctions may magnify the impact of other risks described in this Prospectus.

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Large Cap Security Risk. Securities of companies with certain market capitalizations may perform differently from the equities markets generally. At times, large-cap companies may underperform as compared to small- or mid-capitalization companies, and vice versa. Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond to new competitive challenges such as changes in consumer tastes or innovative smaller competitors. The stocks of large capitalization companies as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the Fund to underperform investments that focus solely on small- or medium-capitalization stocks.

 

Market Risk. Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets, including fluctuation in interest rates, national and international economic conditions, and general equity market conditions. Local, regional, and global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious diseases or other publish health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund’s investments.

 

Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become interconnected which increases the possibility that economic, financial or political events in one sector or region could have potentially adverse effects on global economies or markets. For example, Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, the responses and sanctions by other countries, and the potential for wider military conflicts or war, could continue to have adverse effects on regional and global economies, and may further strain global supply chains, and negatively affect global growth and inflation. Natural or environmental disasters or climate related events, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis, and widespread disease, including pandemics and epidemics, have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and the markets. For example, the outbreak of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, and efforts to contain its spread, have resulted, and may continue to result in labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand for certain products and services, and significant disruptions to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies, sectors, industries, interest rates and investor sentiment.

 

Pandemic Risk. Disease outbreaks that affect local economies or the global economy may materially and adversely impact the Fund, its investments and/or its operations. For example, uncertainties regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak have resulted in serious economic disruptions globally. These types of outbreaks can be expected to cause severe decreases in core business activities such as manufacturing, purchasing, tourism, business conferences and workplace participation, among others. These disruptions lead to instability in the marketplace, including stock market losses and overall volatility, as has occurred in connection with COVID-19. In the face of such instability, governments may take extreme and unpredictable measures to combat the spread of disease and mitigate the resulting market disruptions and losses. The Adviser has in place business continuity plans reasonably designed to ensure that it maintains normal business operations, and the Adviser periodically tests those plans. However, in the event of a pandemic or an outbreak, there can be no assurance that the Adviser or the Fund’s service providers will be able to maintain normal business operations for an extended period of time or will not lose the services of key personnel on a temporary or long-term basis due to illness or other reasons. The full impacts of a pandemic or disease outbreaks, including new variants, are unknown, resulting in a high degree of uncertainty for potentially extended periods of time. Although vaccines for COVID-19 are available, the full impacts of a pandemic or disease outbreaks are unknown and the pace of recovery may vary from market to market, resulting in a high degree of uncertainty for potentially extended periods of time.

 

Portfolio Turnover. The periodic reconstitution and rebalancing of the portfolio according to the Fund’s quantitative investment strategy may result in significant portfolio turnover. This may lead to the realization and distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains, increasing their tax liability. A portfolio turnover rate of 100% is considered to be high. Frequent trading may also increase transaction costs, which could detract from the Fund’s performance. 

 

Risk of Non-Diversification. The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest a high percentage of its assets in a limited number of securities. Since the Fund is non-diversified, its net asset value, market price and total returns may fluctuate or fall more than a diversified fund. As a non-diversified fund, the Fund has a greater potential to realize losses upon the occurrence of adverse events affecting a particular issuer. 

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Sector Risk. Sector risk is the possibility that a certain sector may perform differently than other sectors or as the market as a whole. Although the Fund does not intend to concentrate its investments in any particular sector or sectors, the Fund may emphasize investments in one or more sectors, which may cause it to have increased relative exposure to the price movements of those sectors. At times when the Fund emphasizes a particular sector, the value of its net assets will be more susceptible to the financial, market or economic events affecting that sector than would be the case for mutual funds that do not emphasize investment in a particular sector. This may increase the risk of loss associated with an investment in the Fund and increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price. As of [December 31, 2022], the Fund had approximately [ ]% of its net assets invested in stocks within the technology sector. The values of securities of companies in the technology sector may be significantly affected adversely by competitive pressures, short product cycles, aggressive pricing and rapid obsolescence of existing technologies and products.

 

oInformation Technology Sector Risk. The information technology sector includes companies in the software and services, technology hardware and equipment, and semiconductors and semiconductor equipment industry groups. Companies in the information technology sector are subject to rapid obsolescence of existing technology, short product cycles, falling prices and profits, competition from new market entrants, and general economic conditions. Stocks of companies in the information technology sector, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market. Technological developments, fixed rate pricing, and the ability to retain skilled employees can significantly affect the industries in the information technology sector. Additionally, success in the internet services and infrastructure industry is subject to continued demand for internet services.

 

NON-PRINCIPAL RISKS

 

Please review the SAI for more information about additional non-principal types of securities in which the Fund may invest and their associated risks.

 

Temporary Defensive Positions. The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in an attempt to respond to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions. For example, when the Adviser believes that market conditions are unfavorable for profitable investing, or is otherwise unable to locate attractive investment opportunities, the Fund’s cash or similar investments may increase. During such an unusual set of circumstances, the Fund may hold up to 100% of its portfolio in cash or cash equivalent positions. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not participate in market advance or declines to the same extent that it would if the Fund remained more fully invested, and the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective. 

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U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk, depending upon whether the securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, or only by the credit of the issuing U.S. Government agency, instrumentality or corporation. There is no assurance that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to U.S. Government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored entities if it is not obligated to do so by law, and it is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations.

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

 

A description of the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the SAI. The SAI is incorporated herein.

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

 

 

Investment Adviser

 

F/m Investments LLC serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Its primary business address is 3050 K Street, N.W., Suite 201, Washington, DC 20007. The Adviser’s primary business is to provide a variety of investment management services to registered investment companies. The Adviser is responsible for providing a continuous program of investing the Fund’s assets and determining the portfolio composition of the Fund. F/m is wholly owned by F/m Acceleration which in turn is wholly owned by Diffractive Managers Group (“Diffractive”), a multi-boutique asset management company. As of December 31, 2022, the Adviser had approximately $1.7 billion in assets under management.

 

Management Fees

 

In return for providing management services to the Fund, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. During the most recent fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the Predecessor Fund paid investment advisory fees (after fee reductions) to the Adviser equal to 0.46% of its average daily net assets. The Adviser may pay certain financial institutions (which may include banks, brokers, securities dealers and other industry professionals) a fee for providing distribution related services and/or for performing certain administrative servicing functions for Fund shareholders to the extent these institutions are allowed to do so by applicable statute, rule or regulation.

 

[The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its investment advisory fee and to absorb Fund expenses to the extent necessary to limit total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, distribution and/or service fees, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) to an amount not exceeding a percentage of average daily net assets of 1.15% for Investor Class shares and 0.90% for Institutional Class shares. Any such fee reductions by the Adviser or payments by the Adviser of expenses which are the Fund’s obligation, are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of 3 years following the date such fees were reduced or expenses were paid, provided that the repayment does not cause the Fund’s total annual operating expenses to exceed the foregoing expense limits as of the time of either the waiver or the reimbursement. The contractual agreement is currently in effect until [  ] The Adviser has the right to seek reimbursement from the Fund for amounts up to the aggregate amount that the Adviser had waived or reimbursed the Predecessor Fund under an expense limitation agreement with the Predecessor Fund for the three-year period ending after the specific fee waiver or reimbursement, but only if such reimbursement can be achieved without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.]

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Directors’ approval of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser will be included in the Fund’s first annual or semi-annual shareholder report.

 

[Portfolio Managers]

 

The SAI contains additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers’ ownership of shares of the Fund.

 

Francisco J. Bido. Mr. Bido has managed the Fund since its inception in 2016. He is Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at F/m Investments, LLC since April 2020 and was Head of Quantitative Reasearch at Cognios Capital, LLC, the investment adviser to the Predecessor Fund from 2013 until 2020. Mr. Bido received his M.S. and M.A. degrees in Applied Mathematics and Economics, respectively, from the University of Arizona, M.S. in Mathematics from New York University’s Courant Institute, and B.S. in Electromechanical Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra. 

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Alexander Morris. Mr. Morris has managed the Fund since April 2020. He is a founder, President and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser and F/m Acceleration, LLC, an investment adviser support service provider, and has worked at both firms since 2019. He has been a director of Key Bridge Compliance, LLC, a compliance service provider, since January 2019. He was a Managing Director of Vestmark Advisory Solutions, Inc. from April 2016 until September 2019. Mr. Morris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Cornell University and is an active mentor of start-up businesses.

 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

 

Pricing of Fund Shares

 

Investor Class and Institutional Class shares are priced at their net asset value (“NAV”). The NAV of each class of the Fund’s Share is calculated as follows:

 

  Value of Assets Attributable to the Class
NAV = - Value of Liabilities Attributable to the same Class
  Number of Outstanding Shares of the Class

 

The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. The NYSE is generally open Monday through Friday, except national holidays. The NYSE also may be closed on national days of mourning or due to natural disaster or other extraordinary events or emergency. Due to the fact that different expenses are charged to each class of Shares, the NAV of each class of the Fund may vary. The Fund will effect purchases of Shares at the NAV next calculated after receipt by the Transfer Agent of your purchase order in good order. The Fund will effect redemptions of Shares at the NAV next calculated after receipt by the Fund’s Transfer Agent of your redemption request in good order as described below.

 

The Fund’s equity securities listed on any national or foreign exchange market system will be valued at the last sale price, except for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”). Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ will be valued at the official closing price. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, equity securities will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities are valued using an independent pricing service, which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings, and are deemed representative of market value at the close of the market. Foreign securities, currencies and other securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of such currencies against the U.S. dollar provided by a pricing service. All assets denominated in foreign currencies will be converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the time of valuation. If the Fund holds foreign equity securities, the calculation of the Fund’s NAV will not occur at the same time as the determination of the value of the foreign equities securities in the Fund’s portfolio, since these securities are traded on foreign exchanges. 

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Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses). Investments in exchange-traded funds, REITs and closed-end funds will be valued at their market price.

 

If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable by the Fund’s administrator, in consultation with the Adviser, securities will be valued by the Adviser, as valuation designee, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board and under the Board’s ultimate supervision. In addition, the prices of foreign securities may be affected by events that occur after the close of a foreign market but before the Fund prices its Shares. In such instances, a foreign security may be fair valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation involves the risk that the values used by the Fund to price its investments may be higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

 

Market Timing

 

In accordance with the policy adopted by its Board, the Company discourages and does not accommodate market timing and other excessive trading practices. Purchases should be made with a view to longer-term investment only. Excessive short-term (market timing) trading practices may disrupt portfolio management strategies, increase brokerage and administrative costs, harm Fund performance and result in dilution in the value of Shares held by long-term shareholders. The Company and the Adviser reserve the right to (i) reject a purchase or exchange order, (ii) delay payment of immediate cash redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days, (iii) revoke a shareholder’s privilege to purchase Shares (including exchanges), or (iv) limit the amount of any exchange involving the purchase of Shares. An investor may receive notice that their purchase order or exchange has been rejected after the day the order is placed or after acceptance by a financial intermediary. It is currently expected that a shareholder would receive notice that its purchase order or exchange has been rejected within 48 hours after such purchase order or exchange has been received by the Company in good order. The Company and the Adviser will not be liable for any loss resulting from rejected purchase orders. To minimize harm to the Company and its shareholders (or the Adviser), the Company (or the Adviser) will exercise its right if, in the Company’s (or the Adviser’s) judgment, an investor has a history of excessive trading or if an investor’s trading, in the judgment of the Company (or the Adviser), has been or may be disruptive to the Fund. No waivers of the provisions of the policy established to detect and deter market timing and other excessive trading activity are permitted that would harm the Fund and its shareholders or would subordinate the interests of the Fund and its shareholders to those of the Adviser or any affiliated person or associated person of the Adviser.

 

Pursuant to the policy adopted by the Board, the Adviser has developed criteria that it uses to identify trading activity that may be excessive. The Adviser reviews on a regular, periodic basis available information related to the trading activity in the Fund in order to assess the likelihood that the Fund may be the target of excessive trading. As part of its excessive trading surveillance process, the Adviser, on a periodic basis, examines transactions that exceed certain monetary thresholds or numerical limits within a period of time. If, in its judgment, the Adviser detects excessive, short-term trading, it may reject or restrict a purchase request and may further seek to close an investor’s account with the Fund. The Adviser may modify its surveillance procedures and criteria from time to time without prior notice regarding the detection of excessive trading or to address specific circumstances. The Adviser will apply the criteria in a manner that, in its judgment, will be uniform.

 

If necessary, the Company may prohibit additional purchases of Shares by a financial intermediary or by certain customers of the financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries may also monitor their customers’ trading activities in the Fund. The criteria used by intermediaries to monitor for excessive trading may differ from the criteria used by the Company. If a financial intermediary fails to enforce the Company’s excessive trading policies, the Company may take certain actions, including terminating the relationship. 

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There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to identify market timers, particularly if they are investing through intermediaries.

 

Purchase of Fund Shares

 

Shares representing interests in the Fund are offered continuously for sale by Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”).

 

General. You may also purchase Shares of the Fund at the NAV per Share next calculated after your order is received by the Transfer Agent in good order as described below. The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. After an initial purchase is made, the Transfer Agent will set up an account for you on the Company records. The minimum initial investment in Investor Class Shares is $1,000, and the minimum initial investment for Institutional Class Shares is $100,000. There is no subsequent investment minimum. Institutional Class shares are available only to institutional investors and certain broker dealers and financial institutions that have entered into appropriate arrangements with the Fund. These arrangements are generally limited to discretionary managed, asset allocation, eligible retirement plan or wrap products offered by broker-dealers and financial institutions. Shareholders participating in these programs may be charged fees by their broker-dealer or financial institution. The Fund may accept initial investments of smaller amounts in its sole discretion. You can purchase Shares of the Fund only on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below.

 

Purchases Through Intermediaries. Shares of the Fund may also be available through Service Organizations. Certain features of the Shares, such as the initial and subsequent investment minimums and certain trading restrictions, may be modified or waived by Service Organizations. Service Organizations may impose minimum investment requirements. Service Organizations may also impose transaction or administrative charges or other direct fees, which charges and fees would not be imposed if Shares are purchased directly from the Company. Therefore, you should contact the Service Organization acting on your behalf concerning the fees (if any) charged in connection with a purchase or redemption of Shares and should read this Prospectus in light of the terms governing your accounts with the Service Organization. Service Organizations will be responsible for promptly transmitting client or customer purchase and redemption orders to the Company in accordance with their agreements with the Company or its agent and with clients or customers. Service Organizations or, if applicable, their designees that have entered into agreements with the Company or its agent may enter confirmed purchase orders on behalf of clients and customers, with payment to follow no later than the Company’s pricing on the following business day. If payment is not received by such time, the Service Organization could be held liable for resulting fees or losses. The Company will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when a Service Organization, or, if applicable, its authorized designee, accepts a purchase or redemption order in good order if the order is actually received by the Company in good order not later than the next business morning. If a purchase order is not received by the Fund in good order, the Transfer Agent will contact the financial intermediary to determine the status of the purchase order. Orders received by the Company in good order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next computed after such orders are deemed to have been received by the Service Organization or its authorized designee.

 

For administration, sub-accounting, transfer agency and/or other services, the Adviser, the Distributor or their affiliates may pay Service Organizations and certain recordkeeping organizations a fee (the “Service Fee”) relating to the average annual NAV of accounts with the Company maintained by such Service Organizations or recordkeepers. The Service Fee payable to any one Service Organization is determined based upon a number of factors, including the nature and quality of services provided, the operations processing requirements of the relationship and the standardized fee schedule of the Service Organization or recordkeeper. 

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In addition to fees that the Fund may pay to a Service Organization under a Plan of Distribution for the Investor Class Shares, the Fund may enter into agreements with Service Organizations pursuant to which the Fund will pay a Service Organization for networking, sub-transfer agency, sub-administration and/or sub-accounting services. These payments are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by the Service Organization or (2) a fixed dollar amount for each account serviced by the Service Organization. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial.

 

Shares may also be available on brokerage platforms of firms that have agreements with the Company to offer such shares when acting solely on an agency basis for the purchase or sale of such shares. If you transact in Institutional Class Shares or Investor Class Shares through one of these programs, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker.

 

[Purchases By Telephone. Investors may purchase additional [Investor Class and Institutional Class shares] of the Fund by calling (toll free) [ ]. If you elected this option on your account application, and your account has been open for at least 7 business days, telephone orders will be accepted via electronic funds transfer from your bank account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. You must have banking information established on your account prior to making a purchase. If your order is received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, your shares will be purchased at the NAV calculated on the day your order is placed.]

 

Telephone trades must be received by or prior to market close for same day pricing. During periods of high market activity, shareholders may encounter higher than usual call waits. Please allow sufficient time to place your telephone transaction.]

 

Initial Investment By Mail. An account may be opened by completing and signing an account application and mailing it to the Transfer Agent at the address noted below, together with a check payable to the [F/m Investment Large Cap Focused Fund.]

 

Regular Mail: Overnight Mail:
F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund
c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701
F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund
c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202-5207

 

The Fund does not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be its agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the Transfer Agent’s post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests does not constitute receipt by the transfer agent of the Fund. Receipt of purchase orders or redemption requests is based on when the order is received at the Transfer Agent’s offices.

 

All checks must be in U.S. Dollars drawn on a domestic bank. The Fund will not accept payment in cash or money orders. The Fund does not accept post-dated checks or any conditional order or payment. To prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares. 

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Shares will be purchased at the NAV next computed after the time the application and funds are received in proper order and accepted by the Fund. The Transfer Agent will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any payment that is returned. It is the policy of the Fund not to accept applications under certain circumstances or in amounts considered disadvantageous to shareholders. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application.

 

Initial Investment By Wire. If you are making your first investment in the Fund, before you wire funds, the Transfer Agent must have a completed account application. You may mail or overnight deliver your account application to the Transfer Agent. Upon receipt of your completed account application, the Transfer Agent will establish an account for you. The account number assigned will be required as part of the instruction that should be provided to your bank to send the wire. Your bank must include both the name of the Fund you are purchasing, the account number, and your name so that monies can be correctly applied. Your bank should transmit funds by wire to:

 

Wire Instructions:

U.S. Bank, National Association 

777 East Wisconsin Avenue 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

ABA #075000022 

Credit: 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC 

Account #112-952-137 

For Further Credit to: 

F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund 

(shareholder registration) 

(shareholder account number)

 

Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time to be eligible for same day pricing. The Fund and U.S. Bank, N.A. are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions.

 

Subsequent Investments By Wire. Before sending your wire, please contact the Transfer Agent to advise them of your intent to wire funds. This will ensure prompt and accurate credit upon receipt of your wire.

 

[Telephone Purchase. Investors may purchase additional shares of the Funds by calling [  ]. If you did not decline this option on your account application, and your account has been open for at least 7 business days, telephone orders, in amounts of $100 or more, will be accepted via electronic funds transfer from your bank account through the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) network. You must have banking information established on your account prior to making a purchase. If your order is received prior to 4 p.m. Eastern time, your shares will be purchased at the NAV calculated on the day your order is placed.

 

In order to arrange for telephone options after an account has been opened or to change your bank account, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent. The request must be signed by each shareholder of the account and may require a signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program member, or other form of signature authentication from a financial institution source.] 

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Additional Investments. To make additional investments once you have opened your account, write your account number on the check and send it together with the Invest by Mail form from your most recent confirmation statement received from the Transfer Agent. If you do not have the Invest by Mail form, include the Fund name, your name, address, and account number on a separate piece of paper along with your check. Initial and additional purchases made by check or electronic funds transfer (ACH) cannot be redeemed until payment of the purchase has been collected. This may take up to 15 calendar days from the purchase date. Shareholders can avoid this delay by utilizing the wire purchase option.

 

[Automatic Investment Plan. Once your account has been opened with the initial minimum investment, you may make additional purchases at regular intervals through an automatic investment plan (the “Automatic Investment Plan”). The Automatic Investment Plan provides a convenient method to have monies deducted from your bank account, for investment into the Fund, on a monthly or quarterly basis. In order to participate in the Automatic Investment Plan, each purchase must be in the amount of $250 or more, and your financial institution must be a member of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. If your bank rejects your payment, the Fund’s transfer agent will charge a $25 fee to your account. To begin participating in the Automatic Investment Plan, please complete the Automatic Investment Plan section on the account application or call the Fund’s transfer agent at [  ] for instructions. Any request to change or terminate your Automatic Investment Plan should be submitted to the Transfer Agent five (5) days prior to effective date.]

 

Retirement Plans/IRA Accounts. The Fund offers prototype documents for a variety of retirement accounts for individuals and small businesses. Please call[ ] for information on:

 

Individual Retirement Plan, including Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs

Small Business Retirement Plans, including Simple IRAs and SEP IRAs

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts

 

There may be special distribution requirements for a retirement account, such as required distributions or mandatory Federal income tax withholding. For more information, call the number listed above. You may be charged a $15 annual account maintenance fee for each retirement account up to a maximum of $30 annually and a $25 fee for transferring assets to another custodian or for closing a retirement account.

 

Purchases in Kind. In certain circumstances, Shares of the Fund may be purchased “in kind” (i.e. in exchange for securities, rather than cash). The securities rendered in connection with an in-kind purchase must be liquid securities that are not restricted as to transfer and have a value that is readily ascertainable in accordance with the Company’s valuation procedures. Securities accepted by the Fund will be valued, as set forth in this Prospectus, as of the time of the next determination of NAV after such acceptance. The Shares of the Fund that are issued to the investor in exchange for the securities will be determined as of the same time. All dividend, subscription, or other rights that are reflected in the market price of accepted securities at the time of valuation become the property of the Fund and must be delivered to the Fund by the investor upon receipt from the issuer. The Fund will not accept securities in exchange for its Shares unless such securities are, at the time of the exchange, eligible to be held by the Fund and satisfy such other conditions as may be imposed by the Adviser or the Company. Purchases in-kind may result in the recognition of gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on the securities transferred to the Fund.

 

Other Purchase Information. The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend the offering of Shares or to reject purchase orders when, in the judgment of management, such suspension or rejection is in the best interest of the Fund. The Adviser will monitor the Fund’s total assets and may, subject to Board approval, decide to close the Fund at any time to new investments or to new accounts due to concerns that a significant increase in the size of the Fund may adversely affect the implementation of the Fund’s strategy. The Adviser, subject to Board approval, may also choose to reopen the Fund to new investments at any time, and may subsequently close the Fund again should concerns regarding the Fund’s size recur. If the Fund closes to new investments, the Fund may be offered only to certain existing shareholders of the Fund and certain other persons who may be subject to cumulative, maximum purchase amounts, as follows:

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a. Persons who already hold Shares of the closed Fund directly or through accounts maintained by brokers by arrangement with the Adviser;

 

b. Employees of the Adviser and their spouses, parents and children; and

 

c. Directors of the Company.

 

Distributions to all shareholders of the closed Fund will continue to be reinvested unless a shareholder elects otherwise. The Adviser, subject to the Board’s discretion, reserves the right to implement other purchase limitations at the time of closing, including limitations on current shareholders.

 

Purchases of the Shares will be made in full and fractional Shares of the Fund calculated to three decimal places.

 

Certificates for Shares will not be issued.

 

Good Order. A purchase request is considered to be in good order when all necessary information is provided and all required documents are properly completed, signed and delivered (i.e., the purchase request includes the name of the Fund, the dollar amount of shares to be purchased, your account application or investment stub, and a check payable to the Fund). Purchase requests not in good order may be rejected.

 

Customer Identification Program. In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, please note that the Transfer Agent will verify certain information on your account application as part of the Company’s Anti-Money Laundering Program. As requested on the account application, you must supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. If you are opening the account in the name of a legal entity (e.g., partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, etc.), you must also supply the identity of the beneficial owners. Mailing addresses containing only a P.O. Box will not be accepted. If you need additional assistance when completing your account application, please contact the Transfer Agent at [  ].

 

Applications without the required information, may not be accepted. After acceptance, to the extent permitted by applicable law or its customer identification program, the Company reserves the right (a) to place limits on transactions in any account until the identity of the investor is verified; or (b) to refuse an investment in a Company portfolio or to involuntarily redeem an investor’s Shares and close an account in the event that an investor’s identity is not verified. The Company and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s Shares when an investor’s identity cannot be verified.

 

Redemption of Fund Shares

 

You may redeem Shares at the next NAV calculated after a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent in good order. The Fund’s NAV is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. You can redeem Shares of the Fund only on days the NYSE is open and through the means described below. You may redeem Fund Shares by mail, or, if you are authorized, by telephone. The value of Shares redeemed may be more or less than the purchase price, depending on the market value of the investment securities held by the Fund. 

 21

 

Redemption By Mail. Your redemption request should be addressed to F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701, or for overnight delivery to F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 .

 

A signature guarantee, from either a Medallion program member or a non-Medallion program member, is required in the following situations:

 

If ownership is being changed on your account;

When a redemption is received by the Transfer Agent and the account address has changed within the last 15 calendar days;

When redemption proceeds are payable or sent to any person, address or bank account not on record; and

For all redemptions in excess of $100,000 from any shareholder account.

 

The Fund may waive any of the above requirements in certain instances. In addition to the situations described above, the Fund and/or the Transfer Agent reserve the right to require a signature guarantee in other instances based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation.

 

Nonfinancial transactions, including establishing or modifying certain services on an account, may require a signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program member, or other acceptable form of authentication from a financial institution source.

 

Signature guarantees will generally be accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program and the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”). A notary public is not an acceptable signature guarantor.

 

The Fund does not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be its agents. Therefore, deposit in the mail or with such services, or receipt at the Transfer Agent’s post office box, of purchase orders or redemption requests does not constitute receipt by the Transfer Agent of the Fund. Receipt of purchase orders or redemption requests is based on when the order is received at the Transfer Agent’s offices.

 

Redemption By Telephone. If you did not decline telephone options on your account application, you may initiate a redemption of shares in the amount up to the total value of the account by calling the Transfer Agent at [ ].

 

Investors may have a check sent to the address of record, proceeds may be wired to a shareholder’s bank account of record, or funds may be sent via electronic funds transfer through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, also to the bank account of record. Wires are subject to a $15 fee paid by the investor, but the investor does not incur any charge when proceeds are sent via the ACH system.

 

Once a telephone transaction has been placed, it cannot be canceled or modified after the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). 

 22

 

In order to arrange for telephone options after an account has been opened or to change your bank account, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent. The request must be signed by each shareholder of the account and may require a signature guarantee, signature verification from a Signature Validation Program member, or other form of signature authentication from a financial institution source.

 

Telephone trades must be received by or prior to market close. During periods of high market activity, shareholders may encounter higher than usual call waits. Please allow sufficient time to place your telephone transaction.

 

Before executing an instruction received by telephone, the Transfer Agent will use reasonable procedures to confirm that the telephone instructions are genuine. The telephone call may be recorded and the caller may be asked to verify certain personal identification information. If the Fund or its agents follow these procedures, they cannot be held liable for any loss, expense or cost arising out of any telephone redemption request that is reasonably believed to be genuine. This includes fraudulent or unauthorized requests. If an account has more than one owner or authorized person, the Fund will accept telephone instructions from any one owner or authorized person.

 

IRA and Other Retirement Plan Redemptions. If you have an IRA, you must indicate on your written redemption request whether or not to withhold federal income tax. Redemption requests failing to indicate an election to have tax withheld will be subject to 10% withholding.

 

Shares held in IRA accounts may be redeemed by telephone at [  ]. Investors will be asked whether or not to withhold taxes from any distribution.

 

Other Redemption Information. Redemption proceeds for shares of the Fund recently purchased by check or electronic funds transfer through the ACH network may not be distributed until payment for the purchase has been collected, which may take up to fifteen calendar days from the purchase date. Shareholders can avoid this delay by utilizing the wire purchase option. Redemption proceeds will ordinarily be paid within seven business days after a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent in good order. The Company may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date at times when the NYSE or the bond market is closed or under any emergency circumstances as determined by the SEC. A Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests by paying out proceeds from cash or cash equivalent holdings, or by selling portfolio securities. In stressed market conditions, redemption methods may include redeeming in kind.

 

If the Board determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund to make payment wholly or partly in cash, redemption proceeds may be paid in whole or in part by an in-kind distribution of readily marketable securities held by the Fund instead of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC and the Company’s Policy and Procedure Related to the Processing of In-Kind Redemptions. Investors generally will incur brokerage charges on the sale of portfolio securities so received in the payment of redemptions. If a shareholder receives redemption proceeds in-kind, the shareholder will bear the market risk of the securities received in the redemption until their disposition and should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities. The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, so that the Fund is obligated to redeem its shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund.

 

Good Order. A redemption request is considered to be in good order when the redemption request includes the name of the Fund, the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, the account number, and signatures by all of the shareholders whose names appear on the account registration with a signature guarantee, if applicable. Redemption requests not in good order may be delayed. 

 23

 

Involuntary Redemption. Because the Funds incur certain fixed costs in maintaining shareholder accounts, a Fund may require you to redeem all of your shares in the Fund on 30 days’ written notice if the value of your shares is less than the minimum investment requirement for Retail shares (due to redemption), or such other minimum amount as a Fund may determine from time to time. An involuntary redemption constitutes a sale. You should consult your tax advisor concerning the tax consequences of involuntary redemptions. You may increase the value of your shares in a Fund to the minimum amount within the 30 day period. In addition, all shares of a Fund are subject to involuntary redemption if the Board of Directors determines to liquidate the Fund. An involuntary redemption will create a capital gain or a capital loss, which may have tax consequences about which you should consult your tax advisor. 

 24

 

Dividends and Distributions

 

The Fund will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. All distributions are reinvested in the form of additional full and fractional Shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects otherwise.

 

The Fund will declare and pay dividends from net investment income annually. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the Fund at least annually.

 

The Fund may pay additional distributions and dividends at other times, if necessary, for the Fund to avoid U.S. federal tax. The Fund’s distributions and dividends, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional Shares, are subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

All distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares unless you elect to receive cash. If you elect to receive distributions and/or capital gains paid in cash, and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the check, or if a check remains outstanding for six months, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest the distribution check in your account, at the Fund’s current NAV, and to reinvest all subsequent distributions. You may change the distribution option on your account at any time by telephone or in writing. You should notify the Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone at least five (5) days prior to the next distribution.

 

More Information About Taxes

 

The following is a summary of certain United States tax considerations relevant under current law, which may be subject to change in the future. Except where otherwise indicated, the discussion relates to investors who are individual United States citizens or residents. You should consult your tax adviser for further information regarding federal, state, local and/or foreign tax consequences relevant to your specific situation.

 

Distributions. The Fund contemplates distributing as dividends each year all or substantially all of its taxable income, including its net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). Except as otherwise discussed below, you will be subject to federal income tax on Fund distributions regardless of whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional Shares. Fund distributions attributable to short-term capital gains and net investment income will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income, except as discussed below.

 

Distributions attributable to the net capital gain of the Fund will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, no matter how long you have owned your Shares. The maximum federal long-term capital gain rate applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts is currently 23.8% (which includes a 3.8% Medicare tax). You will be notified annually of the tax status of distributions to you.

 

Distributions of “qualifying dividends” will also generally be taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates, as long as certain requirements are met. In general, if 95% or more of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of dividends received from domestic corporations or “qualified” foreign corporations (“qualifying dividends”), then all distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be taxed at long-term capital gains rates. But if less than 95% of the gross income of the Fund (other than net capital gain) consists of qualifying dividends, then distributions paid by the Fund to individual shareholders will be qualifying dividends only to the extent they are derived from qualifying dividends earned by the Fund. For the lower rates to apply, you must have owned your Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date (and the Fund will need to have met a similar holding period requirement with respect to the shares of the corporation paying the qualifying dividend). The amount of the Fund’s distributions that qualify for this favorable treatment may be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities (if any), a high portfolio turnover rate or investments in debt securities or non-qualified foreign corporations.

 

The Fund may make distributions to you of “section 199A dividends” with respect to qualified dividends that it receives with respect to the Fund’s investments in REITs. A section 199A dividend is any dividend or part of such dividend that the Fund pays to you and reports as a section 199A dividend in written statements furnished to you. Distributions paid by the Fund that are eligible to be treated as section 199A dividends for a taxable year may not exceed the “qualified REIT dividends” received by the Fund from a REIT reduced by the Fund’s allocable expenses. Section 199A dividends may be taxed to individuals and other non-corporate shareholders at a reduced effective federal income tax rate, provided you have satisfied a holding period requirement for the Fund’s shares and satisfied certain other conditions. For the lower rates to apply, you must have owned your Fund shares for at least 46 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date that is 45 days before the Fund’s ex-dividend date, but only to the extent that you are not under an obligation (under a short-sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. 

 25

 

Distributions from the Fund will generally be taxable to you in the taxable year in which they are paid, with one exception. Distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or December and paid in January of the following year are taxed as though they were paid on December 31.

 

A portion of distributions paid by the Fund to shareholders that are corporations may also qualify for the dividends-received deduction for corporations, subject to certain holding period requirements and debt financing limitations. The amount of the dividends qualifying for this deduction may, however, be reduced as a result of the Fund’s securities lending activities (if any), by a high portfolio turnover rate or by investments in debt securities or foreign corporations.

 

If you purchase Shares just before a distribution, the purchase price will reflect the amount of the upcoming distribution, but you will be taxed on the entire amount of the distribution received, even though, as an economic matter, the distribution simply constitutes a return of capital. This adverse tax result is known as “buying into a dividend.”

 

Sales of Shares. You will generally recognize taxable gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on a sale or redemption of your Shares based on the difference between your tax basis in the Shares and the amount you receive for them. Generally, you will recognize long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Shares for over twelve months at the time you dispose of them.

 

Any loss realized on Shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends that were received on the Shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a disposition of Shares of the Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the Shares disposed of are replaced with other Shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the Shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in Shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis of the Shares acquired.

 

The Fund (or relevant broker or financial adviser) is required to compute and report to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and furnish to Fund shareholders cost basis information when Shares are sold. The Fund has elected to use the average cost method, unless you instruct the Fund to use a different IRS-accepted cost basis method, or choose to specifically identify your Shares at the time of each sale. If your account is held by your broker or other financial adviser, they may select a different cost basis method. In these cases, please contact your broker or other financial adviser to obtain information with respect to the available methods and elections for your account. You should carefully review the cost basis information provided by the Fund and make any additional basis, holding period or other adjustments that are required when reporting these amounts on your federal and state income tax returns. Fund shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the best IRS-accepted cost basis method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how the cost basis reporting requirements apply to them.

 

IRAs and Other Tax-Qualified Plans. The one major exception to the preceding tax principles is that distributions on, and sales and redemptions of, Shares held in an IRA (or other tax-qualified plan) will not be currently taxable unless such Shares were acquired with borrowed funds.

 

Backup Withholding. The Fund may be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the IRS a percentage of taxable dividends or gross proceeds realized upon sale payable to shareholders who have failed to provide a correct tax identification number in the manner required, or who are subject to withholding by the IRS for failure to properly include on their return payments of taxable interest or dividends, or who have failed to certify to the Fund that they are not subject to backup withholding when required to do so or that they are “exempt recipients.” The current backup withholding rate is 24%. 

 26

 

U.S. Tax Treatment of Foreign Shareholders. Generally, nonresident aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign investors are subject to a 30% withholding tax on dividends paid by a U.S. corporation, although the rate may be reduced for an investor that is a qualified resident of a foreign country with an applicable tax treaty with the United States. In the case of a regulated investment company such as the Fund, however, certain categories of dividends are exempt from the 30% withholding tax. These generally include dividends attributable to the Fund’s net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses), dividends attributable to the Fund’s interest income from U.S. obligors and dividends attributable to net short-term capital gains of the Fund.

 

Foreign shareholders will generally not be subject to U.S. tax on gains realized on the sale or redemption of shares in the Fund, except that a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in a calendar year will be taxable on such gains and on capital gain dividends from the Fund.

 

However, if a foreign investor conducts a trade or business in the United States and the investment in the Fund is effectively connected with that trade or business, then the foreign investor’s income from the Fund will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates in a manner similar to the income of a U.S. citizen or resident.

 

The Fund will also generally be required to withhold 30% tax on certain payments to foreign entities that do not provide a Form W-8BEN-E that evidences their compliance with, or exemption from, specified information reporting requirements under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

 

All foreign investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the tax consequences in their country of residence of an investment in the Fund.

 

Shares of the Fund have not been registered for sale outside of the United States and certain United States territories.

 

State and Local Taxes. You may also be subject to state and local taxes on income and gain from Fund shares. State income taxes may not apply, however, to the portions of the Fund’s distributions, if any, that are attributable to interest on U.S. government securities. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax status of distributions in your state and locality.

 

More information about taxes is contained in the SAI.

 

Distribution Arrangements

 

The Board has adopted a Plan of Distribution for Investor Class Shares of the Fund (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the Fund’s Distributor is entitled to receive from the Fund a distribution fee with respect to the Shares, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, of up to 0.25%, of the Investor Class Shares, on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class Shares of the Fund. The actual amount of such compensation under the Plan is agreed upon by the Company’s Board and by the Distributor. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Plan may be used by the Distributor to cover expenses that are related to (i) the sale of the Shares, (ii) ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of shareholders, and (iii) sub-transfer agency services, sub-accounting services or administrative services related to the sale of the Shares, all as set forth in the Fund’s 12b-1 Plan. Ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of shareholders may include updating and mailing the Prospectus and shareholder reports, responding to inquiries regarding shareholder accounts and acting as agent or intermediary between shareholders and the Fund or its service providers. The Distributor may delegate some or all of these functions to Service Organizations. See “Purchases Through Intermediaries” above. The Plan obligates the Fund, during the period it is in effect, to accrue and pay to the Distributor on behalf of the Shares the fee agreed to under the Distribution Agreement. Payments under the Plan are not tied exclusively to expenses actually incurred by the Distributor, and the payments may exceed distribution expenses actually incurred. Institutional shares are not subject to any 12b-1 fees. 

 27

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Householding. In an effort to decrease costs, the Fund intends to reduce the number of duplicate Prospectuses and other similar documents you receive by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders we reasonably believe are from the same family or household. Once implemented, if you would like to discontinue householding for your accounts, please call the Transfer Agent toll-free at [  ] (toll free) to request individual copies of these documents. Once the Fund receives notice to stop householding, we will begin sending individual copies thirty days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.

 

Lost Shareholders, Inactive Accounts and Unclaimed Property. It is important that the Fund maintains a correct address for each shareholder. An incorrect address may cause a shareholder’s account statements and other mailings to be returned to the Fund. Based upon statutory requirements for returned mail, the Fund will attempt to locate the shareholder or rightful owner of the account. If the Fund is unable to locate the shareholder, then it will determine whether the shareholder’s account can legally be considered abandoned. Your mutual fund account may be transferred to the state government of your state of residence if no activity occurs within your account during the “inactivity period” specified in your state’s abandoned property laws. The Fund is legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) abandoned property to the appropriate state’s unclaimed property administrator in accordance with statutory requirements. The shareholder’s last known address of record determines which state has jurisdiction. Please proactively contact the Transfer Agent at [  ] (toll free) at least annually to ensure your account remains in active status.

 

If you are a resident of the state of Texas, you may designate a representative to receive notifications that, due to inactivity, your mutual fund account assets may be delivered to the Texas Comptroller. Please contact the Transfer Agent if you wish to complete a Texas Designation of Representative form.

 

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE FUND’S SAI INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.

 28

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Predecessor Fund's financial performance for the past five years. The financial information presented for each applicable period prior to [  ], 2023 is that of the Predecessor Fund. The Fund is the accounting successor to the Predecessor Fund as a result of the reorganization of the Predecessor Fund into the Fund following the close of business on [  ], 2023. The Fund has adopted the financial statements of the Predecessor Fund. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Predecessor Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Predecessor Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been derived from the financial statements audited by [  ], an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Predecessor Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Annual Report dated June 30, 2022 and Semi-Annual report dated December 31, 2022, which is available upon request. 

 29

 

F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund – Investor Class

 

[INSERT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS] 

 30

 

F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund – Institutional Class

 

[INSERT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS]

 31

 

FACTS WHAT DOES THE F/M INVESTMENTS LARGE CAP FOCUSED FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why? Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

 

•        Social Security number 

•        account balances 

•        account transactions 

•        transaction history 

•        wire transfer instructions 

•        checking account information

 

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. 

How? All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your information Does the F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund share?

Can you limit 

this sharing?

For our everyday business purpose — 

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

Yes No

For our marketing purposes — 

to offer our products and services to you 

Yes No
For joint marketing with other financial companies Yes No
For affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and experiences Yes No
For affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness No We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you No We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you No We don’t share
Questions? Call [   ]

 

 

What we do
How does the F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund protect my personal information? To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does the F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•     open an account 

•     provide account information 

•     give us your contact information 

•     make a wire transfer 

•     tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies. 

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

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

•     affiliates from using your information to market to you 

•     sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you 

 

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

Definitions  
Affiliates

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

 

•     F/m Investments, LLC, the adviser to the Fund could be deemed to be an affiliate. 

Nonaffiliates

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

 

•     F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. 

Joint marketing

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

 

•     F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund doesn’t currently have any joint marketing arrangements with other financial institutions. 

 

 

F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund
of
The RBB Fund, Inc.
([  ])

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

This Prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the Fund is available free of charge, upon request, including:

 

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports

 

The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports will contain additional information about the Fund’s investments, describe the Fund’s performance, list portfolio holdings, and discuss recent market conditions and economic trends. The annual report will include fund strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

The Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders may be obtained by calling [   ].

 

Statement of Additional Information

 

The Fund’s SAI, dated [  ], has been filed with the SEC. The SAI, which includes additional information about the Fund, may be obtained free of charge, along with the annual and semi-annual reports (once available), by calling [   ]. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus (and is legally part of this Prospectus). The SAI is available by visiting www.fm-funds.com or copy may be obtained by calling [   ].

 

Shareholder Inquiries

 

Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time) Monday-Friday. Call: [   ].

 

Purchases and Redemptions
Call your registered representative or [   ].

 

Written Correspondence

 

 

Post Office Address:  

F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund 

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

PO Box 701 

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701 

     
Street Address:  

F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund 

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

 

Securities and Exchange Commission 

You may view and copy information about the Company and the Fund, including the SAI, by visiting the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of Fund documents by paying a duplicating fee and sending an electronic request to the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-05518

 

 

 

 

 

The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed.  We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.  This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion—Dated April 27, 2023

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

F/M INVESTMENTS LARGE CAP FOCUSED FUND

 

Institutional Shares Ticker Symbol: [   ] 

Retail Shares Ticker Symbol: [   ]

 

a series of THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

[_], 2023

 

Investment Adviser:

 

F/m Investments, LLC

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides supplementary information pertaining to shares of the F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund (the “Fund”) of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Company”).  This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read only in conjunction with the Fund’s current Prospectus (the “Prospectus”) dated [_], 2023.  This SAI supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained without charge by writing c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, or by calling 1844-261-6482. The Prospectus is incorporated by reference into this SAI.

 

The Fund is the accounting successor of F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund, a series of F/m Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”).  The financial statements and financial highlights for the Predecessor Fund (File No. 333-180717) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, which are contained in the Annual Report for that fiscal year, are hereby incorporated herein by reference into this SAI.  These financial statements have been audited by [ ], the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose report thereon is incorporated herein by reference. The financial statements and financial highlights for the Predecessor Fund for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2022, which are contained in the Semi-Annual Report for that fiscal period are hereby incorporated herein by reference into this SAI. 

 
 

[TABLE OF CONTENTS] 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION 3
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES 3
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 14
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 15
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 17
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY 17
CODE OF ETHICS 25
PROXY VOTING 26
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES 26
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES 27
INVESTMENT ADVISER 27
THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 29
ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT 30
CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT 31
TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT 31
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT 31
FUND TRANSACTIONS 33
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION 34
TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES 35
VALUATION OF SHARES 36
TAXES 37
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPANY SHARES 38
MISCELLANEOUS 39
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 40
APPENDIX A A-1
APPENDIX B B-1
APPENDIX C C-1
APPENDIX D D-1
APPENDIX E E-1
APPENDIX F F-1
 
 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

The Company is an open-end management investment company currently consisting of [ ] separate portfolios.  The Company is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and was organized as a Maryland corporation on February 29, 1988.  This SAI pertains only to shares of the F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund, a non-diversified portfolio.  F/m Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”), serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Fund currently offers two classes of shares: Investor Class and Institutional Class.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

 

The following supplements the information contained in the Prospectus concerning the investment objective and policies of the Fund.

 

The Fund’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital.  There can be no guarantee that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.  The Fund may not necessarily invest in all of the instruments or use all of the investment techniques permitted by the Fund’s Prospectus and this SAI, or invest in such instruments or engage in such techniques to the full extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and limitations.

 

Additional Information about the Fund’s Investment Strategies and Risks.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

 

Common Stocks - The Fund may invest in common stocks, which include the common stock of any class or series of domestic or foreign corporations or any similar equity interest, such as a trust or partnership interest. These investments may or may not pay dividends and may or may not carry voting rights. Common stock occupies the most junior position in a company’s capital structure. The Fund may also invest in warrants and rights related to common stocks.

 

Cyber Security Risk - The Fund and its service providers may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from breaches in cyber security. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, or lose operational capacity. Breaches in cyber security include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber-attacks. Cyber security breaches affecting the Fund or the Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Fund. For instance, cyber security breaches may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value (“NAV”), cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which the Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund’s investment in such companies to lose value. While the Fund and its service providers have established information technology and data security programs and have in place business continuity plans and other systems designed to prevent losses and mitigate cyber security risk, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that cyber-attacks may be highly sophisticated. Furthermore, the Fund has limited ability to prevent or mitigate cyber security incidents affecting third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or the Adviser, and the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect the Fund or its shareholders. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

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Equity Investments - The Fund may invest in equity securities (which generally include common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants, securities convertible into common or preferred stocks and similar securities). Common stock and other equity securities may take the form of stock in corporations, partnership interests, interests in limited liability companies and other direct or indirect interests in business organizations. The value of a company’s stock may fall as a result of factors directly related to that company, such as decisions made by its management or a lower demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value also may fall because of factors affecting not just the company, but companies in the same industry or in a number of different industries, such as increased production costs. The value of a company’s stock is also based upon investor sentiment and market perceptions. The increasing popularity of passive index-based investing may have the potential to increase security price correlations and volatility. Since passive investing strategies generally buy or sell securities based simply on inclusion and representation in an index, stock prices may have an increasing tendency to rise or fall based on whether money is flowing into or out of passive strategies, rather than based on an analysis of the prospects and valuation of individual securities. This may result in increased market volatility as more money is invested through passive strategies. The value of a company’s stock also may be affected by changes in the financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company or its industry, such as changes in interest rates or currency exchange rates. The value of a company’s stock is also generally subject to the risk of future local, national or global economic disturbances based on unknown weaknesses in the markets in which the Fund invests. In the event of such a disturbance, issuers of securities held by the Fund may experience significant declines in the value of their assets and even cease operations, or may receive government assistance accompanied by increased restrictions on their business operations or other government intervention.

 

Foreign Securities - Foreign securities include U.S. dollar-denominated and non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers. The Fund may invest directly in foreign equity securities traded directly on U.S. exchanges, foreign exchanges, over-the-counter or in the form of American Depositary Receipts. The Fund may also invest in foreign currency-denominated fixed-income securities. Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks that are not present in domestic investments. Many of the risks are more pronounced for investments in developing or emerging market countries, or countries whose markets are becoming open, or have only recently opened, to private investment, foreign investment or both.

 

Political and Economic Factors. Foreign investments involve risks unique to the local political, economic, and regulatory structures in place, as well as the potential for social instability, military unrest, or diplomatic developments that could prove adverse to the interests of U.S. investors. Individual foreign economies can differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. In addition, significant external political and economic risks currently affect some foreign countries. War and terrorism affect many countries. Many countries throughout the world are dependent on a healthy U.S. economy or economies elsewhere around the world (e.g., Europe), and are adversely affected when the U.S. or other world economies weaken or their markets decline.

 

War, terrorism, and other geopolitical events (including sanctions, tariffs, exchange controls or other cross-border trade barriers) have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. The type and severity of sanctions and similar measures, including counter sanctions and other retaliatory actions, may vary broadly in scope and could result in a decline in the value and/or liquidity of securities issued by the sanctioned country or companies located in or economically tied to the sanctioned country. Sanctions and other similar measures could directly or indirectly limit or prevent the Fund from buying and selling securities in the sanctioned country or other markets, significantly delay or prevent the settlement of securities transactions, and adversely impact the Fund’s liquidity and performance. For example, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine beginning in February 2022, the responses and sanctions by the United States and other countries, and the potential for wider military conflict or war have had, and could continue to have, severe adverse effects on regional and global economic markets for securities and commodities. Following Russia’s actions, various governments, including the United States, have issued: a prohibition on doing business with certain Russian companies, large financial institutions, officials and oligarchs; the removal by certain countries and the EU of selected Russian banks from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (“SWIFT”), the electronic banking network that connects banks globally; and restrictive measures to prevent the Russian Central Bank from undermining the impact of the sanctions. The United States and other countries have also imposed economic sanctions on Belarus and may impose sanctions on countries that provide military or economic support to Russia. The current events, including sanctions and the potential for future sanctions, and Russia’s retaliatory responses to those sanctions and actions, may continue to adversely impact the Russian economy. The duration of ongoing hostilities and the vast array of sanctions and related events cannot be predicted.

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Government Action. Governments in certain foreign countries continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could have a significant effect on market prices of securities and payment of dividends. The economies of many foreign countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and economic conditions of their trading partners. The enactment by these trading partners of protectionist trade legislation could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of such countries.

 

Foreign Currencies; Currency Fluctuations. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. For securities valued in foreign currencies, a change in the value of any such currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated in that currency. Such changes will also affect the Fund’s income and may affect the income of companies in which the Fund invests. Generally, when a given currency appreciates against the U.S. dollar (the U.S. dollar weakens), the value of the Fund’s securities denominated in that currency will rise. When a given currency depreciates against the U.S. dollar (the U.S. dollar strengthens), the value of the Fund’s securities denominated in that currency will decline. Countries with managed currencies that are maintained at artificial levels to the U.S. dollar rather than at levels determined by the market may experience sudden and large adjustments in the currency which, in turn, can have a disruptive and negative effect on foreign investors. Similarly, the Fund may be adversely affected by holding securities in foreign currencies that are not readily convertible into U.S. dollars.

 

Potential Adverse Changes. With respect to certain foreign countries, especially developing and emerging ones, there is the possibility of adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect investments by U.S. persons in those countries.

 

Information and Supervision. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies comparable to reports and ratings that are published about companies in the United States. Foreign companies are also generally not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices, and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. It also is often more difficult to keep currently informed of corporate actions that affect the prices of portfolio securities.

 

Market Characteristics. Foreign securities markets are generally not as developed or efficient as, and may be more volatile and have less volume and liquidity than, those in the United States. Securities may trade at price/earnings multiples higher than comparable U.S. securities and such levels may not be sustainable. Commissions on foreign securities trades are generally higher than commissions on U.S. exchanges, and while there are an increasing number of overseas securities markets that have adopted a system of negotiated rates, a number are still subject to an established schedule of minimum commission rates. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the U.S. Moreover, settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets. Such differences include delays beyond periods customary in the U.S. and practices, such as delivery of securities prior to receipt of payment, which increase the likelihood of a “failed settlement.” Failed settlements can result in losses to the Fund.

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Investment and Repatriation Restrictions. Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain foreign countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions limit and, at times, preclude investment in such countries and increase the cost and expenses of the Fund. Investments by foreign investors are subject to a variety of restrictions in many developing countries. These restrictions may take the form of prior governmental approval, limits on the amount or type of securities held by foreigners, and limits on the types of companies in which foreigners may invest. Additional or different restrictions may be imposed at any time by these or other countries in which the Fund invests. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from several foreign countries is restricted and controlled under certain regulations, including in some cases the need for certain government consents.

 

Taxes. The dividends and interest payable on foreign portfolio securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thus reducing the net amount of income available for distribution to the Fund’s shareholders. In addition, some governments may impose a tax on purchases by foreign investors of certain securities that trade in their country.

 

Depositary Receipts. The Fund’s investments may include securities of foreign issuers in the form of sponsored or unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and European Depositary Receipts (EDRs). ADRs are depositary receipts typically issued by a United States bank or trust company which evidence ownership of the underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. ADRs are subject to many of the risks affecting foreign investments generally, except for those specific to trading securities on foreign exchanges. EDRs and GDRs are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they also may be issued by United States banks or trust companies, and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by either a foreign or a United States corporation. Generally, depositary receipts in registered form are designed for use in the United States securities market and depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the United States. Depositary receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. Depositary receipts may be issued as sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made arrangements to have its securities trade in the form of ADRs. In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation of the program. Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and unsponsored programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to obtain financial information from an issuer that has participated in the creation of a sponsored program.

 

General Investment Risks - All investments in securities and other financial instruments involve a risk of financial loss. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment program will be successful. Investors should carefully review the descriptions of the Fund’s investments and their risks described in the Prospectus and this SAI.

 

Geopolitical Risk - Global economies and financial markets have become increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibility that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact companies or foreign exchange rates in a different country or region. Geopolitical and other risks, including war, terrorism, trade disputes, political or economic dysfunction within some nations, public health crises and related geopolitical events, as well as environmental disasters such as earthquakes, fires and floods, may add to instability in world economies and markets generally. Changes in trade policies and international trade agreements could affect the economies of many countries in unpredictable ways. The U.S. Government has in the past, discouraged certain foreign investments by U.S. investors through taxation, economic sanctions or other restrictions and it is possible that the Fund could be prohibited from investing in securities issued by companies subject to such restrictions. The imposition of sanctions by the U.S. or another government or country could cause disruptions to the country’s financial system and economy, which could negatively impact the value of securities issued by that country. Likewise, systemic market dislocations of the kind that occurred during the financial crisis that began in 2008, if repeated, would be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies and industries, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the Fund’s investments.

6

 

The health crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak has negatively affected the global economy as well as the economies of individual countries and the markets in general, in significant and unforeseen ways. The pandemic has disrupted certain supply chains that many businesses depend on and accelerated trends towards working remotely and shopping on-line, which has negatively affected certain business sectors, as well as companies that have been slow to transition to an on-line business model. Although vaccines for COVID-19 have been deployed, the continued risk of variants or mutations of COVID-19, among other factors, make it impossible to predict the timing of an end to the pandemic. The government response to these events, including emergency health measures, welfare benefit programs, fiscal stimulus, industry support programs and measures that impact interest rates, among other responses, is also a factor that may impact the financial markets and the value of the Fund’s holdings. The health crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries and the markets in general, in significant and unforeseen ways. Deteriorating economic fundamentals may in turn increase the risk of default or insolvency of particular companies, negatively impact market value, increase market volatility, cause credit spreads to widen, and reduce liquidity. Withdrawal of government support, failure of efforts in response to the strains, or investor perception that these efforts are not succeeding could adversely impact the value and liquidity of certain securities and currencies. There can be no assurance that market and economic conditions will not worsen in the future. In addition, other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot be foreseen at the present time.

 

Political turmoil within the United States and abroad may also impact the Fund. Although the U.S. Government has honored its credit obligations, it remains possible that the United States could default on its obligations. Fiscal stimulus packages such as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES ACT”) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 are the largest economic packages in recent history and have further increased the federal budget deficit. The U.S. Government is also considering significant new investments in infrastructure and national defense, and government agencies project that the U.S. will continue to maintain high debt levels for the foreseeable future, which could lead to the downgrading of the long-term sovereign credit rating of the U.S. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the United States would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the Fund’s investments. Similarly, political events within the U.S. at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of the Fund’s investments and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. and other securities markets. At such times, the Fund’s exposure to the risks described elsewhere in this SAI and in the Prospectus can increase and it may be difficult for the Fund to implement its investment program for a period of time.

 

Industry/Sector and Non-Diversification Risks - The greater the Fund’s exposure to any single type of investment, including investment in a given industry, sector, country, region or type of security, the greater the impact the performance of that investment will have on the Fund’s performance. As a non-diversified series, the Fund may hold a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a diversified fund and is subject to the risk that its performance may be hurt disproportionately by the poor performance of relatively few securities. Companies in the same industry often face similar obstacles, issues and regulatory burdens. As a result, the securities of companies in the same industry may react similarly to, and move in unison with, one another. An industry or a sector’s performance over any period of time may be quite different from that of the overall market. Certain sectors, such as technology, financial services or energy, can be highly volatile. As of [December 31, 2022], the Fund had approximately [ ]% of its net assets invested in stocks within the technology sector. Technology companies rely heavily on technological advances and face intense competition from new market entrants, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Companies in the technology sector are also heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights, and a loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Companies in the technology industries can be significantly affected by the obsolescence of existing technologies, short product cycles, falling prices and profits. Technology companies may not successfully introduce new products, develop and maintain a loyal customer base or achieve general market acceptance for their new products. Technology companies engaged in manufacturing, such as semiconductor companies, often operate internationally which could expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, including currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs and other risks inherent to international business.

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Money Market Instruments - The Fund may invest in money market instruments including U.S. government obligations or corporate debt obligations (including those subject to repurchase agreements), provided that they are eligible for purchase by the Fund. Money market instruments also may include Banker’s Acceptances and Certificates of Deposit of domestic branches of U.S. banks, Commercial Paper, and Variable Amount Demand Master Notes (“Master Notes”). Banker’s Acceptances are time drafts drawn on and “accepted” by a bank. When a bank “accepts” such a time draft, it assumes liability for its payment. When the Fund acquires a Banker’s Acceptance, the bank that “accepted” the time draft is liable for payment of interest and principal when due. The Banker’s Acceptance carries the full faith and credit of such bank. A Certificate of Deposit (“CD”) is an unsecured, interest bearing debt obligation of a bank. Commercial Paper is an unsecured, short-term debt obligation of a bank, corporation, or other borrower. Maturities of Commercial Paper generally range from 2 to 270 days and are usually sold on a discounted basis rather than as an interest-bearing instrument. The Fund will invest in Commercial Paper only if it is rated in one of the top two rating categories by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, or if not rated, of equivalent quality in the Adviser’s opinion. Commercial Paper may include Master Notes of the same quality. Master Notes are unsecured obligations which are redeemable upon demand of the holder and which permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest. Master Notes are acquired by the Fund only through the Master Note program of the Fund’s custodian bank, acting as administrator thereof. The Adviser will monitor, on a continuous basis, the earnings power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuer of a Master Note held by the Fund.

 

NON-PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

 

Bank Obligations. Bank obligations that may be purchased by the Fund include, but are not limited to, certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and fixed time deposits. A certificate of deposit is a short-term negotiable certificate issued by a commercial bank against the Fund deposited in the bank and is either interest-bearing or purchased on a discount basis. A banker’s acceptance is a short-term draft drawn on a commercial bank by a borrower, usually in connection with an international commercial transaction. The borrower is liable for payment, as is the bank, which unconditionally guarantees to pay the draft at its face amount on the maturity date. Fixed time deposits are obligations of branches of U.S. or non-U.S. banks which are payable at a stated maturity date and bear a fixed rate of interest. Although fixed time deposits do not have a market, there are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in the deposit to a third party. Bank obligations may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulation. Securities issued or guaranteed by non-U.S. banks and non-U.S. branches of U.S. banks are subject to many of the risks of investing in non-U.S. securities generally.

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Banks are subject to extensive governmental regulations which may limit both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments which may be made and interest rates and fees which may be charged. The profitability of this industry is to a significant extent dependent upon the availability and cost of capital of funds used by the bank to finance its lending operations. Also, general economic conditions play an important part in the operations of this industry and exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers might affect a bank’s ability to meet its obligations.

 

Borrowing. Borrowing creates an opportunity for increased return, but, at the same time, creates special risks. Furthermore, if the Fund were to engage in borrowing, an increase in interest rates could reduce the value of the Fund’s shares by increasing the Fund’s interest expense.

 

Subject to the limitations described under “Investment Limitations” below, the Fund is permitted to borrow for temporary purposes and/or for investment purposes. Such a practice will result in leveraging of the Fund’s assets and may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so. This borrowing may be secured or unsecured. Provisions of the 1940 Act require the Fund to maintain continuous asset coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed, with an exception for borrowings not in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets made for temporary administrative purposes. Any borrowings for temporary administrative purposes in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets will count against this asset coverage requirement. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or other reasons, the Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint if the Fund sells securities at that time. Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of the securities purchased, if any. The Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with such borrowings or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds and Other Similar Instruments. Shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and other similar instruments may be purchased by the Fund. Generally, an ETF is an investment company that is registered under the 1940 Act that holds a portfolio of securities designed to track the performance of a particular index or index segment. Similar instruments, used by pools that are not investment companies, offer similar characteristics and may be designed to track the performance of an index or basket of securities of companies engaged in a particular market or sector. ETFs sell and redeem their shares at net asset value in large blocks (typically 50,000 of its shares) called “creation units.” Shares representing fractional interests in these creation units are listed for trading on national securities exchanges and can be purchased and sold in the secondary market in lots of any size at any time during the trading day.

 

Investments in ETFs and other similar instruments involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in a broadly-based portfolio of stocks including: (i) risks that the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of each unit of the ETF or other instrument; (ii) an ETF may not fully replicate the performance of its benchmark index because of temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weightings of securities or number of stocks held; (iii) an ETF may also be adversely affected by the performance of the specific index, market sector or group of industries on which it is based; and (iv) an ETF may not track an index as well as a traditional index mutual fund because ETFs are valued by the market and, therefore, there may be a difference between the market value and the ETF’s net asset value.

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Because ETFs and pools that issue similar instruments incur various fees and expenses, the Fund’s investment in these instruments will involve certain indirect costs, as well as transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions. The Adviser will consider expenses associated with an investment in determining whether to invest in an ETF or other instrument. In the case of ETFs that are investment companies, they invest substantially all of their assets in securities of various securities indices or a particular segment of a securities index. Most ETFs are listed and traded on the NYSE Arca Inc. (“Arca”). The market price of ETFs is expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the asset values of their underlying indices and supply and demand of an ETF’s shares on the Arca. ETFs may trade at relatively modest discounts or premiums to net asset value. In general, most ETFs have a limited operating history and information may be lacking regarding the actual performance and trading liquidity of such shares for extended periods or over complete market cycles. In addition, there is no assurance that the requirements of the Arca necessary to maintain the listing of ETFs in which the Fund invests will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. In the event substantial market or other disruptions affecting the shares of ETFs held by the Fund should occur in the future, the liquidity and value of the Fund’s shares could also be adversely affected. If such disruptions were to occur, the Fund could be required to reconsider the use of ETFs as part of its investment strategy.

 

Limitations of the 1940 Act, which prohibit any Fund from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding shares of another investment company, may restrict the Fund’s ability to purchase shares of certain ETFs. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act in November 2020, which allows, subject to certain conditions, the Fund to invest in other registered investment companies, including ETFs, and other registered investment companies to invest in the Fund beyond the limits contained in the 1940 Act.

 

Firm Commitments and When-Issued Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a firm commitment basis, including when-issued securities. The Fund may also be entitled to receive when-issued securities in relation to its holdings in common stock of companies that undertake certain corporate actions and reorganizations. Securities purchased on a firm commitment basis are purchased for delivery beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price and yield. No income accrues to the purchaser of a security on a firm commitment basis prior to delivery. Such securities are recorded as an asset and are subject to changes in value based upon changes in the general level of interest rates. Purchasing a security on a firm commitment basis can involve a risk that the market price at the time of delivery may be lower than the agreed upon purchase price, in which case there could be an unrealized loss at the time of delivery. The Fund will only make commitments to purchase securities on a firm commitment basis with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but may sell them before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable. Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 18 of the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in a security on a when-issued or forward-settling basis, or with a non-standard settlement cycle, and the transaction will be deemed not to involve a senior security, provided that: (1) the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction; and (2) the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date. As when-issued securities are subject to delayed or deferred settlement, such securities may be either illiquid, or suffer from severe constraints in liquidity.

 

Fixed Income Securities. The Fund may invest in fixed income securities. Fixed income securities generally pay a specified rate of interest or dividends, or a rate that is adjusted periodically by reference to some specified index or market rate or other factor. Fixed income securities may include securities issued by U.S. federal, state, local, and non-U.S. governments and other agencies and instrumentalities, and by a wide range of private or corporate issuers. Fixed income securities include, among others, bonds, notes, bills, debentures, convertible securities, bank obligations, mortgage and other asset-backed securities, loan participations and assignments and commercial paper.

10

 

The price of fixed income debt securities is dependent in part on the continuing ability of the issuers of the fixed income debt securities to meet their obligations for the payment of principal and interest when due. The issuer’s ability to service its debt obligations may be adversely affected by specific corporate developments, the issuer’s inability to meet specific projected business forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing. Obligations of issuers of debt securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, sovereign immunity, and other laws that affect the rights and remedies of creditors. There is also the possibility that, as a result of litigation or other conditions, the ability of an issuer to pay the principal and interest on its debt instruments when due may be materially affected.

 

The price of fixed income debt securities is also dependent on interest rates. Except to the extent that values are affected independently by other factors such as developments relating to a specific issuer or group of issuers, when interest rates decline, the value of a fixed-income security can generally be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a fixed-income security can generally be expected to decline. Prices of longer term securities generally increase or decrease more sharply than those of shorter term securities in response to interest rate changes, particularly if such securities were purchased at a discount. It should be noted that the market values of securities rated below investment grade and comparable unrated securities tend to react less to fluctuations in interest rate levels than do those of higher-rated securities.

 

Floating and Variable Rate Instruments. The Fund may invest in floating and variable rate obligations. Floating or variable rate obligations bear interest at rates that are not fixed, but vary with changes in specified market rates or indices, such as the prime rate, and at specified intervals. The variable rate obligations in which the Fund may invest include variable rate master demand notes, which are unsecured instruments issued pursuant to an agreement between the issuer and the holder that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary and provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate.

 

Certain of the floating or variable rate obligations that may be purchased by the Fund may carry a demand feature that would permit the holder to tender them back to the issuer of the instrument or to a third party at par value prior to maturity. Some of the demand instruments purchased by the Fund are not traded in a secondary market and derive their liquidity solely from the ability of the holder to demand repayment from the issuer or third party providing credit support. If a demand instrument is not traded in a secondary market, the Fund will nonetheless treat the instrument as liquid for the purposes of its investment restriction limiting investments in illiquid securities unless the demand feature has a notice period of more than seven days; if the notice period is greater than seven days, such a demand instrument will be characterized as illiquid for such purpose. The Fund’s right to obtain payment at par on a demand instrument could be affected by events occurring between the date the Fund elects to demand payment and the date payment is due that may affect the ability of the issuer of the instrument or a third party providing credit support to make payment when due. To facilitate settlement, some demand instruments may be held in book entry form at a bank other than the Fund’s custodian subject to a sub-custodian agreement approved by the Fund between that bank and the Fund’s custodian.

 

Forward Commitment & When-Issued Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or for settlement at a future date if the Fund holds sufficient assets to meet the purchase price. In such purchase transactions, the Fund will not accrue interest on the purchased security until the actual settlement. Similarly, if a security is sold for a forward date, the Fund will accrue the interest until the settlement of the sale. When-issued security purchases and forward commitments have a higher degree of risk of price movement before settlement due to the extended time period between the execution and settlement of the purchase or sale. As a result, the exposure to the counterparty of the purchase or sale is increased. Although the Fund would generally purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis with the intention of taking delivery, the Fund may sell such a security prior to the settlement date if the Adviser felt such action was appropriate. In such a case, the Fund could incur a short-term gain or loss.

11

 

Government Securities. The Fund may invest a portion of the portfolio in U.S. government securities, defined to be U.S. government obligations such as U.S. Treasury notes, U.S. Treasury bonds, and U.S. Treasury bills, obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government such as Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) as well as obligations of U.S. government authorities, agencies and instrumentalities such as Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), Federal Farm Credit Bank (“FFCB”), Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Student Loan Marketing Association (“SLMA”), and The Tennessee Valley Authority. U.S. government securities may be acquired subject to repurchase agreements. While obligations of some U.S. government sponsored entities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (e.g. GNMA), several are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. government (e.g. FNMA, FHLMC), and still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer itself (e.g. SLMA, FFCB). No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities in the future, other than as set forth above, since it is not obligated to do so by law. The guarantee of the U.S. government does not extend to the yield or value of the Fund’s shares.

 

Illiquid Investments. The Fund may not purchase or otherwise acquire any illiquid investments if, immediately after the acquisition, the value of illiquid investments held by the Fund would exceed 15% of its net assets. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Under the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), the Adviser determines the liquidity of the Fund’s investments and, through reports from the Adviser, the Board monitors investments in illiquid instruments. If through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the Fund were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid securities, it would seek to take appropriate steps to protect liquidity pursuant to the Board’s liquidity risk management program. The sale of some illiquid and other types of investments may be subject to legal restrictions.

 

If the Fund invests in investments for which there is no ready market, it may not be able to readily sell such investments. Such investments are unlike investments that are traded in the open market, and which can be expected to be sold immediately if the market is adequate. The sale price of illiquid investments once realized may be lower or higher than the Adviser’s most recent estimate of their fair market value. Generally, less public information is available about the issuers of such investments than about companies whose investments are publicly traded.

 

The Fund values illiquid securities using its fair value procedures (described below) but there can be no assurance that (i) the Fund will determine fair value for a private investment accurately; (ii) that the Fund will be able to sell private securities for the fair value determined by the Fund; or (iii) that the Fund will be able to sell such securities at all. Investment in illiquid securities poses risks of potential delays in resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Fund may be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices.

 

Inflation and Deflation. The Fund may be subject to inflation and deflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the present value of assets or income of the Fund will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the present value of money. Unanticipated or persistent inflation may have a material and adverse impact on the financial condition or results of operations of companies in which the Fund may invest, which may cause the value of the Fund’s holdings in such companies to decline. In addition, higher interest rates that often accompany or follow periods of high inflation may cause investors to favor asset classes other than common stocks, which may lead to broader market declines not necessarily related to the performance of specific companies. Deflation risk is the risk that the prices of goods and services in the U.S. and many foreign economies may decline over time. Deflation may have an adverse effect on stock prices and the creditworthiness of issuers and may make defaults on debt more likely. If a country’s economy slips into a deflationary pattern, it could last for a prolonged period and be difficult to reverse.

12

 

Investments in Small-Cap Companies. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities of companies with small market capitalizations. Certain small-cap companies may offer greater potential for capital appreciation than larger companies. However, investors should note that this potential for greater capital appreciation is accompanied by a substantial risk of loss and that, by their very nature, investments in small-cap companies tend to be very volatile and speculative. Small-cap companies may have a small share of the market for their products or services, their businesses may be limited to regional markets, or they may provide goods and services for a limited market. For example, they may be developing or marketing new products or services for markets that are not yet established or may never become established. In addition, small-cap companies may have or will develop only a regional market for products or services and thus be affected by local or regional market conditions. In addition, small-cap companies may lack depth of management or they may be unable to generate funds on favorable terms necessary for growth or potential development, either internally or through external financing. Such companies may also be insignificant in their industries and be subject to or become subject to intense competition from larger companies. Due to these and other factors, the Fund’s investments in small-cap companies may suffer significant losses. Further, there is typically a smaller market for the securities of a small-cap company than for securities of a large company. Therefore, investments in small-cap companies may be less liquid and subject to significant price declines that may result in losses for the Fund.

 

LIBOR Transition Risk. Instruments in which the Fund may invest may pay interest at floating rates based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or may be subject to interest caps or floors based on LIBOR. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, phased out most LIBOR settings by the end of 2021, except the majority of the U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will be phased out by June 30, 2023. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. On March 15, 2022, the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act was signed into law and provides a statutory fallback mechanism on a nationwide basis to replace LIBOR with a benchmark that is based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). Various financial industry groups have begun planning for the transition from LIBOR, but there are obstacles to converting certain longer-term securities and transactions to new reference rates. It is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR on the Fund until new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products, instruments and contracts are commercially accepted. Any such effects of the transition, as well as other unforeseen effects, could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance.

 

Real Estate Securities. The Fund will not invest in real estate (including mortgage loans and limited partnership interests), but may invest in readily marketable securities issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein. The Fund may also invest in readily marketable interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs are generally publicly traded on the national stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter market and have varying degrees of liquidity. Investments in real estate securities are subject to risks inherent in the real estate market, including risk related to changes interest rates.

 

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is a short-term investment in which the purchaser acquires ownership of a U.S. government security and the seller agrees to repurchase the security at a future time at a set price, thereby determining the yield during the purchaser’s holding period. Any repurchase transaction in which the Fund engages will require full collateralization of the seller’s obligation during the entire term of the repurchase agreement. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default of the seller, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses in value.

13

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into “reverse” repurchase agreements to avoid selling securities during unfavorable market conditions to meet redemptions. Pursuant to a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund will sell portfolio securities and agree to repurchase them from the buyer at a particular date and price. The Fund pays interest on amounts obtained pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings by the Fund.

 

Temporary Defensive Positions. The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in an attempt to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During such an unusual set of circumstances, the Fund may hold up to 100% of its portfolio in cash or cash equivalent positions. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.

 

Warrants and Rights. The Fund may invest in warrants and rights. Warrants are securities that are usually issued together with a debt security or preferred stock and that give the holder the right to buy a proportionate amount of common stock at a specified price until a stated expiration date. Buying a warrant generally can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an investment of equivalent amounts in the underlying common stock. The market value of a warrant does not necessarily move with the value of the underlying securities. If a holder does not sell the warrant, it risks the loss of its entire investment if the market price of the underlying security does not, before the expiration date, exceed the exercise price of the warrant. Investing in warrants is a speculative activity. Warrants pay no dividends and confer no rights (other than the right to purchase the underlying securities) with respect to the assets of the issuer. A right is a privilege granted, typically to existing shareholders of a corporation, to subscribe for shares of a new issue of stock before it is issued. Rights normally have a short life, usually two to four weeks, may be freely transferable and generally entitle the holder to buy the new common stock at a lower price than the public offering price.

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

The Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment limitations which may not be changed with respect to the Fund without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares (as defined in Section 2(a) (42) of the 1940 Act). As used in this SAI and in the Prospectus, “shareholder approval” and a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund means, with respect to the approval of an investment advisory agreement, a distribution plan or a change in a fundamental investment limitation, the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Unless otherwise noted, the Fund’s investment goals and strategies described in the Prospectus may be changed by the Board without the approval of the Fund’s shareholders.

 

The Fund may not:

 

1.Purchase securities which would cause 25% or more of the value of its total assets at the time of purchase to be directly invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry or group of industries (excluding obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any state or territory of the United States or any of their agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions);

 

2.Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act (see “Borrowing” above);

14

 

3.Make loans, except that the Fund may purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objectives and policies; provided however, this restriction does not apply to repurchase agreements or loans of portfolio securities;

 

4.Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers except that, in the disposition of portfolio securities, it may be deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws;

 

5.Purchase or sell real estate, although the Fund may purchase securities of issuers which deal in real estate, securities which are secured by interests in real estate, and securities which represent interests in real estate, and may acquire and dispose of real estate or interests in real estate acquired through the exercise of its rights as a holder of debt obligations secured by real estate or interests therein;

 

6.Purchase or sell physical commodities, except that the Fund may purchase and financial transactions not requiring the delivery of physical commodities, including but not limited to, purchasing or selling commodity exchange-traded funds or exchange-traded notes; and

 

7.Issue senior securities, except for permitted borrowings or as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act.

  

Restrictions (2) and (7) above shall be interpreted based upon the requirements of Rule 18f-4 of the 1940 Act, no-action letters and other pronouncements of the staff of the SEC, as applicable. Under current pronouncements, certain Fund positions may be excluded from the definition of “senior security” so long as the Fund maintains adequate cover, segregation of assets or otherwise. See “Borrowing” above.

 

For the purposes of restriction (1) above, industry classifications are determined for the Fund in accordance with the industry or sub-industry classifications established by the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). The Fund may use other classification titles, standards and systems from time to time, as it determines to be in the best interests of shareholders. These classifications are not fundamental policies of the Fund. The Fund may invest in underlying funds or ETFs that may concentrate their assets in one or more industries. The Fund will consider the investments of the underlying funds and ETFs in which it invests in determining compliance with this fundamental restriction.

 

In addition, the Fund will not purchase any illiquid security, including any securities whose disposition is restricted under federal securities laws and illiquid investments, if, as a result, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets (based on then-current value) would then be invested in such securities. For purposes of this restriction, the staff of the SEC is presently of the view that repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days are subject to this restriction. Until that position is revised, modified or rescinded, the Fund will conduct its operations in a manner consistent with this view. This limitation on investment in illiquid securities does not apply to certain restricted securities, including securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and certain commercial paper that the Adviser has determined to be liquid under procedures approved by the Board.

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Company has adopted, on behalf of the Fund, a policy relating to the selective disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings by the Adviser, Board, officers, or third party service providers, in accordance with regulations that seek to ensure that disclosure of information about portfolio holdings is in the best interest of Fund shareholders. The policies relating to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings are designed to allow disclosure of portfolio holdings information where necessary to the Fund’s operation without compromising the integrity or performance of the Fund. It is the policy of the Company that disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings to a select person or persons prior to the release of such holdings to the public (“selective disclosure”) is prohibited, unless there are legitimate business purposes for selective disclosure.

15

 

The Company discloses portfolio holdings information as required in regulatory filings and shareholder reports, discloses portfolio holdings information as required by federal and state securities laws and may disclose portfolio holdings information in response to requests by governmental authorities. As required by the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, the Company will disclose the Fund’s portfolio holdings in applicable regulatory filings, including shareholder reports, reports on Form N-CSR, Form N-CEN, and Form N-PORT or such other filings, reports or disclosure documents as the applicable regulatory authorities may require.

 

Generally, after the [30th] business day of the month following [each month end], the Fund may provide, at the Adviser’s discretion, its portfolio holdings to various rating and ranking organizations. In addition, generally after the [30th] business day of the month following [each month end], the Fund may post to its website a list of the Fund’s top ten holdings or full portfolio holdings at the discretion of the Adviser. The timing, frequency and type (i.e., ratings/rankings/holdings) of disclosure may change at the Adviser’s discretion, as well as whether to post to the Fund’s website.

 

The Company may distribute or authorize the distribution of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings that is not publicly available to its third-party service providers, which include U.S. Bank, N.A., the Fund’s custodian; U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services”), the Fund’s administrator, accounting agent and transfer agent; [ ], the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, legal counsel; FilePoint, the financial printer; the Fund’s proxy voting service(s); and the Company’s liquidity classification agent. These service providers are required to keep such information confidential, and are prohibited from trading based on the information or otherwise using the information except as necessary in providing services to the Fund. Such holdings are released on conditions of confidentiality, which include appropriate trading prohibitions. “Conditions of confidentiality” include confidentiality terms included in written agreements, implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g., attorney-client relationship), or required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custody services provided by financial institutions). Portfolio holdings may also be provided earlier to shareholders and their agents who receive redemptions in kind that reflect a pro rata allocation of all securities held in the Fund’s portfolio.

 

Portfolio holdings may also be disclosed, upon authorization by a designated officer of the Adviser, to (i) certain independent reporting agencies recognized by the SEC as acceptable agencies for the reporting of industry statistical information, and (ii) financial consultants to assist them in determining the suitability of the Fund as an investment for their clients, in each case in accordance with the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the Company’s and the Adviser’s fiduciary duties to Fund shareholders. Disclosures to financial consultants are also subject to a confidentiality agreement and/or trading restrictions. The foregoing disclosures are made pursuant to the Company’s policy on selective disclosure of portfolio holdings. The Board or a committee thereof may, in limited circumstances, permit other selective disclosure of portfolio holdings subject to a confidentiality agreement and/or trading restrictions.

 

The Adviser reserves the right to refuse to fulfill any request for portfolio holdings information from a shareholder or non-shareholder if it believes that providing such information will be contrary to the best interests of the Fund.

 

The Board provides ongoing oversight of the Company’s policies and procedures and compliance with such policies and procedures. As part of this oversight function, the Board receives from the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as necessary, reports on compliance with these policies and procedures. In addition, the Board receives an annual assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the policies and procedures with respect to the Fund, and any changes thereto, and an annual review of the operation of the policies and procedures. Any violation of the policy set forth above as well as any corrective action undertaken to address such violation must be reported by the Adviser, director, officer or third party service provider to the Company’s CCO, who will determine whether the violation should be reported immediately to the Board or at its next quarterly Board meeting.

16

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

Portfolio turnover measures the percentage of the Fund’s total portfolio market value that was purchased or sold during the period. The Fund’s turnover rate provides an indication of how transaction costs (which are not included in the Fund’s expenses) may affect the Fund’s performance. Also, funds with a high turnover may be more likely to distribute capital gains that may be taxable to shareholders.

 

The Predecessor Fund’s portfolio turnover rates for the two most recent fiscal years are stated below. Portfolio turnover rates could change significantly in response to turbulent market conditions.

 

Portfolio Turnover

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 

2022

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 

2021 

169% 195%

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the oversight of the Board, subject to the laws of the State of Maryland and the Company’s Charter. The Directors are responsible for deciding matters of overall policy and overseeing the actions of the Company’s service providers. The officers of the Company conduct and supervise the Company’s daily business operations.

 

Directors who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act) are referred to as “Independent Directors.” Directors who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Company are referred to as “Interested Directors.” The Board is currently composed of seven Independent Directors and one Interested Director. The Board has selected Arnold M. Reichman, an Independent Director, to act as Chairman. Mr. Reichman’s duties include presiding at meetings of the Board and interfacing with management to address significant issues that may arise between regularly scheduled Board and Committee meetings. In the performance of his duties, Mr. Reichman will consult with the other Independent Directors and the Company’s officers and legal counsel, as appropriate. The Chairman may perform other functions as requested by the Board from time to time.

 

The Board meets as often as necessary to discharge its responsibilities. Currently, the Board conducts regular, in-person meetings at least four times a year, and holds special in-person or telephonic meetings as necessary to address specific issues that require attention prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting. The Board also relies on professionals, such as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firms and legal counsel, to assist the Directors in performing their oversight responsibilities.

 

The Board has established seven standing committees — Audit, Contract, Executive, Nominating and Governance, Product Development, Regulatory Oversight, and Valuation Committees. The Board may establish other committees, or nominate one or more Directors to examine particular issues related to the Board’s oversight responsibilities, from time to time. Each Committee meets periodically to perform its delegated oversight functions and reports its findings and recommendations to the Board. For more information on the Committees, see the section entitled “Standing Committees.”

17

 

The Board has determined that the Company’s leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to effectively perform its oversight responsibilities.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their ages, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth in this section.

 

Name, Address,  

and Age 

Position(s)  

Held with  

Company 

Term of Office 

and
Length of Time
Served1 

Principal Occupation(s) 

During Past 5 Years 

Number of 

Portfolios in 

Fund  

Complex 

Overseen by 

Director* 

Other  

Directorships  

Held by Director  

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

Age: 89 

Director 1988 to present From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications). [57] AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

Gregory P. Chandler 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

Age: 56 

Director 2012 to present

Since 2020, Chief Financial Officer, Herspiegel Consulting LLC (life sciences consulting services); 2020, Chief Financial Officer, Avocado Systems Inc. (cyber security software provider); 2009-2020, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services). 

[57]

FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company); Wilmington Funds (12 portfolios) (registered investment company); Emtec, Inc. (until December 2019); FS Investment Corporation (business development Company) (until December 2018). 

Lisa A. Dolly 

615 East Michigan Street,

Milwaukee, WI, 53202 

Age: 56 

Director October 2021 to present From July 2019-December 2019, Chairman, Pershing LLC (broker dealer, clearing and custody firm); January 2016-June 2019, Chief Executive Officer, Pershing, LLC. [57] Allfunds Group PLC (United Kingdom wealthtech and fund distribution provider); Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (trade association for broker dealers, investment banks and asset managers); Hightower Advisors (wealth management firm).

Nicholas A. Giordano 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

Age: 79 

Director 2006 to present Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations. [57] IntriCon Corporation (biomedical device manufacturer); Wilmington Funds (12 portfolios) (registered investment company); Independence Blue Cross (healthcare insurance) (until 2021).

18

 

Name, Address,  

and Age 

Position(s)  

Held with  

Company 

Term of Office 

and
Length of Time
Served1 

Principal Occupation(s) 

During Past 5 Years 

Number of 

Portfolios in 

Fund  

Complex 

Overseen by 

Director* 

Other  

Directorships  

Held by Director  

Arnold M. Reichman 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

Age: 74

Chairman

 

Director

 

2005 to present

 

1991 to present

 

Retired. [57] EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company) (until August 2022).

Brian T. Shea 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

Age:62

Director 2018 to present From 2014-2017, Chief Executive Officer, BNY Mellon Investment Services (fund services, global custodian and securities clearing firm); from 1983-2014, Chief Executive Officer and various positions, Pershing LLC (broker dealer, clearing and custody firm). [57]

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (financial services technology company); Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (financial services company); WisdomTree Investments, Inc.(asset management company) (until March 2019).

 

Robert A. Straniere 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Age: 81 

Director 2006 to present

Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group (law firm)

 

[57] None.
INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

Robert Sablowsky 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

Age: 84 

Vice Chairman

 

Director

 

2016 to present

 

1991 to present

 

Since 2002, Senior Director – Investments and, prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer). 

[57] None.
OFFICERS

Steven Plump 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

Age: 63 

President August 2022 to present From 2011 to 2021, Executive Vice President, PIMCO LLC. N/A N/A

Salvatore Faia, JD, 

CPA, CFE 

Vigilant Compliance, LLC 

Gateway Corporate 

Center, Suite 216 

223 Wilmington West 

Chester Pike 

Chadds Ford, PA 19317 

Age: 60 

Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance, LLC (investment management services company); since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company); since 2021, Chief Compliance Officer of The RBB Fund Trust; President of The RBB Fund Trust from 2021 to 2022; President of The RBB Fund, Inc. from 2009 to 2022. N/A N/A

19

 

Name, Address,  

and Age 

Position(s)  

Held with  

Company 

Term of Office 

and
Length of Time
Served1 

Principal Occupation(s) 

During Past 5 Years 

Number of 

Portfolios in 

Fund  

Complex 

Overseen by 

Director* 

Other  

Directorships  

Held by Director  

James G. Shaw 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

Age: 62 

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

Chief Operating Officer

 

2016 to present

 

August 2022 to present

 

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (since 2016) and Chief Operating Officer (since 2022) of The RBB Fund, Inc.; Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (since 2021) and Chief Operating Officer (since 2022) of The RBB Fund Trust; from 2005 to 2016, Assistant Treasurer of The RBB Fund, Inc.; from 1995 to 2016, Senior Director and Vice President of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).

 

N/A N/A

Craig A. Urciuoli 

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

Age: 48

Director of Marketing & Business Development 2019 to present Director of Marketing & Business Development of The RBB Fund, Inc. (since 2019) and The RBB Fund Trust (since 2021); from 2000-2019, Managing Director, Third Avenue Management LLC (investment advisory firm). N/A N/A

Jennifer Witt 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

Age: 40

Assistant Treasurer 2018 to present Since 2020, Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (fund administrative services firm); from 2016 to 2020, Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services; from 2007 to 2016, Supervisor, Nuveen Investments (registered investment company). N/A N/A

Edward Paz 

615 East Michigan Street 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 

Age: 51 

Assistant Secretary

 

2016 to present

Since 2007, Vice President and Counsel, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (fund administrative services firm).

 

N/A N/A

Michael P. Malloy 

One Logan Square 

Ste. 2000 

Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Age: 63 

Assistant 

Secretary

 

1999 to present Since 1993, Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm). N/A N/A

Jillian L. Bosmann 

One Logan Square 

Ste. 2000 

Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Age: 44 

Assistant 

Secretary

 

2017 to present

Since 2017, Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).

 

N/A N/A

20

 

*Each Director oversees [   ] portfolios of the fund complex, consisting of the series in the Company ([   ] portfolios) and The RBB Fund Trust ([9] portfolios).

 

1.Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his or her successor is elected and qualified or his or her death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Giordano, Sablowsky and Straniere. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2.Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer.

 

Director Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and/or Skills

 

The information above includes each Director’s principal occupations during the last five years.  Each Director possesses extensive additional experience, skills and attributes relevant to his or her qualifications to serve as a Director.  The cumulative background of each Director led to the conclusion that each Director should serve as a Director of the Company. Mr. Brodsky has over 40 years of senior executive-level management experience in the cable television and communications industry.  Mr. Chandler has demonstrated leadership and management abilities as evidenced by his senior executive level positions in the investment technology consulting/services and investment banking/brokerage industries, and also serves on various boards. Ms. Dolly has over three decades of experience in the financial services industry, and she has demonstrated her leadership and management abilities by serving in numerous senior executive-level positions. Mr. Giordano has years of experience as a consultant to financial services organizations and also serves on the boards of other registered investment companies. Mr. Reichman brings decades of investment management experience to the Board, in addition to senior executive-level management experience.  Mr. Sablowsky has demonstrated leadership and management abilities as evidenced by his senior executive-level positions in the financial services industry. Mr. Shea has demonstrated leadership and management abilities as evidenced by his senior executive-level positions in the brokerage, clearing, and investment services industry, including service on the boards of industry regulatory organizations and a university.  Mr. Straniere has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years and has served on the boards of an asset management company and another registered investment company. 

 

Standing Committees

 

The responsibilities of each Committee of the Board and its members are described below.

 

Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee comprised of three Independent Directors. The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Brodsky, Chandler and Giordano. The Audit Committee, among other things, reviews results of the annual audit and approves the firm(s) to serve as independent auditors. The Audit Committee convened [three] times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.

 

Contract Committee. The Board has a Contract Committee comprised of the Interested Director and four Independent Directors. The current members of the Contract Committee are Ms. Dolly and Messrs. Brodsky, Chandler, Sablowsky and Straniere. The Contract Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the approval and continuation of agreements and plans of the Company. The Contract Committee convened [five] times during the fiscal year June 30, 2022.

 

Executive Committee. The Board has an Executive Committee comprised of the Interested Director and three Independent Directors. The current members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Chandler, Giordano, Reichman and Sablowsky. The Executive Committee may generally carry on and manage the business of the Company when the Board is not in session. The Executive Committee [did not meet] during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.

21

 

Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board has a Nominating and Governance Committee comprised of three Independent Directors. The current members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Messrs. Brodsky, Giordano and Reichman. The Nominating and Governance Committee recommends to the Board all persons to be nominated as Directors of the Company. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted to the Committee care of the Company’s Secretary. The Nominating and Governance Committee convened [two] times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.

 

Product Development Committee. The Board has a Product Development Committee comprised of the Interested Director and three Independent Directors. The current members of the Product Development Committee are Messrs. Chandler, Reichman, Sablowsky, and Shea. The Product Development Committee oversees the process regarding the addition of new investment advisers and investment products to the Company. The Product Development Committee convened [five] times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.

 

Regulatory Oversight Committee. The Board has a Regulatory Oversight Committee comprised of the Interested Director and four Independent Directors. The current members of the Regulatory Oversight Committee are Ms. Dolly and Messrs. Reichman, Sablowsky, Shea and Straniere. The Regulatory Oversight Committee monitors regulatory developments in the mutual fund industry and focuses on various regulatory aspects of the operation of the Company. The Regulatory Oversight Committee convened four times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.

 

Valuation Committee. The Board has a Valuation Committee comprised of the Interested Director and two officers of the Company. The members of the Valuation Committee are Messrs. Faia, Sablowsky and Shaw. The Valuation Committee is responsible for reviewing fair value determinations. The Valuation Committee convened four times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.

 

Risk Oversight

 

The Board performs its risk oversight function for the Company through a combination of (1) direct oversight by the Board as a whole and Board committees and (2) indirect oversight through the Company’s investment advisers and other service providers, Company officers and the Company’s CCO. The Company is subject to a number of risks, including but not limited to investment risk, compliance risk, operational risk, reputational risk, credit risk and counterparty risk. Day-to-day risk management with respect to the Company is the responsibility of the Company’s investment advisers or other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk) that carry out the Company’s investment management and business affairs. Each of the investment advisers and the other service providers have their own independent interest in risk management and their policies and methods of risk management will depend on their functions and business models and may differ from the Company’s and each other’s in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls.

 

The Board provides risk oversight by receiving and reviewing on a regular basis reports from the Company’s investment advisers or other service providers, receiving and approving compliance policies and procedures, periodic meetings with the Company’s portfolio managers to review investment policies, strategies and risks, and meeting regularly with the Company’s CCO to discuss compliance reports, findings and issues. The Board also relies on the Company’s investment advisers and other service providers, with respect to the day-to-day activities of the Company, to create and maintain procedures and controls to minimize risk and the likelihood of adverse effects on the Company’s business and reputation.

 

Board oversight of risk management is also provided by various Board Committees. For example, the Audit Committee meets with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firms to ensure that the Company’s respective audit scopes include risk-based considerations as to the Company’s financial position and operations. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight. The Board’s oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Company’s investments or activities.

22

 

Director Ownership of Shares of the Company

 

The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Director in the Fund and in all of the portfolios of the Company (which for each Director comprise all registered investment companies within the Company’s family of investment companies overseen by him or her), as of December 31, 2022, including amounts through the deferred compensation plan:

 

Name of Director

Dollar Range of 

Equity Securities in the 

Fund 

Aggregate Dollar Range of  

Equity Securities in All  

Registered Investment Companies  

Overseen by Director within the  

Family of Investment Companies 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS  
Julian A. Brodsky [None] [Over $100,000]
Gregory P. Chandler [None] [Over $100,000]
Lisa A. Dolly [None] [None]
Nicholas A. Giordano [None] [$10,001-$50,000]
Arnold M. Reichman [None] [$50,001-$100,000]
Brian T. Shea [None] [$10,001-$50,000]
Robert A. Straniere [None] [$1-$10,000]
INTERESTED DIRECTOR  
Robert Sablowsky [None] [Over $100,000]

 

 

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Compensation

 

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company and The RBB Fund Trust, based on an allocation formula, pay each Director a retainer at the rate of $150,000 annually, $13,500 for each regular meeting of the Board, $5,000 for each Regulatory Oversight Committee meeting attended in-person, $4,000 for each other committee (excluding the Regulatory Oversight Committee) meeting attended in-person, and $2,000 for each committee meeting attended telephonically or special meeting of the Board attended in-person or telephonically. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Regulatory Oversight Committee each receives an additional fee of $20,000 for his services. The Chairman of the Contract Committee and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee each receives an additional fee of $10,000 per year for his services. The Vice Chairman of the Board receives an additional fee of $35,000 per year for his services in this capacity and the Chairman of the Board receives an additional fee of $75,000 per year for his services in this capacity.

 

From January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022, the Company and The RBB Fund Trust, based on an allocation formula, paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $125,000 annually, $13,500 for each regular meeting of the Board, $3,500 for each committee meeting attended in-person, and $2,000 for each committee meeting attended telephonically or special meeting of the Board attended in-person or telephonically. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Regulatory Oversight Committee each received an additional fee of $20,000 for his services. The Chairman of the Contract Committee and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee each received an additional fee of $10,000 per year for his services. The Vice Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $35,000 per year for his services in this capacity and the Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $75,000 per year for his services in this capacity.

23

 

From April 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021, the Company paid each Director a retainer at the rate of $125,000 annually, $10,000 for each regular meeting of the Board, $3,500 for each committee meeting attended in-person, and $2,000 for each committee meeting attended telephonically or special meeting of the Board attended in-person or telephonically. The Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Regulatory Oversight Committee each received an additional fee of $20,000 for his services. The Chairman of the Contract Committee and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee each received an additional fee of $10,000 per year for his services. The Vice Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $35,000 per year for his services in this capacity and the Chairman of the Board received an additional fee of $75,000 per year for his services in this capacity.

 

Directors are reimbursed for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board or any committee thereof. An employee of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serves as CCO of the Company and served as President of the Company until August 2022. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company and The RBB Fund Trust, and such compensation is determined by the Board.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, Vigilant Compliance, LLC received [$ ] in aggregate from all series of the Company and The RBB Fund Trust for its services. Employees of the Company serve as President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Director of Marketing & Business Development, and are compensated for services provided.

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, each of the following members of the Board and the President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Director of Marketing & Business Development received compensation from the Company and The RBB Fund Trust in the following amounts:

 

Name of Director/Officer Aggregated
Compensation
from the Fund
Pension or
Retirement Benefits
Accrued as Part of
Fund Expenses
Total Compensation
From Fund Complex
Paid to Directors or
Officers
Independent Directors:      
Julian A. Brodsky, Director None N/A [  ]
J. Richard Carnall, Director(1) None  N/A [  ]
Gregory P. Chandler, Director None  N/A [  ]
Lisa A. Dolly, Director(2) None N/A [  ]
Nicholas A. Giordano, Director None  N/A [  ]
Arnold M. Reichman, Director and Chairman None  N/A [  ]
Brian T. Shea, Director None  N/A [  ]
Robert A. Straniere, Director None N/A [  ]
Interested Director:      
Robert Sablowsky, Director None N/A [  ]
Officers:      
Steven Plump, President (3) None N/A [  ]
James G. Shaw, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary None N/A [  ]
Craig Urciuoli, Director of Marketing & Business Development None N/A [  ]

 

(1)Mr. Carnall retired from his role as a Director effective October 1, 2021.

(2)Ms. Dolly was appointed as a Director effective October 1, 2021.

(3)Mr. Plump was appointed President on August 4, 2022.

24

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, none of the members of the Board and the Treasurer and Secretary and Director of Marketing & Business Development received compensation from the Fund.

 

Each compensated Director is entitled to participate in the Company’s deferred compensation plan (the “DC Plan”). Under the DC Plan, a compensated Director may elect to defer all or a portion of his or her compensation and have the deferred compensation treated as if it had been invested by the Company in shares of one or more of the portfolios of the Company. The amount paid to the Directors under the DC Plan will be determined based upon the performance of such investments.

 

As of [December 31, 2022], the Independent Directors and their respective immediate family members (spouse or dependent children) did not own beneficially or of record any securities of the Company’s investment advisers or distributor, or of any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment advisers or distributor.

 

Director Emeritus Program

 

The Board has created a position of Director Emeritus, whereby an incumbent Director who has attained at least the age of 75 and completed a minimum of fifteen years of service as a Director may, in the sole discretion of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company (“Committee”), be recommended to the full Board to serve as Director Emeritus.

 

A Director Emeritus that has been approved as such receives an annual fee in an amount equal to up to 50% of the annual base compensation paid to a Director. Compensation will be determined annually by the Committee and the Board with respect to each Director Emeritus. In addition, a Director Emeritus will be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in connection with their service, including expenses of travel and lodging incurred in attendance at Board meetings. A Director Emeritus will continue to receive relevant materials concerning the Fund and will be available to consult with the Directors at reasonable times as requested. However, a Director Emeritus does not have any voting rights at Board meetings and is not subject to election by shareholders of the Fund.

 

A Director Emeritus will be permitted to serve in such capacity from year to year at the pleasure of the Committee and the Board for up to three years.

 

From October 1, 2021 to January 26, 2023, J. Richard Carnall served as a Director Emeritus of the Company. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, J. Richard Carnall received compensation for his role as a Director Emeritus in the following amounts:

 

Aggregated Compensation from the Fund Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as
Part of Fund Expenses
Total Compensation From Fund Complex
Paid to Directors or Officers
[None]  N/A [$62,500]

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Company and the Adviser have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that permits personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Company, subject to certain restrictions.

25

 

PROXY VOTING

 

The Board has delegated the responsibility of voting proxies with respect to the portfolio securities purchased and/or held by the Fund to the Fund’s Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight.  In exercising its voting obligations, the Adviser is guided by its general fiduciary duty to act prudently and in the interest of the Fund.  The Adviser will consider factors affecting the value of the Fund’s investments and the rights of shareholders in its determination on voting portfolio securities.

 

The Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures describe how it intends to vote proxies relating to the Fund’s portfolio securities. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Adviser are attached to this SAI as Appendix B. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period ended June 30 is available without charge upon request by calling [ ], or on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

The Company is required to disclose annually the Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX.  The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12 month period ended June 30th will be available upon request by calling [toll-free number] or by writing to the Fund at: F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0701.  The Fund’s Form N-PX will also be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

As the Fund is a newly created mutual fund that was organized to acquire the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor Fund in exchange for shares of the Fund, the information provided below is for the Predecessor Fund. 

 

As of [ ], 2023, to the Company’s knowledge, the following named persons at the addresses shown below were owners of record of approximately 5% or more of the total outstanding shares of the Predecessor Fund as indicated below. See “Additional Information Concerning Company Shares” below. Any shareholder that owns 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund may be presumed to “control” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) the portfolio or class. Shareholders controlling the Fund could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of the Fund on any matter requiring approval of the shareholders of the Fund.

 

Investor Class

 

Class, Shareholder Name and Address

Percentage of  

Shares Owned as of  

[   ]

[   ] [   ]%
[   ] [   ]%

[   ] 

[   ]%

 

Institutional Class

 

Class, Shareholder Name and Address

Percentage of  

Shares Owned as of  

[   ] 

[   ] [   ]%
[   ] [   ]%

[   ] 

[   ]%

26

 

As of [   ], 2023 Directors and Officers as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Predecessor Fund.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

The Fund’s investment adviser is F/m Investments, LLC, (the “Adviser”) located at 3050 K Street, N.W., Suite 201, Washington, D.C. 20007. The Adviser is wholly-owned by F/m Acceleration, LLC which in turn is wholly owned by Diffractive Managers Group, a multi-boutique asset management company.

 

[Advisory Agreement with the Company.  The Adviser renders advisory services to the Fund pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) dated as of [ ], 2023. Subject to the supervision of the Board, the Adviser will provide for the overall management of the Fund including (i) the provision of a continuous investment program for the Fund, including investment research and management with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents, (ii) the determination from time to time of what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold by the Fund, and (iii) the placement from time to time of orders for all purchases and sales of securities and other investments made for the Fund.  The Adviser will provide the services rendered by it in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies as stated in the Prospectus and in this SAI.  The Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment, mistake of law, or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of the Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement.]

 

For its services, the Adviser is entitled to an advisory agreement computed daily and payable monthly at the annual rate of 0.70% of its average daily net assets.

 

[The Adviser has entered into a contractual agreement with the Fund under which it has agreed to reduce its investment advisory fee and to absorb Fund expenses to the extent necessary to limit total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business) to an amount not exceeding 1.15% of the average daily net assets attributable to Investor Class shares and 0.90% of the average daily net assets attributable to Institutional Class shares. The contractual agreement for the Fund is currently in effect until [ ]. Any payments by the Adviser of expenses which are the Fund’s obligation, are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of three years following the fiscal year in which such fees were reduced or expenses were paid, provided that the repayment does not cause the Fund’s total annual operating expenses to exceed the foregoing expense limitations as of the time of the waiver or repayment. The Adviser has the right to seek reimbursement from the Fund for amounts up to the aggregate amount that the Adviser had waived or reimbursed the Predecessor Fund under an expense limitation agreement with the Predecessor Fund for the three-year period ending after the specific fee waiver or reimbursement, but only if such reimbursement can be achieved without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.]

27

 

[Except as otherwise noted in the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under the Advisory Agreement.  The Fund bears all of its own expenses not specifically assumed by the Adviser.  General expenses of the Company not readily identifiable as belonging to a portfolio of the Company are allocated among all investment portfolios by or under the direction of the Board in such manner as it deems to be fair and equitable.  Expenses borne by the Fund include, but are not limited to the following (or the Fund’s share of the following): (a) the cost (including brokerage commissions) of securities purchased or sold by the Fund and any losses incurred in connection therewith; (b) fees payable to and expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund by the Adviser; (c) filing fees and expenses relating to the registration and qualification of the Company and the Fund’s shares under federal and/or state securities laws and maintaining such registrations and qualifications; (d) fees and salaries payable to the Company’s Directors and officers; (e) taxes (including any income or franchise taxes) and governmental fees; (f) costs of any liability and other insurance or fidelity bonds; (g) any costs, expenses or losses arising out of a liability of or claim for damages or other relief asserted against the Company or the Fund for violation of any law; (h) legal, accounting and auditing expenses, including legal fees of special counsel for the independent Directors; (i) charges of custodians and other agents; (j) expenses of setting in type and printing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto for existing shareholders, reports, statements, and confirmations to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (k) costs of mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto to existing shareholders, as well as reports to shareholders and proxy materials that are not attributable to a class; (1) any extraordinary expenses; (m) fees, voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; (n) costs of mailing and tabulating proxies and costs of shareholders’ and Directors’ meetings; (o) costs of independent pricing services to value a portfolio’s securities; and (p) the costs of investment company literature and other publications provided by the Company to its Directors and officers.  Distribution expenses, transfer agency expenses, expenses of preparation, printing and mailing prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and reports to shareholders, and organizational expenses and registration fees, identified as belonging to a particular class of the Company, are allocated to such class.]

 

The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall at all times have all rights in and to the Fund’s name and all investment models used by or on behalf of the Fund.  The Adviser may use the Fund’s name or any portion thereof in connection with any other mutual fund or business activity without the consent of any shareholder, and the Company has agreed to execute and deliver any and all documents required to indicate its consent to such use. The Adviser served as the investment adviser to the Predecessor Fund and the F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund, a series of IDX Funds, the initial predecessor of the Predecessor Fund (the “Original Fund”) Fund since April 2020. Another adviser served as the investment adviser to the Original Fund from its inception until April 2020. Any fee reductions by the previous adviser to the Original Fund may no longer be recouped by the previous adviser.

 

The Predecessor Fund and Original Fund paid the Adviser the following fees for the fiscal years ended June 30:

 

 

Net Management

Fees Accrued 

Waivers and/or 

Reimbursements 

Net Management

Fees Paid to Adviser

 
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 $ 596,014 $ 203,162 $ 392,852  
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 $ 467,937 $ 174,214 $ 293,723  
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 $ 134,518 $ 90,431 $ 44,087  
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020* $ 197,313 $ 77,843 $ 119,470  
*Paid to previous adviser.

28

 

THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

This section includes information about the Fund’s portfolio managers, including information about other accounts they manage, the dollar range of Fund shares they own and how they are compensated.

 

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

 

The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the Fund with respect to which information is provided) for which the portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. This information is provided as of [ ].

 

Name of Portfolio Manager   Type of Accounts  

Total  

# of  

Accounts  

Managed 

 

Total Assets 

(in millions) 

 

# of Accounts  

Managed that  

Advisory Fee  

Based on  

Performance 

 

Total Assets  

that Advisory  

Fee Based on  

Performance  

(in millions) 

 
Francisco J. Bido   Other Registered Investment Companies:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  
    Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  
    Other Accounts:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  
Alexander R. Morris   Other Registered Investment Companies:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  
    Other Pooled Investment Vehicles:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  
    Other Accounts:   [   ]   $[   ]   [   ]   $[   ]  

 

Description of Compensation.  The portfolio managers are paid a base salary and may receive a discretionary bonus depending on, among other things, the financial results of the Adviser.

 

Conflict of Interest. The investment strategies of the Fund and other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers are similar. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to address conflicts in allocation of investment opportunities between the Fund and other accounts managed by the Adviser. These policies are designed to ensure equitable treatment of all accounts. In addition, procedures are in place to monitor personal trading by the portfolio managers to ensure that the interests of the Adviser’s clients come first.

 

There may be circumstances under which the portfolio managers will cause one or more other accounts to commit a larger percentage of their assets to an investment opportunity than the percentage of the Fund’s assets that the portfolio manager commits to such investment. There also may be circumstances under which the portfolio managers purchase or sell an investment for the other accounts and do not purchase or sell the same investment for the Fund, or purchase or sell an investment for the Fund and do not purchase or sell the same investment for the other accounts. It is generally the Adviser’s policy that investment decisions for all accounts that a portfolio manager manages be made based on a consideration of their respective investment objectives and policies, and other needs and requirements affecting the accounts and that investment transactions and opportunities be fairly allocated among the Fund and other accounts. For example, the Adviser has written policies and procedures with respect to allocation of block trades and/or investment opportunities among the Fund and other clients of the Adviser. When feasible, the portfolio managers will group or block various orders to more efficiently execute orders and receive reduced commissions in order to benefit the Fund and the Adviser’s other client accounts.

29

 

Securities Ownership. As of June 30, 2022, the portfolio managers owned securities of the Predecessor Fund in the amount set forth in the table below.

 

Portfolio Manager Dollar Value of Securities Beneficially Owned
Francisco J. Bido $50,001 - $100,000
Alexander R. Morris $10,001 - $50,000

 

*Dollar ranges are as follows: none; $1-$10,000; $10,001-$50,000; $50,001-$100,000; $100,001-$500,000; $500,001-$1,000,000; and over $1,000,000.

 

ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT

 

Fund Services, located at 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as fund administrator to the Fund pursuant to a fund administration servicing agreement and serves as fund accountant pursuant to a fund accounting servicing agreement (the “Administration Agreements”).  Under the fund accounting servicing agreement, Fund Services has agreed to furnish to the Fund statistical and research data, clerical, accounting and bookkeeping services, and certain other services required by the Fund.  Under the fund administration servicing agreement, Fund Services has agreed to provide fund administration services to the Company.  These services include the preparation and coordination of the Company’s annual post-effective amendment filing and supplements to the Fund’s registration statement, the preparation and assembly of board meeting materials, and certain other services necessary to the Company’s fund administration. In addition, Fund Services has agreed to prepare and file various reports with the appropriate regulatory agencies and prepare materials required by the SEC or any state securities commission having jurisdiction over the Fund.

 

The Administration Agreements provide that Fund Services shall be obligated to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties and that Fund Services shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or any loss suffered by the Company in connection with its duties under the Administration Agreements, except a loss resulting from Fund Services’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the applicable Administration Agreement or from its bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties thereunder.

 

Fund Services receives a fee under the Administration Agreements based on the average daily net assets of the Company.

 

Previous Administrators and Transfer Agents: Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“Ultimus”), 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, served as the Administrator, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent to the Predecessor Fund pursuant to an Administration Agreement, a Fund Accounting Agreement and a Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement. Prior to that, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (“M3Sixty”), with principal offices at 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205, provided accounting, administrative, transfer agency, dividend disbursing agency, chief compliance officer and shareholder servicing agency services to the Original Fund.

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, the Predecessor Fund and the Original Fund paid Ultimus and M3Sixty certain administration fees and related out-of-pocket expenses as follows:

 

 

Administration, 

Accounting and 

Transfer Agent Fees 

Paid 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022

$60,452 (Ultimus); $123,789 (M3Sixty) 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021

$162,447 (M3Sixty) 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020

$153,026 (M3Sixty) 

30

 

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

 

U.S. Bank, N.A., (the “Custodian”), 1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, is custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a custodian agreement (the “Custodian Agreement”).  Under the Custodian Agreement, the Custodian:  (a) maintains a separate account or accounts in the name of the Fund; (b) holds and transfers portfolio investments on account of the Fund; (c) accepts receipts and makes disbursements of money on behalf of the Fund; (d) collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the Fund’s portfolio investments; and (e) makes periodic reports to the Board concerning the Fund’s operations.  The Custodian is authorized to select one or more banks or trust companies to serve as sub-custodian on behalf of the Fund, provided that the Custodian remains responsible for the performance of all of its duties under the Custodian Agreement and holds the Fund harmless from the acts and omissions of any affiliate, sub-custodian or domestic sub-custodian.  For its services to the Fund under the Custodian Agreement, the Custodian receives a fee based on the Fund’s average gross assets calculated daily and payable monthly. Transaction charges and out-of-pocket expenses are also charged to the Fund. The Custodian and Fund Services are affiliates.

 

TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

Fund Services also serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund pursuant to a transfer agency and servicing agreement (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”), under which Fund Services:  (a) issues and redeems shares of the Fund; (b) addresses and mails all communications by the Fund to record owners of the shares, including reports to shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and proxy materials for its meetings of shareholders; (c) maintains shareholder accounts and, if requested, sub-accounts; and (d) makes periodic reports to the Board concerning the operations of the Fund.  Fund Services may, subject to the Board’s approval, assign its duties as transfer and dividend disbursing agent to any affiliate. For its services to the Fund under the Transfer Agency Agreement, Fund Services receives an annual fee based on the number of accounts in the Fund and the Fund’s average gross assets calculated daily and payable monthly. Transaction charges and out-of-pocket expenses are also charged to the Fund.

 

Fund Services also provides services relating to the implementation of the Company’s Anti-Money Laundering Program. In addition, Fund Services provides services relating to the implementation of the Fund’s Customer Identification Program, including verification of required customer information and the maintenance of records with respect to such verification. 

 

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), whose principal business address is 111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, serves as the underwriter to the Fund pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”).  The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Distributor is not affiliated with the Company or the Adviser.

 

Under the Distribution Agreement with the Fund, the Distributor serves as the agent of the Company in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Fund.  The Distributor continually distributes shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis.  The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of Fund shares.  The Distributor and its officers have no role in determining the investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Company.

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The Distributor may enter into agreements with selected broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries for distribution of shares of the Fund.  With respect to certain financial intermediaries and related fund “supermarket” platform arrangements, the Fund and/or the Adviser, rather than the Distributor, typically enter into such agreements.  These financial intermediaries may charge a fee for their services and may receive shareholder service or other fees from parties other than the Distributor.  These financial intermediaries may otherwise act as processing agents and are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase, redemption and other requests to the Fund.

 

Investors who purchase shares through financial intermediaries will be subject to the procedures of those intermediaries through which they purchase shares, which may include charges, investment minimums, cutoff times and other restrictions in addition to, or different from, those listed herein.  Information concerning any charges or services will be provided to customers by the financial intermediary through which they purchase shares.  Investors purchasing shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries should acquaint themselves with their financial intermediary’s procedures and should read the Prospectus in conjunction with any materials and information provided by their financial intermediary.  The financial intermediary, and not its customers, will be the shareholder of record, although customers may have the right to vote shares depending upon their arrangement with the financial intermediary.  The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Fund for its distribution services except the distribution/service fees with respect to the shares of those classes for which a Rule 12b-1 distribution plan is effective.  The Adviser pays the Distributor a fee for certain distribution-related services.

 

The Distribution Agreement has an initial term of up to two years and will continue in effect only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities in accordance with the 1940 Act.  The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Company on behalf of the Fund on no less than 60 days’ written notice when authorized either by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the members of the Board who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Agreement, or by the Distributor, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).  The Distribution Agreement provides that the Distributor shall not be liable for any loss suffered by the Company in connection with the performance of the Distributor’s obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement, except a loss resulting from the Distributor’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of such duties and obligations, or by reason of its reckless disregard thereof.

 

RULE 12B-1 PLAN

 

As described in the Prospectus, the Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 plan (the “Plan”) for its Investor Class shares. The Plan, among other things, permits the Investor Class shares to pay the Distributor a quarterly service fee at annual rates not exceeding 0.25% of the assets of the Investor Class shares as compensation for its services as principal underwriter of the shares of such classes. Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Plan (together with the Distribution Agreement) was approved by the Fund’s Board, including a majority of the Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Plan or the Distribution Agreement. The principal types of activities for which payments under the Plan may be made include payments to intermediaries for shareholder servicing, for “no transaction fee” or wrap programs, and for retirement plan recordkeeping. Payments under the Plan also may be made for activities such as advertising, printing and mailing the Prospectus to persons who are not current shareholders, compensation to underwriters, compensation to broker-dealers, compensation to sales personnel, and interest, carrying or other financing charges. The Company believes that the Plan benefits the Company by increasing net sales of the Fund (or reducing net redemptions), potentially allowing the Fund to benefit from economies of scale.

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The Plan may be terminated by vote of a majority of the Independent Directors, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant class of shares of the Fund. The Plan may be amended by vote of the relevant Directors, including a majority of the relevant independent Directors, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. Any change in the Plan that would materially increase the fees payable thereunder by the relevant class of shares of the Fund requires approval by a vote of the holders of a majority of such shares outstanding. The Fund’s Directors review quarterly a written report of such costs and the purposes for which such costs have been incurred.

 

The Plan will continue in effect for successive one-year periods, provided that each such continuance is specifically approved (i) by the vote of a majority of the Independent Directors and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the entire Board cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding securities of the relevant class.

 

FUND TRANSACTIONS

 

Subject to policies established by the Board and applicable rules, the Adviser is responsible for the execution of portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage transactions for the Fund.  In executing portfolio transactions, the Adviser seeks to obtain the best price and most favorable execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as the price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of the order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm involved.  While the Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, payment of the lowest commission or spread is not necessarily consistent with obtaining the best price and execution in particular transactions.

 

Brokerage Transactions

 

Subject to policies established by the Board, the Adviser is responsible for the Fund’s portfolio decisions and the placing of the Fund’s portfolio transactions. In selecting brokers to be used in portfolio transactions, the Adviser’s general guiding principal is to obtain the best overall execution for each trade, which is a combination of price and execution. With respect to execution, the Adviser considers a number of judgmental factors, including, without limitation, the actual handling of the order, the ability of the broker to settle the trade promptly and accurately, the financial standing of the broker, the ability of the broker to position stock to facilitate execution, the Adviser’s past experience with similar trades and other factors that may be unique to a particular order. Recognizing the value of these judgmental factors, the Adviser may select brokers who charge a brokerage commission that is higher than the lowest commission that might otherwise be available for any given trade. The Adviser may not give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in selecting brokers to execute portfolio transactions. The Adviser may, however, place portfolio transactions with brokers that promote or sell the Fund’s shares so long as such transactions are done in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Directors that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of the broker’s execution and not on the broker’s sales efforts.

 

Under Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and as provided in the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is authorized to cause the Fund to pay a brokerage commission in excess of that which another broker might have charged for effecting the same transaction, in recognition of the value of brokerage and/or research services provided by the broker. The research received may include, without limitation: information on the United States and other world economies; information on specific industries, groups of securities, individual companies, political and other relevant news developments affecting markets and specific securities; technical and quantitative information about markets; analysis of proxy proposals affecting specific companies; accounting and performance systems that allow the Adviser to determine and track investment results; and trading systems that allow the Adviser to interface electronically with brokerage firms, custodians and other providers. Where a product or service has a mixed use among research, brokerage and other purposes, the Adviser will make a reasonable allocation according to the uses and will pay for the non-research and non-brokerage functions in cash using its own funds.

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The research and investment information services described above make available to the Adviser for its analysis and consideration the views and information of individuals and research staffs of other securities firms. These services may be useful to the Adviser in connection with advisory clients other than the Fund and not all such services may be useful to the Adviser in connection with the Fund. Although such information may be a useful supplement to the Adviser’s own investment information in rendering services to the Fund, the value of such research and services is not expected to reduce materially the expenses of the Adviser in the performance of its services under the Advisory Agreement and will not reduce the management fees payable to the Adviser by the Fund.

 

The Fund may invest in securities traded in the over-the-counter market. Transactions in the over-the-counter market are generally principal transactions with dealers and the costs of such transactions involve dealer spreads rather than brokerage commissions. The Fund, where possible, deals directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in those circumstances where better prices and/or execution are available elsewhere. When a transaction involves exchange listed securities, the Adviser considers the advisability of effecting the transaction with a broker which is not a member of the securities exchange on which the security to be purchased is listed or effecting the transaction in the institutional market.

 

Aggregated Trades. While investment decisions for the Fund are made independently of the Adviser’s other client accounts, the Adviser’s other client accounts may invest in the same securities as the Fund. To the extent permitted by law, the Adviser may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other investment companies or accounts in executing transactions. When a purchase or sale of the same security is made at substantially the same time on behalf of the Fund and another investment company or account, the transaction will be averaged as to price and available investments allocated as to amount in a manner which the Adviser believes to be equitable to the Fund and such other investment company or account. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position obtained or sold by the Fund.

 

The following table lists the total amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Predecessor Fund and the Original Fund for the past three fiscal years. The increase in brokerage commissions during the June 30, 2021 fiscal year is primarily due to an increase in assets.

 

June 30, 2022 June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020
$47,779 $52,731 $10,674

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

 

Read the Funds’ Prospectus for information regarding the purchase and redemption of Fund shares. The following information supplements information in the Funds’ Prospectus. You may purchase shares through an account maintained by your brokerage firm, financial institutions and industry professionals (“Service Organizations” and you may also purchase shares directly by mail or wire.  The Company reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase of the Fund’s shares by making payment in whole or in part in securities chosen by the Company and valued in the same way as they would be valued for purposes of computing the Fund’s NAV.  If payment is made in securities, a shareholder may incur transaction costs in converting these securities into cash.  A shareholder will also bear any market risk or tax consequences as a result of a payment in securities.  The Company has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act so that the Fund is obligated to redeem its shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its NAV during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Fund.  A shareholder will bear the risk of a decline in market value and any tax consequences associated with a redemption in securities.

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Under the 1940 Act, the Company may suspend the right to redemption or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the “NYSE”) is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), or during which the SEC restricts trading on the NYSE or determines an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or valuation of portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC may permit. (The Company may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions).

 

Shares of the Fund are subject to redemption by the Company, at the redemption price of such shares as in effect from time to time, including, without limitation: (1) to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for the benefit of a shareholder as provided in the Prospectus from time to time; (2) if such redemption is, in the opinion of the Board, desirable in order to prevent the Company or the Fund from being deemed a “personal holding company” within the meaning of the Code; (3) or if the net income with respect to any particular class of common stock should be negative or it should otherwise be appropriate to carry out the Company’s responsibilities under the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund has the right to redeem your shares at current NAV at any time and without prior notice if, and to the extent that, such redemption is necessary to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of your failure to make full payment for shares of the Fund you previously purchased or subscribed for.

 

Other Purchase Information

 

If shares of the Fund are held in a “street name” account with an authorized dealer, all recordkeeping, transaction processing and payments of distributions relating to the beneficial owner’s account will be performed by the authorized dealer, and not by the Fund and its Transfer Agent.  Since the Fund will have no record of the beneficial owner’s transactions, a beneficial owner should contact the authorized dealer to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in or give instructions concerning the account or to obtain information about the account.  The transfer of shares in a “street name” account to an account with another dealer or to an account directly with the Fund involves special procedures and will require the beneficial owner to obtain historical purchase information about the shares in the account from the authorized dealer.

 

The Fund has established two share classes - Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares. Before choosing a share class, you should consider the following factors, as well as any other relevant facts and circumstances. Investor Class shares are sold through certain financial intermediaries and may have higher expenses than Institutional Class shares, since they are subject to a distribution fee of 0.25% of net assets. Institutional Class shares are not subject to distribution fees but have a higher minimum investment requirement than Investor Class shares. For more information, see the Fund’s Prospectus.

 

TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PROCEDURES

 

The Company’s telephone transaction procedures include the following measures: (1) requiring the appropriate telephone transaction privilege forms; (2) requiring the caller to provide the names of the account owners, the account social security number and name of the Fund, all of which must match the Company’s records; (3) requiring the Company’s service representative to complete a telephone transaction form, listing all of the above caller identification information; (4) permitting exchanges (if applicable) only if the two account registrations are identical; (5) requiring that redemption proceeds be sent only by check to the account owners of record at the address of record, or by electronic funds transfer through the ACH network or by wire only to the owners of record at the bank account of record; (6) sending a written confirmation for each telephone transaction to the owners of record at the address of record within five (5) business days of the call; and (7) maintaining tapes of telephone transactions for six months, if the Company elects to record shareholder telephone transactions. For accounts held of record by broker-dealers, financial institutions, securities dealers, financial planners and other industry professionals, additional documentation or information regarding the scope of a caller’s authority is required. Finally, for telephone transactions in accounts held jointly, additional information regarding other account holders is required.

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VALUATION OF SHARES

 

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Board, the NAV per share of the Fund is calculated by determining the value of the net assets attributed to the Fund and dividing by the number of outstanding shares of the Fund. All securities are valued on each Business Day as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally, but not always, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) or such other time as the NYSE or National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (“NASDAQ”) market may officially close. The term “Business Day” means any day the NYSE is open for trading, which is Monday through Friday except for holidays. The NYSE is generally closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day (observed), Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday (observed), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

The time at which transactions and shares are priced and the time by which orders must be received may be changed in case of an emergency or if regular trading on the NYSE is stopped at a time other than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Company reserves the right to reprocess purchase, redemption and exchange transactions that were initially processed at a NAV other than the Fund’s official closing NAV (as the same may be subsequently adjusted), and to recover amounts from (or distribute amounts to) shareholders based on the official closing NAV. The Company reserves the right to advance the time by which purchase and redemption orders must be received for same business day credit as otherwise permitted by the SEC. In addition, the Fund may compute its NAV as of any time permitted pursuant to any exemption, order or statement of the SEC or its staff.

 

The securities of the Fund are valued under the direction of the Fund’s administrator and under the general supervision of the Board. Prices are generally determined using readily available market prices. Subject to the approval of the Board, the Fund may employ outside organizations, which may use a matrix or formula method that takes into consideration market indices, matrices, yield curves and other specific adjustments in determining the approximate market value of portfolio investments. This may result in the investments being valued at a price that differs from the price that would have been determined had the matrix or formula method not been used. All cash, receivables, and current payables are carried on the Fund’s books at their face value. Other assets, if any, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Valuation Committee under the direction of the Board.

 

The procedures used by any pricing service and its valuation results are reviewed by the officers of the Company under the general supervision of the Board. The Fund may hold portfolio securities that are listed on foreign exchanges. These securities may trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not calculate NAV. As a result, the value of these investments may change on days when you cannot purchase or sell Fund shares.

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TAXES

 

The following summarizes certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not described in the Prospectus.  No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.  Potential investors should consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations.

 

The discussions of the federal tax consequences in the Prospectus and this SAI are based on the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and the regulations issued under it, and court decisions and administrative interpretations, as in effect on the date of this SAI.  Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly alter the statements included herein, and any such changes or decisions may be retroactive.

 

General

 

The Fund qualified during its last taxable year and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1, of the Code.  As such, the Fund generally is exempt from federal income tax on its net investment income and realized capital gains that it distributes to shareholders.  To qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, it must meet three important tests each year.

 

First, the Fund must derive with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities or currencies, or net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

Second, generally, at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of the issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities of (1) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), (2) two or more issuers that the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or (3) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

Third, the Fund must distribute an amount equal to at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) before taking into account any deduction for dividends paid, and 90% of its tax-exempt income, if any, for the year.

 

The Fund intends to comply with these requirements.  If the Fund were to fail to make sufficient distributions, it could be liable for corporate income tax and for excise tax in respect of the shortfall or, if the shortfall is large enough, the Fund could be disqualified as a regulated investment company.  If for any taxable year the Fund were not to qualify as a regulated investment company, all its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders.  In that event, shareholders would recognize dividend income on distributions to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, and corporate shareholders could be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

 

The Code imposes a nondeductible 4% excise tax on regulated investment companies that fail to distribute each year an amount equal to specified percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses).  The Fund intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions each year to avoid liability for this excise tax.

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[As of December 31, 2022, the Predecessor Fund had no capital loss carryforwards.]

 

Taxation of Certain Investments

 

The tax principles applicable to transactions in financial instruments, such as futures contracts and options, that may be engaged in by the Fund, and investments in passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”), are complex and, in some cases, uncertain. Such transactions and investments may cause the Fund to recognize taxable income prior to the receipt of cash, thereby requiring the Fund to liquidate other positions, or to borrow money, so as to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to avoid corporate-level tax. Moreover, some or all of the taxable income recognized may be ordinary income or short-term capital gain, so that the distributions may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

 

In addition, in the case of any shares of a PFIC in which the Fund invests, the Fund may be liable for corporate-level tax on any ultimate gain or distributions on the shares if the Fund fails to make an election to recognize income annually during the period of its ownership of the shares.

 

State and Local Taxes

 

Although the Fund expects to qualify as a “regulated investment company” and to be relieved of all or substantially all federal income taxes, depending upon the extent of its activities in states and localities in which its offices are maintained, in which its agents or independent contractors are located or in which it is otherwise deemed to be conducting business, the Fund may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING COMPANY SHARES

 

The Company has authorized capital of 100 billion shares of common stock at a par value of $0.001 per share. Currently, 90.623 billion shares have been classified into 213 classes. However, the Company only has approximately 54 active share classes that have begun investment operations. Under the Company’s charter, the Board has the power to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of common stock from time to time.

 

Each share that represents an interest in the Fund has an equal proportionate interest in the assets belonging to such Fund with each other share that represents an interest in such Fund, even where a share has a different class designation than another share representing an interest in that Fund.  Shares of the Company do not have preemptive or conversion rights.  When issued for payment as described in the Prospectus, shares of the Company will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

The Company does not currently intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law.  The Company’s amended By-Laws provide that shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding shares of all classes of common stock of the Company have the right to call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more directors.  To the extent required by law, the Company will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.

 

Holders of shares of each class of the Company will vote in the aggregate and not by class on all matters, except where otherwise required by law.  Further, shareholders of the Company will vote in the aggregate and not by portfolio except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interests of the shareholders of a particular portfolio or class of shares.  Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted by the provisions of such Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Company shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each portfolio affected by the matter.  Rule 18f-2 further provides that a portfolio shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of each portfolio in the matter are identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the portfolio.  Under Rule 18f-2 the approval of an investment advisory agreement or distribution agreement or any change in a fundamental investment objective or fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a portfolio only if approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such portfolio.  However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the selection of independent public accountants and the election of directors are not subject to the separate voting requirements and may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of an investment company voting without regard to a portfolio.  Shareholders of the Company are entitled to one vote for each full share held (irrespective of class or portfolio) and fractional votes for fractional shares held.  Voting rights are not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate shares of common stock of the Company may elect all of the Directors.

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Notwithstanding any provision of Maryland law requiring a greater vote of shares of the Company’s common stock (or of any class voting as a class) in connection with any corporate action, unless otherwise provided by law (for example by Rule 18f-2 discussed above), or by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, the Company may take or authorize such action upon the favorable vote of the holders of more than 50% of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock voting without regard to class (or portfolio).

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Anti-Money Laundering Program

 

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

 

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that certain of its service providers have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity, and conducting a complete and thorough review of all new account applications. The Fund will not transact business with any person or legal entity whose identity and beneficial owners, if applicable, cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

Counsel

 

The law firm of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-6996, serves as independent counsel to the Company and the Independent Directors.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

[  ], located at [  ], serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, and in that capacity audits the Fund’s financial statements.

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The 2022 audited financial statements, which include the financial highlights of the Predecessor Fund for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019, as set forth in the Predecessor Fund’s annual report to shareholders, including the notes thereto and the report of the independent registered public accountant, are incorporated herein by reference. 

40

 

APPENDIX A

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

 

Short-Term Credit Ratings

 

An S&P Global Ratings short-term issue credit rating is generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. The following summarizes the rating categories used by S&P Global Ratings for short-term issues:

 

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

 

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

 

“A-3” – A short-term obligation rated “A-3” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

“B” – A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

 

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

 

“D” – A short-term obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

 

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Ratings – S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. A foreign currency rating on an issuer can differ from the local currency rating on it when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, versus obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

 

“NR” – This indicates that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.

 

Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) short-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment.

 

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

 

“P-1” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term obligations.

 A-1

 

“P-2” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

“P-3” – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

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

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated issuer, obligation and/or program.

 

Fitch, Inc. / Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short-term” based on market convention.1 Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

 

“F1” – Securities possess the highest short-term credit quality. This designation indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

“F2” – Securities possess good short-term credit quality. This designation indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

“F3” – Securities possess fair short-term credit quality. This designation indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

 

“B” – Securities possess speculative short-term credit quality. This designation indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

“C” – Securities possess high short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

 

“RD” – Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

 

“D” – Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an issue of a rated issuer that are not and have not been rated.

 

The DBRS Morningstar® Ratings Limited (“DBRS Morningstar”) short-term obligation ratings provide DBRS Morningstar’s opinion on the risk that an issuer will not meet its short-term financial obligations in a timely manner. The obligations rated in this category typically have a term of shorter than one year. The R-1 and R-2 rating categories are further denoted by the subcategories “(high)”, “(middle)”, and “(low)”.

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS Morningstar for commercial paper and short-term debt:

 

“R-1 (high)” - Short-term debt rated “R-1 (high)” is of the highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is exceptionally high. Unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

 

 

1A long-term rating can also be used to rate an issue with short maturity.

 A-2

 

“R-1 (middle)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (middle)” is of superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is very high. Differs from “R-1 (high)” by a relatively modest degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-1 (low)” – Short-term debt rated “R-1 (low)” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is substantial. Overall strength is not as favorable as higher rating categories. May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

“R-2 (high)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (high)” is considered to be at the upper end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“R-2 (middle)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (middle)” is considered to be of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events or may be exposed to other factors that could reduce credit quality.

 

“R-2 (low)” – Short-term debt rated “R-2 (low)” is considered to be at the lower end of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events. A number of challenges are present that could affect the issuer’s ability to meet such obligations.

 

“R-3” – Short-term debt rated “R-3” is considered to be at the lowest end of adequate credit quality. There is a capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due. May be vulnerable to future events and the certainty of meeting such obligations could be impacted by a variety of developments.

 

“R-4” – Short-term debt rated “R-4” is considered to be of speculative credit quality. The capacity for the payment of short-term financial obligations as they fall due is uncertain.

 

“R-5” – Short-term debt rated “R-5” is considered to be of highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet short-term financial obligations as they fall due.

 

“D” – Short-term debt rated “D” is assigned when the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding-up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods. DBRS Morningstar may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.

 

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 

The following summarizes the ratings used by S&P Global Ratings for long-term issues:

 

“AAA” – An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

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

 

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

 

“BBB” – An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 A-3

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“CC” – An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The “CC” rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

 

“C” – An obligation rated “C” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

 

“D” – An obligation rated “D” is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within the next five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or the next 30 calendar days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to “D” if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) – Ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

 

“NR” – This indicates that a rating has not been assigned, or is no longer assigned.

 

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Ratings - S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. A foreign currency rating on an issuer can differ from the local currency rating on it when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency, versus obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

 

Moody’s long-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations with an original maturity of eleven months or more. Such ratings reflect both on the likelihood of default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for long-term debt:

 

“Aaa” – Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

 

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

 

“A” – Obligations rated “A” are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 A-4

 

“Baa” – Obligations rated “Baa” are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

 

“Ba” – Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“NR” – Is assigned to unrated obligations, obligation and/or program.

 

The following summarizes long-term ratings used by Fitch:

 

“AAA” – Securities considered to be of the highest credit quality. “AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

 

“AA” – Securities considered to be of very high credit quality. “AA” ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

“A” – Securities considered to be of high credit quality. “A” ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

 

“BBB” – Securities considered to be of good credit quality. “BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

 

“BB” – Securities considered to be speculative. “BB” ratings indicates an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

 

“B” – Securities considered to be highly speculative. “B” ratings indicate that material credit risk is present

 

“CCC” – A “CCC” rating indicates that substantial credit risk is present.

 

“CC” – A “CC” rating indicates very high levels of credit risk.

 

“C” – A “C” rating indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

 

Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned “RD” or “D” ratings but are instead rated in the “CCC” to “C” rating categories, depending on their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Fitch believes that this approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

 A-5

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the “AAA” obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below “CCC”.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated issue of a rated issuer.

 

The DBRS Morningstar long-term obligation ratings provide DBRS Morningstar’s opinion on the risk that investors may not be repaid in accordance with the terms under which the long-term obligation was issued. The obligations rated in this category typically have a term of one year or longer. All rating categories other than AAA and D also contain subcategories “(high)” and “(low)”. The absence of either a “(high)” or “(low)” designation indicates the rating is in the middle of the category. The following summarizes the ratings used by DBRS Morningstar for long-term debt:

 

“AAA” – Long-term debt rated “AAA” is of the highest credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is exceptionally high and unlikely to be adversely affected by future events.

 

“AA” – Long-term debt rated “AA” is of superior credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered high. Credit quality differs from “AAA” only to a small degree. Unlikely to be significantly vulnerable to future events.

 

“A” – Long-term debt rated “A” is of good credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is substantial, but of lesser credit quality than “AA.” May be vulnerable to future events, but qualifying negative factors are considered manageable.

 

“BBB” – Long-term debt rated “BBB” is of adequate credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is considered acceptable. May be vulnerable to future events.

 

“BB” – Long-term debt rated “BB” is of speculative, non-investment grade credit quality. The capacity for the payment of financial obligations is uncertain. Vulnerable to future events.

 

“B” – Long-term debt rated “B” is of highly speculative credit quality. There is a high level of uncertainty as to the capacity to meet financial obligations.

 

“CCC”, “CC” and “C” – Long-term debt rated in any of these categories is of very highly speculative credit quality. In danger of defaulting on financial obligations. There is little difference between these three categories, although “CC” and “C” ratings are normally applied to obligations that are seen as highly likely to default or subordinated to obligations rated in the “CCC” to “B” range. Obligations in respect of which default has not technically taken place but is considered inevitable may be rated in the “C” category.

 

“D” – A security rated “D” is assigned when the issuer has filed under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or winding up statute or there is a failure to satisfy an obligation after the exhaustion of grace periods. DBRS Morningstar may also use “SD” (Selective Default) in cases where only some securities are impacted, such as the case of a “distressed exchange”.

 

Municipal Note Ratings

 

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

 A-6

 

Amortization schedule - the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

 

Source of payment - the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

 

Municipal Short-Term Note rating symbols are as follows:

 

“SP-1” – A municipal note rated “SP-1” exhibits a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

 

“SP-2” – A municipal note rated “SP-2” exhibits a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

“SP-3” – A municipal note rated “SP-3” exhibits a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

“D” – This rating is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

 

Moody’s uses the global short-term Prime rating scale (listed above under Short-Term Credit Ratings) for commercial paper issued by U.S. municipalities and nonprofits. These commercial paper programs may be backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities, or by an issuer’s self-liquidity.

 

For other short-term municipal obligations, Moody’s uses one of two other short-term rating scales, the Municipal Investment Grade (“MIG”) and Variable Municipal Investment Grade (“VMIG”) scales provided below.

 

Moody’s uses the MIG scale for U.S. municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, Moody’s uses the MIG scale for bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.

 

MIG Scale

 

“MIG-1” – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

“MIG-2” – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

“MIG-3” – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

 

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

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated obligation, obligation and/or program.

 

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”), Moody’s assigns both a long-term rating and a short-term payment obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer’s ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term payment obligation rating addresses the ability of the issuer or the liquidity provider to meet any purchase price payment obligation resulting from optional tenders (“on demand”) and/or mandatory tenders of the VRDO. The short-term payment obligation rating uses the VMIG scale. Transitions of VMIG ratings with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions of Prime ratings reflecting the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.

 A-7

 

Moody’s typically assigns the VMIG rating if the frequency of the payment obligation is less than every three years. If the frequency of the payment obligation is less than three years but the obligation is payable only with remarketing proceeds, the VMIG short-term rating is not assigned and it is denoted as “NR”.

 

“VMIG-1” – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

 

“VMIG-2” – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

 

“VMIG-3” – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

 

“SG” – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections.

 

“NR” – Is assigned to an unrated obligation, obligation and/or program.

 

About Credit Ratings

 

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

 

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities.

 

Fitch’s credit ratings are forward-looking opinions on the relative ability of an entity or obligation to meet financial commitments. Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) are assigned to corporations, sovereign entities, financial institutions such as banks, leasing companies and insurers, and public finance entities (local and regional governments). Issue-level ratings are also assigned and often include an expectation of recovery, which may be notched above or below the issuer-level rating. Issue ratings are assigned to secured and unsecured debt securities, loans, preferred stock and other instruments. Credit ratings are indications of the likelihood of repayment in accordance with the terms of the issuance. In limited cases, Fitch may include additional considerations (i.e., rate to a higher or lower standard than that implied in the obligation’s documentation).

 

DBRS Morningstar offers independent, transparent, and innovative credit analysis to the market. Credit ratings are forward-looking opinions about credit risk that reflect the creditworthiness of an issuer, rated entity, security and/or obligation based on DBRS Morningstar’s quantitative and qualitative analysis in accordance with applicable methodologies and criteria. They are meant to provide opinions on relative measures of risk and are not based on expectations of, or meant to predict, any specific default probability. Credit ratings are not statements of fact. DBRS Morningstar issues credit ratings using one or more categories, such as public, private, provisional, final(ized), solicited, or unsolicited. From time to time, credit ratings may also be subject to trends, placed under review, or discontinued. DBRS Morningstar credit ratings are determined by credit rating committees. 

 A-8

 

APPENDIX B

 

[PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES]

 

F/M INVESTMENTS, LLC

PROXY VOTING/CORPORATE ACTIONS

 

F/M, and/or pursuant to any applicable sub-advisory agreement F/M’s sub-adviser, may act as discretionary investment adviser for clients. F/M will vote all eligible proxies for recommended securities (mutual Fund, exchange traded Fund) if directed to do so by the client, generally within the investment management agreement. F/M will vote all proxies for recommended securities and act on all other actions in a timely manner as part of its full discretionary authority over client assets in accordance with this policy. Corporate actions may include, for example and without limitation, tender offers or exchanges, and class actions.

 

When voting proxies or acting with respect to corporate actions for clients, F/M’s utmost concern is that all decisions be made solely in the best interest of the client. F/M will act in a prudent and diligent manner intended to enhance the economic value of the assets of the client’s account. The CCO is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all proxies received for recommended securities by F/M are voted in a timely manner and in a manner consistent with each client’s best interests. In addition, the CCO is responsible for submitting all required certifications relating to its Proxy Voting activity, and for maintaining all documentation necessary to complete documentation related to the annual Form N-PX filing for the Fund (see additional information as to Form N-PX compliance processes below).

 

  A. Guidelines

 

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

 

  B. Limitations

 

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

 

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

 

  2. Terminated Account: Once a client account has been terminated with F/M in accordance with its investment advisory agreement, F/M will not vote any proxies received after the termination. However, the client may specify in writing that proxies should be directed to the client (or a specified third party) for action.
 
  3. Unjustifiable Costs: In certain circumstances, after performing a cost-benefit analysis, F/M may abstain from voting when the cost of voting a client’s proxy would exceed any anticipated benefits to the client of voting on the proxy proposal.

 

  C. Client Securities

 

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

B-1

 

  D. Recordkeeping

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

THE RBB FUND, INC. 

PEA 305/310 

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. EXHIBITS

  

(a)   Articles of Incorporation.

  

  (1) Articles of Incorporation of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

  

  (2) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

  

  (3) Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

  

  (4) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

  

  (5) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 27, 1990, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

  

  (6) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 1, 1990, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

  

  (7) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

  

  (8) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 22, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

  (9) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1993, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

  

  (10) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1993, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

  (11) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

  (12) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

  (13) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

  (14) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 19, 1994, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

  (15) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 31, 1995.

 

  (16) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 16, 1996.

 

  (17) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 11, 1996.

 

  (18) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 9, 1997.

 

  (19) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.

 

  (20) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.

 

  (21) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 

  (22) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 

  (23) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.

 

  (24) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.

 

  (25) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 30, 1999.

 

  (26) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 29, 1999.

 

  (27) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.

 

  (28) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.

 

  (29) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.

 

  (30) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2000.

 

  (31) Articles Supplementary of Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 15, 2001.

 

  (32) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant (Boston Partners Bond Fund – Institutional Class and Boston Partners Bond Fund – Investor Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 15, 2002.

 

  (33) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund – Institutional Class and Boston Partners Bond Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 15, 2002.

 

  (34) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Schneider Value Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 16, 2002.

 

  (35) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Institutional Liquidity Fund for Credit Unions and Liquidity Fund for Credit Union Members) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2003.

 

  (36) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2004.

 

  (37) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Investor Class, Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Tudor Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 4, 2005.

 

  (38) Certificate of Correction of Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2005.

 

  (39) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Investor Class, Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG Tudor Fund – Institutional Class, Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Large Cap Growth Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2005.

 

  (40) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Senbanc Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 6, 2005.

 

  (41) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Retirement Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 19, 2005.

 

  (42) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG Core Bond Fund – Investor Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2005.

 

  (43) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 18, 2006.

 

  (44) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant (Bear Stearns CUFS MLP Mortgage Portfolio) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 2006.

 

  (45) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2006.

 

  (46) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Marvin & Palmer Large Cap Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2006.

 

  (47) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.

 

  (48) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2007.

 

  (49) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed Income Fund) incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.

 

  (50) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund – Investor Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 113 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 13, 2007.

 

  (51) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SAM Sustainable Water Fund, SAM Sustainable Climate Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 17, 2007.

 

  (52) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Robeco WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 116 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 4, 2007.

 

  (53) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Bear Stearns Multifactor 130/30 US Core Equity Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 17, 2007.

 

  (54) Articles of Amendment to Charter of the Registrant (Bear Stearns Ultra Short Income Fund f/k/a Bear Stearns Enhanced Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2007.

 

  (55) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SAM Sustainable Global Active Fund, SAM Sustainable Themes Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on January 26, 2009.

 

  (56) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 2, 2009.

 

  (57) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (S1 Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 19, 2010.

 

  (58) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 6, 2010.

 

  (59) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Small Cap Value Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

  (60) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Global Equity Fund (f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund) and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

  (61) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2011.

 

  (62) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2012.

 

  (63) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 152 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 29, 2013.

 

  (64) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Long/Short/ Research Fund – Institutional Class – Institutional Class f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2013.

 

  (65) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International VI Equity Portfolio, Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2013.

 

  (66) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SGI Global Equity Fund f/k/a Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2013.

 

  (67) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund – Institutional Class f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.

 

  (68) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund and Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.

 

  (69) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Campbell Core Trend Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 16, 2014.

 

  (70) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 174 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2014.

 

  (71) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Investment Funds) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 174 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2014.

 

  (72) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Dynamic Equity Fund f/k/a Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 182 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 16, 2015.

 

  (73) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Campbell Core Carry Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 182 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 16, 2015.

 

  (74) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Alpha Blue Dynamic Equity Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 182 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 16, 2015.

 

  (75) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund – Class C f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund – Class C) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 184 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 30, 2015.

 

  (76) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 187 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2015.

 

  (77) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SGI Small Cap Equity Fund f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 30, 2016.

 

  (78) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Fasanara Capital Absolute Return Multi-Asset Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 29, 2016.

 

  (79) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund f/k/a Campbell Core Trend Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.

 

  (80) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (MFAM Global Opportunities Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Independence Fund), MFAM Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Great America Fund), and MFAM Emerging Markets Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Epic Voyage Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 206 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2016.

 

  (81) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (MFAM Emerging Markets Fund f/k/a Motley Fool Epic Voyage Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2017.

 

  (82) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Orinda Income Opportunities Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 2017.

 

  (83) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund — Class T) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 2017.

 

  (84) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund f/k/a Campbell Managed Futures 10V Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 224 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 28, 2017.

 

  (85) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 226 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 23, 2017.

 

  (86) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Motley Fool 100 Index ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 235 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on January 19, 2018.

 

  (87) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund – Class I) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.

 

  (88) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund – Institutional Class) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.

 

  (89) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed Income Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.

 

  (90) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Aquarius International Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.

 

  (91) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.

 

  (92) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (SGI Global Equity Fund (f/k/a Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.

 

  (93) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (SGI Global Equity Fund f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 19, 2018.

 

  (94) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 19, 2018.

 

  (95) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 19, 2018.

 

  (96) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (MFAM Global Opportunities Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Independence Fund) and MFAM Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a Motley Fool Great America Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 242 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 19, 2018.

 

  (97) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (MFAM Small-Cap Growth ETF (f/k/a Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.

 

  (98) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Motley Fool Innovation ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.

 

  (99) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (MFAM Global Opportunities Fund, MFAM Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund, MFAM Emerging Markets Fund and MFAM Small-Cap Growth ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 251 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 8, 2019.

 

  (100) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (MFAM Mid-Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a MFAM Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 251 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 8, 2019.

 

  (101) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Boston Partners Global Equity Advantage Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (No. 811-05518) filed on May 21, 2019.

 

  (102) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Campbell Advantage Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (No. 811-05518) filed on May 21, 2019.

 

  (103) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, (f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund), SGI Global Equity Fund (f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund), and SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund (f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (No. 811-05518) filed on May 21, 2019.

 

  (104) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund (f/k/a Campbell Managed Futures 10V Fund)) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 21, 2019.

 

  (105) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 261 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2020.

 

  (106) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SGI Peak Growth Fund, SGI Prudent Growth Fund, and SGI Conservative Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 263 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 25, 2020.

 

  (107) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Dynamic Equity Fund f/k/a Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 23, 2020.

 

  (108) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Stance Equity ESG Large Cap Core ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 269 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 18, 2020.
     
  (109) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (YieldX Diversified Income ETF, YieldX High Income ETF, and YieldX Short-Term Income ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 281 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 26, 2021.

 

  (110) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (SGI Small Cap Growth Fund f/k/a Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2021.
     
  (111) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (DriveWealth Power Saver ETF f/k/a YieldX High Income ETF and DriveWealth Steady Saver ETF f/k/a YieldX Short-Term Income ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2021.
     
  (112) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Motley Fool Global Opportunities ETF, Motley Fool Mid-Cap Growth ETF, Motley Fool Next Index ETF, Motley Fool Capital Efficiency 100 Index ETF, WPG Partners Select Small Cap Value Fund and Boston Partners Global Sustainability Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 285 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on December 10, 2021.

 

  (113) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Optima Strategic Credit Fund) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on December 29, 2021.
     
  (114) Articles of Amendment of Registrant (SGI Small Cap Core Fund f/k/a SGI Small Cap Growth Fund and Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF f/k/a MFAM Small-Cap Growth ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.

 

  (115) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF and SGI Dynamic Tactical ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022.
     
  (116) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (US Treasury 30 Year Bond ETF, US Treasury 20 Year Bond ETF, US Treasury 10 Year Note ETF, US Treasury 7 Year Note ETF, US Treasury 5 Year Note ETF, US Treasury 3 Year Note ETF, US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF, US Treasury 12 Month Bill ETF, US Treasury 6 Month Bill ETF and US Treasury 3 Month Bill ETF) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 293 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 5, 2022. 
     
  (117)

Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund – Class I) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022.

 

  (118) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund – Class I) are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022.
     
  (119) Articles Supplementary of Registrant (Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund, and F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund) will be filed by amendment.

 

(b)   By-Laws.

 

  (1) By-Laws, as amended, are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2021.

 

(c)   Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders.

  

  (1) See Articles VI, VII, VIII, IX and XI of Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation dated February 17, 1988 which are incorporated herein by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

  (2) See Articles II, III, VI, XIII, and XIV of Registrant’s By-Laws as amended through August 25, 2004, which are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 30, 2004.

 

(d)   Investment Advisory Contracts.

 

  (1) Reserved.

 

  (2) Reserved.

 

  (3) Investment Advisory Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, Free Market Fixed Income Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 27, 2008.

 

  (4) Amendment No. 1 to the Investment Advisory Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund and Free Market Fixed Income Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2013.

 

  (5) Reserved.

 

  (6) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Boston Partners Investment Funds) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 261 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 28, 2020.

 

  (7) Investment Advisory Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.

 

  (8) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, and SGI Global Equity Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (9) Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Investment Funds) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2013.

  

  (10) Addendum No. 1 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.

 

  (11) Investment Advisory Agreement (SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.

 

  (12) Contractual Fee Waiver Agreement (SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.

 

  (13) Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.

 

  (14) Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC (f/k/a Abbey Capital Offshore Fund Limited) and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

 

  (15) Reserved.

 

  (16) Reserved.

 

  (17) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Eclipse Capital Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

 

  (18) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Graham Capital Management, LP is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

 

  (a) Amendment to Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Graham Capital Management, LP is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 11, 2021.

  

  (19) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and P/E Global LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

 

  (20) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Revolution Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

 

  (21) Reserved.

 

  (22) Addendum No. 2 to Investment Advisory Agreement (WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.

 

  (23) Investment Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) between Registrant and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.

 

  (24) Reserved.
     
  (25) Reserved.

 

  (26) Reserved.

 

  (27) Sub-Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Aperio Group, LLC will be filed by amendment.

 

  (28) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Driehaus Capital Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2021.

 

  (29) Reserved.

 

  (30) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Pacific Ridge Capital Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.

 

  (31) Sub-Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Pier Capital, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.

  

  (32) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.

 

  (33) Addendum No. 3 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Dynamic Equity Fund f/k/a Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (34) Investment Advisory Agreement (SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 251 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 8, 2019.

 

  (35) Contractual Fee Waiver (SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.

 

  (36) Reserved.

 

  (37) Reserved.

 

  (38) Reserved.

 

  (39) Investment Advisory Agreement (Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (40) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio) between Registrant and Matson Money Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (41) Addendum No. 4 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.

  

  (42) First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 2017.

 

  (43) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Aspect Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

 

  (44) Reserved.

 

  (45) Reserved.

 

  (46) Investment Advisory Agreement (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 8, 2020.

 

  (47) Investment Advisory Agreement (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund) between Campbell Systematic Macro Offshore Limited and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 8, 2020.

 

  (48) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 8, 2020.

 

  (49) Addendum No. 5 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.

 

  (50) Reserved.

 

  (51) Reserved.

 

  (52) Reserved.

 

  (53) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund and Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (54) Investment Advisory Agreement (Motley Fool 100 Index ETF) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 290 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on May 23, 2022.

  

  (55) Investment Advisory Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) between Registrant and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.

 

  (56) Sub-Advisory Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) among Registrant, Altair Advisers, LLC and Aperio Group, LLC will be filed by amendment.

 

  (57) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Driehaus Capital Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2021.

 

  (58)

Sub-Advisory Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Mawer Investment Management Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018. 

 

  (59) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is filed herewith.

 

  (60) Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (61) Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) between Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (62) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Aspect Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (63) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Eclipse Capital Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (64) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Revolution Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

  

  (65) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Welton Investment Partners LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (66) Reserved.

 

  (67) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Welton Investment Partners LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

 

  (68) Amendment No. 2 to the Investment Advisory Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund and Free Market Fixed Income Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 249 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 21, 2018.

 

  (69) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Tudor Investment Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (70) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Tudor Investment Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

 

  (71) Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

 

  (72) Investment Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Abbey Capital Master Offshore Fund Limited and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

 

  (73) Investment Advisory Agreement (Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 290 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on May 23, 2022.

 

  (74) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Episteme Capital Partners (UK) LLP is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 252 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 22, 2019.

  

  (75) Reserved.

 

  (76) Reserved.

 

  (77) Reserved.

 

  (78) Reserved.

 

  (79) Addendum No. 6 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II and Boston Partners Emerging Markets Dynamic Equity Fund f/k/a Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (80) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Crabel Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 14, 2020.

 

  (81) Investment Advisory Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 264 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 28, 2020.

 

  (82) Amended Appendix A to Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 269 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 18, 2020.

 

  (83) Amended Appendix A to Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund and Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 269 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 18, 2020.

 

  (84) Amended Appendix A to Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (SGI Funds) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC will be filed by amendment.

 

  (85) Amended Appendix A to Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Boston Partners Funds) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.

 

  (86) Investment Advisory Agreement (SGI Peak Growth Fund, SGI Prudent Growth Fund, and SGI Conservative Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 8, 2020.

  

  (87) Addendum No. 7 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund and Boston Partners Emerging Markets Dynamic Equity Fund f/k/a Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 8, 2020.

 

  (88) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Multi Asset Offshore Fund Limited and Crabel Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 23, 2020.

 

  (89) Reserved.

 

  (90) Reserved.

 

  (91) Reserved.

 

  (92) Reserved.

 

  (93) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Registrant, Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Winton Capital Management Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 269 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 18, 2020.

 

  (94) Reserved.

 

  (95) Reserved.
     
  (96) Reserved.

 

  (97) Reserved.

 

  (98) Reserved.

 

  (99) Reserved.

  

  (100) Reserved.
     
  (101) Reserved.
     
  (101) Reserved.

 

  (102) Investment Advisory Agreement (SGI Small Cap Growth Fund f/k/a Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 283 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 15, 2021.

 

  (103) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (SGI Small Cap Growth Fund f/k/a Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 283 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 15, 2021.
     
  (104) Investment Advisory Agreement (Motley Fool Global Opportunities ETF and Motley Fool Mid-Cap Growth ETF) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on December 29, 2021.

 

  (105) Investment Advisory Agreement (Optima Strategic Credit Fund) between Registrant and Optima Asset Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.
     
  (106) Sub-Advisory Agreement (Optima Strategic Credit Fund) among Registrant, Optima Asset Management LLC, and Anthony Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.
     
  (107) Expense Limitation and Reimbursement Agreement (Optima Strategic Credit Fund) between Registrant and Optima Asset Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.

 

  (108) Addendum No. 8 to Investment Advisory Agreement (Boston Partners Global Sustainability Fund and WPG Partners Select Small Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.

 

  (109) Investment Advisory Agreement (Motley Fool Next Index ETF and Motley Fool Capital Efficiency 100 Index ETF) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on December 29, 2021.

 

  (110) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and R. G. Niederhoffer Capital Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 286 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2021.
     
  (111) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF and SGI Dynamic Tactical ETF) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 2023.

 

  (112) Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF and SGI Dynamic Tactical ETF) among Registrant, Summit Global Investments, LLC, and SG Trading Solutions, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 24, 2023.
     
  (113)

Investment Advisory Agreement (US Treasury 30 Year Bond ETF, US Treasury 20 Year Bond ETF, US Treasury 10 Year Note ETF, US Treasury 7 Year Note ETF, US Treasury 5 Year Note ETF, US Treasury 3 Year Note ETF, US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF, US Treasury 12 Month Bill ETF, US Treasury 6 Month Bill ETF and US Treasury 3 Month Bill ETF) between Registrant and F/m Investments LLC d/b/a North Slope Capital, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022. 

 

  (114) Trading Advisory Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) among Abbey Capital Limited, Abbey Capital Onshore Series LLC, Abbey Capital Offshore Fund SPC and Systematica Investments Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022.
     
  (115) Investment Advisory Agreement (Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund and Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund) between Registrant and F/m Investments LLC, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management will be filed by amendment.
     
  (116) Expense Limitation Agreement (Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund and Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund) between Registrant and F/m Investments LLC, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management will be filed by amendment.
     
  (117) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund and Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund) among the Registrant, F/m Investments LLC d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management and Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC will be filed by amendment.
     
  (118) Investment Advisory Agreement (F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund) between Registrant and F/m Investments LLC will be filed by amendment.
     
  (119) Investment Expense Limitation Agreement (F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund) between Registrant and F/m Investments LLC will be filed by amendment.

 

(e)   Underwriting Contracts.

 

  (1) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Abbey Capital Limited dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.

 

  (a) Amendment to Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Abbey Capital Limited dated July 11, 2017 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2017.

 

  (b) Amendment to Distribution Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi-Asset Fund) between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2018.

 

  (c) Novation Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 264 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 28, 2020.

 

  (d) First Amendment to the Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 23, 2020.

  

  (e) Novation Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on December 29, 2021.

 

  (2) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Altair Advisers LLC dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.

 

  (a) Form of Amendment to the Distribution Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 21, 2018.

 

(b) Novation Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 264 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 28, 2020.

 

  (c) First Amendment to the Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 23, 2020.
     
  (d) Novation Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on December 29, 2021.

 

  (3) Reserved.

 

  (4) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.

 

  (a) Amendment to the Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.

 

  (b) Reserved.

 

  (c) Novation Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 264 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 28, 2020.

  

  (d) First Amendment to the Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 23, 2020.

 

  (e) Novation Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on December 29, 2021.

 

  (5) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.

 

  (a) Amendment to the Distribution Agreement (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund (f/k/a Campbell Managed Futures 10V Fund)) between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 224 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 28, 2017.

 

  (b) Novation Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 264 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 28, 2020.

 

  (c) First Amendment to the Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 23, 2020.

 

  (d) Novation Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on December 29, 2021.

 

  (6) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Vigilant Distributors, LLC (f/k/a/ Herald Investment Marketing, LLC) and Matson Money, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 11, 2021.

 

  (7) Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Summit Global Investments, LLC dated June 30, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 207 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2016.

 

  (a) Novation Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 264 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 28, 2020.

  

  (b) First Amendment to the Distribution Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC, and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 268 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 23, 2020.

 

  (c) Novation Agreement between Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on December 29, 2021.
     
              (8)

ETF Distribution Agreement (Motley Fool ETFs and US Treasury ETFs) between Registrant and Quasar Distributors, LLC dated August 8, 2022 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on March 24, 2023. 

 

  (a) First Amendment to the ETF Distribution Agreement (SGI ETFs) between Registrant and Quasar Distributors, LLC dated January 25, 2023 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on March 24, 2023.

 

  (9) Distribution Agreement (Optima Strategic Credit Fund) among Registrant, Quasar Distributors, LLC and Optima Asset Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.
     
  (10) Form of Authorized Participant Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on March 24, 2023.

 

  (10) Distribution Agreement (Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund and Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund) between Registrant and Quasar Distributors, LLC will be filed by amendment.
     
  (11) Distribution Agreement (F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund) between Registrant and Quasar Distributors, LLC will be filed by amendment.
     
(f)   Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts.

 

  (1) Form of Deferred Compensation Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.

 

  (2) Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.

 

(g)   Custodian Agreement.

 

  (1) Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association dated June 30, 2019 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 14, 2020.

 

  (2) First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 8, 2020.

  

  (3) Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 11, 2021.

 

  (4) Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 284 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2021.
     
  (5) Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.
     
  (6) Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.

 

  (7) Sixth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 293 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 5, 2022.
     
  (8) Seventh Amendment to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022.
     
  (9) Eighth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Custody Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association will be filed by amendment.

 

(h)   Other Material Contracts.

 

  (1) Non-12b-1 Shareholder Services Plan and Related Form of Shareholder Servicing Agreement (Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund – Institutional Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 25, 2005.

 

  (2) Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC dated June 30, 2019 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 260 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on February 14, 2020.

 

  (3) Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC dated June 30, 2019 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

 

  (4) Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC dated June 30, 2019 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2019.

  

  (5) First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 8, 2020.

 

  (6) First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 8, 2020.

 

  (7) First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 8, 2020.

 

  (8) Form of Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 11, 2021.

 

  (9) Form of Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 11, 2021.

 

  (10) Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 11, 2021.

 

  (11) Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 11, 2021.

 

  (12) Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 11, 2021.
     
  (13) Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2021.
     
  (14) Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2021.
     
  (15) Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2021.

  

  (16) Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 281 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 26, 2021.

 

  (17) Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 281 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 26, 2021.
     
  (18) Sixth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.

 

  (19) Seventh Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022..

 

  (20) Sixth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.
     
  (21) Seventh Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.
     
  (22) Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.
     
  (23) Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.
     
  (24) Eighth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 293 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 5, 2022. 
     
  (25) Eighth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 293 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 5, 2022. 

 

  (26) Sixth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 293 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 5, 2022. 
     
  (27) Ninth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022.

 

  (28) Ninth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022.

 

  (29) Seventh Amendment to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022.
     
  (30) Tenth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will be filed by amendment.
     
  (31) Tenth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fund Administration Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will be filed by amendment.
     
  (32) Eighth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Servicing Agreement between Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC will be filed by amendment.
     
  (33) Form of Rule 12d1-4 Fund of Funds Investment Agreement will be filed by amendment.
     
(i)   Consent of Counsel is filed herewith.
     
(j)   Not Applicable.
     
(k)   None.
     
(l)   None.

 

(m)   Initial Capital Agreements.

 

  (1) Subscription Agreement, relating to Classes A through N, is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 12, 1988, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

  (2) Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Planco Financial Services, Inc., relating to Classes O and P is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1990. (P)

 

  (3)

Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Planco Financial Services, Inc., relating to Class Q is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1990. (P) 

 

  (4) Subscription Agreement between Registrant and Counselors Securities Inc. relating to Classes R, S, and Alpha 1 through Theta 4 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 15, 1992, and refiled electronically with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 30, 1998.

 

  (5) Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. relating to Classes TT and UU (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 25, 1997.

 

  (6) Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. relating to Classes DDD and EEE (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 1998.

 

  (7) Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management relating to Classes III and JJJ (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.

 

  (8) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L. P. relating to Classes KKK and LLL (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long-Short Equity)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.

 

  (11) Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Asset Management, L.P. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

  (12) Purchase Agreement (WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund f/k/a Robeco WPG Tudor Fund) between Registrant and Weiss, Peck & Greer Investments is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 6, 2005.

 

  (13) Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market U.S. Equity Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.

 

  (14)

Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market International Equity Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007. 

 

  (15) Form of Purchase Agreement (Free Market Fixed Income Fund) between Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 1, 2007.

 

  (16) Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 4, 2010.

  

  (17) Form of Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners Global Equity Fund f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

  (18) Form of Purchase Agreement (Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

  (19) Purchase Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 29, 2013.

 

  (20) Form of Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund – Investor Class f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund-Investor Class) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated hereby by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.

 

  (21) Form of Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund-Institutional Class f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund-Institutional Class) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management Inc. is incorporated hereby by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 23, 2013.

 

  (22) Form of Purchase Agreement (SGI Global Equity Fund f/k/a Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund) between Registrant and Scotia Institutional Asset Management US, Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.

 

  (23) Form of Purchase Agreement (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.

 

  (24) Form of Purchase Agreement (Adara Smaller Companies Fund (f/k/a Altair Smaller Companies Fund)) between Registrant and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 17, 2014.

 

  (25) Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Dynamic Equity Fund f/k/a Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund) between Registrant and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 187 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 29, 2015.

 

  (26) Form of Purchase Agreement (SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 30, 2016.

 

  (27) Reserved.

 

  (28) Reserved.

 

  (29) Purchase Agreement (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund) between Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 8, 2020.

 

  (30) Form of Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 226 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on August 23, 2017.

 

  (31) Form of Purchase Agreement (Motley Fool 100 Index ETF) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 235 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on January 19, 2018.

 

  (32) Purchase Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) between Registrant and Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018.

 

  (33) Form of Purchase Agreement (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund) between Registrant and Abbey Capital Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2018.

 

  (34)

Purchase Agreement (MFAM Small-Cap Growth ETF (f/k/a Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF)) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 23, 2018. 

 

  (35) Reserved.

 

  (36) Reserved.

 

  (37) Purchase Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity VI Portfolio) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 264 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 28, 2020.

 

  (38) Purchase Agreement (SGI Peak Growth Fund, SGI Prudent Growth Fund, and SGI Conservative Fund) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 8, 2020.

  

  (39) Reserved.
     
  (40) Purchase Agreement (Motley Fool Global Opportunities ETF and Motley Fool Mid-Cap Growth ETF) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 286 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2021.
     
  (41) Purchase Agreement (Optima Strategic Credit Fund) between Registrant and Optima Asset Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.
     
  (42) Purchase Agreement (Boston Partners Global Sustainability Fund and WPG Partners Select Small Cap Value Fund) between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.

 

  (43) Purchase Agreement (Motley Fool Next Index ETF and Motley Fool Capital Efficiency 100 Index ETF) between Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.

 

  (44) Purchase Agreement (SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF and SGI Dynamic Tactical ETF) between Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on March 24, 2023.

 

  (45) Purchase Agreement (US Treasury 10 Year Note ETF, US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF, and US Treasury 3 Month Bill ETF) between Registrant and F/m Investments LLC d/b/a North Slope Capital, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022.
     
  (46)

Purchase Agreement (US Treasury 12 Month Bill ETF) between Registrant and F/m Investments LLC d/b/a North Slope Capital, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022.

 

  (47) Purchase Agreement (Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund and Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund) between Registrant and F/m Investments LLC, d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management will be filed by amendment.

 

  (48) Purchase Agreement (F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund – Investor Class) between Registrant and F/m Investments LLC will be filed by amendment.

 

(n)   Rule 12b-1 Plan.

 

  (1) Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Mid Cap Value Fund - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 9, 1997.

 

  (2) Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (formerly Micro Cap Value) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 1998.

 

  (3) Amendment to Plans of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 14, 1998.

 

  (4) Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (formerly Market Neutral) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 12, 1998.

  

  (5) Plan of Distribution (Boston Partners Fund (formerly Long Short Equity) - Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on May 19, 1999.

 

  (6) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on November 1, 2002.

 

  (7) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund-Investor Class f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund — Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2010.

 

  (8) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Boston Partners Global Equity Fund-Investor Class f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund — Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

  (9) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund — Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 14, 2011.

 

  (10) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund — Retail Class) is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2011.

 

  (11) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund – Class A) is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 15, 2011.

 

  (12) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund – Investor Class f/k/a Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund — Investor Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 154 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 11, 2013.

 

  (13) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund — Class A) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.

 

  (14) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund — Class C) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on June 30, 2014.

 

  (15) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund —Class C) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 184 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on October 30, 2015.

  

  (16) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund – Retail Class) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 30, 2016.

 

  (17) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI U.S. Small-Cap Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund – Class C) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 30, 2016.

 

  (18) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund — Class T) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on April 10, 2017.

 

  (19) Reserved.

 

  (20) Reserved.

 

  (21) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund — Class A) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 257 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2019.

 

  (22) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund — Class P) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 257 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2019.

 

  (23) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Campbell Systematic Macro Fund — Class C) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 257 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2019.

 

  (24) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund – Class A Shares (formerly Class II Shares)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2017.

 

  (25) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (SGI Global Equity Fund, f/k/a Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund – Class C Shares (formerly Institutional Shares)) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 28, 2017.

 

  (26) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund – Class A Shares) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2018.

 

  (27) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Abbey Capital Multi Asset Fund – Class C Shares) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 23, 2018.

 

  (28) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Optima Strategic Credit Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on March 24, 2023.
     
  (29) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (Oakhurst Fixed Income Fund, Oakhurst Short Duration Bond Fund and Oakhurst Short Duration High Yield Credit Fund – Retail Shares) will be filed by amendment.
     
  (30) Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (F/m Investments Large Cap Focused Fund – Investor Class) will be filed by amendment.
     
(o)   Rule 18f-3 Plan.

 

  (1) Amended Rule 18f-3 Plan will be filed by amendment.

 

(p)   Code of Ethics.

 

  (1) Code of Ethics of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 281 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 26, 2021.

 

  (2) Code of Ethics of Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2021.

 

  (3) Code of Ethics of Matson Money, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 263 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 25, 2020.

 

  (4)

Code of Ethics of Foreside Financial Group, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 281 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 26, 2021. 

 

  (5) Code of Ethics of Summit Global Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 286 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2021.

 

  (6) Code of Ethics of Abbey Capital Limited is filed herewith.

 

  (7) Code of Ethics of Altair Advisers LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 263 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 25, 2020.

 

  (8) Code of Ethics of Aperio Group, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on September 27, 2021.

 

  (9) Code of Ethics of Driehaus Capital Management LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on March 24, 2023.

 

  (10) Code of Ethics of Pacific Ridge Capital Partners, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 286 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2021.

  

  (11) Code of Ethics of Pier Capital LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 263 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 25, 2020.

 

  (12) Code of Ethics of River Road Asset Management, LLC is filed herewith.

 

  (13) Code of Ethics of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 263 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 25, 2020.

 

  (14) Code of Ethics of Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is filed herewith.

 

  (15) Code of Ethics of Mawer Investment Management Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 286 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 20, 2021.

 

  (16) Reserved.

 

  (17) Reserved.

 

  (18)

Reserved. 

 

  (19) Reserved.

 

  (20) Code of Ethics of Vigilant Distributors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on March 2, 2022.

 

  (21) Code of Ethics of YieldX Advisers, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 281 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on July 26, 2021.
     
  (22) Code of Ethics of Optima Asset Management LLC is filed herewith.
     
  (23) Code of Ethics of Anthony Capital Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (33-20827) filed on December 29, 2021.
     
  (24) Code of Ethics of F/m Investments LLC d/b/a North Slope Capital, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (No. 33-20827) filed on December 27, 2022.
     
  (25) Code of Ethics of F/m Investments, LLC d/b/a Oakhurst Capital Management will be filed by amendment.
     
  (26) Code of Ethics of Oakhurst Capital Advisors, LLC will be filed by amendment.
     
  (27) Code of Ethics of F/m Investments, LLC will be filed by amendment.

  

Item 29. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT

  

None.

 

Item 30. INDEMNIFICATION

  

Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Article VIII of Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated herein by reference as Exhibits (a)(1) and (a)(3), provide as follows:

 

Section 1. To the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of directors and officers are permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, no director or officer of the Corporation shall have any liability to the Corporation or its shareholders for damages. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a director or officer of the Corporation whether or not such person is a director or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.

 

Section 2. The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to its currently acting and its former directors to the fullest extent that indemnification of directors is permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to its officers to the same extent as its directors and to such further extent as is consistent with law. The Board of Directors may by law, resolution or agreement make further provision for indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by the Maryland General Corporation law.

 

Section 3. No provision of this Article shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any director or officer of the Corporation against any liability to the Corporation or its security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office. 

 

Section 4. References to the Maryland General Corporation Law in this Article are to the law as from time to time amended. No further amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation shall decrease, but may expand, any right of any person under this Article based on any event, omission or proceeding prior to such amendment. Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (“Boston Partners”) (f/k/a Robeco Investment Management, Inc.), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(9), provides for the indemnification of Boston Partners against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Matson Money, Inc. (f/k/a Abundance Technologies, Inc.), (“Matson Money”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(3) and (d)(39) provides for the indemnification of Matson Money against certain losses.  

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Summit Global Investments, LLC (“SGI”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(7), (d)(11), (d)(34), (d)(81), (d)(86) and (d)(102) provides for the indemnification of SGI against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements with Abbey Capital Limited (“Abbey Capital”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(13), (d)(60) and (d)(61) provides for the indemnification of Abbey Capital against certain losses.

 

Section 13 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements with Abbey Capital incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(14) and (d)(71) provides for the indemnification of Abbey Capital against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Altair Advisers LLC (“Altair”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(23) and (d)(55) provide for indemnification of Altair against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC (“CCIA”) incorporated herein by reference as exhibits (d)(46), (d)(47), (d)(77), and (d)(78) provide for indemnification of CCIA against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of each of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC (“Motley Fool”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (d)(51), (d)(54), (d)(73), (d)(104), and (d)(109) provides for indemnification of Motley Fool against certain losses. 

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreements between the Registrant and Optima Asset Management LLC (“Optima”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (d)(105) provides for indemnification of Optima against certain losses.

 

Section 12 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and F/m Investments LLC (“F/m”) incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(113) provides for the indemnification of F/m against certain losses.

 

Section 8 of each of the Distribution Agreements between Registrant and Quasar Distributors, LLC incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (e)(1) – (e)(5), and (e)(7) provide for the indemnification of Quasar Distributors, LLC against certain losses.

 

Section 8 of the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Vigilant Distributors, LLC incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (e)(6) provides for the indemnification of Vigilant Distributors, LLC against certain losses.

 

Section 6 of the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Quasar Distributors, LLC incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (e)(8) provides for the indemnification of Quasar Distributors, LLC against certain losses.

 

Section 9 of the Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Quasar Distributors, LLC incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (e)(9) provides for the indemnification of Quasar Distributors, LLC against certain losses.

 

Item 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS.

  

1. Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc.

 

The sole business activity of Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (“Boston Partners”), One Beacon Street, 30th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02108, is to serve as an investment adviser. Boston Partners provides investment advisory services to the Boston Partners Funds and the WPG Partners Funds.

 

Boston Partners is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and serves as an investment adviser to domestic and foreign institutional investors, investment companies, commingled trust funds, private investment partnerships and collective investment vehicles. Information regarding the directors and officers of Boston Partners is as follows:

 

Name and Position with Boston Partners Other Companies Position With Other Companies

Joseph F. Feeney, Jr. 

Director, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Investment Officer 

Boston Partners Trust Company Chief Investment Officer

Mark E. Donovan 

Director, Senior Portfolio Manager 

   

William G. Butterly, III 

General Counsel, Director of Sustainability & Engagement, & Secretary 

Boston Partners Securities, L.L.C. Chief Legal Officer
  Boston Partners Trust Company General Counsel, Secretary & Director
  Boston Partners (UK) Limited Director & Secretary

 

Mark S. Kuzminskas 

Chief Operating Officer 

Boston Partners Trust Company Director & Chief Operating Officer
  Boston Partners (UK) Limited Director & Chief Operating Officer

Kenneth Lengieza 

Chief Compliance Officer 

   

Greg A. Varner 

Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer 

Boston Partners Trust Company Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
  Boston Partners (UK) Limited Director & Chief Financial Officer

Stan H. Koyanagi 

Director, Chairperson of the Board of Directors 

ORIX Corporation Director, Managing Executive Officer and Global General Counsel
  ORIX Corporation Europe N.V. Director
  Ormat Technologies, Inc. Director

Jeffrey A. Finley 

Director

ORIX Corporation USA Head of Corporate Development and Strategic Opportunities; Chief Operating Officer of ORIX Capital Partners, a subsidiary of ORIX  Corporation USA
Gilbert O. J. Van Hassel Director Harbor Capital Advisors, Inc. Director

David G. Van Hooser 

Director 

Harbor Capital Advisors, Inc. Chairman of the Board & Director

  

2. Matson Money, Inc.:

 

The sole business activity of Matson Money, Inc. (“Matson Money”), 5955 Deerfield Blvd., Mason, Ohio 45040, is to serve as an investment adviser. Matson Money is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

Below is a list of each executive officer and director of Matson Money indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person has been engaged within the last two years, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee.

 

Name and Position with Matson Money, Inc. Name of Other Company Position With Other Company

Mark E. Matson 

CEO 

Keep It Tight Fitness, LLC 50% owner

Mark E. Matson 

CEO 

The Matson Family Foundation 100% owner

Michelle Matson 

Vice President/ Secretary 

None None

Daniel J. List 

Chief Compliance Officer 

None None

  

3. Summit Global Investments, LLC:

 

The sole business activity of Summit Global Investments, LLC (“SGI”), 620 South Main Street, Bountiful, Utah 84010, is to serve as an investment adviser. SGI is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

The only employment of a substantial nature of each of SGI’s directors and officers is with SGI.

 

4. Abbey Capital Limited:

 

The only employment of a substantial nature of each of Abbey Capital Limited directors and officers is with Abbey Capital Limited.

 

5. Altair Advisers LLC:

 

The only employment of a substantial nature of each of Altair Advisers LLC directors and officers is with Altair Advisers LLC. 

 

6. Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC:

 

The principal business activity of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC (“CCIA”), 2850 Quarry Lake Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21209, is to serve as an investment adviser. CCIA is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

Below is a list of each executive officer and director of CCIA indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person has been engaged within the last two years, for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, partner or trustee.

 

Name and Position with CCIA Name of Other Company Position With Other Company

Dr. Kevin Cole  

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer  

Campbell & Company, LP Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer
  Campbell & Company, LLC Director and Chief Executive Officer
  Campbell Absolute Return F1 (Cayman) Director
  Campbell Systematic Macro Offshore Limited Director

 

Thomas P. Lloyd  

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer & Secretary  

Campbell & Company, LP General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Secretary
  Campbell & Company, LLC Director, General Counsel and Secretary
  Campbell Financial Services, LLC Director, President, Chief Compliance Officer, and Secretary
  Campbell Absolute Return F1 (Cayman) Director
  Campbell Systematic Macro Offshore Limited Director
  Campbell Offshore Fund Limited SPC Director

John R. Radle  

Chief Operating Officer 

Campbell & Company, LP Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer
  Campbell & Company, LLC Director and Chief Operating Officer
  Campbell Financial Services, LLC Director and Chief Operating Officer
  Campbell Absolute Return F1 (Cayman) Director
  Campbell Systematic Macro Offshore Limited Director

  

7. Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC:

 

A description of any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC and each director, officer, or partner of Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in the Form ADV of Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC, as filed with the SEC on December 22, 2022, and is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

8. Optima Asset Management LLC:

 

A description of any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which Optima Asset Management LLC and each director, officer, or partner of Optima Asset Management LLC is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in the Form ADV of Optima Asset Management LLC, as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023, and is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

9.  F/m Investments LLC:

 

A description of any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature in which F/m Investments LLC and each director, officer, or partner of F/m Investments LLC is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in the Form ADV of F/m Investments LLC, as filed with the SEC on March 3, 2023, and is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Item 32. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

  

(a)(1) Quasar Distributors, LLC (“Quasar”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:

 

1. American Trust Allegiance Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
2. Capital Advisors Growth Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
3. Chase Growth Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
4. Davidson Multi Cap Equity Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
5. Edgar Lomax Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
6. First Sentier American Listed Infrastructure Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
7. First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
8. Fort Pitt Capital Total Return Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
9. Huber Large Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
10. Huber Mid Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
11. Huber Select Large Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
12. Huber Small Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
13. Logan Capital Broad Innovative Growth ETF, Series of Advisors Series Trust
14. O'Shaughnessy Market Leaders Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
15. PIA BBB Bond Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
16. PIA High Yield Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
17. PIA High Yield (MACS) Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
18. PIA MBS Bond Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
19. PIA Short-Term Securities Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
20. Poplar Forest Cornerstone Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
21. Poplar Forest Partners Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
22. Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
23. Pzena International Small Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
24. Pzena International Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
25. Pzena Mid Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
26. Pzena Small Cap Value Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
27. Reverb ETF, Series of Advisors Series Trust
28. Scharf Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
29. Scharf Global Opportunity Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
30. Scharf Multi-Asset Opportunity Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
31. Semper MBS Total Return Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
32. Semper Short Duration Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
33. Shenkman Capital Floating Rate High Income Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
34. Shenkman Capital Short Duration High Income Fund, Series of Advisors Series Trust
35. VegTech Plant-based Innovation & Climate ETF, Series of Advisors Series Trust
36. The Aegis Funds

 

37. Allied Asset Advisors Funds
38. Angel Oak Funds Trust
39. Angel Oak Strategic Credit Fund
40. Barrett Opportunity Fund, Inc.
41. Bridges Investment Fund, Inc.
42. Brookfield Investment Funds
43. Buffalo Funds
44. Cushing® Mutual Funds Trust
45. DoubleLine Funds Trust
46. EA Series Trust (f/k/a Alpha Architect ETF Trust)
47. Ecofin Tax-Advantaged Social Impact Fund, Inc.
48. AAM Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
49. AAM Low Duration Preferred and Income Securities ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
50. AAM S&P 500 Emerging Markets High Dividend Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
51. AAM S&P 500 High Dividend Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
52. AAM S&P Developed Markets High Dividend Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
53. AAM Transformers ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
54. AlphaMark Actively Managed Small Cap ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
55. Aptus Collared Income Opportunity ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
56. Aptus Defined Risk ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
57. Aptus Drawdown Managed Equity ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
58. Aptus Enhanced Yield ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
59. Blue Horizon BNE ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
60. BTD Capital Fund, Series of ETF Series Solutions
61. Carbon Strategy ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
62. ClearShares OCIO ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
63. ClearShares Piton Intermediate Fixed Income Fund, Series of ETF Series Solutions
64. ClearShares Ultra-Short Maturity ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
65. Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
66. Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
67. Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
68. ETFB Green SRI REITs ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
69. Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
70. Hoya Capital Housing ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
71. iBET Sports Betting & Gaming ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
72. International Drawdown Managed Equity ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
73. LHA Market State Alpha Seeker ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
74. LHA Market State Tactical Beta ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
75. LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
76. Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
77. Loncar China BioPharma ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
78. McElhenny Sheffield Managed Risk ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
79. Nationwide Dow Jones® Risk-Managed Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
80. Nationwide Nasdaq-100 Risk-Managed Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
81. Nationwide Russell 2000® Risk-Managed Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
82. Nationwide S&P 500® Risk-Managed Income ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
83. NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
84. Opus Small Cap Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
85. PSYK ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
86. Roundhill Acquirers Deep Value ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
87. The Acquirers Fund, Series of ETF Series Solutions

 

88. U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
89. U.S. Global JETS ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
90. U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
91. US Vegan Climate ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
92. First American Funds, Inc.
93. FundX Investment Trust
94. The Glenmede Fund, Inc.
95. The Glenmede Portfolios
96. The GoodHaven Funds Trust
97. Greenspring Fund, Incorporated
98. Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc.
99. Hennessy Funds Trust
100. Horizon Funds
101. Hotchkis & Wiley Funds
102. Intrepid Capital Management Funds Trust
103. Jacob Funds Inc.
104. The Jensen Quality Growth Fund Inc.
105. Kirr, Marbach Partners Funds, Inc.
106. Core Alternative ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
107. Wahed Dow Jones Islamic World ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
108. Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF, Series of Listed Funds Trust
109. LKCM Funds
110. LoCorr Investment Trust
111. MainGate Trust
112. ATAC Rotation Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
113. Cove Street Capital Small Cap Value Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
114. Ecofin Global Energy Transition Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
115. Ecofin Global Renewables Infrastructure Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
116. Ecofin Global Water ESG Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
117. Ecofin Sustainable Water Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
118. Great Lakes Disciplined Equity Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
119. Great Lakes Large Cap Value Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
120. Great Lakes Small Cap Opportunity Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
121. Jackson Square Large-Cap Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
122. Jackson Square SMID-Cap Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
123. Kensington Active Advantage Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
124. Kensington Dynamic Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
125. Kensington Managed Income Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
126. LK Balanced Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
127. Muhlenkamp Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
128. Nuance Concentrated Value Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
129. Nuance Concentrated Value Long Short Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
130. Nuance Mid Cap Value Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
131. Port Street Quality Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
132. Principal Street High Income Municipal Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
133. Principal Street Short Term Municipal Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
134. Reinhart Genesis PMV Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
135. Reinhart International PMV Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
136. Reinhart Mid Cap PMV Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
137. Tortoise MLP & Energy Income Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
138. Tortoise MLP & Pipeline Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series

 

139. Tortoise North American Pipeline Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
140. V-Shares MSCI World ESG Materiality and Carbon Transition ETF, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
141. V-Shares US Leadership Diversity ETF, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
142. Greenspring Income Opportunities Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios
143. Hood River International Opportunity Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios
144. Hood River Small-Cap Growth Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios
145. Mar Vista Strategic Growth Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios
146. Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios
147. Matrix Advisors Funds Trust
148. Matrix Advisors Value Fund, Inc.
149. Monetta Trust
150. Nicholas Equity Income Fund, Inc.
151. Nicholas Fund, Inc.
152. Nicholas II, Inc.
153. Nicholas Limited Edition, Inc.
154. Permanent Portfolio Family of Funds
155. Perritt Funds, Inc.
156. Procure ETF Trust II
157. Professionally Managed Portfolios
158. Prospector Funds, Inc.
159. Provident Mutual Funds, Inc.
160. Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
161. Abbey Capital Multi-Asset Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
162. Adara Smaller Companies Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
163. Aquarius International Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
164. Boston Partners All Cap Value Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
165. Boston Partners Emerging Markets Dynamic Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
166. Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
167. Boston Partners Global Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
168. Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
169. Boston Partners Global Sustainability Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
170. Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
171. Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
172. Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
173. Campbell Systematic Macro Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
174. Motley Fool 100 Index ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
175. Motley Fool Capital Efficiency 100 Index ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
176. Motley Fool Global Opportunities ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
177. Motley Fool Mid-Cap Growth ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
178. Motley Fool Next Index ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
179. Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
180. Optima Strategic Credit Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
181. SGI Global Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
182. SGI Peak Growth Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
183. SGI Prudent Growth Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
184. SGI Small Cap Core Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
185. SGI U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
186. SGI U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
187. US Treasury 10 Year Note ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
188. US Treasury 2 Year Note ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

189. US Treasury 3 Month Bill ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc. 
190. WPG Partners Select Small Cap Value Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
191. WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
192. The RBB Fund Trust
193. RBC Funds Trust
194. Series Portfolios Trust
195. Thompson IM Funds, Inc.
196. TrimTabs ETF Trust
197. Trust for Advised Portfolios
198. Barrett Growth Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
199. Bright Rock Mid Cap Growth Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
200. Bright Rock Quality Large Cap Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
201. CrossingBridge Low Duration High Yield Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
202. CrossingBridge Responsible Credit Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
203. CrossingBridge Ultra-Short Duration Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
204. Dearborn Partners Rising Dividend Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
205. Jensen Global Quality Growth Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
206. Jensen Quality Value Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
207. Rockefeller Climate Solutions Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
208. Terra Firma US Concentrated Realty Fund, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
209. USQ Core Real Estate Fund
210. Wall Street EWM Funds Trust
211. Wisconsin Capital Funds, Inc.
212. SGI Dynamic Tactical ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
213. SGI U.S. Large Cap Core ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
214. US Treasury 30 Year Bond ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
215. US Treasury 20 Year Bond ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
216. US Treasury 7 Year Note ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
217. US Treasury 5 Year Note ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
218. US Treasury 3Year Note ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
219. US Treasury 12 Month Bill ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.
220. US Treasury 6 Month Bill ETF, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

  

(a)(2) Vigilant Distributors, LLC serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:

 

1. Free Market Fixed Income Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

2. Free Market International Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

3. Free Market US Equity Fund, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

4. Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

5. Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

6. Matson Money US Equity VI Portfolio, Series of The RBB Fund, Inc.

7. YCG Funds

8. Pemberwick Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios

9. Sphere 500 Climate Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios

10. ERShares Entrepreneurs ETF, series of EntrepreneuerShares Series Trust

11. ERShares NextGen Entrepreneurs ETF, series of EntrepreneuerShares Series Trust

12. ERShares US Large Cap Fund, series of EntrepreneuerShares Series Trust

13. ERShares Global Fund, series of EntrepreneuerShares Series Trust

14. ERShares US Small Cap Fund, series of EntrepreneuerShares Series Trust

 

15. Hardman Johnston International Growth Fund, Series of Manager Directed Portfolios

  

  (b)(1) The following are the Officers and Manager of Quasar, one of the Registrant’s underwriters. Quasar’s main business address is 111 East Kilbourn Ave., Suite 2200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.

  

Name Address Position with Underwriter Position with Registrant
Teresa Cowan 111 E. Kilbourn Ave, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202 President/Manager None

Chris Lanza 

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 

Vice President 

None

Kate Macchia Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 Vice President None
Susan L. LaFond 111 E. Kilbourn Ave, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202 Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer and Treasurer None
Jennifer A. Brunner 111 E. Kilbourn Ave, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202 Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer None

Kelly B. Whetstone 

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101 Secretary None

   

  (b)(2) The following are the Officers of Vigilant Distributors, LLC, one of the Registrant’s underwriters. Vigilant Distributors, LLC’s main business address is Gateway Corporate Center, Suite 216, 223 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania 19317.

 

 

Name Address Position with Underwriter Position with Registrant
Patrick Chism Gateway Corporate Center, Suite 216, 223 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 Chief Executive Officer and Chief Compliance Officer None
Gerald Scarpati Gateway Corporate Center, Suite 216, 223 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer None

  

  (c) Not Applicable

   

Item 33. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

  

(1) Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc., One Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(2) Matson Money, Inc. (formerly Abundance Technologies, Inc.), 5955 Deerfield Blvd., Mason, Ohio 45040 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(3) Summit Global Investments, LLC, 620 South Main Street, Bountiful, Utah 84010 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(4) Abbey Capital Limited, 1-2 Cavendish Row, Dublin 1, Ireland (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(5) Altair Advisers LLC, 303 West Madison, Suite 600, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(6) Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC, 2850 Quarry Lake Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21209 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

 

(7) Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC, 2000 Duke Street, Suite 275, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).

       

(8) Optima Asset Management LLC, 10 East 53rd Street, New York, New York 10022 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).
   
(9) F/m Investments, LLC, 3050 K Street NW, Suite W-201, Washington, DC 20007 (records relating to its function as investment adviser).
   
(10) U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 (records relating to its function as administrator, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent).

 

(11) U.S. Bank, N.A., 1555 North RiverCenter Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53212 (records relating to its function as custodian).

 

(12) Quasar Distributors, LLC, 111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 (records relating to its function as underwriter).

  

Item 34. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

  

None.  

 

Item 35. UNDERTAKINGS

  

Not applicable.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Short Hills and State of New Jersey on April 27, 2023.

 

  THE RBB FUND, INC.  
     
  By: /s/ Steven Plump  
    Steven Plump  
    President  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Amendment to Registrant’s Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

SIGNATURE   TITLE   DATE
         
/s/ Steven Plump   President (Principal Executive Officer)   April 27, 2023
Steven Plump      
         
/s/ James G. Shaw   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   April 27, 2023
James G. Shaw        
         
*Julian A. Brodsky   Director   April 27, 2023
Julian A. Brodsky        
         
*Gregory P. Chandler   Director   April 27, 2023
Gregory P. Chandler        
         
*Lisa A. Dolly   Director   April 27, 2023
Lisa A. Dolly        
         
*Nicholas A. Giordano   Director   April 27, 2023
Nicholas A. Giordano        
         
*Arnold M. Reichman   Director   April 27, 2023
Arnold M. Reichman        
         
*Robert Sablowsky   Director   April 27, 2023
Robert Sablowsky        
         
*Brian T. Shea   Director   April 27, 2023
Brian T. Shea        
         
*Robert Straniere   Director   April 27, 2023
Robert Straniere        

 

*By: /s/ James G. Shaw  
James G. Shaw  
Attorney-in-Fact  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.   

(the “Company”)

 

THE RBB FUND TRUST  

(the “Trust”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Julian A. Brodsky, hereby constitutes and appoints Steven Plump, Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Jillian L. Bosmann, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director/Trustee or officer, or both, of the Company and of the Trust, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: September 8, 2022

 

/s/ Julian A. Brodsky  
   
Julian A. Brodsky  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.   

(the “Company”)

 

THE RBB FUND TRUST  

(the “Trust”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Gregory P. Chandler, hereby constitutes and appoints Steven Plump, Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Jillian L. Bosmann, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director/Trustee or officer, or both, of the Company and of the Trust, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: September 8, 2022

 

/s/ Gregory P. Chandler  
   
Gregory P. Chandler  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.  

(the “Company”)

 

THE RBB FUND TRUST  

(the “Trust”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Lisa A. Dolly, hereby constitutes and appoints Steven Plump, Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Jillian L. Bosmann, her true and lawful attorneys, to execute in her name, place, and stead, in her capacity as Director/Trustee or officer, or both, of the Company and of the Trust, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in her name and on her behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as she might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: September 8, 2022

 

/s/ Lisa A. Dolly  
   
Lisa A. Dolly  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.  

(the “Company”)

 

THE RBB FUND TRUST  

(the “Trust”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Nicholas A. Giordano, hereby constitutes and appoints Steven Plump, Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Jillian L. Bosmann, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director/Trustee or officer, or both, of the Company and of the Trust, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: September 8, 2022

 

/s/ Nicholas A. Giordano  
   
Nicholas A. Giordano  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.  

(the “Company”)

 

THE RBB FUND TRUST  

(the “Trust”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Arnold M. Reichman, hereby constitutes and appoints Steven Plump, Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Jillian L. Bosmann, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director/Trustee or officer, or both, of the Company and of the Trust, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: September 8, 2022

 

/s/ Arnold M. Reichman  
   
Arnold M. Reichman  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.  

(the “Company”)

 

THE RBB FUND TRUST  

(the “Trust”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Robert Sablowsky, hereby constitutes and appoints Steven Plump, Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Jillian L. Bosmann, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director/Trustee or officer, or both, of the Company and of the Trust, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: September 8, 2022

 

/s/ Robert Sablowsky  
   
Robert Sablowsky  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.  

(the “Company”)

 

THE RBB FUND TRUST  

(the “Trust”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Brian T. Shea, hereby constitutes and appoints Steven Plump, Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Jillian L. Bosmann, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director/Trustee or officer, or both, of the Company and of the Trust, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: September 8, 2022

 

/s/ Brian T. Shea  
   
Brian T. Shea  

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.  

(the “Company”)

 

THE RBB FUND TRUST  

(the “Trust”)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know All Men by These Presents, that the undersigned, Robert A. Straniere, hereby constitutes and appoints Steven Plump, Salvatore Faia, Michael P. Malloy, James G. Shaw, Edward Paz, and Jillian L. Bosmann, his true and lawful attorneys, to execute in his name, place, and stead, in his capacity as Director/Trustee or officer, or both, of the Company and of the Trust, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and said attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in his name and on his behalf, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, said acts of said attorneys being hereby ratified and approved.

 

DATED: September 8, 2022

 

/s/ Robert Straniere  
   

Robert Straniere 

 

 

EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION 
(d)(59) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (Aquarius International Fund) among Registrant, Altair Advisers LLC and Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc.
(i) Consent of Counsel
(p)(6) Code of Ethics of Abbey Capital Limited
(p)(12) Code of Ethics of River Road Asset Management, LLC
(p)(14) Code of Ethics of Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC
(p)(22) Code of Ethics of Optima Asset Management LLC