N-CSR 1 a19-1230_1ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-08979

 

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio

 

44144

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., 4400 Easton Commons, Suite 200, Columbus, OH 43219

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

800-539-3863

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31

 

 

Date of reporting period:

December 31, 2018

 

 


 

Item 1.  Reports to Stockholders.

 


December 31, 2018

Annual Report

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Victory Funds' shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Victory Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.VictoryFunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you need not take any action.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Victory Funds or your financial intermediary electronically sooner than January 1, 2021 by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-539-3863 or by sending an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Victory Funds, you can call 800-539-3863 or send an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Victory Funds you hold directly or through your financial intermediary.



www.vcm.com

News, Information And Education 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week

The Victory Funds site gives fund shareholders, prospective shareholders, and investment professionals a convenient way to access fund information, get guidance, and track fund performance anywhere they can access the Internet. The site includes:

•  Detailed performance records

•  Daily share prices

•  The latest fund news

•  Investment resources to help you become a better investor

•  A section dedicated to investment professionals

Whether you're a potential investor searching for the fund that matches your investment philosophy, a seasoned investor interested in planning tools, or an investment professional, www.vcm.com has what you seek. Visit us anytime. We're always open.



Victory Variable
Insurance Funds

Table of Contents

Shareholder Letter (Unaudited)

   

3

   

Fund Review and Commentary (Unaudited)

   

4

   

Financial Statements

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

    8    

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    15    

Statement of Operations

    16    

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    17    

Financial Highlights

    18    

Notes to Financial Statements

   

19

   
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
   

31

   

Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

 

Trustee and Officer Information

    32    

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

    35    

Expense Examples

    35    

Advisory Contract Renewal

    37    

Privacy Policy (inside back cover)

     

The Fund is distributed by Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. Victory Capital Management Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and receives fees from the Fund for performing services for the Fund.

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus of the Fund.

For additional information about any Victory Fund, including fees, expenses, and risks, view our prospectus online at www.vcm.com or call 800-539-3863. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

The information in this annual report is based on data obtained from recognized services and sources and is believed to be reliable. Any opinions, projections, or recommendations in this report are subject to change without notice and are not intended as individual investment advice. Past investment performance of the Fund, markets or securities mentioned herein should not be considered to be indicative of future results.

• NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE
• MAY LOSE VALUE

Call Victory at:

800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)

Visit our website at:

www.vcm.com


1



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2



Victory Funds Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholder,

What a difference a year makes. The year ended December 31, 2018, was marked by an abrupt return of volatility, which had largely been missing in action for years. Consider the range of highs and lows we witnessed. For the S&P 500 Index, it was a year in which we celebrated an all-time high in late summer, only to be followed by the worst December since the 2008 financial crisis. And if that wasn't enough volatility, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also registered several of its worst-ever, single-day point declines during 2018.

Through all that the S&P 500 clocked in with its first negative annual return since 2008, falling by 4.4 percent. Given the risk-off sentiment that was obvious as the year drew to a close, it's no surprise that small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, fared even worse, falling approximately 11.0 percent for the year. The challenges for equity investors were also evident around the world as the MSCI ACWI and Emerging Markets indexes declined 8.9 and 14.3 percent, respectively.

So what ushered in the renewed era of volatility and these challenging times? There were multiple culprits. For starters, trade tensions ratcheted up throughout the year as anti-global rhetoric bloomed into a series of new tariffs, which sparked concerns of a prolonged trade war with China. The Federal Reserve remained persistent in its monetary tightening, raising the benchmark interest rate four times throughout the year to a range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent. And then the year ended with a partial shutdown of the federal government. These factors conspired to elevate concerns of a possible recession here and abroad.

Yet despite the headline risks, we think it's critically important to remain focused on the data. By all accounts, the U.S. economy continued chugging along in 2018 with a real gross domestic product (GDP) rising 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018, the latest figures available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Moreover, the labor picture continues to shine with consistent monthly job growth and an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. All this comes against a backdrop of low inflation and solid corporate earnings.

The markets, it appears, have been vacillating between the dire headlines and higher perceived risks on one hand, and the continued positive economic data on the other. Of course, no one knows where the Fed will stop raising rates, nor is there any certainty on how the trade turmoil ultimately gets resolved. For now, however, we continue to embrace our solid economic fundamentals. Moreover, we believe all of Victory Capital's independent investment franchises are well positioned to take advantage of any short-term valuation dislocations resulting from the current era of heightened volatility.

On the following pages, you will find information relating to your Victory Funds investment. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact your financial advisor. Or, if you invest with us directly, you may call (800) 539-3863, or visit our website at www.vcm.com.

My colleagues and I sincerely appreciate the confidence you have placed in the Victory Funds, and we value the opportunity to help meet your investment goals.

Christopher K. Dyer, CFA

President,

Victory Funds


3



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series

Portfolio Holdings

As a Percentage of Total Investments

Economic Perspective

As investors reflect on 2018, the old adage of coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb should resonate strongly. While financial markets were certainly more volatile through the first three quarters of the year, we entered the fourth quarter with equities at record highs, interest rates trending higher given the strong U.S. economy and credit spreads only modestly wider on the year. Clouds of uncertainty had been slowly gathering over the markets for several months and finally unleashed a significantly higher degree of volatility across global equity and fixed income markets. The CBOE Volatility (VIX) index, a market estimate of future volatility, more than doubled in the fourth quarter and closed the year at 25.42, up 130% from the end of 2017.

A plethora of factors contributed to the shift in sentiment in the fourth quarter; increasing concern for a policy error from the Federal Reserve (the Fed), further deterioration in the U.S./China trade relationship, slowing global growth, particularly in China, political chaos in Washington and the EU and the uncertain outcome of the Brexit negotiations. Despite some positive news late in the quarter — a 90-day trade truce with China, an OPEC agreement to cut oil production and a softer tone from Fed chair Powell — equity returns ended on a negative note for the year, credit spreads continued to widen and the front end of the yield curve inverted. The S&P 500 Index was down 13.97% for the quarter and down 6.24% for the year. The ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch US Corporate Index saw its option-adjusted spread (OAS) widen 46 basis points during the quarter to end the year at 159 basis points, underperforming U.S. Treasuries by 2.84%. Perhaps one additional headwind to risk assets in 2019 will be cash as a competing asset class. Not too long-ago investors earned virtually nothing on cash balances, yet are now earning 2-2.5% with little to no duration or credit risk, which may appeal to some risk-averse investors should volatility remain elevated or increase. For perspective, 3-month Treasury bills now have a higher yield than the dividend yield on the S&P 500 Index.

Federal Reserve Chairman Powell's comments in early October suggesting monetary policy was a "long way from neutral" following three rate increases in 2018, incited fears of a Fed policy error and an increasing likelihood of an economic recession. Interest rates increased and equities began to fall following these comments. The subsequent spike in equity volatility, a sharp decline in oil prices and lack of inflationary pressure had many speculating the Fed may signal a pause in rate increases at their November meeting. The FOMC disappointed in that regard, interest rates reversed course and equity volatility moved higher. While Chairman Powell attempted to walk those comments back a bit in late November, it was too late given the committee's apparent determination to continue raising short-term rates. Further complicating the FOMC's agenda were Chairman Powell's comments following the December rate increase that the balance sheet normalization was "on autopilot." The market interpreted this such that even if the Fed did slow the pace of rate increases in 2019, the


4



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series (continued)

shift from quantitative easing to quantitative tightening is on a preset path and the risk of policy error remains elevated. While the Fed did reduce their outlook for rate increases in 2019 from 3 to 2 moves, it was not enough to calm the financial markets. Chairman Powell again reversed course on January 4, saying the Fed would be flexible in managing the balance sheet.

The second and third quarters of 2018 were the strongest back-to back-growth quarters in the U.S. since 2014. Furthermore, the unemployment rate gradually declined throughout the year and wage growth broke above 3% on a year-over-year basis. Both the services and manufacturing sectors remained comfortably in expansionary territory and consumer and business confidence remained elevated. Combine these factors with inflation metrics near the Fed's 2% target rate and the case could be made for the Federal Open Market Committee to continue its gradual path of rate increases. While the data in hand was supportive of the move, the disconnect between the market and the Fed appeared to be the outlook given growing uncertainties. Complicating their decision-making process further was the increasing criticism of the rate increases, and Chairman Powell specifically, from President Trump. It remains an interesting question if the Fed would have increased rates in December had that dynamic not been present. We believe the public criticism left them little choice but to raise rates and demonstrate their independence and unwillingness to bow to political pressure.

In 2019, we expect economic growth to slow back towards the 2% area as the marginal benefits from fiscal stimulus (tax reform) and deregulation fade, trade uncertainty slows business investment and tighter financial conditions resulting from lower equity markets and higher interest rates impacts sentiment and spending. With that said, we do not expect to see a recession in the U.S. in 2019, but do see rising risks for 2020 if the Fed continues to raise rates on their current path and if there is not a positive resolution to the U.S. and China trade relationship soon.

Market Summary and Fund Attribution

The Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series ("Fund") seeks to provide a high level of current income and capital appreciation without undue risk to principal. The Fund underperformed the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ("Index") for 2018, -0.41% versus 0.01%. The underperformance was driven largely by the allocation to high yield credit as spreads widened dramatically late in the year, as well as the underweight position in U.S. Treasuries. This was somewhat offset by positive allocation effects from securitized sectors, most notably agency mortgage-backed securities. Security selection was additive to performance in most sectors except for industrials in the corporate bond space. Duration and yield curve positioning contributed positively to relative performance.

Coming into 2018, many expected negative absolute returns in fixed income given the likelihood of higher interest rates resulting from continued monetary policy tightening. This rang true for most of the year, but as volatility spiked in the fourth quarter and bond investors pushed back forcefully against the Fed's forecast by driving yields lower, many fixed income indices posted positive returns for the year. The Index generated a total return of 0.01% for 2018 after having been down 2.38% through October. Interest rates did continue to rise, but when the books closed on 2018, short term rates were up two to three times those of intermediate and long-term maturities flattening the yield curve further. The spread between


5



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series (continued)

2-year and 10-year Treasury notes declined to 19 basis points (0.19%) while the 2-year to 5-year spread ended the year at 2 basis points (0.02%). The spread relationship between 1-year and 5-year notes witnessed an inversion of 9 basis points, underscoring the market's view of the Fed heading for a policy error if they continue tightening monetary policy via rates and quantitative tightening.

Within the Index, corporate bonds were the glaring underperformer for both the quarter and the year with excess returns of -3.10% and -3.15%, respectively. Credit concerns at General Electric (GE) and the large California utilities resulting from the wild fires, coupled with heavy outflows from high grade bond funds, pressured spreads materially wider. Additionally, fears of rating downgrades and recession added to anxiety and exacerbated the underperformance. For the year, excess returns in utilities fared the worst (-3.94%), followed by industrials (-3.34%) then financials (-2.62%). In the structured sectors, agency mortgages were the weakest performer from an excess returns perspective (-0.59%), followed by commercial mortgage backed securities (-0.39%), while asset-backed securities posted positive excess returns (0.13%). Corporate bonds were the only sector to post negative absolute returns for the year, all other primary sectors were positive, led by asset-backed securities at 1.77%. Interestingly, asset-backed securities were also the only sector to post positive excess returns for the full year. High yield credit suffered a similar year as investment grade credit, only worse. This sector posted an absolute return of -2.08% for the year and underperformed U.S. Treasuries by -3.58%.

During the period, the Fund used both long and short positions in U.S. Treasury futures and U.S. Federal Funds Futures, as well as credit default swaps. The Fund entered into these transactions to more efficiently manage the Fund's total portfolio risks, in terms of duration, curve exposure and credit quality, which would be more costly and restrictive to manage by investing directly in a selection of cash bonds or ETFs. The derivatives strategy with regards to futures contributed +22 basis points to overall performance while the credit default swap strategy contributed approximately -20 basis points for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018.

Market Positioning

Our allocation to investment grade (IG) credit declined further in the fourth quarter and resulted in an underweight position in BBB-rated corporate bonds relative to the Index. Additionally, our high yield exposure ended the year well below our maximum position. Our proprietary credit momentum signal continued to reduce exposure to IG credit as the option adjusted spread (OAS) of BBB-rated corporate bonds widened significantly over the trailing three months. Given this movement in OAS, valuations are now looking more compelling relative to fundamentals, yet we remain patient and ready to add risk when appropriate. Yield curve positioning and duration will be actively-managed based upon our proprietary trading signals as well as changes in the shape of the yield curve. The market's assessment of the Fed's actions/communication, as reflected by changes in the shape of the curve, will be a focal point in the coming quarters.


6



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series (continued)

Average Annual Return

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Class I

 

INCEPTION DATE

 

5/1/83

 
   
Net Asset
Value
  Bloomberg
Barclays U.S.
Aggregate
Bond Index1
 

One Year

   

–0.41

%

   

0.01

%

 

Three Year

   

2.40

%

   

2.06

%

 

Five Year

   

2.60

%

   

2.52

%

 

Ten Year

   

4.32

%

   

3.48

%

 

Since Inception

   

6.64

%

   

N/A

   

Expense Ratios

Gross

   

0.61

%

 

With Applicable Waivers

   

0.56

%

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month's end, please visit www.vcm.com.

The above expense ratios are from the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2018. Additional information pertaining to the Fund's expense ratios as of December 31, 2018 can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return figures set forth above include all waivers of fees for various periods since inception. Without such fee waivers, the total returns would have been lower. Some fee waivers are voluntary and may be modified or terminated at any time. The total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the total returns would have been lower.

Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series — Growth of $10,000

1The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is generally considered to be representative of U.S. bond market activity. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index that is not available for direct investment. There are no expenses associated with the index while there are expenses associated with the Fund. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

The graph reflects investment of growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.


7



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

Asset Backed Securities (4.4%)

 
AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust , Series 2018-1, Class B,
3.26%, 1/18/24, Callable 1/18/22 @ 100 (a)
 

$

1,000,000

   

$

1,001,602

   
Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP) LLC , Series 2014-1, Class A,
2.46%, 7/20/20 (a) (b)
   

4,000,000

     

3,989,652

   
CarMax Auto Owner Trust , Series 2015-3, Class B,
2.28%, 4/15/21, Callable 11/15/19 @ 100
   

3,225,000

     

3,201,158

   
Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2017-3, Class B,
2.30%, 5/17/21, Callable 7/15/20 @ 100
   

928,219

     

927,135

   
Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2017-1, Class B,
2.36%, 3/15/21, Callable 7/15/20 @ 100 (a)
   

404,749

     

404,574

   
DT Auto Owner Trust , Series 2017-2A, Class B,
2.44%, 2/15/21, Callable 9/15/20 @ 100 (a) (b)
   

834,111

     

833,589

   
DT Auto Owner Trust , Series 2017-3A, Class B,
2.40%, 5/17/21, Callable 1/15/21 @ 100 (b)
   

1,678,942

     

1,675,888

   
Popular ABS Mortgage Pass-Through Trust , Series 2005-2, Class AV1B,
2.77% (LIBOR01M+26bps), 4/25/35, Callable 6/25/20 @ 100 (c)
   

911,784

     

906,325

   
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2017-3, Class B,
2.19%, 3/15/22, Callable 12/15/20 @ 100 (a)
   

3,495,000

     

3,470,084

   
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2018-2, Class B,
3.03%, 9/15/22, Callable 5/15/21 @ 100 (a)
   

4,250,000

     

4,242,019

   
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2017-2, Class B,
2.21%, 10/15/21, Callable 6/15/20 @ 100 (a)
   

4,123,000

     

4,111,208

   
Santander Retail Auto Lease Trust , Series 2018-A, Class B,
3.20%, 4/20/22, Callable 3/20/21 @ 100 (a) (b)
   

3,825,000

     

3,813,862

   

Total Asset Backed Securities (Cost $28,649,051)

   

28,577,096

   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (2.5%)

 
Commercial Mortgage Trust , Series 2012-CR4, Class B,
3.70%, 10/15/45 (b)
   

4,580,000

     

4,394,159

   
DBUBS Mortgage Trust , Series 2011-LC1A, Class A3,
5.00%, 11/10/46 (a) (b)
   

4,500,000

     

4,612,044

   
GS Mortgage Securities Trust , Series 2012-GC6, Class B,
5.65%, 1/10/45 (a) (b) (d)
   

3,250,000

     

3,409,015

   
Morgan Stanley BAML Trust , Series 2013-C13, Class A2,
2.94%, 11/15/46 (a)
   

603,301

     

601,706

   
WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust , Series 2012-C6, Class B,
4.70%, 4/15/45
   

3,275,000

     

3,349,789

   

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $17,845,924)

   

16,366,713

   

Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (1.0%)

 
Ameriquest Mortgage Securities, Inc. , Series 2003-5, Class A6,
4.16%, 4/25/33, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (a) (d)
   

84,772

     

84,594

   
Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust , Series 2003-3, Class 2A,
4.36%, 10/25/33, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (a) (d)
   

1,136,182

     

1,132,916

   
Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. , Series 2002-19, Class 1A1,
6.25%, 11/25/32, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100
   

142,696

     

142,696

   

See notes to financial statements.


8



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. , Series 2002-HE16,
Class M1, 3.83% (LIBOR01M+132bps), 10/25/32,
Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (c)
 

$

1,012,389

   

$

1,008,722

   
GSR Mortgage Loan Trust , Series 2004-10F, Class 6A1,
5.00%, 9/25/34, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (a)
   

381,546

     

381,546

   
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust , Series 2004-S2, Class 1A3,
4.75%, 11/25/19, Callable 5/25/19 @ 100 (a)
   

54,431

     

54,313

   
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust , Series 2016-4, Class A5,
3.50%, 10/25/46, Callable 8/25/37 @ 100 (a) (b) (d)
   

1,664,953

     

1,654,592

   
MASTR Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust , Series 2004-13, Class 3A1,
4.44%, 11/21/34, Callable 1/21/19 @ 100 (d)
   

804,774

     

804,774

   
Prime Mortgage Trust , Series 2004-2, Class A3,
5.25%, 11/25/19, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (a)
   

19,375

     

19,375

   
Residential Funding Mortgage Securities I, Inc. , Series 2005-S3, Class A1,
4.75%, 3/25/20, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (a)
   

58,012

     

58,008

   
Structured Asset Securities Corp. , Series 2004-21XS, Class 2A6A,
5.24%, 12/25/34, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (a) (d)
   

839

     

840

   
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust , Series 2004-Y,
Class 3A1, 4.92%, 11/25/34, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (a) (d)
   

1,150,352

     

1,150,352

   
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust , Series 2005-2, Class 2A1,
4.75%, 4/25/20, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (a)
   

27,247

     

27,247

   

Total Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (Cost $6,588,757)

   

6,519,975

   

Corporate Bonds (20.9%)

 

Communication Services (2.2%):

 
AT&T, Inc.
2.30%, 3/11/19 (a)
   

9,000,000

     

8,985,600

   

5.15%, 11/15/46, Callable 5/15/46 @ 100 (a)

   

3,833,000

     

3,568,907

   

SES Global Americas Holdings GP, 5.30%, 3/25/44 (b)

   

2,475,000

     

2,142,707

   
     

14,697,214

   

Consumer Discretionary (1.7%):

 

Hasbro, Inc., 6.35%, 3/15/40

   

2,155,000

     

2,265,508

   

Magna International, Inc., 3.63%, 6/15/24, Callable 3/15/24 @ 100

   

4,305,000

     

4,250,413

   

NIKE, Inc., 3.88%, 11/1/45, Callable 5/1/45 @ 100

   

2,624,000

     

2,512,585

   

Ross Stores, Inc., 3.38%, 9/15/24, Callable 6/15/24 @ 100

   

1,220,000

     

1,204,482

   
     

10,232,988

   

Consumer Staples (1.3%):

 

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., 4.15%, 3/15/47, Callable 9/15/46 @ 100

   

1,000,000

     

1,001,540

   
Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.
3.00%, 11/15/20 (e)
   

3,000,000

     

2,990,850

   

4.60%, 6/1/44, Callable 12/1/43 @ 100 (a)

   

2,091,000

     

2,143,191

   

Reynolds American, Inc., 5.70%, 8/15/35, Callable 2/15/35 @ 100

   

1,835,000

     

1,789,529

   
     

7,925,110

   

Energy (1.0%):

 

Dolphin Energy Ltd., 5.89%, 6/15/19 (b)

   

174,400

     

175,507

   

Exxon Mobil Corp., 4.11%, 3/1/46, Callable 9/1/45 @ 100

   

1,032,000

     

1,047,810

   
Marathon Petroleum Corp.
6.50%, 3/1/41, Callable 9/1/40 @ 100
   

1,285,000

     

1,382,519

   

5.85%, 12/15/45, Callable 6/15/45 @ 100

   

850,000

     

844,365

   

See notes to financial statements.


9



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

Statoil ASA, 3.95%, 5/15/43

 

$

930,000

   

$

885,611

   

Valero Energy Corp., 6.63%, 6/15/37

   

2,520,000

     

2,777,443

   
     

7,113,255

   

Financials (8.6%):

 
Aflac, Inc.
2.88%, 10/15/26, Callable 7/15/26 @ 100
   

2,450,000

     

2,279,407

   

4.75%, 1/15/49, Callable 7/15/48 @ 100

   

595,000

     

607,132

   

Alleghany Corp., 4.90%, 9/15/44, Callable 3/15/44 @ 100

   

1,648,000

     

1,654,905

   
Bank of America Corp.
2.33%, (LIBOR03M+63bps), 10/1/21, Callable 10/1/20 @ 100 (c)
   

1,875,000

     

1,834,688

   

2.50%, 10/21/22, Callable 10/21/21 @ 100, MTN

   

3,500,000

     

3,359,755

   

3.25%, 10/21/27, Callable 10/21/26 @ 100

   

1,775,000

     

1,643,153

   

BB&T Corp., 2.75%, 4/1/22, MTN, Callable 3/1/22 @ 100

   

3,550,000

     

3,484,431

   

Cincinnati Financial Corp., 6.13%, 11/1/34

   

2,170,000

     

2,534,451

   
Citigroup, Inc., 3.88%(LIBOR03M+117bps), 1/24/39,
Callable 1/24/38 @ 100 (c)
   

1,760,000

     

1,573,669

   

HSBC Holdings PLC, 5.10%, 4/5/21 (a)

   

5,000,000

     

5,164,050

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 5.60%, 7/15/41

   

1,710,000

     

1,932,488

   

KeyBank NA, 2.25%, 3/16/20

   

6,523,000

     

6,452,290

   
Morgan Stanley
3.75%, 2/25/23 (a)
   

3,000,000

     

2,994,780

   

3.13%, 7/27/26, MTN

   

5,500,000

     

5,069,680

   

Newcrest Finance Pty Ltd., 5.75%, 11/15/41 (b)

   

1,720,000

     

1,703,884

   
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
2.35%, 11/15/21, Callable 11/15/20 @ 100
   

4,540,000

     

4,374,063

   

5.75%, 1/24/22 (a)

   

2,750,000

     

2,879,360

   

UBS Group Funding Switzerland AG, 2.95%, 9/24/20 (a) (b)

   

3,750,000

     

3,710,138

   

Wells Fargo & Co., 4.90%, 11/17/45 (a)

   

1,850,000

     

1,801,919

   
     

55,054,243

   

Health Care (1.9%):

 

Amgen, Inc., 4.40%, 5/1/45, Callable 11/1/44 @ 100

   

1,825,000

     

1,709,916

   

Express Scripts Holding Co., 2.25%, 6/15/19 (a)

   

3,102,000

     

3,088,413

   
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
4.40%, 12/1/21, Callable 9/1/21 @ 100 (a)
   

6,150,000

     

6,342,494

   

4.80%, 4/1/44, Callable 10/1/43 @ 100

   

1,285,000

     

1,282,957

   
     

12,423,780

   

Industrials (1.5%):

 

AerCap Ireland Capital Ltd., 3.75%, 5/15/19 (a)

   

2,900,000

     

2,899,536

   

Canadian National Railway Co., 3.20%, 8/2/46, Callable 2/2/46 @ 100

   

825,000

     

705,771

   

Kansas City Southern, 4.95%, 8/15/45, Callable 2/15/45 @ 100

   

1,440,000

     

1,453,176

   

Rockwell Automation, Inc., 6.25%, 12/1/37

   

1,151,000

     

1,387,312

   

Snap-on, Inc., 4.10%, 3/1/48, Callable 9/1/47 @ 100

   

1,100,000

     

1,066,428

   

Valmont Industries, Inc., 5.00%, 10/1/44, Callable 4/1/44 @ 100 (a)

   

2,603,000

     

2,292,384

   
     

9,804,607

   

Information Technology (0.7%):

 

Apple, Inc., 4.65%, 2/23/46, Callable 8/23/45 @ 100

   

1,569,000

     

1,658,904

   

NVIDIA Corp., 2.20%, 9/16/21, Callable 8/16/21 @ 100 (e)

   

1,230,000

     

1,201,624

   

Texas Instruments, Inc., 4.15%, 5/15/48, Callable 11/15/47 @ 100

   

1,512,000

     

1,509,520

   
     

4,370,048

   

See notes to financial statements.


10



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

Materials (0.6%):

 

LyondellBasell Industries NV, 5.00%, 4/15/19, Callable 2/7/19 @ 100 (a)

 

$

1,800,000

   

$

1,801,170

   
Rio Tinto Finance USA Ltd.
3.75%, 6/15/25, Callable 3/15/25 @ 100
   

1,415,000

     

1,418,183

   

5.20%, 11/2/40 (e)

   

723,000

     

799,848

   
     

4,019,201

   

Utilities (1.4%):

 

Arizona Public Service Co., 2.95%, 9/15/27, Callable 6/15/27 @ 100

   

1,800,000

     

1,691,082

   

Consolidated Edison, Inc., 6.30%, 8/15/37

   

1,870,000

     

2,284,504

   
Iberdrola International BV
6.75%, 9/15/33
   

373,000

     

429,129

   

6.75%, 7/15/36 (e)

   

783,000

     

935,481

   

Nevada Power Co., 6.65%, 4/1/36 (a)

   

600,000

     

767,742

   

Oklahoma G&E Co., 5.25%, 5/15/41, Callable 11/15/40 @ 100

   

1,546,000

     

1,702,285

   
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc., 4.00%, 6/1/44,
Callable 12/1/43 @ 100
   

1,289,000

     

1,238,587

   
     

9,048,810

   

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $139,919,786)

   

134,689,256

   

U.S. Government Mortgage Backed Agencies (62.1%)

 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
5.00%, 6/15/23 – 7/1/39 (a)
   

2,043,268

     

2,163,136

   

Series 4139, Class DA, 1.25%, 12/15/27 (a)

   

7,884,802

     

7,472,041

   

Series 4395, Class PA, 2.50%, 4/15/37 (a)

   

3,049,119

     

2,963,296

   

7.00%, 9/1/38 (a)

   

77,650

     

88,552

   

Series 4290, Class CA, 3.50%, 12/15/38 – 3/1/48 (a)

   

30,806,409

     

30,945,872

   

Series 3713, Class PA, 2.00%, 2/15/40 – 3/15/40 (a)

   

9,382,652

     

9,094,192

   

4.00%, 1/1/41 (a)

   

2,024,751

     

2,084,703

   

4.50%, 1/1/41 – 5/1/47 (a)

   

12,495,629

     

13,026,453

   

Series 4049, Class AB, 2.75%, 12/15/41 (a)

   

1,524,368

     

1,510,601

   

Series 4494, Class JA, 3.75%, 5/15/42 (a)

   

6,099,258

     

6,227,855

   
     

75,576,701

   
Federal National Mortgage Association
6.00%, 8/1/21 – 2/1/37 (a)
   

2,881,957

     

3,188,520

   

5.00%, 4/1/23 – 12/1/39 (a)

   

1,416,745

     

1,504,451

   

7.50%, 12/1/29 (a)

   

46,931

     

53,677

   

8.00%, 1/1/30 – 9/1/30 (a)

   

24,195

     

27,828

   

7.00%, 2/1/32 – 6/1/32 (a)

   

38,746

     

44,148

   

4.63%(LIBOR12M+166bps), 12/1/36 (a) (c)

   

137,945

     

140,706

   

5.50%, 1/1/38 – 2/1/39 (a)

   

902,495

     

973,151

   

4.50%, 12/1/38 – 6/1/40 (a)

   

9,713,951

     

10,069,667

   

Series 2013-33, Class UD, 2.50%, 4/25/39 – 12/25/47 (a)

   

9,286,424

     

9,040,121

   

Series 2013-137, Class A, 3.50%, 3/25/40 – 12/25/50 (a) (f)

   

115,540,716

     

115,804,972

   

4.00%, 9/1/40 – 1/25/49 (a) (f)

   

73,808,589

     

75,452,406

   

Series 2011-101, Class LA, 3.00%, 10/25/40 – 1/25/49 (a) (f)

   

85,968,130

     

84,085,178

   

Series 2013-81, Class KA, 2.75%, 9/25/42

   

6,070,611

     

5,935,384

   

Series 2013-44, Class PB, 1.75%, 1/25/43

   

6,503,444

     

6,049,673

   
     

312,369,882

   

See notes to financial statements.


11



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

  Shares or
Principal
Amount
 

Value

 
Government National Mortgage Association
6.00%, 10/15/32 (a)
 

$

103,800

   

$

114,676

   

Series 2014-42, Class AD, 2.50%, 7/16/41

   

522,412

     

511,327

   

Series 2016-116, Class GA, 1.75%, 11/20/44

   

12,028,027

     

11,300,784

   
     

11,926,787

   

Multi-family (0.0%): (g)

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (0.0%): (g)

 
Government National Mortgage Association
6.00%, 12/15/33 (a)
   

35,131

     

39,298

   

Total U.S. Government Mortgage Backed Agencies (Cost $402,652,080)

   

399,912,668

   

U.S. Treasury Obligations (25.3%)

 
U.S. Treasury Bonds
2.88%, 5/15/43 (a)
   

11,646,000

     

11,369,959

   

3.63%, 2/15/44 (a)

   

9,638,000

     

10,677,204

   

3.00%, 2/15/48

   

20,760,000

     

20,650,850

   
U.S. Treasury Notes
2.75%, 9/30/20
   

9,400,000

     

9,435,637

   

2.75%, 4/30/23 (a)

   

16,008,000

     

16,176,010

   

2.75%, 8/31/23

   

38,191,000

     

38,622,301

   

2.88%, 10/31/23

   

7,000,000

     

7,117,393

   

2.00%, 8/15/25 (a)

   

16,219,000

     

15,638,862

   

2.75%, 2/15/28 (a)

   

30,450,000

     

30,608,782

   

2.88%, 8/15/28

   

2,902,000

     

2,946,903

   

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $158,058,375)

   

163,243,901

   

Collateral for Securities Loaned^ (0.3%)

 
BlackRock Liquidity Funds TempFund Portfolio, Institutional
Class, 2.49% (h)
   

372,175

     

372,175

   
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio,
Class I, 2.28% (h)
   

537,775

     

537,775

   
Fidelity Investments Prime Money Market Portfolio,
Class I, 2.46% (h)
   

16,606

     

16,606

   
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund, Institutional
Class, 2.55% (h)
   

206,766

     

206,766

   
JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, Capital Class,
2.49% (h)
   

330,805

     

330,805

   
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Prime Portfolio, Institutional
Class, 2.58% (h)
   

496,239

     

496,239

   

Total Collateral for Securities Loaned (Cost $1,960,366)

   

1,960,366

   

Total Investments (Cost $755,674,339) — 116.5%

   

751,269,975

   

Liabilities in excess of other assets — (16.5)%

   

(106,268,538

)

 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

 

$

645,001,437

   

^  Purchased with cash collateral from securities on loan.

(a)  All or a portion of this security has been segregated as collateral for derivative instruments.

See notes to financial statements.


12



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

(b)  Rule 144A security or other security that is restricted as to resale to institutional investors. The Fund's Adviser has deemed this security to be liquid based upon procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. As of December 31, 2018, the fair value of these securities was $32,115,037 and amounted to 4.9% of net assets.

(c)  Variable or Floating-Rate Security. Rate disclosed is as of December 31, 2018.

(d)  The rate for certain asset backed and mortgage backed securities may vary based on factors relating to the pool of assets underlying the security. The rate disclosed is the rate in effect at December 31, 2018.

(e)  All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(f)  Security purchased on a when-issued basis.

(g)  Amount represents less than 0.05% of net assets.

(h)  Rate disclosed is the daily yield on December 31, 2018.

bps — Basis points

LIBOR — London InterBank Offered Rate

LIBOR01M — 1 Month US Dollar LIBOR, rate disclosed as of December 31, 2018, based on the last reset date of the security

LIBOR03M — 3 Month US Dollar LIBOR, rate disclosed as of December 31, 2018, based on the last reset date of the security

LIBOR12M — 12 Month US Dollar LIBOR, rate disclosed as of December 31, 2018, based on the last reset date of the security

LLC — Limited Liability Company

MTN — Medium Term Note

PLC — Public Limited Company

Futures Contracts Purchased

    Number of
Contracts
  Expiration
Date
  Notional
Amount
 

Value

  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

5-Year U.S. Treasury Note Future

   

175

   

3/29/19

 

$

19,842,598

   

$

20,070,313

   

$

227,715

   

Futures Contracts Sold

    Number of
Contracts
  Expiration
Date
  Notional
Amount
 

Value

  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

10-Year U.S. Treasury Note Future

   

317

   

3/20/19

 

$

38,108,778

   

$

38,678,946

   

$

(570,168

)

 

2-Year U.S.Treasury Note Future

   

145

   

3/29/19

   

30,585,834

     

30,785,327

     

(199,493

)

 

30-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Future

   

128

   

3/20/19

   

17,905,683

     

18,688,000

     

(782,317

)

 
                   

$

(1,551,978

)

 

Total unrealized appreciation

                 

$

227,715

   

Total unrealized depreciation

                   

(1,551,978

)

 

Total net unrealized appreciation(depreciation)

                 

$

(1,324,263

)

 

See notes to financial statements.


13



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Credit Default Swap Agreements — Sell Protection (a)

Underlying
Instrument
  Fixed
Deal
Received
Rate
  Expiration
Date
  Payment
Frequency
  Implied
Credit
Spread at
December 31,
2018 (b)
  Notional
Amount (c)
 

Value

  Premiums
Paid
(Received)
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
CDX North
America
High Yield
Index;
Series 31
   

5.00

%

 

12/20/23

 

Daily

   

4.46

%

 

$

60,800,000

   

$

1,241,851

   

$

4,407,260

   

$

(3,165,409

)

 
   

$

1,241,851

   

$

4,407,260

   

$

(3,165,409

)

 

(a)  When a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of the swap agreement, the Fund as a seller of credit protection will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity and take delivery of the reference entity or (ii) pay a net amount equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity less its recovery value.

(b)  Implied credit spread, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the value of the credit default swap agreements as of period end will serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Generally, wider credit spreads represent a perceived deterioration of the referenced entity's credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the swap agreement.

(c)  The notional amount represents the maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection if a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap agreement, for each security included in the CDX North America High Yield Index.

See notes to financial statements.


14



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2018
 
    Victory INCORE
Investment Quality
Bond VIP Series
 

ASSETS:

 

Investments, at value (Cost $755,674,339)

 

$

751,269,975

(a)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   

10,801,618

   

Deposits with brokers for futures contracts

   

817,949

   

Deposits with brokers for swap agreements

   

4,318,538

   

Interest and dividends receivable

   

3,523,041

   

Receivable for capital shares issued

   

13,503

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

1,330,574

   

Variation margin receivable on open futures contracts

   

43,750

   

Variation margin receivable on open swap agreements

   

74,308

   

Receivable from Adviser

   

186,847

   

Total Assets

   

772,380,103

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Payables:

 

Collateral received on loaned securities

   

1,960,366

   

Investments purchased

   

124,641,125

   

Capital shares redeemed

   

94,550

   

Variation margin on open futures contracts

   

204,230

   

Accrued expenses and other payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

274,382

   

Administration fees

   

33,674

   

Custodian fees

   

7,920

   

Transfer agent fees

   

72,928

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

1,228

   

Trustees' fees

   

628

   

Other accrued expenses

   

87,635

   

Total Liabilities

   

127,378,666

   

NET ASSETS:

 

Capital

   

649,062,734

   

Total distributable earnings/(loss)

   

(4,061,297

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

645,001,437

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, with a par value
of $0.001 per share):
   

53,966,829

   

Net asset value:

 

$

11.95

   

(a)  Includes $1,900,810 of securities on loan.

See notes to financial statements.


15



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
    Victory INCORE
Investment Quality
Bond VIP Series
 

Investment Income:

 

Interest

 

$

21,343,031

   

Securities lending (net of fees)

   

15,762

   

Total Income

   

21,358,793

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

3,462,863

   

Administration fees

   

413,829

   

Custodian fees

   

33,004

   

Transfer agent fees

   

146,671

   

Trustees' fees

   

56,873

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

6,008

   

Legal and audit fees

   

94,036

   

Interest expense on interfund lending

   

29

   

Other expenses

   

105,307

   

Total Expenses

   

4,318,620

   

Expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser

   

(441,458

)

 

Net Expenses

   

3,877,162

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

17,481,631

   

Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Investment Transactions:

 

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

(10,355,978

)

 

Net realized gains (losses) from futures transactions

   

(2,898,933

)

 

Net realized gains (losses) from swap transactions

   

2,246,399

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

   

(6,335,521

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures transactions

   

(1,125,053

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap transactions

   

(3,373,041

)

 

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   

(21,842,127

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

(4,360,496

)

 

See notes to financial statements.


16



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
    Victory INCORE Investment
Quality Bond VIP Series
 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
 

From Investment Activities:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

17,481,631

   

$

16,911,088

   

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

(11,008,512

)

   

4,641,216

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments
   

(10,833,615

)

   

8,760,833

   

Change in net assets resulting from operations

   

(4,360,496

)

   

30,313,137

   

Distributions to Shareholders: (a)

 

Change in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

   

(4,289,680

)

   

(17,209,084

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   

(73,069,861

)

   

(2,674,726

)

 

Change in net assets

   

(81,720,037

)

   

10,429,327

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

726,721,474

     

716,292,147

   

End of period

 

$

645,001,437

   

$

726,721,474

   

Capital Transactions:

 

Proceeds from shares issued

 

$

47,220,231

   

$

84,023,731

   

Distributions reinvested

   

4,289,680

     

17,209,084

   

Cost of shares redeemed

   

(124,579,772

)

   

(103,907,541

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

 

$

(73,069,861

)

 

$

(2,674,726

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Issued

   

3,953,299

     

6,961,615

   

Reinvested

   

360,968

     

1,429,326

   

Redeemed

   

(10,495,215

)

   

(8,518,824

)

 

Change in Shares

   

(6,180,948

)

   

(127,883

)

 

(a)  Current and prior year distributions to shareholders have been reclassified and conform to amended GAAP presentation under Regulation S-X (See Item 10 in the Notes to Financial Statements).

See notes to financial statements.


17



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Financial Highlights

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   

Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2015
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

12.08

   

$

11.88

   

$

11.98

   

$

12.38

   

$

12.18

   

Investment Activities:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

0.30

(a)

   

0.28

(a)

   

0.27

(a)

   

0.31

(a)

   

0.38

   
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments
   

(0.35

)

   

0.21

     

0.15

     

(0.27

)

   

0.30

   
Total from Investment
Activities
   

(0.05

)

   

0.49

     

0.42

     

0.04

     

0.68

   

Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.38

)

 

Net realized gains from investments

   

(b)

   

     

(0.22

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.10

)

 
Total Distributions to
Shareholders
   

(0.08

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.52

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.48

)

 
Capital Contributions from Prior
Custodian, Net (See Note 8)
   

     

     

(b)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

11.95

   

$

12.08

   

$

11.88

   

$

11.98

   

$

12.38

   

Total Return (c)

   

(0.41

)%

   

4.15

%

   

3.53

%(d)

   

0.33

%

   

5.55

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets at end of period (000)

 

$

645,001

   

$

726,721

   

$

716,292

   

$

755,696

   

$

802,377

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.56

%

   

0.56

%

   

0.55

%

   

0.56

%

   

0.56

%

 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets
   

2.52

%

   

2.28

%

   

2.17

%

   

2.47

%

   

2.93

%

 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets

   

0.62

%(e)

   

0.61

%(e)

   

0.55

%

   

0.56

%

   

0.56

%

 

Portfolio turnover

   

109

%

   

83

%

   

142

%

   

41

%

   

47

%

 

(a)  Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total returns do not reflect the effects of charges deducted pursuant to the terms of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc's variable contracts. Inclusion of such charges would reduce the total returns for all periods shown.

(d)  The Fund received monies related to a nonrecurring refund from the prior Custodian. The corresponding impact to the total return was less than 0.01% for the period shown. (See Note 8)

(e)  During the period, certain fees were reduced and/or reimbursed. If such fee reductions and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

See notes to financial statements.


18



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
 

1. Organization:

Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust") was organized on February 11, 1998 as a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified open-end investment company. The Trust is comprised of nine funds and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, which are units of beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share.

The accompanying financial statements are those of the Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series (the "Fund"). The Fund offers a single class of shares: Class I Shares. Sales of shares of the Fund may only be made to certain separate accounts of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. ("GIAC") that fund certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts issued by GIAC. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America ("Guardian Life").

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund follows the specialized accounting and reporting requirements under GAAP that are applicable to investment companies.

Investment Valuation:

The Fund records investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The valuation techniques described below maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund's investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

• Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

• Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities or interest rates applicable to those securities, etc.)

• Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The inputs or methodologies used for valuation techniques are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with entering into those investments.

Portfolio securities listed or traded on securities exchanges, including American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and Rights, are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, if available, or at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price. If there have been no sales for that day on the exchange or system, then a security is valued at the last available bid quotation on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.


19



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price established each day by the board of trade or an exchange on which they are traded. These valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Swap agreements are valued at the mean between the current bid and ask prices. These valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt securities of United States ("U.S.") issuers (other than short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less), including corporate and municipal securities, are valued on the basis of bid valuations provided by dealers or an independent pricing service approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board"). Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Under the amortized cost method, premium or discount, if any, is amortized or accreted, respectively, on a constant basis to the maturity of the security. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Investments for which there are no such quotations, or for which quotations do not appear reliable, are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Board. These valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, based on the observability of inputs used to determine the fair value.

A summary of the valuations as of December 31, 2018, based upon the three levels defined above, is included in the table below while the breakdown, by category, of investments is disclosed in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments:

    LEVEL 1 —
Quoted Prices
  LEVEL 2 —
Other Significant
Observable Inputs
 

Total

 
    Investments
in
Securities
  Other
Financial
Investments^
  Investments
in
Securities
  Other
Financial
Investments^
  Investments
in
Securities
  Other
Financial
Investments^
 

Asset Backed Securities

 

$

   

$

   

$

28,577,096

   

$

   

$

28,577,096

   

$

   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

   

     

     

16,366,713

     

     

16,366,713

     

   

Residential Mortgage Backed Securities

   

     

     

6,519,975

     

     

6,519,975

     

   

Corporate Bonds

   

     

     

134,689,256

     

     

134,689,256

     

   

U.S. Government Mortgage Backed Agencies

   

     

     

399,912,668

     

     

399,912,668

     

   

U.S. Treasury Obligations

   

     

     

163,243,901

     

     

163,243,901

     

   

Collateral for Securities Loaned

   

1,960,366

     

     

     

     

1,960,366

     

   

Futures Contracts

   

     

(1,324,263

)

   

     

     

     

(1,324,263

)

 

Credit Default Swap Agreements

   

     

     

     

(3,165,409

)

   

     

(3,165,409

)

 

Total

 

$

1,960,366

   

$

(1,324,263

)

 

$

749,309,609

   

$

(3,165,409

)

 

$

751,269,975

   

$

(4,489,672

)

 

^  Other Financial instruments include any derivative instruments not reflected in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments as investment securities, such as futures contracts and swap agreements. These instruments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

Securities Purchased on a When-Issued Basis:

The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued securities are securities purchased for delivery beyond normal settlement periods at a stated price and/or yield, thereby involving the risk that the price and/or yield obtained may be more or less than those available in the market when delivery takes place. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, the Fund records the transaction and reflects the value of the security in determining net asset value. No interest accrues to the Fund until the transaction settles and payment takes place. Normally, the settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase. A segregated


20



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

account is established and the Fund maintains cash and/or marketable securities at least equal in value to commitments for when-issued securities. If the Fund owns when-issued securities, these values are included in "Payable for investments purchased" on the accompanying Statements of Assets and Liabilities. As of December 31, 2018, the Fund had no outstanding when-issued purchase commitments.

Loans:

Floating rate loans in which the Fund invests are primarily "senior" loans. Senior floating rate loans typically hold a senior position in the capital structure of the borrower, are typically secured by specific collateral, and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the borrower that is senior to that held by subordinated debtholders and stockholders of the borrower. While these protections may reduce risk, these investments still present significant credit risk. A significant portion of the Fund's floating rate investments may be issued in connection with highly leveraged transactions such as leveraged buyouts, leveraged recapitalization loans, and other types of acquisition financing. Obligations in these types of transactions are subject to greater credit risk (including default and bankruptcy) than many other investments and may be, or become, illiquid. See the note below regarding below investment grade securities.

The Fund may purchase second lien loans (secured loans with a claim on collateral subordinate to a senior lender's claim on such collateral), fixed rate loans, unsecured loans, and other debt obligations.

Transactions in loans often settle on a delayed basis, and the Fund may not receive the proceeds from the sale of a loan or pay for a loan purchase for a substantial period of time after entering into the transactions.

Below Investment Grade Securities:

The Fund may invest in below investment grade securities (i.e. lower-quality, "junk" debt), which are subject to various risks. Lower-quality debt is considered to be speculative because it is less certain that the issuer will be able to pay interest or repay the principal than in the case of investment grade debt. These securities can involve a substantially greater risk of default than higher-rated securities, and their values can decline significantly over short periods of time. Lower-quality debt securities tend to be more sensitive to adverse news about their issuers, the market and the economy in general, than higher-quality debt securities. The market for these securities can be less liquid, especially during periods of recession or general market decline.

Investment Companies:

The Fund may invest in portfolios of open-end investment companies. These investment companies value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value by the methods established by the board of directors of the underlying fund.

Derivative Instruments:

Futures Contracts:

The Fund may enter into contracts for the future delivery of securities or foreign currencies and futures contracts based on a specific security, class of securities, foreign currency or an index, and purchase or sell options on any such futures contracts. A futures contract on a securities index is an agreement obligating either party to pay, and entitling the other party to receive, while the contract is outstanding, cash payments based on the level of a specified securities index. No physical delivery of the underlying asset is made. The Fund may enter into futures contracts in an effort to hedge against market risks. The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will give the Fund the right (but not the obligation), for a specified price, to sell or to purchase the underlying futures contract, upon exercise of the option, at any time during the option period. Futures transactions involve brokerage costs and require the Fund to segregate assets to cover contracts that would require it to purchase securities or


21



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

currencies. A good faith margin deposit, known as initial margin, of cash or government securities with a broker or custodian is required to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, are made or received by the Fund based on the change in the market value of the position and are recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the contract is closed out, at which time the gain or loss is realized. The Fund may lose the expected benefit of futures transactions if interest rates, exchange rates or securities prices change in an unanticipated manner. Such unanticipated changes may also result in lower overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures transactions. In addition, the value of the Fund's futures positions may not prove to be perfectly or even highly correlated with the value of its portfolio securities or foreign currencies, limiting the Fund's ability to hedge effectively against interest rate, exchange rate and/or market risk and giving rise to additional risks. There is no assurance of liquidity in the secondary market for purposes of closing out futures positions. The collateral held by the Fund is presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities under Deposits with brokers for futures contracts.

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund entered into Futures Contracts primarily for the strategy of hedging or other purposes, including but not limited to, providing liquidity and equitizing cash.

Credit Derivatives:

The Fund may enter into credit derivatives, including centrally-cleared credit default swaps on individual obligations or credit indices. The Fund may use these investments (i) as alternatives to direct long or short investment in a particular security or securities, (ii) to adjust the Fund's asset allocation or risk exposure, or (iii) for hedging purposes. The use by the Fund of credit default swaps may have the effect of creating a short position in a security. Credit derivatives can create investment leverage and may create additional investment risks that may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in more traditional securities, as described in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Credit default swap ("CDS") agreements on credit indices involve one party making a stream of payments (referred to as the buyer of protection) to another party (the seller of protection) in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a write-down, principal shortfall, interest shortfall or default of all or part of the referenced entities comprising the credit index. A credit index is a basket of credit instruments or exposures designed to be representative of a specific sector of the credit market as a whole. These indices are made up of reference credits that are judged by a poll of dealers to be the most liquid entities in the CDS.

The counterparty risk for cleared swap agreements is generally lower than uncleared over-the-counter swap agreements because generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a cleared swap agreement and, in effect, guarantees each party's performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to the clearing organization for performance of financial obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the clearing organization, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to the Fund.

The Fund may enter into CDS agreements either as a buyer or seller. The Fund may buy protection under a CDS to attempt to mitigate the risk of default or credit quality deterioration in one or more individual holdings or in a segment of the fixed income securities market. The Fund may sell protection under a CDS in an attempt to gain exposure to an underlying issuer's credit quality characteristics without investing directly in that issuer. For swaps entered with an individual counterparty, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the uncollateralized amount expected to be received under a CDS agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of the counterparty. CDS agreements are generally valued at a price at which the counterparty to such agreement would terminate the agreement. The Fund may also enter into cleared swaps.

Upon entering into a cleared CDS, the Fund may be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents in the range of approximately 3% to 6% of the notional amount for CDS on high yield debt issuers (this amount is subject to change by the clearing organization that clears the trade). This amount, known as "initial margin," is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the CDS and is returned to a Fund upon termination of the CDS, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, known as "variation margin," to and from the


22



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

broker will be made daily as the price of the CDS fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the CDS contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking-to-market." The premium (discount) payments are built into the daily price of the CDS and thus are amortized through the variation margin. The variation margin payment also includes the daily portion of the periodic payment stream.

The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund as a seller of protection could be required to make under a CDS agreement equals the notional amount of the agreement. Notional amounts of each individual CDS agreement outstanding as of period end for which the Fund is the seller of protection are disclosed on the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront payments received upon entering into the agreement, periodic interest payments, or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection CDS agreements entered into by the Fund for the same referenced entity or entities.

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund entered into centrally cleared CDS agreements primarily for the strategy of asset allocation and risk exposure management.

Summary of Derivative Instruments:

The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2018.

   

Assets

 

Liabilities

 
    Variation
Margin
Receivable
on Open
Futures
Contracts*
  Variation
Margin
Receivable
on Open
Swap
Agreements*
  Variation
Margin
Payable on
Open
Futures
Contracts*
  Variation
Margin
Payable on
Open
Swap
Agreements*
 

Credit Risk Exposure

 

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

3,165,409

   

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

   

227,715

     

     

1,551,978

     

   

*  Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts and centrally cleared swap agreements as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day's variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2018.

    Net Realized Gains (Losses) on
Derivatives Recognized as
a Result from Operations
  Net Change in Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation
on Derivatives Recognized
as a Result of Operations
 
    Net Realized
Gains (Losses)
from Futures
Transactions
  Net Realized
Gains (Losses)
from Swap
Transactions
  Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
on Futures
Transactions
  Change in Net
Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
on Swap
Transactions
 

Credit Risk Exposure

 

$

   

$

2,246,399

   

$

   

$

(3,373,041

)

 

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

   

(2,898,933

)

   

     

(1,125,053

)

   

   

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The underlying face value of open derivative positions relative to the Fund's net assets at period end is generally representative of the notional amount of open positions to net assets throughout the period.

Investment Transactions and Related Income:

Changes in holdings of investments are accounted for no later than one business day following the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, however, investment transactions are accounted for on


23



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

trade date on the last business day of the reporting period. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

The Fund may receive other income from investment in loan assignments and/or unfunded commitments, including amendment fees, consent fees and commitment fees. These fees are recorded as income when received by the Fund. These amounts are included in Interest Income in the Statement of Operations.

Withholding taxes on interest, dividends and gains as a result of certain investments in ADRs by the Fund have been provided for in accordance with each investment's applicable country's tax rules and rates.

Securities Lending:

The Trust has entered into a Master Securities Lending Agreement ("MSLA") with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank" or the "Agent"). Under the terms of the MSLA, the Fund may lend securities to certain broker-dealers and banks in exchange for collateral in the amount of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned or at least 105% of the value of non-U.S. securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls associated with increases in the valuation of the securities loaned are adjusted the next business day. The collateral can be received in the form of cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral can include U.S. Government Securities, letters of credit and certificates of deposit. The cash collateral is invested in short-term instruments or cash equivalents as noted on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Trust does not have effective control of the non-cash collateral and therefore it is not disclosed in the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund continues to benefit from interest or dividends on the securities loaned and may also earn a return from the collateral. The Fund pays various fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral. The Fund pays the Agent fees based on the investment income received from securities lending activities. Securities lending income is disclosed in the Fund's Statement of Operations. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral, the Fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return them.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under the MSLA, which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances such as an event of default, to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty to create a net payment due to or from the Fund.

The following table is a summary of the Fund's securities lending transactions which are subject to offset under the MSLA as of December 31, 2018. These transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings with an overnight and continuous contractual maturity for cash collateral, and greater than overnight and continuous contractual maturity for non-cash collateral.

Gross
Amount of
Recognized
Assets
(Value of
  Value of
Cash
  Value of Non-cash Collateral
Received by Maturity
     
Securities
on Loan)
  Collateral
Received
 

<30 Days

  Between 30 &
90 days
 

>90 Days

  Net
Amount
 
$

1,900,810

   

$

1,960,366

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

59,556

   

Dividends to Shareholders:

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually by the Fund. Distributable net realized gains, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually.

The amounts of dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. To the


24



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

extent these "book/tax" differences are permanent in nature (e.g., net operating loss, distribution reclassification, and deemed distribution due to shareholder redemptions), such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales) do not require reclassification. To the extent dividends and distributions exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of capital. Net investment losses incurred by the Fund may be reclassified as an offset to capital on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

As of December 31, 2018, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, there were no permanent book-to-tax differences, reclassification adjustments.

Federal Income Taxes:

It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements. The Fund has a tax year end of December 31.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Allocations:

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund, while expenses which are attributable to more than one fund in the Trust, or jointly with an affiliated trust, are allocated among the respective funds in the Trust and/or affiliated trust based upon net assets or another appropriate basis.

Affiliated Securities Transactions:

Pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may engage in securities transactions with affiliated investment companies and advisory accounts managed by the Adviser and any applicable sub-adviser. Any such purchase or sale transaction must be effected without brokerage commission or other remuneration, except for customary transfer fees. The transaction must be effected at the current market price, which is either the security's last sale price on an exchange or, if there are no transactions in the security that day, at the average of the highest bid and lowest asked price. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not engage in any Rule 17a-7 transactions under the 1940 Act.

3. Purchases and Sales of Securities:

Purchases and sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) for the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows for the Fund:

Purchases
(excluding U.S.
Government
Securities)
  Sales
(excluding U.S.
Government
Securities)
  Purchases
of U.S.
Government
Securities
  Sales
of U.S.
Government
Securities
 
$

147,714,823

   

$

337,828,145

   

$

580,696,532

   

$

442,311,712

   


25



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

4. Fees and Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties:

Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by Victory Capital Management Inc. ("VCM" or the "Adviser"), a New York corporation registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings Inc., a publicly traded Delaware corporation, and a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Victory Capital Operating, LLC.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may use its resources to assist with the Fund's distribution and marketing expenses.

VCM also serves as the Fund's administrator and fund accountant. Under an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement, VCM is paid for its services an annual fee at a rate of 0.08% of the first $15 billion in average daily net assets of the Trust, Victory Portfolios and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Trusts"), 0.05% of the average daily net assets above $15 billion to $30 billion of the Trusts and 0.04% of the average daily net assets over $30 billion of the Trusts.

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. ("Citi"), an affiliate of Citibank, N.A., acts as sub-administrator and sub-fund accountant to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement between VCM and Citi. VCM pays Citi a fee for providing these services. The Trust reimburses VCM and Citi for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

FIS Investor Services, LLC ("FIS") serves as the Fund's transfer agent. Under the Transfer Agent Agreement, the Trust pays FIS a fee for its services and reimburses FIS for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

The Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") is an employee of the Adviser, which pays the compensation of the CCO and his support staff. The Trust has entered into an Agreement to provide compliance services with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes its compliance personnel, including the services of the CCO, and other resources reasonably necessary to provide the Trust with compliance oversight services related to the design, administration and oversight of a compliance program for the Trust in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Funds in the Trust, Victory Portfolios, Victory Institutional Funds, and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Victory Funds Complex"), in the aggregate, compensate the Adviser for these services.

The Victory Funds Complex pays an annual retainer to each Independent Trustee, plus an additional annual retainer to the Chairman of the Board. The aggregate amount of the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees are allocated amongst all the funds in the Victory Funds Complex and are presented in the Statement of Operations.

Shearman & Sterling LLP provides legal services to the Trust.

Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor for the continuous offering of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust.

The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation agreement with the Fund until at least April 30, 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, to the extent that ordinary operating expenses incurred by certain classes of the Fund in any fiscal year exceed the expense limit for such classes of the Fund, such excess amounts will be the liability of the Adviser. Interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund's business are excluded from the expense limitation agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the expense limit (excluding voluntary waivers) is 0.56%.

The Fund has agreed to repay fees and expenses that were waived or reimbursed by the Adviser for a period up to three fiscal years after such waiver or reimbursement was made to the extent such payments or repayments would not cause the expenses of a class to exceed the original expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement or any expense limitation agreement in


26



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

place at the time of repayment. As of December 31, 2018, the following amounts are available to be repaid to the Adviser. Amounts repaid to the Adviser during the year ended, if any, are reflected on the Statement of Operations as "Recoupment of prior expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser".

   

Expires 12/31/2020

 

Expires 12/31/2021

 
   

$

362,552

   

$

441,458

   

The Adviser may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees to assist the Fund in maintaining a competitive expense ratio. Voluntary waivers and reimbursements applicable to the Fund are not available to be recouped at a future time. There were no voluntary waivers or reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Certain officers and/or interested trustees of the Fund are also officers and/or employees of the Adviser, Administrator, Fund Accountant, Sub-Administrator, Sub-Fund Accountant, and Legal.

5. Risks:

The Fund may be subject to other risks in addition to these identified risks.

An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, some of which will be traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests may affect the value of the Fund's shares. An investment in the Fund's shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of the Fund's distributions.

The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties for financial instruments entered into by the Fund. The Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties. The Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and the Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The Fund typically enters into transactions with counterparties whose credit ratings are investment grade, as determined by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

The Fund will be subject to credit and interest rate risk with respect to fixed income securities. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of interest and principal. Interest rates may rise or the rate of inflation may increase, impacting the value of investments in fixed income securities. A debt issuers' credit quality may be downgraded or an issuer may default. Interest rates may fluctuate due to changes in governmental fiscal policy initiatives and resulting market reaction to those initiatives.

6. Borrowing and Interfund Lending:

Line of Credit:

The Victory Funds Complex participates in a short-term, demand note "Line of Credit" agreement with Citibank. Under the agreement with Citibank, the Victory Funds Complex may borrow up to $250 million, of which $100 million is committed and $150 million is uncommitted. $40 million of the Line of Credit is reserved for use by the Victory Floating Rate Fund, another series of the Victory Funds Complex, with that Fund paying the related commitment fees for that amount. The purpose of the agreement is to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. The current agreement was amended on July 27, 2018 with a new termination date of July 26, 2019. Citibank receives an annual commitment fee of 0.15% on $100 million for providing the Line of Credit. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Citibank earned approximately $150,000 in commitment fees from the Victory Funds Complex. Each fund in the Victory Funds Complex pays a pro-rata portion of the commitment fees plus any interest on


27



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

amounts borrowed. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on line of credit.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Line of Credit during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Interfund Lending:

The Trust and Adviser rely on an exemptive order granted by the SEC in March 2017 (the "Order"), permitting the establishment and operation of an Interfund Lending Facility (the "Facility"). The Facility allows the Fund to directly lend and borrow money to or from any other Victory Fund relying upon the Order at rates beneficial to both the borrowing and lending funds. Advances under the Facility are allowed for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities, and are subject to each Fund's borrowing restrictions. The interfund loan rate is determined, as specified in the Order, by averaging the current repurchase agreement rate and the current bank loan rate. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on interfund lending.

The average loans for the days outstanding and average interest rate the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

    Borrower or
Lender
  Amount
Outstanding
at
December 31,
2018
  Average
Borrowing*
  Days
Borrowing
Outstanding
  Average
Interest
Rate*
  Maximum
Borrowing
During the
Period
 
       

Borrower

 

$

   

$

375,000

     

1

     

2.85

%

 

$

375,000

   

*For the year ended December 31, 2018, based on the number of days borrowings were outstanding.

7. Federal Income Tax Information:

The tax character of distributions paid during the tax years ended, as noted below, were as follows (total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because, for tax purposes, dividends are recognized when actually paid).

   

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 
   

Distributions paid from

 
    Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
       

$

4,289,680

   

$

   

$

4,289,680

   
   

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 
   

Distributions paid from

 
    Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
       

$

17,209,084

   

$

   

$

17,209,084

   

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Accumulated
Earnings
  Accumulated
Capital and
Other
Losses
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)*
  Total
Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
 

$

17,229,581

   

$

   

$

17,229,581

   

$

(13,332,054

)

 

$

(7,958,824

)

 

$

(4,061,297

)

 

*The difference between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.


28



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund has short term and long term capital loss carryforwards of $5,300,039 and $8,032,015 respectively that are not subject to expiration.

During the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not utilize capital loss carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2018, the cost basis for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments were as follows:

Cost of
Investments
for Federal
Tax Purposes
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
$

757,144,561

   

$

8,870,390

   

$

(16,829,214

)

 

$

(7,958,824

)

 

8. Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian:

During 2016, the Fund received notification from the Fund's prior custodian, State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street"), related to over-billing on certain categories of expenses during the approximately 16-year period from 1998 through October 31, 2014. The over-billing primarily related to categories of expenses that involved an allocation of general costs among multiple clients.

State Street paid the refunded amounts during January 2017. Based on billing information received during 2016 from State Street and an analysis of any expense limitation agreements that were in place during the period of the over-billing, including the application of any recoupment provisions in such agreements, the Adviser received a portion of the refund.

The portion of the refund retained by the Fund was accounted for as a capital contribution and is reflected on the Financial Highlights as "Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian, Net".

9. Fund Ownership:

Ownership of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2018, the shareholders listed below held more than 25% of the shares outstanding of the Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund.

   

Shareholder

 

Percent

 
       

GIAC

   

100

%

 

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In October 2016, the SEC released its Final Rules on Investment Company Reporting Modernization (the "Rules"). The Rules introduced two new regulatory reporting forms for investment companies, Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-PORT was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing with the SEC on Form N-PORT for the period ending March 31, 2019. Effective with the period ended June 30, 2018, the Fund was required to maintain, and make available to the SEC upon request, the information required to be included in Form N-PORT. Form N-PORT will replace Form N-Q filings effective with the requirement to file the Form N-PORT with the SEC for the period ending March 31, 2019. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-CEN was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing on Form N-CEN for the period ended December 31, 2018. Form N-CEN will replace Form N-SAR filings. The Fund's adoption of these amendments have no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations.

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-08 "Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities" ("ASU 2017-08"), which shortens the premium amortization period for purchased non-contingently callable debt securities. ASU 2017-08 specifies that the premium amortization period ends at the earliest call date, for purchased non-contingently callable debt securities. ASU 2017-08 is effective for


29



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Management does not believe that adoption of ASU 2017-08 will materially impact the Fund's financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurements" ("ASU 2018-13"). This update makes certain removals from, changes to and additions to existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 does not change fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. ASU 2018-13 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, the Fund has early adopted ASU 2018-13 with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018.

In August 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain financial statement disclosure requirements to conform them to GAAP for investment companies. These amendments made certain disclosure requirements effective under Regulation S-X. The Fund's adoption of these amendments, effective with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018 had no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations. As a result of adopting these amendments, the distributions to shareholders in the December 31, 2017 Statements of Changes in Net Assets presented herein have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes all distributions to each class of shareholders, other than tax basis return of capital distributions, in one line item per share class. Distributions to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 from net investment income and net realized gains in the Fund were as follows:

Distributions to Shareholders:

From net investment income:

 

$

(17,209,084

)

 

From net Realized Gains:

   

   

11. Subsequent Events:

The Fund has evaluated the need for additional disclosures or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, there were no subsequent events to report that would have a material impact on the Fund's financial statements.


30



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Victory INCORE Investment Quality Bond VIP Series (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting the Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2018, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the funds constituting the Trust) at December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The financial highlights of the Fund for each of the periods presented through December 31, 2015 were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 22, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Victory Capital's investment companies since 1995.

Cincinnati, Ohio
February 15, 2019


31



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Trustee and Officer Information

Board of Trustees:

Overall responsibility for management of the Trust rests with the Board. The Trust is managed by the Board in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. There are currently ten Trustees, nine of whom are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees") and one of whom is an "interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Interested Trustee"). The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust to actively supervise its day-to-day operations.

The following tables list the Trustees, their ages, position with the Trust, commencement of service, principal occupations during the past five years and any directorships of other investment companies or companies whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or who file reports under that Act. Each Trustee oversees nine portfolios in the Trust, one portfolio in Victory Institutional Funds, 42 portfolios in Victory Portfolios and 20 portfolios in Victory Portfolios II, each a registered investment company that, together with the Trust, comprise the Victory Funds Complex. Each Trustee's address is c/o Victory Variable Insurance Funds, 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. Each Trustee has an indefinite term.

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Independent Trustees.

 

David Brooks Adcock, 67

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Consultant (since 2006).

 

Chair and Trustee, Turner Funds (December 2016-December 2017).

 

Nigel D.T. Andrews, 71

 

Vice Chair and Trustee

 

August 2002

 

Retired.

 

Director, TCG BDC II, Inc. (since 2017); Director, TCG BDC I, Inc. (formerly Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc.) (since 2012); Director, Old Mutual US Asset Management (2002-2014).

 

E. Lee Beard, 67*

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Retired (since 2015); Consultant, The Henlee Group, LLC (consulting) (2005-2015).

 

None.

 

Dennis M. Bushe, 75

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Retired.

 

Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2011-July 2016).

 


32



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Sally M. Dungan, 64

 

Trustee

 

February 2011

 

Chief Investment Officer, Tufts University (since 2002).

 

None.

 

John L. Kelly, 65

 

Trustee

 

February 2015

 

Partner, McCarvill Capital Partners (September 2016-September 2017); Advisor(January 2016-April 2016) and Managing Partner (August 2014- January 2016), Endgate Commodities LLC; Chief Operating Officer, Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (2011-2014).

 

Director, Caledonia Mining Corporation (since May 2012).

 

David L. Meyer, 61*

 

Trustee

 

December 2008

 

Retired.

 

None.

 

Gloria S. Nelund, 57

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Chair, CEO and Co-Founder of TriLinc Global, LLC, an investment firm.

 

TriLinc Global Impact Fund, LLC (since 2012); Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2007-July 2016).

 

Leigh A. Wilson, 74

 

Chair and Trustee

 

February 1998

 

Private Investor.

 

Chair (since 2013), Caledonia Mining Corporation.

 

Interested Trustee.

 

David C. Brown, 46**

 

Trustee

 

May 2008

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2013), Co-Chief Executive Officer (2011-2013), the Adviser; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (since 2013).

 

None.

 

*  The Board has designated Mr. Meyer and Ms. Beard as its Audit Committee Financial Experts.

**  Mr. Brown is an "Interested Person" by reason of his relationship with the Adviser.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, by calling 800-539-3863.


33



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Officers:

The officers of the Trust, their ages, commencement of service and their principal occupations during the past five years, are detailed in the following table. Each officer serves until the earlier of his or her resignation, removal, retirement, death, or the election of a successor. The mailing address of each officer of the Trust is 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. The officers of the Trust receive no compensation directly from the Trust for performing the duties of their offices.

Name and Age

  Position with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

 

Christopher K. Dyer, 57

 

President

 

February 2006*

 

Director of Mutual Fund Administration, the Adviser.

 

Scott A. Stahorsky, 49

 

Vice President

 

December 2014

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2015); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2015).

 

Erin G. Wagner, 45

 

Secretary

 

December 2014

 

Associate General Counsel, the Adviser (since 2013).

 

Allan Shaer, 53

 

Treasurer

 

May 2017

 

Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (since 2016); Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, JP Morgan Chase (2011-2016).

 

Christopher A. Ponte, 34

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

December 2017

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2017); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2017); Chief Financial Officer, Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (since 2018).

 

Colin Kinney, 45

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

July 2017

 

Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013) and Chief Risk Officer (2009-2017), the Adviser.

 

Chuck Booth, 58

 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Officer

 

May 2015

 

Director, Regulatory Administration and CCO Support Services, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

 

Jay G. Baris, 65

 

Assistant Secretary

 

February 1998

 

Partner, Shearman & Sterling LLP (since 2018); Partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP (2011-2017).

 

*  On December 3, 2014, Mr. Dyer resigned as Secretary of the Trust and accepted the position of President.


34



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

Proxy Voting:

Information regarding the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-539-3863. The information is also included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Information relating to how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Availability of Schedules of Portfolio Investments:

The Trust expects to file a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT beginning March 1, 2019. Prior to that date, the Trust has filed a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-PORT and Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Expense Examples

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

The Actual Expense figures in the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

The Hypothetical Expense figures in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

Beginning
Account Value
7/1/18
  Actual
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Hypothetical
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Actual
Expenses
Paid During
Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Hypothetical
Expenses
Paid During
Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18
 
$

1,000.00

   

$

1,010.90

   

$

1,022.38

   

$

2.84

   

$

2.85

     

0.56

%

 

*  Expenses are equal to the average account value multiplied by the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by 184/365 (the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year).


35



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund designated short-term capital gain distributions in the amount of $127,507.


36



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Considerations of the Board in Continuing the Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement")

The Board approved the Agreement on behalf of the Series at a meeting, which was called for that purpose, on December 5, 2018. The Board also considered information relating to the Series and the Agreement provided throughout the year and, more specifically, at a meeting on October 23, 2018. The Board noted that prior to the Series' reorganization on July 29, 2016, the Series was managed by RS Investment Management Co. LLC, which was acquired by the Adviser on July 29, 2016. In considering whether to approve the Agreement, the Board requested, and the Adviser provided, information that the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to reach its conclusions. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated this information along with other information obtained throughout the year and was advised by legal counsel to the Series and by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition, in 2017 the Independent Trustees, through their counsel, retained an independent consultant to assist with a review of the overall process for conducting the annual review of these advisory arrangements. The Board considered the Series' advisory fee, expense ratio and investment performance as significant factors in determining whether the Agreement should be continued. In considering whether the compensation paid to the Adviser was fair and reasonable, the Board also evaluated, among other things, the following factors:

•  The requirements of the Series for the services provided by the Adviser;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the services provided and expected to be provided;

•  The performance of the Series as compared to comparable funds;

•  The fees payable for the services and whether the fee arrangements provided for economies of scale that would benefit Series shareholders as the Series grows;

•  Whether the fee would be sufficient to enable the Adviser to attract and retain experienced personnel and continue to provide quality services to the Series;

•  Fees paid by other clients of the Adviser whose accounts are managed in a similar investment style and any differences in the services provided to the other clients compared to those provided to the Series;

•  Total expenses of the Series, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees;

•  Management's commitment to operating the Series at competitive expense levels;

•  The profitability of the Adviser (as reflected by comparing fees earned against an estimate of the Adviser's costs) with respect to the Adviser's relationship with the Series;

•  Research and other service benefits received by the Adviser obtained through payment of client commissions for securities transactions;

•  Other benefits received by the Adviser, and its affiliates, including revenues paid to the Adviser, or its affiliates, by the Series for administration and fund accounting services, and distribution;

•  The capabilities and financial condition of the Adviser;

•  Current economic and industry trends; and

•  The historical relationship between the Series and the Adviser.

The Board reviewed the Series' current management fee, comprised of the advisory fee plus the administrative services fee paid to the Adviser, in the context of the Adviser's profitability of the Series. In addition, the Board compared the Series' total operating expense ratio on a net and gross basis, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees and management fees with a universe of comparable mutual funds compiled by an independent consultant, FUSE Research Network, LLC ("FUSE"), and a peer group of funds with similar investment strategies selected by FUSE from the universe. The Board reviewed the factors and methodology used by FUSE in the selection of the Series' peer group, including FUSE's selection of a broad universe of funds using the standard Retail Morningstar Categories, the more specific universe of comparable funds, and peer groups of funds with comparable investment strategies and asset levels, among other factors. The Board also reviewed any changes to FUSE's methodology as compared to the prior year, including as a result of input from the Adviser, if any. The Board also reviewed fees and other information related to the Adviser's management of similarly managed institutional or private accounts, and the differences in the services provided to the other accounts, to the extent applicable. The Board noted that the advisory fee arrangements


37



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

for the Series do not include breakpoints, which are generally viewed as a method by which the investment adviser shares any economies of scale with a fund as a fund grows. The Board also considered the Adviser's commitment to limit expenses as discussed in more detail below.

The Board reviewed the Series' performance over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods against the performance of the Series' selected peer group and benchmark index. The Board recognized that the performance of the Series and the peer group funds are net of expenses, while the performance of the benchmark index is gross returns. The Board considered the additional resources that the Adviser has committed to enhance portfolio analysis, compliance and trading systems.

The Board reviewed various other specific factors with respect to the Series, as described below. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not rank the importance of any particular information or factor considered and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

The Board concluded that the Series' gross annual management fee was reasonable as compared to the median gross management fee charged to the funds in the Series' peer group. The Board noted that the Series' net annual expense ratio, taking into account any shareholder servicing or distribution fees, was reasonable as compared to the median expense ratio for the peer group. The Board considered the Adviser's contractual agreement to waive its fees and reimburse expenses for a specified period of time, as described in the Series' prospectus. The Board then compared the Series' performance for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2018, to that of the median performance of the peer group and benchmark index for the same periods and considered the fact that the Series outperformed the benchmark index for all periods reviewed, outperformed the peer group for the one-, three- and five-year periods and underperformed the peer group for the ten-year period.

Having considered, among other things: (1) that the Series' management fee was within the ranges of advisory fees charged to comparable mutual funds; (2) that the Series' total expense ratio was reasonable; (3) the Adviser's willingness to limit the expenses for a period of time would provide stability to the Series' expenses during that period; and (4) the performance of the Series, the Board concluded that the Agreement continued to be in the best interests of the Series' shareholders.

The Board noted that the Adviser's INCORE investment management team replaced the predecessor fund's investment sub-adviser as portfolio managers for the Series upon completion of the Series' reorganization.

Conclusion

Based on its review of the information requested and provided, and following extended discussions, the Board determined that the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, was consistent with the best interests of the Series and its shareholders, and the Board unanimously approved the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, for an additional annual period on the basis of the foregoing review and discussions and the following considerations, among others:

•  The fairness and reasonableness of the investment advisory fee payable to the Adviser under the Agreement in light of the investment advisory services provided, the costs of these services, the profitability of the Adviser's relationship with the Series and the comparability of the fee paid to the fees paid by other investment companies;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser;

•  The Adviser's entrepreneurial commitment to the management of the Series and the creation of a broad-based family of funds, which could entail a substantial commitment of the Adviser's resources to the successful operation of the Series;

•  The Adviser's representations regarding its staffing and capabilities to manage the Series, including the retention of personnel with relevant portfolio management experience;

•  The Adviser's efforts to enhance investment results by, among other things, developing quality portfolio management teams; and

•  The overall high quality of the personnel, operations, financial condition, investment management capabilities, methodologies and performance of the Adviser.


38



Privacy Policy

Protecting the Privacy of Information

The Trust respects your right to privacy. We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain personal information about you. This is the information we collect from you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you make with us or third parties. It may include your name, address, social security number, account transactions and balances, and information about investment goals and risk tolerance.

We do not disclose any information about you or about former customers to anyone except as permitted or required by law. Specifically, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform services on our behalf, such as the transfer agent that processes shareholder accounts and printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. We may also disclose this information to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf. This allows us to continue to offer you Victory investment products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize. These companies will use this information only in connection with the services for which we hired them. They are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.

To protect your personal information internally, we permit access only by authorized employees and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information.*

*  You may have received communications regarding information about privacy policies from other financial institutions which gave you the opportunity to "opt-out" of certain information sharing with companies which are not affiliated with that financial institution. The Trust does not share information with other companies for purposes of marketing solicitations for products other than the Trust. Therefore, the Trust does not provide opt-out options to their shareholders.



Victory Funds
P.O. Box 182593
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2593

Visit our website at:

 

Call Victory at:

 

www.vcm.com

  800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)  

VVIF-RS-IIQBVIP-AR (12/18)



December 31, 2018

Annual Report

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory High Yield VIP Series

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Victory Funds' shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Victory Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.VictoryFunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you need not take any action.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Victory Funds or your financial intermediary electronically sooner than January 1, 2021 by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-539-3863 or by sending an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Victory Funds, you can call 800-539-3863 or send an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Victory Funds you hold directly or through your financial intermediary.



www.vcm.com

News, Information And Education 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week

The Victory Funds site gives fund shareholders, prospective shareholders, and investment professionals a convenient way to access fund information, get guidance, and track fund performance anywhere they can access the Internet. The site includes:

•  Detailed performance records

•  Daily share prices

•  The latest fund news

•  Investment resources to help you become a better investor

•  A section dedicated to investment professionals

Whether you're a potential investor searching for the fund that matches your investment philosophy, a seasoned investor interested in planning tools, or an investment professional, www.vcm.com has what you seek. Visit us anytime. We're always open.



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Table of Contents

Shareholder Letter (Unaudited)

   

3

   

Fund Review and Commentary (Unaudited)

   

4

   

Financial Statements

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

    7    

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    11    

Statement of Operations

    12    

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    13    

Financial Highlights

    14    

Notes to Financial Statements

   

15

   
Report of Ernst & Young LLP,
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   

24

   

Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

 

Trustee and Officer Information

    25    

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

    28    

Expense Examples

    28    

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

    29    

Advisory Contract Renewal

    30    

Privacy Policy (inside back cover)

 

 

The Fund is distributed by Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. Victory Capital Management Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and receives fees from the Fund for performing services for the Fund.

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus of the Fund.

For additional information about any Victory Fund, including fees, expenses, and risks, view our prospectus online at www.vcm.com or call 800-539-3863. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

The information in this annual report is based on data obtained from recognized services and sources and is believed to be reliable. Any opinions, projections, or recommendations in this report are subject to change without notice and are not intended as individual investment advice. Past investment performance of the Fund, markets or securities mentioned herein should not be considered to be indicative of future results.

• NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE
• MAY LOSE VALUE

Call Victory at:

800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)

Visit our website at:

www.vcm.com


1



This page is intentionally left blank.


2



Victory Funds Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholder,

What a difference a year makes. The year ended December 31, 2018, was marked by an abrupt return of volatility, which had largely been missing in action for years. Consider the range of highs and lows we witnessed. For the S&P 500 Index, it was a year in which we celebrated an all-time high in late summer, only to be followed by the worst December since the 2008 financial crisis. And if that wasn't enough volatility, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also registered several of its worst-ever, single-day point declines during 2018.

Through all that the S&P 500 clocked in with its first negative annual return since 2008, falling by 4.4 percent. Given the risk-off sentiment that was obvious as the year drew to a close, it's no surprise that small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, fared even worse, falling approximately 11.0 percent for the year. The challenges for equity investors were also evident around the world as the MSCI ACWI and Emerging Markets indexes declined 8.9 and 14.3 percent, respectively.

So what ushered in the renewed era of volatility and these challenging times? There were multiple culprits. For starters, trade tensions ratcheted up throughout the year as anti-global rhetoric bloomed into a series of new tariffs, which sparked concerns of a prolonged trade war with China. The Federal Reserve remained persistent in its monetary tightening, raising the benchmark interest rate four times throughout the year to a range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent. And then the year ended with a partial shutdown of the federal government. These factors conspired to elevate concerns of a possible recession here and abroad.

Yet despite the headline risks, we think it's critically important to remain focused on the data. By all accounts, the U.S. economy continued chugging along in 2018 with a real gross domestic product (GDP) rising 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018, the latest figures available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Moreover, the labor picture continues to shine with consistent monthly job growth and an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. All this comes against a backdrop of low inflation and solid corporate earnings.

The markets, it appears, have been vacillating between the dire headlines and higher perceived risks on one hand, and the continued positive economic data on the other. Of course, no one knows where the Fed will stop raising rates, nor is there any certainty on how the trade turmoil ultimately gets resolved. For now, however, we continue to embrace our solid economic fundamentals. Moreover, we believe all of Victory Capital's independent investment franchises are well positioned to take advantage of any short-term valuation dislocations resulting from the current era of heightened volatility.

On the following pages, you will find information relating to your Victory Funds investment. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact your financial advisor. Or, if you invest with us directly, you may call (800) 539-3863, or visit our website at www.vcm.com.

My colleagues and I sincerely appreciate the confidence you have placed in the Victory Funds, and we value the opportunity to help meet your investment goals.

Christopher K. Dyer, CFA

President,

Victory Funds


3



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory High Yield VIP Series

Portfolio Holdings

As a Percentage of Total Investments

Performance Summary

The Victory High Yield VIP Series ("Fund") seeks to provide current income. The Fund outperformed its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Bond Index (the "Index"), in 2018, returning 0.29% compared with -2.08% for the Index.

Security selection was the chief contributor to the outperformance, with asset allocation also positive.

The top contributors to performance relative to the Index were an allocation to floating rate bank loans, which are not in the Index, and both asset allocation and security selection in energy. Security selection in CCC-rated bonds was also very strong, outweighing the negative impact of an overweight there.

Security selection in health care detracted from relative performance, as did both asset allocation and security selection in media & entertainment and building materials.

Market Review

The final months of 2018 were an all-you-can-eat banquet of worry for investors, particularly in equities and corporate bonds. Among the concerns: rising interest rates and an aging economic boom at home, slowing economies overseas, trade disputes, tumbling energy prices, dysfunction in Washington, scandals over online privacy and election meddling, and a bungling Brexit.

The concerns that shook the markets in the fourth quarter were not new and there were spikes in volatility in the first and second quarters of 2018, but a strong domestic economy and solid corporate earnings limited their impact on returns until the fourth quarter.

Market Recap

The U.S. high yield market benefitted from a favorable technical climate, solid corporate fundamentals and the relative strength of the U.S. economy throughout much of 2018. The high yield market's domestic focus also helped in a year marked by trade disputes and weakening growth overseas. But none of that was enough to stave off a dramatic reversal at the end of the year that generated an Index return of -4.5% in the fourth quarter and wiped out the Index's gains for the year.

Amid an overall market shakeup in the fourth quarter, sharply weaker oil prices and concerns about the health of some weaker investment grade companies combined to pressure the Index, 16% of which is composed of energy companies. In addition, the leveraged loan market, which is also mostly below investment grade, was offering attractive yields for investors and better terms for issuers.

For the full year, high yield corporate bonds underperformed comparable-maturity Treasuries, but still they held up far better in relation to Treasurys than investment grade corporates.


4



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory High Yield VIP Series (continued)

Portfolio Review

By the beginning of the fourth quarter, we had come to view the energy sector as overvalued, and we reduced energy exposure from 10% to about 1% just before oil prices started to collapse in early October. This had a strong positive impact on relative performance in both the fourth quarter and the full year. Quality sector changes within the portfolio were limited given our view that tighter spreads are making some sections of the market less attractive. We remained underweight in BB-rated bonds, which we view as most vulnerable to interest rate and duration risk. Toward the end of the year, we began to reduce our exposure to CCC-rated bonds, reflecting our view that a pivot toward higher quality will be required over the next 12-15 months.

Recognizing that leveraged loans may currently offer investors a compelling relative value, we have maintained the portfolio's exposure at 30%. We believe loans also offer a high-quality, high-yielding alternative to longer-term BB-rated bonds, which can respond particularly negatively to rising interest rates. We continue to watch for an inflection point in the relative value of bonds and loans.

We also are monitoring the energy and commodities markets for attractive re-entry points. As has long been our practice, we continue to make bottom-up assessments across sectors of potential merger and acquisition activity, asset sales, and shifts in issuers' lines of business, as these events can offer attractive total return opportunities.

Market Outlook

We believe that the high yield market currently offers attractive yields and will continue to generate steady demand, driving spreads tighter. We expect a strong technical environment with moderating mutual fund outflows, limited new issuance and low default rates through at least the first half of 2019.

Barring any external events, we believe modest spread tightening and a catalyst in the energy sector could provide investment opportunities in 2019. We believe that these two factors could largely offset concerns about the domestic credit cycle, though we remain vigilant for an investor pivot toward higher-quality issuers within high yield.


5



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory High Yield VIP Series (continued)

Average Annual Return

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Class I

 

INCEPTION DATE

 

9/13/99

 
   
Net Asset
Value
  Bloomberg
Barclays U.S. Corporate
High Yield Bond Index1
 

One Year

   

0.29

%

   

–2.08

%

 

Three Year

   

8.37

%

   

7.23

%

 

Five Year

   

3.79

%

   

3.83

%

 

Ten Year

   

9.21

%

   

11.12

%

 

Since Inception

   

5.57

%

   

N/A

   

Expense Ratios

Gross

   

0.79

%

 

With Applicable Waivers

   

0.79

%

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month's end, please visit www.vcm.com.

The above expense ratios are from the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2018. Additional information pertaining to the Fund's expense ratios as of December 31, 2018 can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return figures set forth above include all waivers of fees for various periods since inception. Without such fee waivers, the total returns would have been lower. Some fee waivers are voluntary and may be modified or terminated at any time. The total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the total returns would have been lower.

Victory High Yield VIP Series — Growth of $10,000

1The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High-Yield Bond Index is generally considered to be representative of the investable universe of the U.S.-dominated high yield debt market. The Barclays U.S. Corporate High-Yield Bond Index is not available for direct investment. There are no expenses associated with the index, while there are expenses associated with the Fund. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

The graph reflects investment of growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.


6



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory High Yield VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

  Shares or
Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

Common Stocks (2.1%)

 

Communication Services (1.5%):

 

AMC Networks, Inc., Class A (a)

 

$

3,000

   

$

164,640

   

Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

   

2,500

     

89,500

   

TEGNA, Inc.

   

17,000

     

184,790

   
     

438,930

   

Consumer Discretionary (0.6%):

 

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

   

2,000

     

197,820

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $731,222)

   

636,750

   

Senior Secured Loans (29.5%)

 
Ai Ladder Luxembourg Subco Sarl, 1st Lien Term Loan B, 7.02%
(LIBOR06M+450bps), 5/4/25 (b)
   

398,261

     

392,785

   
Alphabet Holding Co., Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 10.09% (LIBOR01M+775bps),
8/15/25, Callable 2/6/19 @ 101 (b)
   

500,000

     

410,000

   
Avaya, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 6.71% (LIBOR01M+425bps), 12/15/24,
Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
   

346,500

     

333,939

   
Bass Pro Group LLC, Term Loan B, 7.34% (LIBOR01M+500bps), 12/16/23,
Callable 2/6/19 @ 101 (b)
   

491,256

     

468,904

   
Caesars Resort Collection LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan B, 5.09% (LIBOR01M+275bps),
10/2/24, Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
   

245,630

     

235,453

   

CPM Holdings, Inc., 6.27% (LIBOR01M+375bps), 10/24/25 (b)

   

200,000

     

195,750

   
Crown Finance US, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 4.84% (LIBOR01M+250bps),
2/7/25, Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
   

347,375

     

327,689

   
Dayco Products LLC, 6.96% (LIBOR03M+425bps), 5/19/24,
Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
   

489,737

     

476,269

   
Hertz Corp., Term Loan B1, 5.09% (LIBOR01M+275bps), 6/30/23,
Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
   

489,822

     

469,881

   
Holley Purchaser, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 7.51% (LIBOR03M+500bps),
10/24/25, Callable 2/6/19 @ 101 (b)
   

200,000

     

195,000

   
LifeScan Global Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, 8.40% (LIBOR03M+600bps),
6/19/24, Callable 2/6/19 @ 101 (b)
   

500,000

     

471,250

   
Navistar, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 5.89% (LIBOR01M+350bps), 11/2/24,
Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
   

246,250

     

237,016

   
Packaging Coordinators Midco, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan,
11.14% (LIBOR03M+875bps), 7/1/24, Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
   

400,000

     

398,000

   
PetSmart, Inc., 5.38% (LIBOR01M+300bps), 3/10/22,
Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
   

492,367

     

387,739

   
Radiate Holdco LLC, 5.34% (LIBOR01M+300bps), 2/1/24,
Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
   

494,962

     

465,804

   
Regionalcare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc., 7.13% (LIBOR03M+450bps),
11/16/25 (b)
   

250,000

     

236,563

   
Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 5.09% (LIBOR01M+275bps),
2/5/23, Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
   

654,959

     

622,211

   

SIWF Holdings, Inc., 10.97% (LIBOR01M+850bps), 5/26/26 (b)

   

500,000

     

460,000

   
Specialty Building Products Holdings LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan,
8.09% (LIBOR01M+575bps), 10/1/25, Callable 2/6/19 @ 101 (b)
   

500,000

     

482,500

   

See notes to financial statements.


7



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory High Yield VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 
Sprint Communications, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 4.88% (LIBOR01M+250bps),
2/2/24, Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
 

$

496,212

   

$

470,990

   

Stars Group Holdings BV, 5.89% (LIBOR03M+350bps), 6/27/25 (b)

   

497,500

     

479,674

   
Tenneco, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 5.09% (LIBOR01M+275bps),
6/18/25, Callable 2/6/19 @ 101 (b)
   

200,000

     

187,400

   
Utz Quality Foods LLC, 2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.59% (LIBOR01M+725bps),
11/21/25, Callable 2/6/19 @ 101 (b)
   

300,000

     

282,000

   
Windstream Services LLC. 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.71% (LIBOR01M+325bps),
2/8/24, Callable 2/6/19 @ 100 (b)
   

246,207

     

207,121

   
Wynn Resorts Ltd., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 4.60% (LIBOR01M+225bps),
10/30/24, Callable 2/6/19 @ 101 (b)
   

250,000

     

235,783

   

Total Senior Secured Loans (Cost $9,565,296)

   

9,129,721

   

Corporate Bonds (66.5%)

 

Communication Services (7.1%):

 

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., 5.75%, 6/15/25, Callable 6/15/20 @ 102.88

   

500,000

     

443,330

   

AMC Networks, Inc., 4.75%, 8/1/25, Callable 8/1/21 @ 102.38

   

400,000

     

365,884

   

Cablevision Systems Corp., 5.88%, 9/15/22

   

500,000

     

492,055

   

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp., 6.63%, 8/1/26 (c)

   

500,000

     

459,340

   

Telesat Canada/Telesat LLC, 8.88%, 11/15/24, Callable 11/15/19 @ 106.66 (d)

   

300,000

     

312,138

   
Windstream Services LLC / Windstream Finance Corp., 9.00%, 6/30/25,
Callable 6/30/21 @ 104.5 (d)
   

178,000

     

120,558

   
     

2,193,305

   

Consumer Discretionary (10.5%):

 

AV Homes, Inc., 6.63%, 5/15/22, Callable 5/15/19 @ 103.31

   

175,000

     

175,189

   

Beazer Homes USA, Inc., 5.88%, 10/15/27, Callable 10/15/22 @ 102.94 (c)

   

400,000

     

316,004

   

Boyd Gaming Corp., 6.38%, 4/1/26, Callable 4/1/21 @ 103.19

   

392,000

     

378,429

   

Delta Merger Sub, Inc., 6.00%, 9/15/26, Callable 9/15/21 @ 104.5 (d)

   

400,000

     

377,952

   

Golden Nugget, Inc., 8.75%, 10/1/25, Callable 10/1/20 @ 104.38 (d)

   

500,000

     

479,939

   

Party City Holdings, Inc., 6.63%, 8/1/26, Callable 8/1/21 @ 103.31 (c) (d)

   

500,000

     

454,720

   
The Enterprise Development Authority, 12.00%, 7/15/24,
Callable 7/15/21 @ 109 (d)
   

500,000

     

457,910

   

Travelport Corporate Finance PLC, 6.00%, 3/15/26, Callable 3/15/21 @ 103 (d)

   

160,000

     

161,438

   

Yum! Brands, Inc., 5.35%, 11/1/43, Callable 5/1/43 @ 100

   

550,000

     

459,420

   
     

3,261,001

   

Consumer Staples (6.1%):

 

Albertsons Cos. LLC, 5.75%, 3/15/25, Callable 9/15/19 @ 104.31

   

500,000

     

437,500

   

B&G Foods, Inc., 4.63%, 6/1/21, Callable 2/7/19 @ 101.16

   

200,000

     

195,598

   

Cott Holdings, Inc., 5.50%, 4/1/25, Callable 4/1/20 @ 104.13 (d)

   

500,000

     

472,705

   

Dole Food Co., Inc., 7.25%, 6/15/25, Callable 6/15/20 @ 103.63 (d)

   

500,000

     

450,235

   

Simmons Foods, Inc., 7.75%, 1/15/24, Callable 1/15/21 @ 103.88 (c) (d)

   

330,000

     

332,521

   
     

1,888,559

   

Energy (2.2%):

 

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., 4.88%, 11/1/43, Callable 5/1/43 @ 100

   

618,000

     

345,116

   
Endeavor Energy Resources LP/EER Finance, Inc., 5.50%, 1/30/26,
Callable 1/30/21 @ 104.13 (d)
   

350,000

     

355,324

   
     

700,440

   

See notes to financial statements.


8



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory High Yield VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

Financials (7.1%):

 
Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC, 8.00%, 5/1/26,
Callable 5/1/21 @ 104 (d)
 

$

500,000

   

$

495,785

   
Downstream Development Authority of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, 10.50%,
2/15/23, Callable 2/15/20 @ 105.25 (d)
   

500,000

     

480,255

   

Gray Escrow, Inc., 7.00%, 5/15/27, Callable 5/15/22 @ 105.25 (d)

   

120,000

     

116,828

   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 5.50%, 8/1/23, Callable 2/7/19 @ 102.75

   

500,000

     

439,490

   

Resideo Funding, Inc., 6.13%, 11/1/26, Callable 11/1/21 @ 104.59 (d)

   

670,000

     

661,638

   
     

2,193,996

   

Health Care (13.0%):

 

Air Medical Group Holdings, Inc., 6.38%, 5/15/23, Callable 2/7/19 @ 103.19 (d)

   

500,000

     

422,505

   

Avantor, Inc., 9.00%, 10/1/25, Callable 10/1/20 @ 106.75 (d)

   

500,000

     

499,715

   

Change Health/Finance, Inc., 5.75%, 3/1/25, Callable 3/1/20 @ 102.88 (d)

   

300,000

     

280,164

   

Endo Finance LLC, 6.00%, 2/1/25, Callable 2/1/20 @ 103 (d)

   

200,000

     

143,500

   

Polaris Intermediate Corp., 8.50%, 12/1/22, Callable 6/1/19 @ 104 (d)

   

500,000

     

456,740

   

Sotera Health Topco, Inc., 8.13%, 11/1/21, Callable 2/7/19 @ 101 (d)

   

500,000

     

466,340

   

Surgery Center Holdings, 6.75%, 7/1/25, Callable 7/1/20 @ 103.38 (c) (d)

   

500,000

     

426,595

   

Tenet Healthcare Corp., 8.13%, 4/1/22

   

200,000

     

200,256

   
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., 5.88%, 5/15/23,
Callable 2/7/19 @ 102.94 (d)
   

500,000

     

461,241

   

Verscend Escrow Corp., 9.75%, 8/15/26, Callable 8/15/21 @ 104.88 (d)

   

500,000

     

469,915

   

Vizient, Inc., 10.38%, 3/1/24, Callable 3/1/19 @ 107.78 (d)

   

200,000

     

211,872

   
     

4,038,843

   

Industrials (15.3%):

 

Ahern Rentals, Inc., 7.38%, 5/15/23, Callable 2/7/19 @ 105.53 (c) (d)

   

500,000

     

400,480

   

Algeco Global Finance 2 PLC, 10.00%, 8/15/23, Callable 2/15/20 @ 105 (c) (d)

   

550,000

     

512,974

   
Apex Tool Group LLC /BC Mountain Finance, Inc., 9.00%, 2/15/23,
Callable 2/15/19 @ 102 (c) (d)
   

500,000

     

426,115

   

Beacon Escrow Corp., 4.88%, 11/1/25, Callable 11/1/20 @ 102.44 (d)

   

470,000

     

413,492

   

Covanta Holding Corp., 5.88%, 7/1/25, Callable 7/1/20 @ 104.41

   

500,000

     

459,960

   

Pisces Midco, Inc., 8.00%, 4/15/26, Callable 4/15/21 @ 104 (c) (d)

   

500,000

     

457,500

   

SRS Distribution, Inc., 8.25%, 7/1/26, Callable 7/1/21 @ 104.13 (c) (d)

   

500,000

     

459,540

   

Stevens Holding Co., Inc., 6.13%, 10/1/26, Callable 10/1/23 @ 101.53 (d)

   

330,000

     

325,482

   

TransDigm, Inc., 6.50%, 7/15/24, Callable 7/15/19 @ 103.25

   

200,000

     

194,530

   

Triumph Group, Inc., 4.88%, 4/1/21, Callable 2/7/19 @ 101.22

   

500,000

     

446,485

   

United Rentals, Inc., 6.50%, 12/15/26, Callable 12/15/21 @ 103.25

   

200,000

     

197,000

   

W/S Packaging Holdings, Inc., 9.00%, 4/15/23, Callable 4/15/20 @ 104.5 (d)

   

400,000

     

398,000

   
     

4,691,558

   

Materials (5.2%):

 

Intertape Polymer Group, Inc., 7.00%, 10/15/26, Callable 10/15/21 @ 103.5 (d)

   

670,000

     

661,625

   

Plastipak Holdings, Inc., 6.25%, 10/15/25, Callable 10/15/20 @ 103.13 (d)

   

330,000

     

295,155

   

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc., 5.75%, 10/15/20, Callable 2/7/19 @ 100

   

193,822

     

193,316

   
Titan Acquisition Ltd. / Titan Co-Borrower LLC, 7.75%, 4/15/26,
Callable 4/15/21 @ 103.88 (d)
   

500,000

     

430,550

   
     

1,580,646

   

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $22,012,235)

   

20,548,348

   

See notes to financial statements.


9



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory High Yield VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Collateral for Securities Loaned^ (12.5%)

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds TempFund Portfolio, Institutional Class, 2.49% (e)

   

734,926

   

$

734,926

   

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Class I, 2.28% (e)

   

1,061,934

     

1,061,934

   

Fidelity Investments Prime Money Market Portfolio, Class I, 2.46% (e)

   

32,793

     

32,793

   
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund,
Institutional Class, 2.55% (e)
   

408,297

     

408,297

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, Capital Class, 2.49% (e)

   

653,235

     

653,235

   
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Prime Portfolio,
Institutional Class, 2.58% (e)
   

979,913

     

979,913

   

Total Collateral for Securities Loaned (Cost $3,871,098)

   

3,871,098

   

Total Investments (Cost $36,179,851) — 110.6%

   

34,185,917

   

Liabilities in excess of other assets — (10.6)%

   

(3,267,682

)

 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

 

$

30,918,235

   

^  Purchased with cash collateral from securities on loan.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Variable or Floating-Rate Security. Rate disclosed is as of December 31, 2018.

(c)  All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d)  Rule 144A security or other security that is restricted as to resale to institutional investors. The Fund's Adviser has deemed this security to be liquid based upon procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. As of December 31, 2018, the fair value of these securities was $14,349,445 and amounted to 46.6% of net assets.

(e)  Rate disclosed is the daily yield on December 31, 2018.

bps — Basis points

LIBOR — London InterBank Offered Rate

LIBOR01M — 1 Month US Dollar LIBOR, rate disclosed as of December 31, 2018, based on the last reset date of the security

LIBOR03M — 3 Month US Dollar LIBOR, rate disclosed as of December 31, 2018, based on the last reset date of the security

LIBOR06M — 6 Month US Dollar LIBOR, rate disclosed as of December 31, 2018, based on the last reset date of the security

LLC — Limited Liability Company

LP — Limited Partnership

PLC — Public Limited Company

See notes to financial statements.


10



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2018
 
    Victory High Yield
VIP Series
 

ASSETS:

 

Investments, at value (Cost $36,179,851)

 

$

34,185,917

(a)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   

175,369

   

Interest and dividends receivable

   

493,788

   

Receivable for capital shares issued

   

36

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

2,326

   

Total Assets

   

34,857,436

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Payables:

 

Collateral received on loaned securities

   

3,871,098

   

Capital shares redeemed

   

19,952

   

Accrued expenses and other payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

16,120

   

Administration fees

   

1,647

   

Custodian fees

   

2,781

   

Transfer agent fees

   

3,700

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

62

   

Trustees' fees

   

31

   

Other accrued expenses

   

23,810

   

Total Liabilities

   

3,939,201

   

NET ASSETS:

 

Capital

   

34,354,997

   

Total distributable earnings/(loss)

   

(3,436,762

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

30,918,235

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, with a par value
of $0.001 per share):
   

4,522,777

   

Net asset value:

 

$

6.84

   

(a)  Includes $3,699,274 of securities on loan.

See notes to financial statements.


11



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
    Victory High Yield
VIP Series
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividend

 

$

15,070

   

Interest

   

2,450,163

   

Securities lending (net of fees)

   

57,424

   

Total Income

   

2,522,657

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

209,946

   

Administration fees

   

20,931

   

Custodian fees

   

10,163

   

Transfer agent fees

   

7,566

   

Trustees' fees

   

3,311

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

301

   

Legal and audit fees

   

18,638

   

Other expenses

   

19,330

   

Total Expenses

   

290,186

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

2,232,471

   

Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Investment Transactions:

 

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

356,829

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

   

(2,369,605

)

 

Net realized/unrealized losses on investments

   

(2,012,776

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

219,695

   

See notes to financial statements.


12



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Victory High Yield VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
 

From Investment Activities:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

2,232,471

   

$

2,315,794

   

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

356,829

     

573,774

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
on investments
   

(2,369,605

)

   

757,766

   

Change in net assets resulting from operations

   

219,695

     

3,647,334

   

Distributions to Shareholders: (a)

 

Change in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

   

(179,666

)

   

(2,204,964

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   

(6,521,715

)

   

(2,884,746

)

 

Change in net assets

   

(6,481,686

)

   

(1,442,376

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

37,399,921

     

38,842,297

   

End of period

 

$

30,918,235

   

$

37,399,921

   

Capital Transactions:

 

Proceeds from shares issued

 

$

1,232,848

   

$

2,746,992

   

Distributions reinvested

   

179,666

     

2,204,964

   

Cost of shares redeemed

   

(7,934,229

)

   

(7,836,702

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

 

$

(6,521,715

)

 

$

(2,884,746

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Issued

   

176,340

     

394,480

   

Reinvested

   

26,344

     

321,893

   

Redeemed

   

(1,133,739

)

   

(1,121,744

)

 

Change in Shares

   

(931,055

)

   

(405,371

)

 

(a)  Current and prior year distributions to shareholders have been reclassified and conform to amended GAAP presentation under Regulation S-X (See Item 10 in the Notes to Financial Statements).

See notes to financial statements.


13



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Financial Highlights

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   

Victory High Yield VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2015
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

6.86

   

$

6.63

   

$

6.13

   

$

6.90

   

$

7.70

   

Investment Activities:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

0.45

(a)

   

0.42

(a)

   

0.41

(a)

   

0.43

(a)

   

0.50

   
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments
   

(0.43

)

   

0.24

     

0.53

     

(0.75

)

   

(0.56

)

 

Total from Investment Activities

   

0.02

     

0.66

     

0.94

     

(0.32

)

   

(0.06

)

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.53

)

 

Net realized gains from investments

   

     

     

     

     

(0.21

)

 

Return of Capital

   

     

     

     

(0.01

)

   

   
Total Distributions to
Shareholders
   

(0.04

)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.74

)

 
Capital Contributions from Prior
Custodian, Net (See Note 8)
   

     

     

0.01

     

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

6.84

   

$

6.86

   

$

6.63

   

$

6.13

   

$

6.90

   

Total Return (b)

   

0.29

%

   

9.94

%

   

15.44

%(c)

   

(4.58

)%

   

(0.84

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets at end of period (000)

 

$

30,918

   

$

37,411

   

$

38,842

   

$

38,503

   

$

44,533

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.83

%

   

0.79

%

   

0.87

%

   

0.89

%

   

0.82

%

 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets
   

6.38

%

   

6.02

%

   

6.31

%

   

6.15

%

   

5.68

%

 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets

   

0.83

%

   

0.79

%

   

0.87

%(d)

   

0.89

%

   

0.82

%

 

Portfolio turnover

   

94

%

   

173

%

   

159

%

   

148

%

   

212

%

 

(a)  Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)  Total returns do not reflect the effects of charges deducted pursuant to the terms of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc's variable contracts. Inclusion of such charges would reduce the total returns for all periods shown.

(c)  The Fund received monies related to a nonrecurring refund from the prior Custodian. The corresponding impact to the total return was less than 0.15% for the period shown. (See Note 8)

(d)  During the period, certain fees were reduced and/or reimbursed. If such fee reductions and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

See notes to financial statements.


14



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
 

1. Organization:

Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust") was organized on February 11, 1998 as a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified open-end investment company. The Trust is comprised of nine funds and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, which are units of beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share.

The accompanying financial statements are those of the Victory High Yield VIP Series (the "Fund"). The Fund offers a single class of shares: Class I Shares. Sales of shares of the Fund may only be made to certain separate accounts of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. ("GIAC") that fund certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts issued by GIAC. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America ("Guardian Life").

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund follows the specialized accounting and reporting requirements under GAAP that are applicable to investment companies.

Investment Valuation:

The Fund records investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The valuation techniques described below maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund's investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

• Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

• Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities or interest rates applicable to those securities, etc.)

• Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The inputs or methodologies used for valuation techniques are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with entering into those investments.

Portfolio securities listed or traded on securities exchanges, including American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and Rights, are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, if available, or at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price. If there have been no sales for that day on the exchange or system, then a security is valued at the last available bid quotation on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.


15



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Debt securities of United States ("U.S.") issuers (other than short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less), including corporate and municipal securities, are valued on the basis of bid valuations provided by dealers or an independent pricing service approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board"). Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Under the amortized cost method, premium or discount, if any, is amortized or accreted, respectively, on a constant basis to the maturity of the security. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Investments for which there are no such quotations, or for which quotations do not appear reliable, are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Board. These valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, based on the observability of inputs used to determine the fair value.

A summary of the valuations as of December 31, 2018, based upon the three levels defined above, is included in the table below while the breakdown, by category, of investments is disclosed in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments:

    LEVEL 1 —
Quoted Prices
  LEVEL 2 —
Other Significant
Observable Inputs
 

Total

 
    Investments
in
Securities
  Investments
in
Securities
  Investments
in
Securities
 

Common Stocks

 

$

636,750

   

$

   

$

636,750

   

Senior Secured Loans

   

     

9,129,721

     

9,129,721

   

Corporate Bonds

   

     

20,548,348

     

20,548,348

   

Collateral for Securities Loaned

   

3,871,098

     

     

3,871,098

   

Total

 

$

4,507,848

   

$

29,678,069

   

$

34,185,917

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

Securities Purchased on a When-Issued Basis:

The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued securities are securities purchased for delivery beyond normal settlement periods at a stated price and/or yield, thereby involving the risk that the price and/or yield obtained may be more or less than those available in the market when delivery takes place. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, the Fund records the transaction and reflects the value of the security in determining net asset value. No interest accrues to the Fund until the transaction settles and payment takes place. Normally, the settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase. A segregated account is established and the Fund maintains cash and/or marketable securities at least equal in value to commitments for when-issued securities. Values of when issued securities are included in "Payable for investments purchased" on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. As of December 31, 2018, the Fund had no outstanding when-issued purchase commitments.

Loans:

Floating rate loans in which the Fund invests are primarily "senior" loans. Senior floating rate loans typically hold a senior position in the capital structure of the borrower, are typically secured by specific collateral, and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the borrower that is senior to that held by subordinated debtholders and stockholders of the borrower. While these protections may reduce risk, these investments still present significant credit risk. A significant portion of the Fund's floating rate investments may be issued in connection with highly leveraged transactions such as leveraged buyouts, leveraged recapitalization loans, and other types of acquisition financing. Obligations in these types of transactions are subject to greater credit risk (including default and bankruptcy) than many other investments and may be, or become, illiquid. See the note below regarding below investment grade securities.


16



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

The Fund may purchase second lien loans (secured loans with a claim on collateral subordinate to a senior lender's claim on such collateral), fixed rate loans, unsecured loans, and other debt obligations.

Transactions in loans often settle on a delayed basis, and the Fund may not receive the proceeds from the sale of a loan or pay for a loan purchase for a substantial period of time after entering into the transactions.

Below Investment Grade Securities:

The Fund may invest in below investment grade securities (i.e. lower-quality, "junk" debt), which are subject to various risks. Lower-quality debt is considered to be speculative because it is less certain that the issuer will be able to pay interest or repay the principal than in the case of investment grade debt. These securities can involve a substantially greater risk of default than higher-rated securities, and their values can decline significantly over short periods of time. Lower-quality debt securities tend to be more sensitive to adverse news about their issuers, the market and the economy in general, than higher-quality debt securities. The market for these securities can be less liquid, especially during periods of recession or general market decline.

Investment Companies:

The Fund may invest in portfolios of open-end investment companies. These investment companies value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value by the methods established by the board of directors of the underlying fund.

Investment Transactions and Related Income:

Changes in holdings of investments are accounted for no later than one business day following the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, however, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date on the last business day of the reporting period. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

The Fund may receive other income from investment in loan assignments and/or unfunded commitments, including amendment fees, consent fees and commitment fees. These fees are recorded as income when received by the Fund. These amounts are included in Interest Income in the Statement of Operations.

Withholding taxes on interest, dividends and gains as a result of certain investments in ADRs by the Fund have been provided for in accordance with each investment's applicable country's tax rules and rates.

Securities Lending:

The Trust has entered into a Master Securities Lending Agreement ("MSLA") with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank" or the "Agent"). Under the terms of the MSLA, the Fund may lend securities to certain broker-dealers and banks in exchange for collateral in the amount of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned or at least 105% of the value of non-U.S. securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls associated with increases in the valuation of the securities loaned are adjusted the next business day. The collateral can be received in the form of cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral can include U.S. Government Securities, letters of credit and certificates of deposit. The cash collateral is invested in short-term instruments or cash equivalents as noted on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Trust does not have effective control of the non-cash collateral and therefore it is not disclosed in the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund continues to benefit from interest or dividends on the securities loaned and may also earn a return from the collateral. The Fund pays various fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral. The Fund pays the Agent fees based on the investment income received from securities lending activities. Securities lending income is disclosed in the Fund's Statement of Operations. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral, the Fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return them.


17



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under the MSLA, which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances such as an event of default, to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty to create a net payment due to or from the Fund.

The following table is a summary of the Fund's securities lending transactions which are subject to offset under the MSLA as of December 31, 2018. These transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings with an overnight and continuous contractual maturity for cash collateral, and greater than overnight and continuous contractual maturity for non-cash collateral.

Gross
Amount of
Recognized
Assets
(Value of
  Value of
Cash
  Value of Non-cash Collateral
Received by Maturity
     
Securities on
Loan)
  Collateral
Received
 

<30 Days

  Between 30 &
90 days
 

>90 Days

  Net
Amount
 
$

3,699,274

   

$

3,871,098

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

171,824

   

Dividends to Shareholders:

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually by the Fund. Distributable net realized gains, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually.

The amounts of dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. To the extent these "book/tax" differences are permanent in nature (e.g., net operating loss, distribution reclassification, and deemed distribution due to shareholder redemptions), such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales) do not require reclassification. To the extent dividends and distributions exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of capital. Net investment losses incurred by the Fund may be reclassified as an offset to capital on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

As of December 31, 2018, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, there were no permanent book-to-tax differences, reclassification adjustments.

Federal Income Taxes:

It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements. The Fund has a tax year end of December 31.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Allocations:

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund, while expenses which are attributable to more than one fund in the Trust, or jointly with an affiliated trust, are allocated among the respective funds in the Trust and/or affiliated trust based upon net assets or another appropriate basis.


18



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Affiliated Securities Transactions:

Pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may engage in securities transactions with affiliated investment companies and advisory accounts managed by the Adviser and any applicable sub-adviser. Any such purchase or sale transaction must be effected without brokerage commission or other remuneration, except for customary transfer fees. The transaction must be effected at the current market price, which is either the security's last sale price on an exchange or, if there are no transactions in the security that day, at the average of the highest bid and lowest asked price. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not engage in any Rule 17a-7 transactions under the 1940 Act.

3. Purchases and Sales of Securities:

Purchases and sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) for the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows for the Fund:

Purchases  

Sales

 
$

31,734,330

   

$

34,779,665

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government Securities.

4. Fees and Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties:

Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by Victory Capital Management Inc. ("VCM" or the "Adviser"), a New York corporation registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings Inc., a publicly traded Delaware corporation, and a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Victory Capital Operating, LLC.

VCM has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with Park Avenue Institutional Advisers LLC ("Park Avenue") with respect to the Fund. Park Avenue is responsible for providing day-to-day investment advisory services to the Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. Sub-investment advisory fees, which are paid by VCM to Park Avenue, and do not represent a separate or additional expense to the Fund.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive 0.60% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may use its resources to assist with the Fund's distribution and marketing expenses.

VCM also serves as the Fund's administrator and fund accountant. Under an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement, VCM is paid for its services an annual fee at a rate of 0.08% of the first $15 billion in average daily net assets of the Trust, Victory Portfolios and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Trusts"), 0.05% of the average daily net assets above $15 billion to $30 billion of the Trusts and 0.04% of the average daily net assets over $30 billion of the Trusts.

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. ("Citi"), an affiliate of Citibank, N.A., acts as sub-administrator and sub-fund accountant to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement between VCM and Citi. VCM pays Citi a fee for providing these services. The Trust reimburses VCM and Citi for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

FIS Investor Services, LLC ("FIS") serves as the Fund's transfer agent. Under the Transfer Agent Agreement, the Trust pays FIS a fee for its services and reimburses FIS for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

The Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") is an employee of the Adviser, which pays the compensation of the CCO and his support staff. The Trust has entered into an Agreement to provide compliance services with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes its compliance personnel, including the services of the CCO, and other resources reasonably necessary to provide the Trust with compliance oversight services related to the design, administration and oversight of a compliance program for the Trust in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Funds in the Trust, Victory Portfolios, Victory Institutional Funds, and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Victory Funds Complex"), in the aggregate, compensate the Adviser for these services.


19



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

The Victory Funds Complex pays an annual retainer to each Independent Trustee, plus an additional annual retainer to the Chairman of the Board. The aggregate amount of the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees are allocated amongst all the funds in the Victory Funds Complex and are presented in the Statement of Operations.

Shearman & Sterling LLP provides legal services to the Trust.

Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor for the continuous offering of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust.

The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation agreement with the Fund until at least April 30, 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, the Adviser has agreed to waive fees or reimburse certain expenses to the extent that ordinary operating expenses incurred by certain classes of the Fund in any fiscal year exceed the expense limit for such classes of the Fund. Such excess amounts will be the liability of the Adviser. Interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund's business are excluded from the expense limits. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the expense limit (excluding voluntary waivers) is 0.89%.

The Fund has agreed to repay fees and expenses that were waived or reimbursed by the Adviser for a period up to three fiscal years after such waiver or reimbursement was made to the extent such payments or repayments would not cause the expenses of a class to exceed the original expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement or any expense limitation agreement in place at the time of repayment. As of December 31, 2018, the following amounts are available to be repaid to the Adviser. Amounts repaid to the Adviser during the year ended, if any, are reflected on the Statement of Operations as "Recoupment of prior expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser".

   

Expires 12/31/2019

 
       

$

29

   

The Adviser may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees to assist the Fund in maintaining a competitive expense ratio. Voluntary waivers and reimbursements applicable to the Fund are not available to be recouped at a future time. There were no voluntary waivers or reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Certain officers and/or interested trustees of the Fund are also officers and/or employees of the Adviser, Administrator, Fund Accountant, Sub-Administrator, Sub-Fund Accountant, and Legal.

5. Risks:

The Fund may be subject to other risks in addition to these identified risks.

An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, some of which will be traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests may affect the value of the Fund's shares. An investment in the Fund's shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of the Fund's distributions.

The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties for financial instruments entered into by the Fund. The Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties. The Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and the Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The Fund typically enters into transactions with counterparties whose credit ratings are investment grade, as determined by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

The Fund will be subject to credit and interest rate risk with respect to fixed income securities. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of interest and principal. Interest rates


20



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

may rise or the rate of inflation may increase, impacting the value of investments in fixed income securities. A debt issuers' credit quality may be downgraded or an issuer may default. Interest rates may fluctuate due to changes in governmental fiscal policy initiatives and resulting market reaction to those initiatives.

6. Borrowing and Interfund Lending:

Line of Credit:

The Victory Funds Complex participates in a short-term, demand note "Line of Credit" agreement with Citibank. Under the agreement with Citibank, the Victory Funds Complex may borrow up to $250 million, of which $100 million is committed and $150 million is uncommitted. $40 million of the Line of Credit is reserved for use by the Victory Floating Rate Fund, another series of the Victory Funds Complex, with that Fund paying the related commitment fees for that amount. The purpose of the agreement is to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. The current agreement was amended on July 27, 2018 with a new termination date of July 26, 2019. Citibank receives an annual commitment fee of 0.15% on $100 million for providing the Line of Credit. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Citibank earned approximately $150,000 in commitment fees from the Victory Funds Complex. Each fund in the Victory Funds Complex pays a pro-rata portion of the commitment fees plus any interest on amounts borrowed. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on line of credit.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Line of Credit during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Interfund Lending:

The Trust and Adviser rely on an exemptive order granted by the SEC in March 2017 (the "Order"), permitting the establishment and operation of an Interfund Lending Facility (the "Facility"). The Facility allows the Fund to directly lend and borrow money to or from any other Victory Fund relying upon the Order at rates beneficial to both the borrowing and lending funds. Advances under the Facility are allowed for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities, and are subject to each Fund's borrowing restrictions. The interfund loan rate is determined, as specified in the Order, by averaging the current repurchase agreement rate and the current bank loan rate. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on interfund lending.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Facility during the year ended December 31, 2018.

7. Federal Income Tax Information:

The tax character of distributions paid during the tax years ended, as noted below, were as follows (total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because, for tax purposes, dividends are recognized when actually paid).

   

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 
   

Distributions paid from

 
   
Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
       

$

179,666

   

$

   

$

179,666

   
   

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 
   

Distributions paid from

 
   
Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
       

$

2,204,964

   

$

   

$

2,204,964

   


21



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital
Gains
  Accumulated
Earnings
  Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)*
  Total
Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
$

2,209,103

   

$

   

$

2,209,103

   

$

(3,651,790

)

 

$

(1,994,075

)

 

$

(3,436,762

)

 

*The difference between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund has short term and long term capital loss carryforwards of $1,034,189 and $2,617,601 respectively that are not subject to expiration.

During the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund utilized $349,395 of capital loss carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2018, the cost basis for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments were as follows:

Cost of
Investments
for Federal
Tax Purposes
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
$

36,179,992

   

$

957,862

   

$

(2,951,937

)

 

$

(1,994,075

)

 

8. Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian:

During 2016, the Fund received notification from the Fund's prior custodian, State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street"), concerning issues related to billing on certain categories of expenses during the approximately 16-year period from 1998 through October 31, 2014. The over-billing primarily related to categories of expenses that involved an allocation of general costs among multiple clients.

State Street paid the refunded amounts during January 2017. Based on billing information received during 2016 from State Street and an analysis of any expense limitation agreements that were in place during the period of the activities in question, including the application of any recoupment provisions in such agreements, the Adviser received a portion of the refund.

The portion of the refund retained by the Fund was accounted for as a capital contribution and is reflected on the Financial Highlights as "Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian, Net".

9. Fund Ownership:

Ownership of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2018, the shareholders listed below held more than 25% of the shares outstanding of the Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund.

Shareholder  

Percent

 
GIAC    

100.0

%

 

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In October 2016, the SEC released its Final Rules on Investment Company Reporting Modernization (the "Rules"). The Rules introduced two new regulatory reporting forms for investment companies, Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-PORT was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing with the SEC on Form N-PORT for the period ending March 31, 2019. Effective with the period ended June 30, 2018, the Fund was required to maintain, and make available to the SEC upon request, the information required to be included in Form N-PORT. Form N-PORT will replace Form N-Q filings effective with the requirement to file the Form N-PORT with the SEC for the period ending March 31, 2019. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-CEN was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing on Form N-CEN for the period ended December 31,


22



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

2018. Form N-CEN will replace Form N-SAR filings. The Fund's adoption of these amendments have no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations.

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-08 "Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities" ("ASU 2017-08"), which shortens the premium amortization period for purchased non-contingently callable debt securities. ASU 2017-08 specifies that the premium amortization period ends at the earliest call date, for purchased non-contingently callable debt securities. ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Management does not believe that adoption of ASU 2017-08 will materially impact the Fund's financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurements" ("ASU 2018-13"). This update makes certain removals from, changes to and additions to existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 does not change fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. ASU 2018-13 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, the Fund has early adopted ASU 2018-13 with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018.

In August 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain financial statement disclosure requirements to conform them to GAAP for investment companies. These amendments made certain disclosure requirements effective under Regulation S-X. The Fund's adoption of these amendments, effective with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018 had no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations. As a result of adopting these amendments, the distributions to shareholders in the December 31, 2017 Statements of Changes in Net Assets presented herein have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes all distributions to each class of shareholders, other than tax basis return of capital distributions, in one line item per share class. Distributions to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 from net investment income and net realized gains in the Fund were as follows:

Distributions to Shareholders:

From net investment income:

 

$

(2,204,964

)

 

From net Realized Gains:

   

   

11. Subsequent Events:

The Fund has evaluated the need for additional disclosures or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, there were no subsequent events to report that would have a material impact on the Fund's financial statements.


23



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Victory High Yield VIP Series

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Victory High Yield VIP Series (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting the Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2018, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the funds constituting the Trust) at December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The financial highlights of the Fund for each of the periods presented through December 31, 2015 were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 22, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Victory Capital's investment companies since 1995.

Cincinnati, Ohio
February 15, 2019


24



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Trustee and Officer Information

Board of Trustees:

Overall responsibility for management of the Trust rests with the Board. The Trust is managed by the Board in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. There are currently ten Trustees, nine of whom are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees") and one of whom is an "interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Interested Trustee"). The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust to actively supervise its day-to-day operations.

The following tables list the Trustees, their ages, position with the Trust, commencement of service, principal occupations during the past five years and any directorships of other investment companies or companies whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or who file reports under that Act. Each Trustee oversees nine portfolios in the Trust, one portfolio in Victory Institutional Funds, 42 portfolios in Victory Portfolios and 20 portfolios in Victory Portfolios II, each a registered investment company that, together with the Trust, comprise the Victory Funds Complex. Each Trustee's address is c/o Victory Variable Insurance Funds, 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. Each Trustee has an indefinite term.

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Independent Trustees.

 

David Brooks Adcock, 67

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Consultant (since 2006).

 

Chair and Trustee, Turner Funds (December 2016-December 2017).

 

Nigel D.T. Andrews, 71

 

Vice Chair and Trustee

 

August 2002

 

Retired.

 

Director, TCG BDC II, Inc. (since 2017); Director, TCG BDC I, Inc. (formerly Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc.) (since 2012); Director, Old Mutual US Asset Management (2002-2014).

 

E. Lee Beard, 67*

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Retired (since 2015); Consultant, The Henlee Group, LLC (consulting) (2005-2015).

 

None.

 

Dennis M. Bushe, 75

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Retired.

 

Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2011-July 2016).

 


25



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Sally M. Dungan, 64

 

Trustee

 

February 2011

 

Chief Investment Officer, Tufts University (since 2002).

 

None.

 

John L. Kelly, 65

 

Trustee

 

February 2015

 

Partner, McCarvill Capital Partners (September 2016-September 2017); Advisor(January 2016-April 2016) and Managing Partner (August 2014- January 2016), Endgate Commodities LLC; Chief Operating Officer, Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (2011-2014).

 

Director, Caledonia Mining Corporation (since May 2012).

 

David L. Meyer, 61*

 

Trustee

 

December 2008

 

Retired.

 

None.

 

Gloria S. Nelund, 57

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Chair, CEO and Co-Founder of TriLinc Global, LLC, an investment firm.

 

TriLinc Global Impact Fund, LLC (since 2012); Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2007-July 2016).

 

Leigh A. Wilson, 74

 

Chair and Trustee

 

February 1998

 

Private Investor.

 

Chair (since 2013), Caledonia Mining Corporation.

 

Interested Trustee.

 

David C. Brown, 46**

 

Trustee

 

May 2008

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2013), Co-Chief Executive Officer (2011- 2013), the Adviser; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (since 2013).

 

None.

 

*  The Board has designated Mr. Meyer and Ms. Beard as its Audit Committee Financial Experts.

**  Mr. Brown is an "Interested Person" by reason of his relationship with the Adviser.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, by calling 800-539-3863.


26



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Officers:

The officers of the Trust, their ages, commencement of service and their principal occupations during the past five years, are detailed in the following table. Each officer serves until the earlier of his or her resignation, removal, retirement, death, or the election of a successor. The mailing address of each officer of the Trust is 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. The officers of the Trust receive no compensation directly from the Trust for performing the duties of their offices.

Name and Age

  Position with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

 

Christopher K. Dyer, 57

 

President

 

February 2006*

 

Director of Mutual Fund Administration, the Adviser.

 

Scott A. Stahorsky, 49

 

Vice President

 

December 2014

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2015); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2015).

 

Erin G. Wagner, 45

 

Secretary

 

December 2014

 

Associate General Counsel, the Adviser (since 2013).

 

Allan Shaer, 53

 

Treasurer

 

May 2017

 

Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (since 2016); Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, JP Morgan Chase (2011-2016).

 

Christopher A. Ponte, 34

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

December 2017

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2017); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2017); Chief Financial Officer, Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (since 2018).

 

Colin Kinney, 45

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

July 2017

 

Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013) and Chief Risk Officer (2009-2017), the Adviser.

 

Chuck Booth, 58

 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Officer

 

May 2015

 

Director, Regulatory Administration and CCO Support Services, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

 

Jay G. Baris, 65

 

Assistant Secretary

 

February 1998

 

Partner, Shearman & Sterling LLP (since 2018); Partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP (2011-2017).

 

*  On December 3, 2014, Mr. Dyer resigned as Secretary of the Trust and accepted the position of President.


27



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

Proxy Voting:

Information regarding the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-539-3863. The information is also included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Information relating to how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Availability of Schedules of Portfolio Investments:

The Trust expects to file a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT beginning March 1, 2019. Prior to that date, the Trust has filed a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-PORT and Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Expense Examples

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

The Actual Expense figures in the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

The Hypothetical Expense figures in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

Beginning
Account Value
7/1/18
  Actual
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Hypothetical
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Actual
Expenses
Paid During
Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Hypothetical
Expenses
Paid During
Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

987.10

   

$

1,020.92

   

$

4.26

   

$

4.33

     

0.85

%

 

*  Expenses are equal to the average account value multiplied by the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by 184/365 (the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year).


28



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund paid qualified dividend income for purposes of reduced individual federal income tax rates of 1%.

Dividends qualifying for corporate dividends received a deduction of 1%.


29



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Considerations of the Board in Continuing the Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement")

The Board approved the Agreement on behalf of the Series at a meeting, which was called for that purpose, on December 5, 2018. The Board also considered information relating to the Series and the Agreement provided throughout the year and, more specifically, at a meeting on October 23, 2018. The Board noted that prior to the Series' reorganization on July 29, 2016, the Series was managed by RS Investment Management Co. LLC, which was acquired by the Adviser on July 29, 2016. In considering whether to approve the Agreement, the Board requested, and the Adviser provided, information that the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to reach its conclusions. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated this information along with other information obtained throughout the year and was advised by legal counsel to the Series and by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition, in 2017 the Independent Trustees, through their counsel, retained an independent consultant to assist with a review of the overall process for conducting the annual review of these advisory arrangements. The Board considered the Series' advisory fee, expense ratio and investment performance as significant factors in determining whether the Agreement should be continued. In considering whether the compensation paid to the Adviser was fair and reasonable, the Board also evaluated, among other things, the following factors:

•  The requirements of the Series for the services provided by the Adviser;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the services provided and expected to be provided;

•  The performance of the Series as compared to comparable funds;

•  The fees payable for the services and whether the fee arrangements provided for economies of scale that would benefit Series shareholders as the Series grows;

•  Whether the fee would be sufficient to enable the Adviser to attract and retain experienced personnel and continue to provide quality services to the Series;

•  Fees paid by other clients of the Adviser whose accounts are managed in a similar investment style and any differences in the services provided to the other clients compared to those provided to the Series;

•  Total expenses of the Series, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees;

•  Management's commitment to operating the Series at competitive expense levels;

•  The profitability of the Adviser (as reflected by comparing fees earned against an estimate of the Adviser's costs) with respect to the Adviser's relationship with the Series;

•  Research and other service benefits received by the Adviser obtained through payment of client commissions for securities transactions;

•  Other benefits received by the Adviser, and its affiliates, including revenues paid to the Adviser, or its affiliates, by the Series for administration and fund accounting services, and distribution;

•  The capabilities and financial condition of the Adviser;

•  Current economic and industry trends; and

•  The historical relationship between the Series and the Adviser.

The Board reviewed the Series' current management fee, comprised of the advisory fee plus the administrative services fee paid to the Adviser, in the context of the Adviser's profitability of the Series. In addition, the Board compared the Series' total operating expense ratio on a net and gross basis, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees and management fees with a universe of comparable mutual funds compiled by an independent consultant, FUSE Research Network, LLC ("FUSE"), and a peer group of funds with similar investment strategies selected by FUSE from the universe. The Board reviewed the factors and methodology used by FUSE in the selection of the Series' peer group, including FUSE's selection of a broad universe of funds using the standard Retail Morningstar Categories, the more specific universe of comparable funds, and peer groups of funds with comparable investment strategies and asset levels, among other factors. The Board also reviewed any changes to FUSE's methodology as compared to the prior year, including as a result of input from the Adviser, if any. The Board also reviewed fees and other information related to the Adviser's management of similarly managed institutional or private accounts, and the differences in the services provided to the other accounts, to the extent applicable. The Board noted that the advisory fee arrangements for the Series do not include breakpoints, which are generally viewed as a method by which the investment


30



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

adviser shares any economies of scale with a fund as a fund grows. The Board also considered the Adviser's commitment to limit expenses as discussed in more detail below.

The Board reviewed the Series' performance over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods against the performance of the Series' selected peer group and benchmark index. The Board recognized that the performance of the Series and the peer group funds are net of expenses, while the performance of the benchmark index is gross returns. The Board considered the additional resources that the Adviser has committed to enhance portfolio analysis, compliance and trading systems. The Board noted that, following the Series' reorganization, the Series is managed by substantially the same investment management team that managed the comparable predecessor fund.

The Board considered the relative roles and responsibilities of the Adviser and the Series' sub-adviser and noted that, among other things: (1) the sub-advisory fees for the Series would be paid by the Adviser and, therefore, would not be a direct expense of the Series; and (2) the Adviser would supervise the sub-adviser.

The Board reviewed various other specific factors with respect to the Series, as described below. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not rank the importance of any particular information or factor considered and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

The Board concluded that the Series' gross annual management fee was reasonable as compared to the median gross management fee charged to the funds in the Series' peer group. The Board noted that the Series' net annual expense ratio, taking into account any shareholder servicing or distribution fees, was reasonable as compared to the median expense ratio for the peer group. The Board considered the Adviser's contractual agreement to waive its fees and reimburse expenses for a specified period of time, as described in the Series' prospectus. The Board then compared the Series' performance for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2018, to that of the median performance of the peer group and benchmark index and considered the fact that the Series outperformed the benchmark index for the one- and three- year periods, underperformed the benchmark for the index five- and ten-year periods, and outperformed the peer group for all of the periods reviewed.

Having considered, among other things: (1) that the Series' management fee was within the ranges of advisory fees charged to comparable mutual funds; (2) that the Series' total expense ratio was reasonable; (3) the Adviser's willingness to limit the expenses for a period of time would provide stability to the Series' expenses during that period; and (4) the performance of the Series, the Board concluded that the Agreement continued to be in the best interests of the Series' shareholders.

Conclusion

Based on its review of the information requested and provided, and following extended discussions, the Board determined that the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, was consistent with the best interests of the Series and its shareholders, and the Board unanimously approved the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, for an additional annual period on the basis of the foregoing review and discussions and the following considerations, among others:

•  The fairness and reasonableness of the investment advisory fee payable to the Adviser under the Agreement in light of the investment advisory services provided, the costs of these services, the profitability of the Adviser's relationship with the Series and the comparability of the fee paid to the fees paid by other investment companies;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser;

•  The Adviser's entrepreneurial commitment to the management of the Series and the creation of a broad-based family of funds, which could entail a substantial commitment of the Adviser's resources to the successful operation of the Series;

•  The Adviser's representations regarding its staffing and capabilities to manage the Series, including the retention of personnel with relevant portfolio management experience;

•  The Adviser's efforts to enhance investment results by, among other things, developing quality portfolio management teams; and

•  The overall high quality of the personnel, operations, financial condition, investment management capabilities, methodologies and performance of the Adviser.


31



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Considerations of the Board in Continuing the Park Avenue Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement

The Board approved the investment sub-advisory agreement between the Adviser and Park Avenue Institutional Advisers LLC (the "Sub-Adviser") (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement") on behalf of the Series at a meeting, which was called for that purpose, on December 5, 2018. The Board also considered information relating to the Series and the Sub-Advisory Agreement provided throughout the year and, more specifically, at a meeting on October 23, 2018. The Board noted that prior to the Series' reorganization on July 29, 2016, the Series was managed by RS Investment Management Co. LLC, which was acquired by the Adviser on July 29, 2016, and sub-advised by the Sub-Adviser. In considering whether to approve the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board requested, and the Sub-Adviser provided, information that the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to reach its conclusions. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated this information along with other information obtained throughout the year and was advised by legal counsel to the Series and by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition, in 2017 the Independent Trustees, through their counsel, retained an independent consultant to assist with a review of the overall process for conducting the annual review of these advisory arrangements. The Board reviewed numerous factors with respect to the Series including the Sub-Adviser's history as sub-adviser for each predecessor fund and the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser as the sub-adviser.

In considering whether the compensation paid to the Sub-Adviser was fair and reasonable, the Board also evaluated, among other things, the following factors:

•  The requirements of the Series for the services provided by the Sub-Adviser;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the services provided and expected to be provided;

•  The fees payable for the services and whether the fee arrangements provided for economies of scale that could benefit Series shareholders as the Series grows;

•  Representations by the Adviser that the sub-advisory fee for the Series is within the range of fees agreed to in the market for similar services;

•  Whether the fee would be sufficient to enable the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain experienced personnel and continue to provide quality services to the Series;

•  Management's commitment to operating the Series at competitive expense levels;

•  Research and other service benefits received by the Sub-Adviser obtained through payment of client commissions for securities transactions;

•  Other benefits received by the Sub-Adviser as a result of its sub-advisory relationship with the Series;

•  The capabilities and financial condition of the Sub-Adviser;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the oversight and compliance services provided by the Adviser;

•  The historical relationship between the Series and the Sub-Adviser; and

•  Current economic and industry trends.

The Board considered the Adviser's contractual agreement to waive its fees and reimburse expenses, excluding certain specified costs, so that the total annual operating expenses of the Series will not exceed the total net annual operating expenses of the comparable predecessor fund. The Board recognized that because the sub-advisory fees are paid by the Adviser, any arrangement by the Sub-Adviser to reduce its fee as the Series grow would have no direct impact on the Series or its shareholders. The Board considered the relative roles and responsibilities of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser's representation that the fees to be paid to the Sub-Adviser are within the range of sub-advisory fees paid to other sub-advisers for similar services.

The Board considered the Series' total operating expense ratio on a net and gross basis as compared with a universe of comparable mutual funds compiled by an independent consultant, FUSE Research Network, LLC ("FUSE"), and a peer group of funds with similar investment strategies selected by FUSE from the universe. The Board reviewed the factors and methodology used by FUSE in the selection of the Series' peer group, including FUSE's selection of a broad universe of funds using the standard Retail Morningstar Categories, the more specific universe of comparable funds, and peer groups of funds with comparable investment strategies, assets or diversification, among other things. The Board also reviewed any changes to FUSE's methodology, including as a result of input from the Adviser, if any.


32



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

The Board reviewed the Series' performance over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods against the performance of the Series' selected peer group and benchmark index. The Board recognized that the Series' performance and the performance of the peer group funds are net of expenses, while the performance of the benchmark index is gross returns. The Board noted that, following the Series' reorganization, the Series is managed by substantially the same investment management team that managed the comparable predecessor fund.

The Board reviewed various other specific factors with respect to the Series. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not rank the importance of any particular information or factor considered and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

The Board noted that the Series' gross annual management fee was reasonable as compared to the median gross management fee charged to the funds in the Fund's peer group. The Board concluded that the Series' net annual expense ratio was reasonable as compared to the median expense ratio for the peer group. The Board then compared the Series' performance for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2018, to that of the median performance of the peer group and benchmark index for the same periods and considered the fact that the Series outperformed the benchmark index for the one- and three-year periods and underperformed the benchmark index for the five- and ten-year periods and outperformed the peer group for all of the periods reviewed.

Based on its review of the information requested and provided, and following extended discussions, the Board concluded, among other things, that the Sub-Advisory Agreement, with respect to Series, was consistent with the best interests of the Series and its shareholders and unanimously approved the Sub-Advisory Agreement (including the fees to be charged for services thereunder), on the basis of the foregoing review and discussions and the following considerations, among others:

•  The fairness and reasonableness of the investment advisory fee payable to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement in light of the investment advisory services provided, the costs of these services and the estimated profitability of the Sub-Adviser's relationship with the Series;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the portfolio management team of the Sub-Adviser which have resulted in each Fund achieving its stated investment objective;

•  The Sub-Adviser's representations regarding its staffing and capabilities to manage the Series; and

•  The overall high quality of the personnel, operations, financial condition, investment management capabilities, methodologies and performance of the Sub-Adviser.


33



Privacy Policy

Protecting the Privacy of Information

The Trust respects your right to privacy. We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain personal information about you. This is the information we collect from you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you make with us or third parties. It may include your name, address, social security number, account transactions and balances, and information about investment goals and risk tolerance.

We do not disclose any information about you or about former customers to anyone except as permitted or required by law. Specifically, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform services on our behalf, such as the transfer agent that processes shareholder accounts and printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. We may also disclose this information to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf. This allows us to continue to offer you Victory investment products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize. These companies will use this information only in connection with the services for which we hired them. They are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.

To protect your personal information internally, we permit access only by authorized employees and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information.*

*  You may have received communications regarding information about privacy policies from other financial institutions which gave you the opportunity to "opt-out" of certain information sharing with companies which are not affiliated with that financial institution. The Trust does not share information with other companies for purposes of marketing solicitations for products other than the Trust. Therefore, the Trust does not provide opt-out options to their shareholders.



Victory Funds
P.O. Box 182593
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2593

Visit our website at:

 

Call Victory at:

 

www.vcm.com

  800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)  

VVIF-RS-HYVIP-AR (12/18)



December 31, 2018

Annual Report

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Victory Funds' shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Victory Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.VictoryFunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you need not take any action.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Victory Funds or your financial intermediary electronically sooner than January 1, 2021 by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-539-3863 or by sending an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Victory Funds, you can call 800-539-3863 or send an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Victory Funds you hold directly or through your financial intermediary.



www.vcm.com

News, Information And Education 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week

The Victory Funds site gives fund shareholders, prospective shareholders, and investment professionals a convenient way to access fund information, get guidance, and track fund performance anywhere they can access the Internet. The site includes:

•  Detailed performance records

•  Daily share prices

•  The latest fund news

•  Investment resources to help you become a better investor

•  A section dedicated to investment professionals

Whether you're a potential investor searching for the fund that matches your investment philosophy, a seasoned investor interested in planning tools, or an investment professional, www.vcm.com has what you seek. Visit us anytime. We're always open.



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Table of Contents

Shareholder Letter (Unaudited)

    3    

Fund Review and Commentary (Unaudited)

   

4

   

Financial Statements

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

    7    

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    15    

Statement of Operations

    16    

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    17    

Financial Highlights

    18    

Notes to Financial Statements

   

19

   
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
   

31

   

Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

 

Trustee and Officer Information

    32    

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

    35    

Expense Examples

    35    

Advisory Contract Renewal

    36

 

Privacy Policy (inside back cover)

 

The Fund is distributed by Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. Victory Capital Management Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and receives fees from the Fund for performing services for the Fund.

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus of the Fund.

For additional information about any Victory Fund, including fees, expenses, and risks, view our prospectus online at www.vcm.com or call 800-539-3863. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

The information in this annual report is based on data obtained from recognized services and sources and is believed to be reliable. Any opinions, projections, or recommendations in this report are subject to change without notice and are not intended as individual investment advice. Past investment performance of the Fund, markets or securities mentioned herein should not be considered to be indicative of future results.

• NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE
• MAY LOSE VALUE

Call Victory at:

800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)

Visit our website at:

www.vcm.com


1



This page is intentionally left blank.


2



Victory Funds Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholder,

What a difference a year makes. The year ended December 31, 2018, was marked by an abrupt return of volatility, which had largely been missing in action for years. Consider the range of highs and lows we witnessed. For the S&P 500 Index, it was a year in which we celebrated an all-time high in late summer, only to be followed by the worst December since the 2008 financial crisis. And if that wasn't enough volatility, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also registered several of its worst-ever, single-day point declines during 2018.

Through all that the S&P 500 clocked in with its first negative annual return since 2008, falling by 4.4 percent. Given the risk-off sentiment that was obvious as the year drew to a close, it's no surprise that small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, fared even worse, falling approximately 11.0 percent for the year. The challenges for equity investors were also evident around the world as the MSCI ACWI and Emerging Markets indexes declined 8.9 and 14.3 percent, respectively.

So what ushered in the renewed era of volatility and these challenging times? There were multiple culprits. For starters, trade tensions ratcheted up throughout the year as anti-global rhetoric bloomed into a series of new tariffs, which sparked concerns of a prolonged trade war with China. The Federal Reserve remained persistent in its monetary tightening, raising the benchmark interest rate four times throughout the year to a range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent. And then the year ended with a partial shutdown of the federal government. These factors conspired to elevate concerns of a possible recession here and abroad.

Yet despite the headline risks, we think it's critically important to remain focused on the data. By all accounts, the U.S. economy continued chugging along in 2018 with a real gross domestic product (GDP) rising 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018, the latest figures available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Moreover, the labor picture continues to shine with consistent monthly job growth and an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. All this comes against a backdrop of low inflation and solid corporate earnings.

The markets, it appears, have been vacillating between the dire headlines and higher perceived risks on one hand, and the continued positive economic data on the other. Of course, no one knows where the Fed will stop raising rates, nor is there any certainty on how the trade turmoil ultimately gets resolved. For now, however, we continue to embrace our solid economic fundamentals. Moreover, we believe all of Victory Capital's independent investment franchises are well positioned to take advantage of any short-term valuation dislocations resulting from the current era of heightened volatility.

On the following pages, you will find information relating to your Victory Funds investment. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact your financial advisor. Or, if you invest with us directly, you may call (800) 539-3863, or visit our website at www.vcm.com.

My colleagues and I sincerely appreciate the confidence you have placed in the Victory Funds, and we value the opportunity to help meet your investment goals.

Christopher K. Dyer, CFA

President,

Victory Funds


3



Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Commentary

Market Summary and Fund Attribution

The Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series ("Fund") seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital. The Fund underperformed the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government (1-3 Year) Bond Index ("Index") for the year ending December 31, 2018, 1.01% versus 1.58%. Sector allocation was the largest detractor from relative performance as the spread widening in corporate bonds negatively impacted the overweight allocations to both investment grade and high yield credit. This was most pronounced in the industrial sector. Allocations to agency mortgages and asset-backed securities were positive contributors to performance, but not enough to offset the credit underperformance. Additionally, both duration and yield curve positioning were additive to relative performance.

Coming into 2018, many expected negative absolute returns in fixed income given the likelihood of higher interest rates resulting from continued monetary policy tightening. This rang true for most of the year, but as volatility spiked in the fourth quarter and bond investors pushed back forcefully against the Fed's forecast by driving yields lower, many fixed income indices posted positive returns for the year. The Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index generated a total return of 0.01% for 2018 after having been down 2.38% through October. Interest rates did continue to rise, but when the books closed on 2018, short term rates were up two to three times those of intermediate and long-term maturities flattening the yield curve further. The spread between 2-year and 10-year Treasury notes declined to 19 basis points (0.19%) while the 2-year to 5-year spread ended the year at 2 basis points (0.02%). The spread relationship between 1-year and 5-year notes witnessed an inversion of 9 basis points, underscoring the market's view of the Fed heading for a policy error if they continue tightening monetary policy via rates and quantitative tightening.

Within the Aggregate Index, corporate bonds were the glaring underperformer for both the quarter and the year with excess returns of -3.10% and -3.15%, respectively. Credit concerns at General Electric (GE) and the large California utilities resulting from the wild fires coupled with heavy outflows from high grade bond funds pressured spreads materially wider. Additionally, fears of rating downgrades and recession added to anxiety and exacerbated the underperformance. For the year, excess returns in utilities fared the worst (-3.94%), followed by industrials (-3.34%) then financials (-2.62%). In the structured sectors, agency mortgages were the weakest performer from an excess returns perspective (-0.59%), followed by commercial mortgage backed securities (-0.39%) while asset-backed securities posted positive excess returns (0.13%). Corporate bonds were the only sector to post negative absolute returns for the year, all other primary sectors were positive lead by asset-backed securities at 1.77%. Interestingly, asset-backed securities were also the only sector to post positive excess returns for the full year. High yield credit suffered a similar year as investment grade credit, only worse. This sector posted an absolute return of -2.08% for the year and underperformed U.S. Treasuries by -3.58%.


4



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

During the period, the Fund used both long and short positions in U.S. Treasury futures and U.S. Federal Funds Futures, as well as credit default swaps. The Fund entered into these transactions to more efficiently manage the Fund's total portfolio risks, in terms of duration, curve exposure and credit quality, which would be more costly and restrictive to manage by investing directly in a selection of cash bonds or ETFs. The derivatives strategy with regards to futures had a non-material impact on overall performance while the credit default swap strategy contributed approximately -20 basis points for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018.

Market Positioning

Our allocation to investment grade (IG) credit declined further in the fourth quarter. Additionally, our high yield exposure ended the year well below our maximum position. Our proprietary credit momentum signal continued to reduce exposure to IG credit as the option adjusted spread (OAS) of BBB-rated corporate bonds widened significantly over the trailing three months. Given this movement in OAS, valuations are now looking more compelling relative to fundamentals, yet we remain patient and ready to add risk when appropriate. Yield curve positioning and duration will be actively managed based upon our proprietary trading signals as well as changes in the shape of the yield curve. The market's assessment of the Fed's actions/communication, as reflected by changes in the shape of the curve, will be a focal point in the coming quarters.


5



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series (continued)

Average Annual Return

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Class I

 

INCEPTION DATE

 

8/28/03

 
    Net Asset
Value
  Bloomberg
Barclays U.S.
Government
(1-3 Year) Bond Index1
 

One Year

   

1.01

%

   

1.58

%

 

Three Year

   

1.56

%

   

0.96

%

 

Five Year

   

1.22

%

   

0.82

%

 

Ten Year

   

2.22

%

   

1.03

%

 

Since Inception

   

2.50

%

   

N/A

   

Expense Ratios

Gross

   

0.58

%

 

With Applicable Waivers

   

0.53

%

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month's end, please visit www.vcm.com.

The above expense ratios are from the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2018. Additional information pertaining to the Fund's expense ratios as of December 31, 2018 can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return figures set forth above include all waivers of fees for various periods since inception. Without such fee waivers, the total returns would have been lower. Some fee waivers are voluntary and may be modified or terminated at any time. The total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the total returns would have been lower.

Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series — Growth of $10,000

1The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government 1-3 Year Bond Index is generally considered to be representative of U.S. government bonds with maturities between one and three years. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government 1-3 Year Bond Index is an unmanaged index that is not available for direct investment. There are no expenses associated with the index, while there are expenses associated with the Fund. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

The graph reflects investment of growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.


6



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2018
 
Security Description   Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

Asset Backed Securities (12.6%)

 
American Express Credit Account Master Trust , Series 2014-1,
Class B, 2.96% (LIBOR01M+50bps), 12/15/21 (a) (b)
 

$

2,100,000

   

$

2,100,746

   
AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust , Series 2016-3,
Class C, 2.24%, 4/8/22, Callable 12/8/20 @ 100 (b)
   

1,635,000

     

1,611,019

   
AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust , Series 2017-2,
Class B, 2.40%, 5/18/22, Callable 2/18/21 @ 100 (b)
   

1,385,000

     

1,369,297

   
AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust , Series 2015-3,
Class D, 3.34%, 8/8/21, Callable 1/8/20 @ 100 (b)
   

1,675,000

     

1,674,623

   
AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust , Series 2018-1,
Class B, 3.26%, 1/18/24, Callable 1/18/22 @ 100 (b)
   

2,800,000

     

2,804,485

   
Avis Budget Rental Car Funding (AESOP) LLC , Series 2014-1,
Class A, 2.46%, 7/20/20 (b) (c)
   

1,250,000

     

1,246,766

   
Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2016-BA,
Class B, 2.22%, 5/16/22, Callable 4/15/21 @ 100 (b) (c)
   

1,700,000

     

1,673,531

   
Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2018-2, Class B, 3.22%, 4/15/22,
Callable 1/15/21 @ 100 (b)
   

3,600,000

     

3,597,159

   
Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2017-AA, Class C, 2.98%, 1/18/22,
Callable 8/15/20 @ 100 (b) (c)
   

816,879

     

816,195

   
Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2017-1, Class B, 2.36%, 3/15/21,
Callable 7/15/20 @ 100 (b)
   

156,021

     

155,953

   
DT Auto Owner Trust , Series 2017-2A, Class B, 2.44%, 2/15/21,
Callable 9/15/20 @ 100 (b) (c)
   

323,939

     

323,737

   
DT Auto Owner Trust , Series 2017-3A, Class B, 2.40%, 5/17/21,
Callable 1/15/21 @ 100 (c)
   

660,860

     

659,658

   
GM Financing Automobile Leasing Trust , Series 2016-3, Class B, 1.97%,
5/20/20, Callable 5/20/19 @ 100 (b)
   

2,000,000

     

1,991,586

   
Nissan Auto Receivables Owner Trust , Series 2015-B, Class A3, 1.34%,
3/16/20, Callable 12/15/19 @ 100
   

148,827

     

148,641

   
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2016-3, Class C, 2.46%,
3/15/22, Callable 10/15/20 @ 100 (b)
   

2,770,000

     

2,753,181

   
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2017-3, Class B, 2.19%,
3/15/22, Callable 12/15/20 @ 100 (b)
   

1,375,000

     

1,365,198

   
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2018-2, Class B, 3.03%,
9/15/22, Callable 5/15/21 @ 100 (b)
   

2,750,000

     

2,744,836

   
Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust , Series 2017-2, Class B, 2.21%,
10/15/21, Callable 6/15/20 @ 100 (b)
   

1,600,000

     

1,595,424

   
Santander Retail Auto Lease Trust , Series 2018-A, Class B, 3.20%,
4/20/22, Callable 3/20/21 @ 100 (b) (c)
   

1,585,000

     

1,580,384

   
Synchrony Credit Card Master Note Trust , Series 2016-1,
Class A, 2.04%, 3/15/22
   

1,150,000

     

1,147,813

   
Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust , Series 2016-A, Class A3,
1.25%, 3/16/20, Callable 12/15/19 @ 100
   

295,382

     

294,406

   
World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust , Series 2017-A,
Class A, 2.12%, 3/15/24 (b)
   

1,610,000

     

1,588,241

   

Total Asset Backed Securities (Cost $33,407,086)

   

33,242,879

   

See notes to financial statements.


7



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 
Security Description   Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (4.3%)

 
BX Trust , Series 2017-SLCT, Class B, 3.66% (LIBOR01M+120bps),
7/15/34 (a) (b) (c)
 

$

1,275,000

   

$

1,272,109

   
BX Trust , Series 2017-APPL, Class A, 3.34% (LIBOR01M+88bps),
7/15/34 (a) (b) (c)
   

1,342,105

     

1,328,742

   
COMM Mortgage Trust , Series 2014-CR15, Class A2, 2.93%,
2/10/47 (b)
   

1,354,171

     

1,353,610

   
Galaxy CLO Ltd. , Series 2017-24A, Class A, 3.56% (LIBOR03M+112bps),
1/15/31, Callable 1/15/20 @ 100 (a) (b) (c)
   

1,000,000

     

985,850

   
Great Wolf Trust , Series 2017-WOLF, Class A, 3.46% (LIBOR01M+85bps),
9/15/34 (a) (b) (c)
   

1,000,000

     

989,684

   
GS Mortgage Securities Trust , Series 2012-GC6, Class B, 5.65%,
1/10/45 (b) (c) (d)
   

2,000,000

     

2,097,855

   
Morgan Stanley BAML Trust , Series 2013-C13, Class A2, 2.94%,
11/15/46 (b)
   

150,825

     

150,427

   
Steele Creek CLO Ltd. , Series 2017-1A, Class A, 3.69%
(LIBOR03M+125bps), 1/15/30, Callable 1/15/20 @ 100 (a) (b) (c)
   

2,175,000

     

2,148,862

   
Voya CLO Ltd. , Series 2017-4A, Class A1, 3.57% (LIBOR03M+113bps),
10/15/30, Callable 10/15/19 @ 100 (a) (b) (c)
   

1,000,000

     

993,900

   

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $11,521,412)

   

11,321,039

   

Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (4.4%)

 
Ameriquest Mortgage Securities, Inc. , Series 2003-5, Class A6, 4.16%,
4/25/33, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b) (d)
   

7,773

     

7,757

   
Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust , Series 2003-3, Class 2A, 4.36%, 10/25/33,
Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b) (d)
   

481,494

     

480,110

   
Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust , Series 2004-6, Class 1A, 3.15%
(LIBOR01M+64bps), 7/25/34, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (a) (b)
   

156,705

     

155,220

   
Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. , Series 2002-19, Class 1A1, 6.25%,
11/25/32, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100
   

8,519

     

8,519

   
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. , Series 2003-23,
Class 2A8, 4.50%, 1/15/19 (b)
   

2,424

     

2,387

   
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. , Series 2004-AR7,
Class 4A1, 4.26%, 11/25/34, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b) (d)
   

440,060

     

437,130

   
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. , Series 2004-5,
Class 5A1, 5.00%, 8/25/19, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b)
   

11,273

     

11,273

   
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust , Series 2017-1, Class A5, 3.50%, 1/25/47,
Callable 1/25/41 @ 100 (b) (c) (d)
   

950,544

     

951,550

   
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust , Series 2016-4, Class A5, 3.50%, 10/25/46,
Callable 8/25/37 @ 100 (b) (c) (d)
   

665,981

     

661,837

   
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust , Series 2016-3, Class 1A3, 3.50%, 10/25/46,
Callable 3/25/39 @ 100 (b) (c) (d)
   

1,415,648

     

1,408,550

   
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust , Series 2017-3, Class 2A2, 2.50%, 8/25/47,
Callable 6/25/33 @ 100 (b) (c) (d)
   

2,431,126

     

2,338,348

   
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust , Series 2004-S2, Class 1A3, 4.75%, 11/25/19,
Callable 5/25/19 @ 100 (b)
   

3,574

     

3,566

   
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust , Series 2004-S1, Class 1A7, 5.00%, 9/25/34,
Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b)
   

3,124

     

3,091

   
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust , Series 2014-5, Class A11, 2.99%, 10/25/29,
Callable 9/25/26 @ 100 (b) (c) (d)
   

2,068,934

     

2,016,766

   

See notes to financial statements.


8



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 
Security Description   Principal
Amount
 

Value

 
Madison Park Funding Ltd. , Series 2017-26A, Class AR, 3.71%
(LIBOR03M+120bps), 7/29/30, Callable 10/29/19 @ 100 (a) (b) (c)
 

$

1,750,000

   

$

1,736,998

   
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust , Series 2005-6AR, Class 1A1,
2.79% (LIBOR01M+28bps), 11/25/35, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (a) (b)
   

78,668

     

78,295

   
Prime Mortgage Trust , Series 2004-2, Class A2, 4.75%, 11/25/19,
Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b)
   

8,449

     

8,433

   
Residential Asset Securities Corp. , Series 2005-KS1, Class M1,
3.18% (LIBOR01M+68bps), 2/25/35, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (a)
   

706,929

     

697,288

   
Residential Funding Mortgage Securities I, Inc. , Series 2005-S3,
Class A1, 4.75%, 3/25/20, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b)
   

3,291

     

3,291

   
Structured Asset Securities Corp. , Series 2003-34A, Class 3A2, 4.27%,
11/25/33, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b) (d)
   

298,159

     

293,989

   
Structured Asset Securities Corp. , Series 2004-21XS, Class 2A6A, 5.24%,
12/25/34, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b) (d)
   

149

     

149

   
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust , Series 2003-J, Class 2A1,
4.59%, 10/25/33, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b) (d)
   

26,502

     

26,502

   
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust , Series 2004-O, Class A1,
4.68%, 8/25/34, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b) (d)
   

87,848

     

87,848

   
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust , Series 2004-M, Class A7,
4.61%, 8/25/34, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b) (d)
   

127,226

     

127,226

   
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust , Series 2004-Z, Class 2A2,
4.97%, 12/25/34, Callable 1/25/19 @ 100 (b) (d)
   

51,292

     

51,292

   

Total Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (Cost $11,860,949)

   

11,597,415

   

Corporate Bonds (50.8%)

 

Communication Services (3.2%):

 
AT&T, Inc.
2.45%, 6/30/20, Callable 5/30/20 @ 100 (b)
   

4,079,000

     

4,030,500

   

3.96%, (LIBOR03M+118bps), 6/12/24 (a)

   

688,000

     

665,881

   

Electronic Arts, Inc., 3.70%, 3/1/21, Callable 2/1/21 @ 100 (b)

   

2,255,000

     

2,272,138

   
Verizon Communications Inc., 3.72%(LIBOR03M+110bps), 5/15/25,
Callable 3/15/25 @ 100 (a) (b)
   

719,000

     

697,344

   

Vodafone Group PLC, 3.43%(LIBOR03M+99bps), 1/16/24 (a) (b)

   

682,000

     

663,061

   
     

8,328,924

   

Consumer Discretionary (5.2%):

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., 2.50%, 11/28/19, Callable 10/28/19 @ 100

   

999,000

     

994,215

   

Aptiv PLC, 3.15%, 11/19/20, Callable 10/19/20 @ 100 (b)

   

1,730,000

     

1,722,890

   

Best Buy Co., Inc., 5.50%, 3/15/21, Callable 12/15/20 @ 100 (b)

   

2,115,000

     

2,183,611

   

BorgWarner, Inc., 4.63%, 9/15/20 (b)

   

859,000

     

873,199

   

D.R Horton, Inc., 4.00%, 2/15/20 (b)

   

2,133,000

     

2,136,967

   

Hasbro, Inc., 3.15%, 5/15/21, Callable 3/15/21 @ 100 (b)

   

2,622,000

     

2,606,032

   

Lennar Corp., 4.50%, 6/15/19, Callable 4/16/19 @ 100 (b)

   

640,000

     

638,861

   

NVR, Inc., 3.95%, 9/15/22, Callable 6/15/22 @ 100 (b)

   

2,635,000

     

2,586,753

   
     

13,742,528

   

Consumer Staples (3.8%):

 

BAT Capital Corp., 2.30%, 8/14/20

   

2,250,000

     

2,197,035

   
Church & Dwight Co., Inc., 2.45%, 12/15/19,
Callable 11/15/19 @ 100 (b)
   

1,515,000

     

1,500,926

   

See notes to financial statements.


9



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 
Security Description   Principal
Amount
 

Value

 
Constellation Brands, Inc., 3.21%(LIBOR03M+70bps), 11/15/21,
Callable 10/30/19 @ 100 (a)
 

$

2,500,000

   

$

2,495,425

   

Ingredion, Inc., 4.63%, 11/1/20

   

900,000

     

918,774

   

Molson Coors Brewing Co., 1.45%, 7/15/19 (b)

   

1,250,000

     

1,236,475

   

Pernod Ricard SA, 5.75%, 4/7/21 (b) (c)

   

1,773,000

     

1,858,583

   
     

10,207,218

   

Energy (3.7%):

 

Enable Midstream Partner, 2.40%, 5/15/19, Callable 4/15/19 @ 100 (b)

   

2,900,000

     

2,883,875

   

LUKOIL International Finance BV, 6.13%, 11/9/20 (b) (c)

   

2,815,000

     

2,900,126

   

Marathon Petroleum Corp., 3.40%, 12/15/20, Callable 11/15/20 @ 100 (b)

   

1,040,000

     

1,039,210

   

Pioneer Natural Resource Co.

 

7.50%, 1/15/20 (b)

   

1,135,000

     

1,178,845

   

3.45%, 1/15/21, Callable 12/15/20 @ 100 (b)

   

1,825,000

     

1,818,540

   
     

9,820,596

   

Financials (11.5%):

 

Alleghany Corp., 5.63%, 9/15/20

   

800,000

     

827,496

   

Bank of America Corp.

 

2.25%, 4/21/20, MTN (b)

   

1,300,000

     

1,285,427

   

2.33%, (LIBOR03M+63bps), 10/1/21, Callable 10/1/20 @ 100 (a)

   

754,000

     

737,789

   

3.44%, (LIBOR03M+96bps), 7/23/24, Callable 7/23/23 @ 100 (a) (b)

   

693,000

     

677,414

   

Capital One Financial Corp.

 

2.45%, 4/24/19, Callable 3/24/19 @ 100 (b)

   

500,000

     

499,010

   

2.50%, 5/12/20, Callable 4/12/20 @ 100

   

590,000

     

582,672

   

3.45%, 4/30/21, Callable 3/30/21 @ 100 (b)

   

3,500,000

     

3,491,320

   

Citigroup, Inc.

 

3.84%, (LIBOR03M+107bps), 12/8/21, Callable 11/8/21 @ 100 (a) (b)

   

1,500,000

     

1,498,320

   

3.44%, (LIBOR03M+95bps), 7/24/23, Callable 7/24/22 @ 100 (a) (b)

   

703,000

     

686,922

   
HSBC Holdings PLC, 3.64%(LIBOR03M+100bps), 5/18/24,
Callable 5/18/23 @ 100 (a) (b)
   

675,000

     

656,397

   
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.37%(LIBOR03M+89bps), 7/23/24,
Callable 7/23/23 @ 100 (a) (b)
   

675,000

     

657,882

   

KeyBank NA, 1.60%, 8/22/19 (b)

   

3,000,000

     

2,971,620

   

Level 3 Financing, Inc., 5.38%, 1/15/24, Callable 2/7/19 @ 102.69

   

325,000

     

309,563

   

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc., 2.35%, 3/6/20, Callable 2/6/20 @ 100

   

335,000

     

331,513

   

Morgan Stanley

 

2.45%, 2/1/19 (b)

   

1,000,000

     

999,420

   

2.65%, 1/27/20 (b)

   

1,355,000

     

1,345,474

   

3.81%, (LIBOR03M+122bps), 5/8/24, Callable 5/8/23 @ 100 (a) (b)

   

675,000

     

664,605

   

Newcrest Finance Pty Ltd., 4.20%, 10/1/22 (c)

   

575,000

     

578,617

   

Regions Financial Corp., 3.20%, 2/8/21, Callable 1/8/21 @ 100 (b)

   

1,190,000

     

1,182,539

   

SVB Financial Group, 5.38%, 9/15/20 (b)

   

1,741,000

     

1,796,381

   
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, 4.26%(LIBOR03M+175bps), 10/28/27,
Callable 10/28/26 @ 100 (a) (b)
   

650,000

     

631,313

   
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 3.79%(LIBOR03M+117bps), 11/15/21,
Callable 11/15/20 @ 100 (a) (b)
   

1,500,000

     

1,496,745

   

UBS Group Funding Switzerland AG

 

2.95%, 9/24/20 (b) (c)

   

2,075,000

     

2,052,942

   

3.57%, (LIBOR03M+95bps), 8/15/23, Callable 8/15/22 @ 100 (a) (b) (c)

   

686,000

     

667,883

   

See notes to financial statements.


10



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 
Security Description   Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

Unum Group, 3.00%, 5/15/21, Callable 4/15/21 @ 100 (b)

 

$

3,000,000

   

$

2,957,490

   

ZB NA, 3.50%, 8/27/21

   

1,465,000

     

1,462,246

   
     

31,049,000

   

Health Care (4.9%):

 

Agilent Technologies, Inc., 5.00%, 7/15/20 (b)

   

1,500,000

     

1,534,950

   

Amgen, Inc., 2.20%, 5/11/20 (b)

   

2,705,000

     

2,671,701

   

Biogen, Inc., 2.90%, 9/15/20 (b)

   

2,623,000

     

2,606,239

   

Celgene Corp., 2.88%, 2/19/21 (b)

   

3,020,000

     

2,987,323

   

Express Scripts Holding Co., 2.25%, 6/15/19 (b)

   

2,390,000

     

2,379,531

   
Halfmoon Parent, Inc., 3.33%(LIBOR03M+89bps), 7/15/23,
Callable 6/15/23 @ 100 (a) (c) (e)
   

702,000

     

691,330

   
     

12,871,074

   

Industrials (3.5%):

 

Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc., 6.00%, 12/15/19 (b)

   

1,330,000

     

1,360,457

   

Aercap Holdings NV, 4.63%, 10/30/20 (b)

   

2,015,000

     

2,029,186

   

Equifax, Inc., 3.60%, 8/15/21

   

1,000,000

     

996,940

   

Honeywell International, Inc., 1.80%, 10/30/19

   

744,000

     

736,716

   

IDEX Corp., 4.50%, 12/15/20, Callable 9/15/20 @ 100 (b)

   

1,150,000

     

1,170,988

   

Kansas City Southern, 2.35%, 5/15/20, Callable 4/15/20 @ 100 (b)

   

1,756,000

     

1,730,520

   
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., 3.59%(LIBOR03M+80bps), 6/15/21,
Callable 5/31/19 @ 100 (a)
   

1,000,000

     

986,110

   
     

9,010,917

   

Information Technology (5.5%):

 

Broadcom Corp., 3.00%, 1/15/22, Callable 12/15/21 @ 100

   

2,234,000

     

2,148,125

   

FLIR Systems, Inc., 3.13%, 6/15/21, Callable 5/15/21 @ 100

   

2,050,000

     

2,021,710

   

Juniper Networks, Inc., 3.13%, 2/26/19 (b)

   

2,930,000

     

2,930,879

   

Lam Research Group, 2.80%, 6/15/21, Callable 5/15/21 @ 100

   

2,928,000

     

2,887,301

   

NetApp, Inc.

 

2.00%, 9/27/19 (b)

   

1,025,000

     

1,013,151

   

3.38%, 6/15/21, Callable 4/15/21 @ 100

   

1,310,000

     

1,304,839

   

VMware, Inc., 2.30%, 8/21/20 (b)

   

2,110,000

     

2,066,429

   
     

14,372,434

   

Materials (2.8%):

 

Anglo American Capital PLC, 4.13%, 4/15/21 (b) (c)

   

3,275,000

     

3,265,404

   

LyondellBasell Industries NV, 6.00%, 11/15/21, Callable 8/17/21 @ 100

   

800,000

     

846,744

   

Newmont Mining Corp., 5.13%, 10/1/19 (b)

   

3,285,000

     

3,324,519

   
     

7,436,667

   

Real Estate (3.9%):

 

CubeSmart, LP, 4.80%, 7/15/22, Callable 4/15/22 @ 100

   

2,731,000

     

2,813,257

   
Healthcare Trust of America Holdings LP, 3.38%, 7/15/21,
Callable 5/15/21 @ 100 (b)
   

1,000,000

     

993,500

   

Highwoods Realty LP, 3.20%, 6/15/21, Callable 4/15/21 @ 100 (b)

   

2,200,000

     

2,180,860

   

Ventas Realty, LP, 4.25%, 3/1/22, Callable 12/1/21 @ 100

   

2,200,000

     

2,242,767

   

Welltower, Inc., 6.13%, 4/15/20 (b)

   

1,906,000

     

1,967,507

   
     

10,197,891

   

See notes to financial statements.


11



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

  Shares or
Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

Utilities (2.8%):

 

Eversource Energy, 2.50%, 3/15/21, Callable 2/15/21 @ 100 (b)

 

$

1,950,000

   

$

1,915,739

   

Exelon Corp., 3.50%, 6/1/22, Callable 5/1/22 @ 100

   

2,117,000

     

2,068,711

   

Iberdrola Finance Ireland Ltd., 5.00%, 9/11/19 (b) (c)

   

3,290,000

     

3,325,136

   
     

7,309,586

   

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $135,820,982)

   

134,346,835

   

U.S. Government Mortgage Backed Agencies (9.9%)

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

 

5.00%, 6/15/23 – 8/1/40 (b)

   

1,012,412

     

1,073,789

   

5.50%, 10/25/23 (b)

   

6,711

     

6,939

   

Series 4430, Class NG, 2.50%, 2/15/38 (b)

   

1,970,830

     

1,949,836

   

7.00%, 9/1/38 (b)

   

6,605

     

7,532

   

Series 4320, Class AP, 3.50%, 7/15/39 (b)

   

984,683

     

1,001,027

   

Series 3713, Class PA, 2.00%, 2/15/40 – 3/15/40 (b)

   

7,054,704

     

6,842,148

   

Series 4049, Class AB, 2.75%, 12/15/41 (b)

   

621,614

     

616,000

   
     

11,497,271

   

Federal National Mortgage Association

 

Series 2010-156, Class DY, 3.50%, 1/25/26 – 3/25/40 (b)

   

4,377,027

     

4,420,666

   

6.00%, 2/1/37 (b)

   

1,087,894

     

1,204,897

   

Series 2013-33, Class UD, 2.50%, 4/25/39 (b)

   

1,218,414

     

1,193,795

   

Series 2011-21, Class PA, 4.50%, 5/25/40 (b)

   

2,669,677

     

2,756,698

   

Series 2011-101, Class LA, 3.00%, 10/25/40 (b)

   

1,065,007

     

1,059,783

   

5.00%, 2/1/41 – 10/1/41 (b)

   

3,769,939

     

4,000,285

   
     

14,636,124

   

Total U.S. Government Mortgage Backed Agencies (Cost $26,701,504)

   

26,133,395

   

U.S. Treasury Obligations (15.6%)

 

U.S. Treasury Bills, 2.09%, 1/24/19 (f)

   

23,000,000

     

22,967,982

   

U.S. Treasury Notes

 

1.13%, 1/31/19 (b)

   

3,837,000

     

3,832,550

   

1.63%, 8/31/19 (b)

   

10,546,000

     

10,476,815

   

2.25%, 3/31/20 (b)

   

2,000,000

     

1,991,995

   

2.88%, 10/15/21

   

2,000,000

     

2,021,246

   

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $41,329,928)

   

41,290,588

   

Collateral for Securities Loaned^ (0.1%)

 
BlackRock Liquidity Funds TempFund Portfolio, Institutional Class,
2.49% (g)
   

57,476

     

57,476

   
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio,
Class I, 2.28% (g)
   

83,050

     

83,050

   

Fidelity Investments Prime Money Market Portfolio, Class I, 2.46% (g)

   

2,565

     

2,565

   
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund,
Institutional Class, 2.55% (g)
   

31,931

     

31,931

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, Capital Class, 2.49% (g)

   

51,087

     

51,087

   

See notes to financial statements.


12



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

  Shares or
Principal
Amount
 

Value

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Prime Portfolio,
Institutional Class, 2.58% (g)
 

$

76,635

   

$

76,635

   

Total Collateral for Securities Loaned (Cost $302,744)

   

302,744

   

Total Investments (Cost $260,944,605) — 97.7%

   

258,234,895

   

Other assets in excess of liabilities — 2.3%

   

6,213,845

   

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

 

$

264,448,740

   

^  Purchased with cash collateral from securities on loan.

(a)  Variable or Floating-Rate Security. Rate disclosed is as of December 31, 2018.

(b)  All or a portion of this security has been segregated as collateral for derivative instruments.

(c)  Rule 144A security or other security that is restricted as to resale to institutional investors. The Fund's Adviser has deemed this security to be liquid based upon procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. As of December 31, 2018, the fair value of these securities was $40,571,343 and amounted to 15.3% of net assets.

(d)  The rate for certain asset backed and mortgage backed securities may vary based on factors relating to the pool of assets underlying the security. The rate disclosed is the rate in effect at December 31, 2018.

(e)  All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(f)  Rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2018.

(g)  Rate disclosed is the daily yield on December 31, 2018.

bps — Basis points

LIBOR — London InterBank Offered Rate

LIBOR01M — 1 Month US Dollar LIBOR, rate disclosed as of December 31, 2018, based on the last reset date of the security

LIBOR03M — 3 Month US Dollar LIBOR, rate disclosed as of December 31, 2018, based on the last reset date of the security

LLC — Limited Liability Company

LP — Limited Partnership

MTN — Medium Term Note

PLC — Public Limited Company

Futures Contracts Purchased

    Number of
Contracts
  Expiration
Date
  Notional
Amount
 

Value

  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

2-Year U.S.Treasury Note Future

   

229

   

3/29/19

 

$

48,294,734

   

$

48,619,585

   

$

324,851

   

5-Year U.S. Treasury Note Future

   

201

   

3/29/19

   

22,683,508

     

23,052,188

     

368,680

   
                               

$

693,531

   
   

Total unrealized appreciation

             

$

693,531

   
   

Total unrealized depreciation

               

   
   

Total net unrealized appreciation(depreciation)

             

$

693,531

   

See notes to financial statements.


13



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Credit Default Swap Agreements — Sell Protection (a)

Underlying
Instrument
  Fixed
Deal
Received
Rate
  Expiration
Date
  Payment
Frequency
  Implied
Credit
Spread at
December 31,
2018 (b)
  Notional
Amount (c)
 

Value

  Premiums
Paid
(Received)
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
CDX North
America High
Yield Index;
Series 31
   

5.00

%

 

12/20/23

 

Daily

   

4.46

%

 

$

25,000,000

   

$

510,630

   

$

1,810,600

   

$

(1,299,970

)

 
CDX North
America
Investment
Grade 5 Year
Index;
Series 31
   

1.00

%

 

12/20/23

 

Daily

   

4.46

%

   

14,000,000

     

79,183

     

261,707

     

(182,524

)

 
   

$

589,813

   

$

2,072,307

   

$

(1,482,494

)

 

(a)  When a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of the swap agreement, the Fund as a seller of credit protection will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity and take delivery of the reference entity or (ii) pay a net amount equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity less its recovery value.

(b)  Implied credit spread, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the value of the credit default swap agreements as of period end will serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Generally, wider credit spreads represent a perceived deterioration of the referenced entity's credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the swap agreement.

(c)  The notional amount represents the maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection if a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap agreement, for each security included in the CDX North America High Yield Index or CDX North America Investment Grade 5 Year Index.

See notes to financial statements.


14



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2018
 
    Victory
INCORE
Low Duration
Bond VIP Series
 

ASSETS:

 

Investments, at value (Cost $260,944,605)

 

$

258,234,895

(a)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   

1,635,908

   

Deposits with brokers for futures contracts

   

1,322,396

   

Deposits with brokers for swap agreements

   

2,292,999

   

Interest and dividends receivable

   

1,421,176

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

3,402

   

Variation margin receivable on open futures contracts

   

82,493

   

Variation margin receivable on open swap agreements

   

34,614

   

Receivable from Adviser

   

68,259

   

Total Assets

   

265,096,142

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Payables:

 

Collateral received on loaned securities

   

302,744

   

Capital shares redeemed

   

137,258

   

Accrued expenses and other payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

101,388

   

Administration fees

   

13,820

   

Custodian fees

   

4,233

   

Transfer agent fees

   

29,966

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

499

   

Trustees' fees

   

259

   

Other accrued expenses

   

57,235

   

Total Liabilities

   

647,402

   

NET ASSETS:

 

Capital

   

267,399,730

   

Total distributable earnings/(loss)

   

(2,950,990

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

264,448,740

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, with a par
value of $0.001 per share):
   

25,742,782

   

Net asset value:

 

$

10.27

   

(a)  Includes $294,455 of securities on loan.

See notes to financial statements.


15



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
    Victory
INCORE
Low Duration
Bond VIP Series
 

Investment Income:

 

Interest

 

$

6,774,685

   

Securities lending (net of fees)

   

9,075

   

Total Income

   

6,783,760

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

1,281,990

   

Administration fees

   

170,506

   

Custodian fees

   

17,266

   

Transfer agent fees

   

60,269

   

Trustees' fees

   

23,575

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

2,456

   

Legal and audit fees

   

46,356

   

Other expenses

   

62,755

   

Total Expenses

   

1,665,173

   

Expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser

   

(155,683

)

 

Net Expenses

   

1,509,490

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

5,274,270

   

Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Investment Transactions:

 

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

(426,202

)

 

Net realized gains (losses) from futures transactions

   

(765,169

)

 

Net realized gains (losses) from swap transactions

   

1,036,524

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

   

(1,435,538

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures transactions

   

786,412

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swap transactions

   

(1,619,834

)

 

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   

(2,423,807

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

2,850,463

   

See notes to financial statements.


16



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
    Victory INCORE Low
Duration Bond VIP Series
 
    Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year Ended
December 31,
2017
 

From Investment Activities:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

5,274,270

   

$

4,149,385

   

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

(154,847

)

   

772,341

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments
   

(2,268,960

)

   

(357,681

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

   

2,850,463

     

4,564,045

   

Distributions to Shareholders: (a)

 
Change in net assets resulting from distributions
to shareholders
   

(1,374,412

)

   

(4,147,757

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   

(29,333,670

)

   

18,738,983

   

Change in net assets

   

(27,857,619

)

   

19,155,271

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

292,306,359

     

273,151,088

   

End of period

 

$

264,448,740

   

$

292,306,359

   

Capital Transactions:

 

Proceeds from shares issued

   

20,030,792

     

41,604,917

   

Distributions reinvested

   

1,374,412

     

4,147,757

   

Cost of shares redeemed

   

(50,738,874

)

   

(27,013,691

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   

(29,333,670

)

   

18,738,983

   

Share Transactions:

 

Issued

   

1,955,580

     

4,044,038

   

Reinvested

   

134,219

     

406,245

   

Redeemed

   

(4,949,055

)

   

(2,620,215

)

 

Change in Shares

   

(2,859,256

)

   

1,830,068

   

(a)  Current and prior year distributions to shareholders have been reclassified and conform to amended GAAP presentation under Regulation S-X (See Item 10 in the Notes to Financial Statements).

See notes to financial statements.


17



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Financial Highlights

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   

Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2015
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.22

   

$

10.20

   

$

10.13

   

$

10.22

   

$

10.30

   

Investment Activities:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

0.19

(a)

   

0.15

(a)

   

0.12

(a)

   

0.14

(a)

   

0.18

   
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments
   

(0.09

)

   

0.02

     

0.09

     

(0.09

)

   

(0.08

)

 

Total from Investment Activities

   

0.10

     

0.17

     

0.21

     

0.05

     

0.10

   

Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.18

)

 
Total Distributions to
Shareholders
   

(0.05

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.18

)

 
Capital Contributions from Prior Custodian,
Net (See Note 8)
   

     

     

(b)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

10.27

   

$

10.22

   

$

10.20

   

$

10.13

   

$

10.22

   

Total Return (c)

   

1.01

%

   

1.64

%

   

2.04

%(d)

   

0.47

%

   

0.92

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets at end of period (000)

 

$

264,449

   

$

292,306

   

$

273,151

   

$

276,164

   

$

265,514

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.53

%

   

0.53

%

   

0.53

%

   

0.53

%

   

0.55

%

 
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average net assets
   

1.85

%

   

1.44

%

   

1.21

%

   

1.33

%

   

1.74

%

 
Ratio of gross expenses to
average net assets
   

0.58

%(e)

   

0.58

%(e)

   

0.53

%

   

0.53

%

   

0.55

%

 

Portfolio turnover

   

55

%

   

91

%(f)

   

55

%

   

38

%

   

39

%

 

(a)  Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total returns do not reflect the effects of charges deducted pursuant to the terms of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc's variable contracts. Inclusion of such charges would reduce the total returns for all periods shown.

(d)  The Fund received monies related to a nonrecurring refund from the prior Custodian. The corresponding impact to the total return was less than 0.005% for the period shown. (See Note 8)

(e)  During the period, certain fees were reduced and/or reimbursed. If such fee reductions and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

(f)  Portfolio turnover increased due to a change within the portfolio holdings during the year.

See notes to financial statements.


18



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
 

1. Organization:

Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust") was organized on February 11, 1998 as a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified open-end investment company. The Trust is comprised of nine funds and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, which are units of beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share.

The accompanying financial statements are those of the Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series (the "Fund"). The Fund offers a single class of shares: Class I Shares. Sales of shares of the Fund may only be made to certain separate accounts of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. ("GIAC") that fund certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts issued by GIAC. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America ("Guardian Life").

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund follows the specialized accounting and reporting requirements under GAAP that are applicable to investment companies.

Investment Valuation:

The Fund records investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The valuation techniques described below maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund's investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

• Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

• Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities or interest rates applicable to those securities, etc.)

• Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The inputs or methodologies used for valuation techniques are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with entering into those investments.

Portfolio securities listed or traded on securities exchanges, including American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and Rights, are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, if available, or at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price. If there have been no sales for that day on the exchange or system, then a security is valued at the last available bid quotation on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.


19



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price established each day by the board of trade or an exchange on which they are traded. These valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Swap agreements are valued at the mean between the current bid and ask prices. These valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt securities of United States ("U.S.") issuers (other than short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less), including corporate and municipal securities, are valued on the basis of bid valuations provided by dealers or an independent pricing service approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board"). Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Under the amortized cost method, premium or discount, if any, is amortized or accreted, respectively, on a constant basis to the maturity of the security. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Investments for which there are no such quotations, or for which quotations do not appear reliable, are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Board. These valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, based on the observability of inputs used to determine the fair value.

A summary of the valuations as of December 31, 2018, based upon the three levels defined above, is included in the table below while the breakdown, by category, of investments is disclosed in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments:

    LEVEL 1 —
Quoted Prices
  LEVEL 2 —
Other Significant
Observable Inputs
 

Total

 
    Investments
in
Securities
  Other
Financial
Investments^
  Investments
in
Securities
  Other
Financial
Investments^
  Investments
in
Securities
  Other
Financial
Investments^
 

Asset Backed Securities

 

$

   

$

   

$

33,242,879

   

$

   

$

33,242,879

   

$

   
Collateralized Mortgage
Obligations
   

     

     

11,321,039

     

     

11,321,039

     

   
Residential Mortgage Backed
Securities
   

     

     

11,597,415

     

     

11,597,415

     

   

Corporate Bonds

   

     

     

134,346,835

     

     

134,346,835

     

   
U.S. Government Mortgage Backed
Agencies
   

     

     

26,133,395

     

     

26,133,395

     

   

U.S. Treasury Obligations

   

     

     

41,290,588

     

     

41,290,588

     

   

Collateral for Securities Loaned

   

302,744

     

     

     

     

302,744

     

   

Futures Contracts

   

     

693,531

     

     

     

     

693,531

   

Credit Default Swap Agreements

   

     

     

     

(1,482,494

)

   

     

(1,482,494

)

 

Total

 

$

302,744

   

$

693,531

   

$

257,932,151

   

$

(1,482,494

)

 

$

258,234,895

   

$

(788,963

)

 

^  Other Financial instruments include any derivative instruments not reflected in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments as investment securities, such as futures contracts and swap agreements. These instruments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

Securities Purchased on a When-Issued Basis:

The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued securities are securities purchased for delivery beyond normal settlement periods at a stated price and/or yield, thereby involving the risk that the price and/or yield obtained may be more or less than those available in the


20



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

market when delivery takes place. At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, the Fund records the transaction and reflects the value of the security in determining net asset value. No interest accrues to the Fund until the transaction settles and payment takes place. Normally, the settlement date occurs within one month of the purchase. A segregated account is established and the Fund maintains cash and/or marketable securities at least equal in value to commitments for when-issued securities. If the Fund owns when-issued securities, these values are included in "Payable for investments purchased" on the accompanying Statements of Assets and Liabilities. As of December 31, 2018, the Fund had no outstanding when-issued purchase commitments.

Loans:

Floating rate loans in which the Fund invests are primarily "senior" loans. Senior floating rate loans typically hold a senior position in the capital structure of the borrower, are typically secured by specific collateral, and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the borrower that is senior to that held by subordinated debtholders and stockholders of the borrower. While these protections may reduce risk, these investments still present significant credit risk. A significant portion of the Fund's floating rate investments may be issued in connection with highly leveraged transactions such as leveraged buyouts, leveraged recapitalization loans, and other types of acquisition financing. Obligations in these types of transactions are subject to greater credit risk (including default and bankruptcy) than many other investments and may be, or become, illiquid. See the note below regarding below investment grade securities.

The Fund may purchase second lien loans (secured loans with a claim on collateral subordinate to a senior lender's claim on such collateral), fixed rate loans, unsecured loans, and other debt obligations.

Transactions in loans often settle on a delayed basis, and the Fund may not receive the proceeds from the sale of a loan or pay for a loan purchase for a substantial period of time after entering into the transactions.

Below Investment Grade Securities:

The Fund may invest in below investment grade securities (i.e. lower-quality, "junk" debt), which are subject to various risks. Lower-quality debt is considered to be speculative because it is less certain that the issuer will be able to pay interest or repay the principal than in the case of investment grade debt. These securities can involve a substantially greater risk of default than higher-rated securities, and their values can decline significantly over short periods of time. Lower-quality debt securities tend to be more sensitive to adverse news about their issuers, the market and the economy in general, than higher-quality debt securities. The market for these securities can be less liquid, especially during periods of recession or general market decline.

Investment Companies:

The Fund may invest in portfolios of open-end investment companies. These investment companies value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value by the methods established by the board of directors of the underlying fund.

Derivative Instruments:

Futures Contracts:

The Fund may enter into contracts for the future delivery of securities or foreign currencies and futures contracts based on a specific security, class of securities, foreign currency or an index, and purchase or sell options on any such futures contracts. A futures contract on a securities index is an agreement obligating either party to pay, and entitling the other party to receive, while the contract is outstanding, cash payments based on the level of a specified securities index. No physical delivery of the underlying asset is made. The Fund may enter into futures contracts in an effort to hedge against market risks. The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will give the Fund the right (but not the obligation), for a specified price, to sell or to purchase the underlying futures contract, upon exercise of the option, at any time during the option period. Futures transactions involve brokerage costs and


21



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

require the Fund to segregate assets to cover contracts that would require it to purchase securities or currencies. A good faith margin deposit, known as initial margin, of cash or government securities with a broker or custodian is required to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, are made or received by the Fund based on the change in the market value of the position and are recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the contract is closed out, at which time the gain or loss is realized. The Fund may lose the expected benefit of futures transactions if interest rates, exchange rates or securities prices change in an unanticipated manner. Such unanticipated changes may also result in lower overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures transactions. In addition, the value of the Fund's futures positions may not prove to be perfectly or even highly correlated with the value of its portfolio securities or foreign currencies, limiting the Fund's ability to hedge effectively against interest rate, exchange rate and/or market risk and giving rise to additional risks. There is no assurance of liquidity in the secondary market for purposes of closing out futures positions. The collateral held by the Fund is presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities under Deposits with brokers for futures contracts.

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund entered into Futures Contracts primarily for the strategy of hedging or other purposes, including but not limited to, providing liquidity and equitizing cash.

Credit Derivatives:

The Fund may enter into credit derivatives, including centrally-cleared credit default swaps on individual obligations or credit indices. The Fund may use these investments (i) as alternatives to direct long or short investment in a particular security or securities, (ii) to adjust the Fund's asset allocation or risk exposure, or (iii) for hedging purposes. The use by the Fund of credit default swaps may have the effect of creating a short position in a security. Credit derivatives can create investment leverage and may create additional investment risks that may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in more traditional securities, as described in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Credit default swap ("CDS") agreements on credit indices involve one party making a stream of payments (referred to as the buyer of protection) to another party (the seller of protection) in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a write-down, principal shortfall, interest shortfall or default of all or part of the referenced entities comprising the credit index. A credit index is a basket of credit instruments or exposures designed to be representative of a specific sector of the credit market as a whole. These indices are made up of reference credits that are judged by a poll of dealers to be the most liquid entities in the CDS.

The counterparty risk for cleared swap agreements is generally lower than uncleared over-the-counter swap agreements because generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a cleared swap agreement and, in effect, guarantees each party's performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to the clearing organization for performance of financial obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the clearing organization, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to the Fund.

The Fund may enter into CDS agreements either as a buyer or seller. The Fund may buy protection under a CDS to attempt to mitigate the risk of default or credit quality deterioration in one or more individual holdings or in a segment of the fixed income securities market. The Fund may sell protection under a CDS in an attempt to gain exposure to an underlying issuer's credit quality characteristics without investing directly in that issuer. For swaps entered with an individual counterparty, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the uncollateralized amount expected to be received under a CDS agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of the counterparty. CDS agreements are generally valued at a price at which the counterparty to such agreement would terminate the agreement. The Fund may also enter into cleared swaps.

Upon entering into a cleared CDS, the Fund may be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents in the range of approximately 3% to 6% of the notional amount for CDS on high yield debt issuers (this amount is subject to change by the clearing organization that clears the trade). This amount, known as "initial margin," is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the CDS and is returned to a Fund upon termination of the CDS, assuming all contractual


22



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, known as "variation margin," to and from the broker will be made daily as the price of the CDS fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the CDS contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking-to-market." The premium (discount) payments are built into the daily price of the CDS and thus are amortized through the variation margin. The variation margin payment also includes the daily portion of the periodic payment stream.

The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund as a seller of protection could be required to make under a CDS agreement equals the notional amount of the agreement. Notional amounts of each individual CDS agreement outstanding as of period end for which the Fund is the seller of protection are disclosed on the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront payments received upon entering into the agreement, periodic interest payments, or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection CDS agreements entered into by the Fund for the same referenced entity or entities.

As of December 31, 2018, the Fund entered into centrally cleared CDS agreements primarily for the strategy of asset allocation and risk exposure management.

Summary of Derivative Instruments:

The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2018.

   

Assets

 

Liabilities

 
    Variation
Margin
Receivable on
Open Futures
Contracts*
  Variation
Margin
Receivable on
Open Swap
Agreements*
  Variation
Margin
Payable on
Open Futures
Contracts*
  Variation
Margin
Payable on
Open Swap
Agreements*
 

Credit Risk Exposure

 

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

1,482,494

   

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

   

693,531

     

     

     

   

*Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts and centrally cleared swap agreements as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day's variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2018.

    Net Realized Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives Recognized
as a Result from Operations
  Net Change in Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation
on Derivatives Recognized
as a Result of Operations
 
    Net Realized
Gains (Losses)
from Futures
Transactions
  Net Realized
Gains (Losses)
from Swap
Transactions
  Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
on Futures
Transactions
  Change in
Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
on Swap
Transactions
 

Credit Risk Exposure

 

$

   

$

1,036,524

   

$

   

$

(1,619,834

)

 

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

   

(765,169

)

   

     

786,412

     

   

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The associated volume of derivative positions in the Fund was 32% based on average monthly notional amounts in comparison to net assets during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Investment Transactions and Related Income:

Changes in holdings of investments are accounted for no later than one business day following the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, however, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date on the last business day of the reporting period. Interest income is recognized on an accrual


23



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

The Fund may receive other income from investment in loan assignments and/or unfunded commitments, including amendment fees, consent fees and commitment fees. These fees are recorded as income when received by the Fund. These amounts are included in Interest Income in the Statement of Operations.

Withholding taxes on interest, dividends and gains as a result of certain investments in ADRs by the Fund have been provided for in accordance with each investment's applicable country's tax rules and rates.

Securities Lending:

The Trust has entered into a Master Securities Lending Agreement ("MSLA") with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank" or the "Agent"). Under the terms of the MSLA, the Fund may lend securities to certain broker-dealers and banks in exchange for collateral in the amount of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned or at least 105% of the value of non-U.S. securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls associated with increases in the valuation of the securities loaned are adjusted the next business day. The collateral can be received in the form of cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral can include U.S. Government Securities, letters of credit and certificates of deposit. The cash collateral is invested in short-term instruments or cash equivalents as noted on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Trust does not have effective control of the non-cash collateral and therefore it is not disclosed in the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund continues to benefit from interest or dividends on the securities loaned and may also earn a return from the collateral. The Fund pays various fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral. The Fund pays the Agent fees based on the investment income received from securities lending activities. Securities lending income is disclosed in the Fund's Statement of Operations. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral, the Fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return them.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under the MSLA, which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances such as an event of default, to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty to create a net payment due to or from the Fund.

The following table is a summary of the Fund's securities lending transactions which are subject to offset under the MSLA as of December 31, 2018. These transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings with an overnight and continuous contractual maturity for cash collateral, and greater than overnight and continuous contractual maturity for non-cash collateral.

Gross
Amount of
Recognized
Assets
(Value of
  Value of
Cash
  Value of Non-cash Collateral
Received by Maturity
     
Securities
on Loan)
  Collateral
Received
 

<30 Days

  Between 30
& 90 Days
 

>90 Days

 

Net Amount

 
$

294,455

   

$

302,744

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

8,289

   

Dividends to Shareholders:

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually by the Fund. Distributable net realized gains, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually.

The amounts of dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. To the extent these "book/tax" differences are permanent in nature (e.g., net operating loss, distributions


24



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

reclassification, and deemed distribution due to shareholder redemption), such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales) do not require reclassification. To the extent dividends and distributions exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of capital. Net investment losses incurred by the Fund may be reclassified as an offset to capital on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

As of December 31, 2018, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, there were no permanent book-to-tax difference reclassification adjustments.

Federal Income Taxes:

It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements. The Fund has a tax year end of December 31.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Allocations:

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund, while expenses which are attributable to more than one fund in the Trust, or jointly with an affiliated trust, are allocated among the respective funds in the Trust and/or affiliated trust based upon net assets or another appropriate basis.

Affiliated Securities Transactions:

Pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may engage in securities transactions with affiliated investment companies and advisory accounts managed by the Adviser and any applicable sub-adviser. Any such purchase or sale transaction must be effected without brokerage commission or other remuneration, except for customary transfer fees. The transaction must be effected at the current market price, which is either the security's last sale price on an exchange or, if there are no transactions in the security that day, at the average of the highest bid and lowest asked price. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not engage in any Rule 17a-7 transactions under the 1940 Act.

3. Purchases and Sales of Securities:

Purchases and sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) for the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows for the Fund:

Purchases
(excluding U.S.
Government
Securities)
  Sales
(excluding U.S.
Government
Securities)
  Purchases
of U.S.
Government
Securities
  Sales
of U.S.
Government
Securities
 
$

88,115,001

   

$

114,247,624

   

$

55,821,985

   

$

67,013,504

   

4. Fees and Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties:

Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by Victory Capital Management Inc. ("VCM" or the "Adviser"), a New York corporation registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings Inc., a publicly traded Delaware corporation, and a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Victory Capital Operating, LLC.


25



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive 0.45% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may use its resources to assist with the Fund's distribution and marketing expenses.

VCM also serves as the Fund's administrator and fund accountant. Under an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement, VCM is paid for its services an annual fee at a rate of 0.08% of the first $15 billion in average daily net assets of the Trust, Victory Portfolios and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Trusts"), 0.05% of the average daily net assets above $15 billion to $30 billion of the Trusts and 0.04% of the average daily net assets over $30 billion of the Trusts.

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. ("Citi"), an affiliate of Citibank N.A., acts as sub-administrator and sub-fund accountant to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement between VCM and Citi. VCM pays Citi a fee for providing these services. The Trust reimburses VCM and Citi for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

FIS Investor Services, LLC ("FIS") serves as the Fund's transfer agent. Under the Transfer Agent Agreement, the Trust pays FIS a fee for its services and reimburses FIS for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

The Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") is an employee of the Adviser, which pays the compensation of the CCO and his support staff. The Trust has entered into an Agreement to provide compliance services with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes its compliance personnel, including the services of the CCO, and other resources reasonably necessary to provide the Trust with compliance oversight services related to the design, administration and oversight of a compliance program for the Trust in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Funds in the Trust, Victory Portfolios, Victory Institutional Funds, and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Victory Funds Complex"), in the aggregate, compensate the Adviser for these services.

The Victory Funds Complex pays an annual retainer to each Independent Trustee, plus an additional annual retainer to the Chairman of the Board. The aggregate amount of the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees are allocated amongst all the funds in the Victory Funds Complex and are presented in the Statement of Operations.

Shearman & Sterling LLP provides legal services to the Trust.

Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor for the continuous offering of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust.

The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation agreement with the Fund until at least April 30, 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, the Adviser has agreed to waive fees or reimburse certain expenses to the extent that ordinary operating expenses incurred by certain classes of the Fund in any fiscal year exceed the expense limit for such classes of the Fund. Such excess amounts will be the liability of the Adviser. Interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund's business are excluded from the expense limits. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the expense limit (excluding voluntary waivers) is 0.53%.

The Fund has agreed to repay fees and expenses that were waived or reimbursed by the Adviser for a period up to three fiscal years after such waiver or reimbursement was made to the extent such payments or repayments would not cause the expenses of a class to exceed the original expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement or any expense limitation agreement in place at the time of repayment. As of December 31, 2018, the following amounts are available to be repaid to the Adviser. Amounts repaid to the Adviser during the year ended, if any, are reflected on the Statement of Operations as "Recoupment of prior expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser".

Expires
12/31/2019
  Expires
12/31/2020
  Expires
12/31/2021
 
$

1,866

   

$

132,033

   

$

155,683

   


26



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

The Adviser may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees to assist the Fund in maintaining a competitive expense ratio. Voluntary waivers and reimbursements applicable to the Fund are not available to be recouped at a future time. There were no voluntary waivers or reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Certain officers and/or interested trustees of the Fund are also officers and/or employees of the Adviser, Administrator, Fund Accountant, Sub-Administrator, Sub-Fund Accountant, and Legal.

5. Risks:

The Fund may be subject to other risks in addition to these identified risks.

An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, some of which will be traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests may affect the value of the Fund's shares. An investment in the Fund's shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of the Fund's distributions.

The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties for financial instruments entered into by the Fund. The Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties. The Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and the Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The Fund typically enters into transactions with counterparties whose credit ratings are investment grade, as determined by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

The Fund will be subject to credit and interest rate risk with respect to fixed income securities. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of interest and principal. Interest rates may rise or the rate of inflation may increase, impacting the value of investments in fixed income securities. A debt issuers' credit quality may be downgraded or an issuer may default. Interest rates may fluctuate due to changes in governmental fiscal policy initiatives and resulting market reaction to those initiatives.

6. Borrowing and Interfund Lending:

Line of Credit:

The Victory Funds Complex participates in a short-term, demand note "Line of Credit" agreement with Citibank. Under the agreement with Citibank, the Victory Funds Complex may borrow up to $250 million, of which $100 million is committed and $150 million is uncommitted. $40 million of the Line of Credit is reserved for use by the Victory Floating Rate Fund, another series of the Victory Funds Complex, with that Fund paying the related commitment fees for that amount. The purpose of the agreement is to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. The current agreement was amended on July 27, 2018 with a new termination date of July 26, 2019. Citibank receives an annual commitment fee of 0.15% on $100 million for providing the Line of Credit. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Citibank earned approximately $150,000 in commitment fees from the Victory Funds Complex. Each fund in the Victory Funds Complex pays a pro-rata portion of the commitment fees plus any interest on amounts borrowed. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on line of credit.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Line of Credit during the year ended December 31, 2018.


27



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Interfund Lending:

The Trust and Adviser rely on an exemptive order granted by the SEC in March 2017 (the "Order"), permitting the establishment and operation of an Interfund Lending Facility (the "Facility"). The Facility allows the Fund to directly lend and borrow money to or from any other Victory Fund relying upon the Order at rates beneficial to both the borrowing and lending funds. Advances under the Facility are allowed for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities, and are subject to each Fund's borrowing restrictions. The interfund loan rate is determined, as specified in the Order, by averaging the current repurchase agreement rate and the current bank loan rate. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on interfund lending.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Facility during the year ended December 31, 2018.

7. Federal Income Tax Information:

The tax character of distributions paid during the tax years ended, as noted below, were as follows (total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because, for tax purposes, dividends are recognized when actually paid).

   

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 
   

Distributions paid from

 
    Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
       

$

1,374,411

   

$

   

$

1,374,411

   
   

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 
   

Distributions paid from

 
    Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
       

$

4,147,757

   

$

   

$

4,147,757

   

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Accumulated
Earnings
  Accumulated
Capital and
Other
Losses
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)*
  Total
Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
$

5,011,777

   

$

   

$

5,011,777

   

$

(5,226,542

)

 

$

(2,736,224

)

 

$

(2,950,989

)

 

*The difference between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund has short term and long term capital loss carryforwards of $1,492,605 and $3,733,937 respectively that are not subject to expiration.

During the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not utilize capital loss carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2018, the cost basis for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments were as follows:

Cost of
Investments
for Federal
Tax Purposes
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
$

260,971,119

   

$

495,019

   

$

(3,231,243

)

 

$

(2,736,224

)

 


28



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

8. Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian:

During 2016, the Fund received notification from the Fund's prior custodian, State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street"), concerning issues related to billing on certain categories of expenses during the approximately 16-year period from 1998 through October 31, 2014. The over-billing primarily related to categories of expenses that involved an allocation of general costs among multiple clients.

State Street paid the refunded amounts during January 2017. Based on billing information received during 2016 from State Street and an analysis of any expense limitation agreements that were in place during the period of the activities in question, including the application of any recoupment provisions in such agreements, the Adviser received a portion of the refund.

The portion of the refund retained by the Fund was accounted for as a capital contribution and is reflected on the Financial Highlights as "Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian, Net".

9. Fund Ownership:

Ownership of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund under section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2018, the shareholders listed below held more than 25% of the shares outstanding of the Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund.

Shareholder  

Percent

 
GIAC    

100.0

%

 

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In October 2016, the SEC released its Final Rules on Investment Company Reporting Modernization (the "Rules"). The Rules introduced two new regulatory reporting forms for investment companies, Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-PORT was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing with the SEC on Form N-PORT for the period ending March 31, 2019. Effective with the period ended June 30, 2018, the Fund was required to maintain, and make available to the SEC upon request, the information required to be included in Form N-PORT. Form N-PORT will replace Form N-Q filings effective with the requirement to file the Form N-PORT with the SEC for the period ending March 31, 2019. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-CEN was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing on Form N-CEN for the period ended December 31, 2018. Form N-CEN will replace Form N-SAR filings. The Fund's adoption of these amendments have no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations.

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-08 "Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities" ("ASU 2017-08"), which shortens the premium amortization period for purchased non-contingently callable debt securities. ASU 2017-08 specifies that the premium amortization period ends at the earliest call date, for purchased non-contingently callable debt securities. ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Management does not believe that adoption of ASU 2017-08 will materially impact the Fund's financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurements" ("ASU 2018-13"). This update makes certain removals from, changes to and additions to existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 does not change fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. ASU 2018-13 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, the Fund has early adopted ASU 2018-13 with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018.

In August 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain financial statement disclosure requirements to conform them to GAAP for investment companies. These amendments made certain disclosure requirements effective under Regulation S-X. The Fund's adoption of these amendments, effective with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018 had no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations. As a result of adopting these amendments, the distributions to shareholders in


29



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

the December 31, 2017 Statements of Changes in Net Assets presented herein have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes all distributions to each class of shareholders, other than tax basis return of capital distributions, in one line item per share class. Distributions to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 from net investment income and net realized gains in the Fund were as follows:

Distributions to Shareholders:

From net investment income:

 

$

(4,147,757

)

 

From net Realized Gains:

   

   

11. Subsequent Events:

The Fund has evaluated the need for additional disclosures or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, there were no subsequent events to report that would have a material impact on the Fund's financial statements.


30



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Victory INCORE Low Duration Bond VIP Series (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting the Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2018, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the funds constituting the Trust) at December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The financial highlights of the Fund for each of the periods presented through December 31, 2015 were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 22, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Victory Capital's investment companies since 1995.

Cincinnati, Ohio
February 15, 2019


31



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Trustee and Officer Information

Board of Trustees:

Overall responsibility for management of the Trust rests with the Board. The Trust is managed by the Board in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. There are currently ten Trustees, nine of whom are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees") and one of whom is an "interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Interested Trustee"). The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust to actively supervise its day-to-day operations.

The following tables list the Trustees, their ages, position with the Trust, commencement of service, principal occupations during the past five years and any directorships of other investment companies or companies whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or who file reports under that Act. Each Trustee oversees nine portfolios in the Trust, one portfolio in Victory Institutional Funds, 42 portfolios in Victory Portfolios and 20 portfolios in Victory Portfolios II, each a registered investment company that, together with the Trust, comprise the Victory Funds Complex. Each Trustee's address is c/o Victory Variable Insurance Funds, 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. Each Trustee has an indefinite term.

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Independent Trustees.

 

David Brooks Adcock, 67

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Consultant (since 2006).

 

Chair and Trustee, Turner Funds (December 2016-December 2017).

 

Nigel D.T. Andrews, 71

 

Vice Chair and Trustee

 

August 2002

 

Retired.

  Director, TCG BDC II, Inc. (since 2017);
Director, TCG BDC I, Inc. (formerly Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc.)
(since 2012); Director, Old Mutual US Asset Management (2002-2014).
 

E. Lee Beard, 67*

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Retired (since 2015); Consultant, The Henlee Group, LLC (consulting) (2005-2015).

 

None.

 

Dennis M. Bushe, 75

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Retired.

 

Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2011-July 2016).

 


32



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Sally M. Dungan, 64

 

Trustee

 

February 2011

 

Chief Investment Officer, Tufts University (since 2002).

 

None.

 

John L. Kelly, 65

 

Trustee

 

February 2015

  Partner, McCarvill Capital Partners (September 2016-September 2017); Advisor (January 2016-April 2016) and Managing
Partner (August 2014- January 2016), Endgate
Commodities LLC; Chief
Operating Officer, Liquidnet
Holdings, Inc. (2011-2014).
 

Director, Caledonia Mining Corporation (since May 2012).

 

David L. Meyer, 61*

 

Trustee

 

December 2008

 

Retired.

 

None.

 

Gloria S. Nelund, 57

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Chair, CEO and Co-Founder of TriLinc Global, LLC, an investment firm.

 

TriLinc Global Impact Fund, LLC (since 2012); Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2007-July 2016).

 

Leigh A. Wilson, 74

 

Chair and Trustee

 

February 1998

 

Private Investor.

 

Chair (since 2013), Caledonia Mining Corporation.

 

Interested Trustee.

 

David C. Brown, 46**

 

Trustee

 

May 2008

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2013), Co-Chief Executive Officer (2011-2013), the Adviser; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (since 2013).

 

None.

 

*  The Board has designated Mr. Meyer and Ms. Beard as its Audit Committee Financial Experts.

**  Mr. Brown is an "Interested Person" by reason of his relationship with the Adviser.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, by calling 800-539-3863.


33



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Officers:

The officers of the Trust, their ages, commencement of service and their principal occupations during the past five years, are detailed in the following table. Each officer serves until the earlier of his or her resignation, removal, retirement, death, or the election of a successor. The mailing address of each officer of the Trust is 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. The officers of the Trust receive no compensation directly from the Trust for performing the duties of their offices.

Name and Age

  Position with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

 

Christopher K. Dyer, 57

 

President

 

February 2006*

 

Director of Mutual Fund Administration, the Adviser.

 

Scott A. Stahorsky, 49

 

Vice President

 

December 2014

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2015); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2015).

 

Erin G. Wagner, 45

 

Secretary

 

December 2014

 

Associate General Counsel, the Adviser (since 2013).

 

Allan Shaer, 53

 

Treasurer

 

May 2017

 

Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (since 2016); Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, JP Morgan Chase (2011-2016).

 

Christopher A. Ponte, 34

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

December 2017

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2017); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2017); Chief Financial Officer, Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (since 2018).

 

Colin Kinney, 45

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

July 2017

 

Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013) and Chief Risk Officer (2009-2017), the Adviser.

 

Chuck Booth, 58

 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Officer

 

May 2015

 

Director, Regulatory Administration and CCO Support Services, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

 

Jay G. Baris, 65

 

Assistant Secretary

 

February 1998

 

Partner, Shearman & Sterling LLP (since 2018); Partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP (2011-2017).

 

*  On December 3, 2014, Mr. Dyer resigned as Secretary of the Trust and accepted the position of President.


34



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

Proxy Voting:

Information regarding the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-539-3863. The information is also included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Information relating to how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Availability of Schedules of Portfolio Investments:

The Trust expects to file a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT beginning March 1, 2019. Prior to that date, the Trust has filed a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-PORT and Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Expense Examples

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

The Actual Expense figures in the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

The Hypothetical Expense figures in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

Beginning
Account Value
7/1/18
  Actual
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Hypothetical
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Actual
Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18
 
$

1,000.00

   

$

1,007.20

   

$

1,022.53

   

$

2.68

   

$

2.70

     

0.53

%

 

*  Expenses are equal to the average account value multiplied by the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by 184/365 (the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year).


35



Victory Variable Insurance Funds   Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Considerations of the Board in Continuing the Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement")

The Board approved the Agreement on behalf of the Series at a meeting, which was called for that purpose, on December 5, 2018. The Board also considered information relating to the Series and the Agreement provided throughout the year and, more specifically, at a meeting on October 23, 2018. The Board noted that prior to the Series' reorganization on July 29, 2016, the Series was managed by RS Investment Management Co. LLC, which was acquired by the Adviser on July 29, 2016. In considering whether to approve the Agreement, the Board requested, and the Adviser provided, information that the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to reach its conclusions. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated this information along with other information obtained throughout the year and was advised by legal counsel to the Series and by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition, in 2017 the Independent Trustees, through their counsel, retained an independent consultant to assist with a review of the overall process for conducting the annual review of these advisory arrangements. The Board considered the Series' advisory fee, expense ratio and investment performance as significant factors in determining whether the Agreement should be continued. In considering whether the compensation paid to the Adviser was fair and reasonable, the Board also evaluated, among other things, the following factors:

•  The requirements of the Series for the services provided by the Adviser;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the services provided and expected to be provided;

•  The performance of the Series as compared to comparable funds;

•  The fees payable for the services and whether the fee arrangements provided for economies of scale that would benefit Series shareholders as the Series grows;

•  Whether the fee would be sufficient to enable the Adviser to attract and retain experienced personnel and continue to provide quality services to the Series;

•  Fees paid by other clients of the Adviser whose accounts are managed in a similar investment style and any differences in the services provided to the other clients compared to those provided to the Series;

•  Total expenses of the Series, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees;

•  Management's commitment to operating the Series at competitive expense levels;

•  The profitability of the Adviser (as reflected by comparing fees earned against an estimate of the Adviser's costs) with respect to the Adviser's relationship with the Series;

•  Research and other service benefits received by the Adviser obtained through payment of client commissions for securities transactions;

•  Other benefits received by the Adviser, and its affiliates, including revenues paid to the Adviser, or its affiliates, by the Series for administration and fund accounting services, and distribution;

•  The capabilities and financial condition of the Adviser;

•  Current economic and industry trends; and

•  The historical relationship between the Series and the Adviser.

The Board reviewed the Series' current management fee, comprised of the advisory fee plus the administrative services fee paid to the Adviser, in the context of the Adviser's profitability of the Series. In addition, the Board compared the Series' total operating expense ratio on a net and gross basis, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees and management fees with a universe of comparable mutual funds compiled by an independent consultant, FUSE Research Network, LLC ("FUSE"), and a peer group of funds with similar investment strategies selected by FUSE from the universe. The Board reviewed the factors and methodology used by FUSE in the selection of the Series' peer group, including FUSE's selection of a broad universe of funds using the standard Retail Morningstar Categories, the more specific universe of comparable funds, and peer groups of funds with comparable investment strategies and asset levels, among other factors. The Board also reviewed any changes to FUSE's methodology as compared to the prior year, including as a result of input from the Adviser, if any. The Board also reviewed fees and other information related to the Adviser's management of similarly managed institutional or private accounts, and the differences in the services


36



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

provided to the other accounts, to the extent applicable. The Board noted that the advisory fee arrangements for the Series do not include breakpoints, which are generally viewed as a method by which the investment adviser shares any economies of scale with a fund as a fund grows. The Board also considered the Adviser's commitment to limit expenses as discussed in more detail below.

The Board reviewed the Series' performance over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods against the performance of the Series' selected peer group and benchmark index. The Board recognized that the performance of the Series and the peer group funds are net of expenses, while the performance of the benchmark index is gross returns. The Board considered the additional resources that the Adviser has committed to enhance portfolio analysis, compliance and trading systems.

The Board reviewed various other specific factors with respect to the Series, as described below. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not rank the importance of any particular information or factor considered and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

The Board concluded that the Series' gross annual management fee was reasonable as compared to the median gross management fee charged to the funds in the Fund's peer group. The Board noted that the Series' net annual expense ratio, taking into account any shareholder servicing or distribution fees, was reasonable as compared to the median expense ratio for the peer group. The Board considered the Adviser's contractual agreement to waive its fees and reimburse expenses for a specified period of time, as described in the Series' prospectus. The Board then compared the Series' performance for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2018, to that of the median performance of the peer group and benchmark index for the same periods and considered the fact that the Series outperformed the benchmark index for all of the periods reviewed, underperformed the peer group for the three-year period, and outperformed the peer group for the one-, five- and ten-year periods.

Having considered, among other things: (1) that the Series' management fee was within the ranges of advisory fees charged to comparable mutual funds; (2) that the Series' total expense ratio was reasonable; (3) the Adviser's willingness to limit the expenses for a period of time would provide stability to the Series' expenses during that period; and (4) the performance of the Series, the Board concluded that the Agreement continued to be in the best interests of the Series' shareholders.

The Board noted that the Adviser's INCORE investment management team replaced the predecessor fund's investment sub-adviser as portfolio managers for the Series upon completion of the Series' reorganization.

Conclusion

Based on its review of the information requested and provided, and following extended discussions, the Board determined that the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, was consistent with the best interests of the Series and its shareholders, and the Board unanimously approved the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, for an additional annual period on the basis of the foregoing review and discussions and the following considerations, among others:

•  The fairness and reasonableness of the investment advisory fee payable to the Adviser under the Agreement in light of the investment advisory services provided, the costs of these services, the profitability of the Adviser's relationship with the Series and the comparability of the fee paid to the fees paid by other investment companies;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser;

•  The Adviser's entrepreneurial commitment to the management of the Series and the creation of a broad-based family of funds, which could entail a substantial commitment of the Adviser's resources to the successful operation of the Series;

•  The Adviser's representations regarding its staffing and capabilities to manage the Series, including the retention of personnel with relevant portfolio management experience;

•  The Adviser's efforts to enhance investment results by, among other things, developing quality portfolio management teams; and

•  The overall high quality of the personnel, operations, financial condition, investment management capabilities, methodologies and performance of the Adviser.


37



Privacy Policy

Protecting the Privacy of Information

The Trust respects your right to privacy. We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain personal information about you. This is the information we collect from you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you make with us or third parties. It may include your name, address, social security number, account transactions and balances, and information about investment goals and risk tolerance.

We do not disclose any information about you or about former customers to anyone except as permitted or required by law. Specifically, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform services on our behalf, such as the transfer agent that processes shareholder accounts and printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. We may also disclose this information to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf. This allows us to continue to offer you Victory investment products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize. These companies will use this information only in connection with the services for which we hired them. They are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.

To protect your personal information internally, we permit access only by authorized employees and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information.*

*  You may have received communications regarding information about privacy policies from other financial institutions which gave you the opportunity to "opt-out" of certain information sharing with companies which are not affiliated with that financial institution. The Trust does not share information with other companies for purposes of marketing solicitations for products other than the Trust. Therefore, the Trust does not provide opt-out options to their shareholders.



Victory Funds
P.O. Box 182593
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2593

Visit our website at:

 

Call Victory at:

 

www.vcm.com

  800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)  

VVIF-RS-ILDBVIP-AR (12/18)



December 31, 2018

Annual Report

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS International VIP Series

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Victory Funds' shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Victory Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.VictoryFunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you need not take any action.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Victory Funds or your financial intermediary electronically sooner than January 1, 2021 by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-539-3863 or by sending an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Victory Funds, you can call 800-539-3863 or send an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Victory Funds you hold directly or through your financial intermediary.



www.vcm.com

News, Information And Education 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week

The Victory Funds site gives fund shareholders, prospective shareholders, and investment professionals a convenient way to access fund information, get guidance, and track fund performance anywhere they can access the Internet. The site includes:

•  Detailed performance records

•  Daily share prices

•  The latest fund news

•  Investment resources to help you become a better investor

•  A section dedicated to investment professionals

Whether you're a potential investor searching for the fund that matches your investment philosophy, a seasoned investor interested in planning tools, or an investment professional, www.vcm.com has what you seek. Visit us anytime. We're always open.



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Table of Contents

Shareholder Letter (Unaudited)

   

3

   

Fund Review and Commentary (Unaudited)

   

4

   

Financial Statements

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

    8    

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    13    

Statement of Operations

    14    

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    15    

Financial Highlights

    16    

Notes to Financial Statements

   

17

   
Report of Ernst & Young LLP,
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   

26

   

Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

 

Trustee and Officer Information

    27    

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

    30    

Expense Examples

    30    

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

    31    

Advisory Contract Renewal

    32

 

Privacy Policy (inside back cover)

 

 

The Fund is distributed by Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. Victory Capital Management Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and receives fees from the Fund for performing services for the Fund.

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus of the Fund.

For additional information about any Victory Fund, including fees, expenses, and risks, view our prospectus online at www.vcm.com or call 800-539-3863. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

The information in this annual report is based on data obtained from recognized services and sources and is believed to be reliable. Any opinions, projections, or recommendations in this report are subject to change without notice and are not intended as individual investment advice. Past investment performance of the Fund, markets or securities mentioned herein should not be considered to be indicative of future results.

• NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE
• MAY LOSE VALUE

Call Victory at:

800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)

Visit our website at:

www.vcm.com


1



This page is intentionally left blank.


2



Victory Funds Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholder,

What a difference a year makes. The year ended December 31, 2018, was marked by an abrupt return of volatility, which had largely been missing in action for years. Consider the range of highs and lows we witnessed. For the S&P 500 Index, it was a year in which we celebrated an all-time high in late summer, only to be followed by the worst December since the 2008 financial crisis. And if that wasn't enough volatility, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also registered several of its worst-ever, single-day point declines during 2018.

Through all that the S&P 500 clocked in with its first negative annual return since 2008, falling by 4.4 percent. Given the risk-off sentiment that was obvious as the year drew to a close, it's no surprise that small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, fared even worse, falling approximately 11.0 percent for the year. The challenges for equity investors were also evident around the world as the MSCI ACWI and Emerging Markets indexes declined 8.9 and 14.3 percent, respectively.

So what ushered in the renewed era of volatility and these challenging times? There were multiple culprits. For starters, trade tensions ratcheted up throughout the year as anti-global rhetoric bloomed into a series of new tariffs, which sparked concerns of a prolonged trade war with China. The Federal Reserve remained persistent in its monetary tightening, raising the benchmark interest rate four times throughout the year to a range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent. And then the year ended with a partial shutdown of the federal government. These factors conspired to elevate concerns of a possible recession here and abroad.

Yet despite the headline risks, we think it's critically important to remain focused on the data. By all accounts, the U.S. economy continued chugging along in 2018 with a real gross domestic product (GDP) rising 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018, the latest figures available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Moreover, the labor picture continues to shine with consistent monthly job growth and an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. All this comes against a backdrop of low inflation and solid corporate earnings.

The markets, it appears, have been vacillating between the dire headlines and higher perceived risks on one hand, and the continued positive economic data on the other. Of course, no one knows where the Fed will stop raising rates, nor is there any certainty on how the trade turmoil ultimately gets resolved. For now, however, we continue to embrace our solid economic fundamentals. Moreover, we believe all of Victory Capital's independent investment franchises are well positioned to take advantage of any short-term valuation dislocations resulting from the current era of heightened volatility.

On the following pages, you will find information relating to your Victory Funds investment. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact your financial advisor. Or, if you invest with us directly, you may call (800) 539-3863, or visit our website at www.vcm.com.

My colleagues and I sincerely appreciate the confidence you have placed in the Victory Funds, and we value the opportunity to help meet your investment goals.

Christopher K. Dyer, CFA

President,

Victory Funds


3



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS International VIP Series

Portfolio Holdings

As a Percentage of Total Investments

Commentary

The Victory RS International VIP Series ("Fund") outperformed the MSCI EAFE Index (net) (the "Index") for the one-year period ended December 31, 2018. The Fund's positive relative performance was supported by many sectors, led by Consumer Staples, Materials and Health Care. The detracting sectors included Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology. The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation. The Fund's investment team employs both quantitative screening and fundamental analysis in seeking companies across the market capitalization spectrum that it believes can sustain long-term growth. Valuation is also an integral part of the investment process.

Market Overview

If ever the market lived up to its roller-coaster reputation, 2018 was the year. January saw an acceleration of prior year positive trends as international equities surged to post-recession highs, only to give it all back in February on the back of a spike in volatility not seen since August 2015. Trading hinted at weakness through the summer before plunging in the fall. All in, as measured by the Index, international equities finished the year down over 13%.

Identifying the precise catalyst for the market's change of heart is always difficult. The impact on the global economy from heightened tensions surrounding U.S./China trade negotiations have been mostly to blame. In the U.S., rising interest rates driven by a hawkish Federal Reserve, a tax cut hangover resulting in a larger fiscal deficit, and a partial federal government shutdown have raised investors' anxiety. The data itself has been mixed, if not supportive. However, the U.S. Treasury 2- to 5-year yield curve has inverted, suggesting the historically long current economic expansion may be coming to an end. At a minimum, investors are reminded that the recent era of easy money, low inflation, and steady growth, may be as good as it gets.

In China, domestic consumption has softened as seen by an unprecedented fifth straight month of negative passenger car sales. Investments are muted as well, driven by lack of funds in the public sector and extreme caution in the private sector. Exports appear most at risk having slowed dramatically in December with the potential to cause significant dislocations in the employment market should tariffs on goods into the U.S. rise to 25% as threatened by the current administration.

Adding to the dim view of global growth is Europe where a swath of concerns has bubbled to the surface. Chief among these are the status of Brexit and whether the Irish border remains open, rising populism in France due to a backlash against President Macron's tax policies, as well as Italy's budget crisis.


4



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS International VIP Series (continued)

QVS Factor Performance

In this section, we offer insight into the factors driving market performance from a quantitative point of view. The team's proprietary QVS ("Quality, Value and Sentiment") Model scours the globe, screening over 10,000 companies looking for the best investment opportunities. It is designed to identify companies that have the potential to consistently create shareholder value, are reasonably valued and exhibit favorable market sentiment. We continually use this quantitative model to help us focus our resources and fundamental research on those companies with the highest probability of outperformance.

In 2018, all factors contributed positively to performance, though quality was the standout. We define quality companies as those able to demonstrate operating and management excellence, as well as superior capital allocation, so it came as no surprise to see this factor continue to perform. We continually use this quantitative model to help us focus our resources and fundamental research on those companies with the highest probability of outperformance.

Performance Update

The Fund was down -10.66%, for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018, outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index (net), which decreased -13.79%.

Portfolio Review

Strong results in the Consumer Staples sector were led by Royal Unibrew A/S. Royal Unibrew, a Scandinavian beverage distributor, as a continued and improving product mix led to market share gains in craft and specialty beers. In addition, revenue and earnings outlooks for Royal Unibrew got a boost due to the acquisition of Etablissements Geyer Frères, a French craft lemonade producer that focuses on organically sourced local products. The acquisition should establish a niche platform in France similar to their Italian operations.

Wolters Kluwer, an information and software solutions company based in the Netherlands, also positively contributed to the portfolio. The company's organic sales growth bested consensus estimates for the first half of the year, headlined by its Legal & Regulatory, Tax & Accounting, and Governance, Risk & Compliance segments. Wolters also declared stock buyback transactions in September, as part of the three-year buyback program originally announced in 2016. This program was subsequently expanded to include additional repurchases intended to mitigate dilution caused by non-core divestments made in 2017 and early 2018. The program also includes repurchases made to offset annual incentive share issuance and included similar events in both 2016 and 2017.

On the downside, both Wynn Macau and Melexis NV detracted from the portfolio's overall performance. Wynn Macau, a hotel and casino resort operator, grew gaming revenue 3% year-over-year, but that fell below most estimates of approximately 5% year-over-year. Moving forward, expectations for higher single digit growth should be aided by pent-up demand for the opening of several new VIP junket rooms in many of its casinos.

Melexis, which designs, develops, tests and markets advanced semiconductor devices, fell on fears of sector consolidation news, supply chain hiccups, and BMW's profit warning, which in combination, created the perfect storm for Melexis' share price. After the recent underperformance compared to its peers, the company's multiples are now in line with sector averages. Melexis used to trade at a premium as they are concentrating on the


5



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS International VIP Series (continued)

fast-growing automotive semiconductor market which is expected to continue growing faster than both the automotive industry and the overall semiconductor market.

Outlook

We expect market volatility to continue in 2019 and will remain vigilant when constructing the portfolio, maintaining our sector and region neutrality. Making correct macro allocation calls can be immensely challenging, therefore, we do not forecast regional performance. In our view, stock selection and strong risk management protocols can be far more impactful to fund performance than allocation.

Investment Philosophy

The Victory RS International VIP Series is guided by our philosophy that positive investment outcomes can be attained through the use of a data-driven discipline in conjunction with a bottom-up approach to investing. Our proprietary research methodology, combined with a set of industry standard and team-generated global risk factors, seeks to capture information inefficiencies in the global equity markets. Our goal is to provide a consistent, diversified return stream over full market cycles while managing portfolio volatility.


6



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS International VIP Series (continued)

Average Annual Return

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Class A

 

INCEPTION DATE

 

2/8/91

 
    Net Asset
Value
  MSCI EAFE
Index (Net)1
 

One Year

   

–10.66

%

   

–13.79

%

 

Three Year

   

4.49

%

   

2.87

%

 

Five Year

   

1.73

%

   

0.53

%

 

Ten Year

   

8.06

%

   

6.32

%

 

Since Inception

   

6.66

%

   

N/A

   

Expense Ratios

Gross

   

0.95

%

 

With Applicable Waivers

   

0.93

%

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month's end, please visit www.vcm.com.

The above expense ratios are from the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2018. Additional information pertaining to the Fund's expense ratios as of December 31, 2018 can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return figures set forth above include all waivers of fees for various periods since inception. Without such fee waivers, the total returns would have been lower. Some fee waivers are voluntary and may be modified or terminated at any time. The total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the total returns would have been lower.

Victory RS International VIP Series — Growth of $10,000

1The MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, and Far East) (Net) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The index reflects the reinvestment of dividends paid on the stocks constituting the index net of withholding taxes. You may not invest in the index and, unlike the Fund, the index does not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

The graph reflects investment of growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.


7



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory RS International VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Common Stocks (97.3%)

 

Australia (7.5%):

 

Financials (1.9%):

 

Macquarie Group Ltd.

   

35,599

   

$

2,726,163

   

Health Care (1.6%):

 

CSL Ltd.

   

17,851

     

2,331,166

   

Materials (2.0%):

 

BHP Billiton Ltd.

   

116,215

     

2,808,444

   

Real Estate (2.0%):

 

Scentre Group

   

1,048,109

     

2,880,819

   
     

10,746,592

   

Belgium (0.5%):

 

Information Technology (0.5%):

 

Melexis NV

   

12,965

     

754,411

   

China (0.5%):

 

Communication Services (0.5%):

 

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

18,000

     

721,492

   

Denmark (1.0%):

 

Consumer Staples (1.0%):

 

Royal Unibrew A/S

   

21,038

     

1,453,869

   

France (7.9%):

 

Consumer Discretionary (2.9%):

 

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin

   

17,871

     

1,758,748

   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA

   

8,287

     

2,425,903

   
     

4,184,651

   

Energy (1.4%):

 

Total SA

   

36,765

     

1,938,910

   

Financials (1.6%):

 

AXA SA

   

107,190

     

2,313,049

   

Information Technology (1.5%):

 

Cap Gemini SA

   

21,497

     

2,137,908

   

Materials (0.5%):

 

Arkema SA

   

8,428

     

723,430

   
     

11,297,948

   

Germany (7.7%):

 

Financials (2.2%):

 

Allianz SE

   

15,668

     

3,148,138

   

Health Care (0.6%):

 

Bayer AG

   

13,016

     

905,123

   

Industrials (2.0%):

 

Siemens AG

   

15,039

     

1,678,148

   

Washtec AG

   

17,399

     

1,203,935

   
     

2,882,083

   

See notes to financial statements.


8



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory RS International VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Information Technology (1.5%):

 

SAP SE

   

21,161

   

$

2,099,936

   

Real Estate (1.4%):

 

Vonovia SE

   

44,261

     

1,994,965

   
     

11,030,245

   

Hong Kong (3.1%):

 

Financials (1.5%):

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

185,200

     

1,538,520

   

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

   

149,500

     

554,939

   
     

2,093,459

   

Real Estate (1.3%):

 

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

   

243,000

     

1,778,042

   

Utilities (0.3%):

 

HK Electric Investments & HK Electric Investments Ltd.

   

470,000

     

473,735

   
     

4,345,236

   

Ireland (1.2%):

 

Industrials (1.2%):

 

Experian PLC

   

71,774

     

1,739,674

   

Italy (3.7%):

 

Financials (0.9%):

 

Banca Generali SpA

   

63,196

     

1,313,617

   

Health Care (0.7%):

 

Recordati SpA

   

28,949

     

1,002,374

   

Utilities (2.1%):

 

Enel SpA

   

501,086

     

2,904,522

   
     

5,220,513

   

Japan (21.9%):

 

Communication Services (0.6%):

 

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

   

20,800

     

848,742

   

Consumer Discretionary (4.4%):

 

Hikari Tsushin, Inc.

   

6,800

     

1,063,026

   

Toyota Motor Corp.

   

70,200

     

4,064,195

   

United Arrows Ltd.

   

35,200

     

1,121,764

   
     

6,248,985

   

Consumer Staples (0.6%):

 

Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings Co. Ltd.

   

30,100

     

925,605

   

Financials (2.9%):

 

Jafco Co. Ltd.

   

31,100

     

985,331

   

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

   

337,200

     

1,655,088

   

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.

   

32,300

     

1,534,742

   
     

4,175,161

   

See notes to financial statements.


9



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory RS International VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Health Care (2.9%):

 

Hoya Corp.

   

33,300

   

$

2,008,266

   

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

   

36,400

     

2,077,832

   
     

4,086,098

   

Industrials (5.9%):

 

EN-Japan, Inc.

   

33,600

     

1,040,209

   

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

   

57,500

     

1,693,750

   

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

   

46,500

     

1,088,306

   

ITOCHU Corp.

   

52,700

     

895,115

   

Kyowa Exeo Corp.

   

61,900

     

1,449,599

   

Okuma Corp.

   

15,500

     

737,896

   

Sanwa Holdings Corp.

   

138,900

     

1,577,274

   
     

8,482,149

   

Information Technology (1.9%):

 

Fujitsu Ltd.

   

15,500

     

966,343

   

Oracle Corp. Japan

   

20,100

     

1,276,079

   

Ulvac, Inc.

   

15,500

     

447,545

   
     

2,689,967

   

Materials (0.6%):

 

DIC Corp. (b)

   

26,400

     

807,775

   

Real Estate (0.9%):

 

Sumitomo Realty & Development

   

33,200

     

1,215,572

   

Utilities (1.2%):

 

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

   

119,800

     

1,702,522

   
     

31,182,576

   

Macau (0.9%):

 

Consumer Discretionary (0.9%):

 

Wynn Macau Ltd.

   

553,600

     

1,205,190

   

Netherlands (5.4%):

 

Communication Services (2.2%):

 

Koninklijke KPN NV

   

1,041,171

     

3,040,843

   

Financials (1.1%):

 

ING Groep NV

   

147,003

     

1,581,037

   

Industrials (2.1%):

 

Wolters Kluwer NV

   

51,215

     

3,011,399

   
     

7,633,279

   

Norway (1.7%):

 

Energy (0.5%):

 

Aker BP ASA

   

29,627

     

747,496

   

Financials (1.2%):

 

SpareBank 1 SMN

   

174,958

     

1,707,598

   
     

2,455,094

   

See notes to financial statements.


10



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory RS International VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Russian Federation (0.5%):

 

Materials (0.5%):

 

Evraz PLC

   

120,690

   

$

738,930

   

Spain (2.4%):

 

Communication Services (1.5%):

 

Telefonica SA

   

259,009

     

2,179,885

   

Financials (0.9%):

 

Banco Santander SA

   

271,236

     

1,231,513

   
     

3,411,398

   

Sweden (2.6%):

 

Industrials (2.6%):

 

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

   

123,258

     

2,702,281

   

Epiroc AB, Class B (c)

   

119,405

     

1,066,437

   
     

3,768,718

   

Switzerland (9.8%):

 

Consumer Staples (3.1%):

 

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   

53,845

     

4,371,990

   

Financials (0.9%):

 

UBS Group AG, Registered Shares

   

102,843

     

1,283,308

   

Health Care (5.8%):

 

Novartis AG

   

45,148

     

3,868,241

   

Roche Holding AG

   

17,780

     

4,415,840

   
     

8,284,081

   
     

13,939,379

   

United Kingdom (19.0%):

 

Consumer Discretionary (0.6%):

 

Next PLC

   

16,760

     

853,236

   

Consumer Staples (4.9%):

 

Britvic PLC

   

174,837

     

1,780,411

   

Diageo PLC

   

66,959

     

2,392,374

   

Unilever PLC

   

52,832

     

2,773,404

   
     

6,946,189

   

Energy (3.4%):

 
BP PLC     

340,111

     

2,149,747

   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

   

90,350

     

2,658,850

   
     

4,808,597

   

Financials (4.1%):

 

Close Brothers Group PLC

   

99,079

     

1,818,027

   

HSBC Holdings PLC

   

263,747

     

2,175,511

   

Legal & General Group PLC

   

610,032

     

1,797,104

   
     

5,790,642

   

Health Care (1.3%):

 

Smith & Nephew PLC

   

103,452

     

1,936,187

   

See notes to financial statements.


11



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory RS International VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Industrials (1.5%):

 

RELX PLC

   

103,081

   

$

2,125,247

   

Materials (3.2%):

 

Croda International PLC

   

26,605

     

1,588,632

   

Rio Tinto PLC

   

62,080

     

2,972,706

   
     

4,561,338

   
     

27,021,436

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $135,870,890)

   

138,665,980

   

Preferred Stocks (1.6%)

 

Japan (1.6%):

 

Consumer Staples (1.6%):

 

Ito En Ltd.

   

101,400

     

2,226,636

   

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $1,648,342)

   

2,226,636

   

Total Investments (Cost $137,519,232) — 98.9%

   

140,892,616

   

Other assets in excess of liabilities — 1.1%

   

1,630,915

   

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

 

$

142,523,531

   

(a)  All securities were fair valued at December 31, 2018. See Note 2 for further information.

(b)  All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)  Non-income producing security.

PLC — Public Limited Company

See notes to financial statements.


12



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2018
 
    Victory RS International
VIP Series
 

ASSETS:

 

Investments, at value (Cost $137,519,232)

 

$

140,892,616

(a)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   

1,255,137

   

Interest and dividends receivable

   

128,456

   

Receivable for capital shares issued

   

2,216

   

Reclaims receivable

   

497,913

   

Total Assets

   

142,776,338

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Payable for capital shares redeemed

   

103,170

   

Accrued expenses and other payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

99,108

   

Administration fees

   

7,554

   

Custodian fees

   

7,334

   

Transfer agent fees

   

59

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

298

   

Trustees' fees

   

144

   

Other accrued expenses

   

35,140

   

Total Liabilities

   

252,807

   

NET ASSETS:

 

Capital

   

129,850,883

   

Total distributable earnings/(loss)

   

12,672,648

   

Net Assets

 

$

142,523,531

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, with a par value of
$0.001 per share):
   

9,211,056

   

Net asset value:

 

$

15.47

   

(a)  Includes $799,697 of securities on loan.

See notes to financial statements.


13



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
    Victory RS International
VIP Series
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends

 

$

5,753,945

   

Interest

   

19,121

   

Securities lending (net of fees)

   

24,927

   

Foreign tax withholding

   

(585,748

)

 

Total Income

   

5,212,245

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

1,334,736

   

Administration fees

   

99,924

   

Custodian fees

   

31,250

   

Transfer agent fees

   

438

   

Trustees' fees

   

14,257

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

1,459

   

Legal and audit fees

   

30,414

   

Other expenses

   

53,340

   

Total Expenses

   

1,565,818

   

Expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser

   

(15,196

)

 

Net Expenses

   

1,550,622

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

3,661,623

   

Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Investment Transactions:

 
Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions and foreign
currency translations
   

9,269,743

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and
foreign currency translations
   

(30,264,562

)

 

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   

(20,994,819

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

(17,333,196

)

 

See notes to financial statements.


14



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Victory RS International VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
 

From Investment Activities:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

3,661,623

   

$

3,483,803

   

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

9,269,743

     

13,118,897

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on
investments
   

(30,264,562

)

   

24,614,558

   

Change in net assets resulting from operations

   

(17,333,196

)

   

41,217,258

   

Distributions to Shareholders: (a)

 

Change in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

   

(2,621,141

)

   

(3,484,383

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   

(19,040,351

)

   

(31,240,688

)

 

Change in net assets

   

(38,994,688

)

   

6,492,187

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

181,518,219

     

175,026,032

   

End of period

 

$

142,523,531

   

$

181,518,219

   

Capital Transactions:

 

Proceeds from shares issued

 

$

6,913,816

   

$

3,665,763

   

Distributions reinvested

   

2,621,141

     

3,484,383

   

Cost of shares redeemed

   

(28,575,308

)

   

(38,390,834

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

 

$

(19,040,351

)

 

$

(31,240,688

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Issued

   

400,845

     

220,823

   

Reinvested

   

169,597

     

198,427

   

Redeemed

   

(1,650,290

)

   

(2,356,133

)

 

Change in Shares

   

(1,079,848

)

   

(1,936,883

)

 

(a)  Current and prior year distributions to shareholders have been reclassified and conform to amended GAAP presentation under Regulation S-X (See Item 10 in the Notes to Financial Statements).

See notes to financial statements.


15



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Financial Highlights

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   

Victory RS International VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2015
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

17.64

   

$

14.31

   

$

14.39

   

$

14.63

   

$

17.26

   

Investment Activities:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

0.38

(a)

   

0.31

(a)

   

0.30

(a)

   

0.31

(a)

   

0.39

   
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments
   

(2.26

)

   

3.36

     

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(1.30

)

 

Total from Investment Activities

   

(1.88

)

   

3.67

     

0.20

     

0.12

     

(0.91

)

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.35

)

 

Net realized gains from investments

   

(0.14

)

   

     

     

(0.04

)

   

(1.37

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(1.72

)

 
Capital Contributions from
Prior Custodian, Net (See Note 8)
   

     

     

0.03

     

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

15.47

   

$

17.64

   

$

14.31

   

$

14.39

   

$

14.63

   

Total Return (b)

   

(10.66

)%

   

25.68

%

   

1.60

%(c)

   

0.84

%

   

(5.30

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets at end of period (000)

 

$

142,524

   

$

181,518

   

$

175,026

   

$

185,028

   

$

203,530

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.93

%

   

0.93

%

   

0.90

%

   

0.92

%

   

0.92

%

 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets
   

2.20

%

   

1.93

%

   

2.13

%

   

2.00

%

   

2.23

%

 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets

   

0.94

%(d)

   

0.95

%(d)

   

0.90

%

   

0.92

%

   

0.92

%

 

Portfolio turnover

   

44

%

   

57

%

   

110

%

   

117

%

   

193

%

 

(a)  Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)  Total returns do not reflect the effects of charges deducted pursuant to the terms of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc.'s variable contracts. Inclusion of such charges would reduce the total returns for all periods shown.

(c)  The Fund received monies related to a nonrecurring refund from the prior Custodian. The corresponding impact to the total return was 0.23% for the period shown. (See Note 8)

(d)  During the period, certain fees were reduced and/or reimbursed. If such fee reductions and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

See notes to financial statements.


16



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
 

1. Organization:

Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust") was organized on February 11, 1998 as a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified open-end investment company The Trust is comprised of nine funds and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, which are units of beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share.

The accompanying financial statements are those of the Victory RS International VIP Series (the "Fund"). The Fund offers a single class of shares: Class I Shares. Sales of shares of the Fund may only be made to certain separate accounts of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. ("GIAC") that fund certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts issued by GIAC. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America ("Guardian Life").

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund follows the specialized accounting and reporting requirements under GAAP that are applicable to investment companies.

Investment Valuation:

The Fund records investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The valuation techniques described below maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund's investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

• Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

• Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities or interest rates applicable to those securities, etc.)

• Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The inputs or methodologies used for valuation techniques are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with entering into those investments.

Portfolio securities listed or traded on securities exchanges, including American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and Rights, are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, if available, or at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price. If there have been no sales for that day on the exchange or system, then a security is valued at the last available bid quotation on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.


17



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Investments for which there are no such quotations, or for which quotations do not appear reliable, are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Trust's Board of Trustees ("Board"). These valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, based on the observability of inputs used to determine the fair value.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Board, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time the Fund's net asset value is calculated. The Fund uses a systematic valuation model, provided daily by an independent third party to fair value their international equity securities. These valuations are considered as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

A summary of the valuations as of December 31, 2018, based upon the three levels defined above, is included in the table below while the breakdown, by category, of investments is disclosed in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments:

    LEVEL 2 —
Other Significant
Observable Inputs
 

Total

 
    Investments
in
Securities
  Investments
in
Securities
 

Common Stocks

 

$

138,665,980

   

$

138,665,980

   

Preferred Stocks

   

2,226,636

     

2,226,636

   

Total

 

$

140,892,616

   

$

140,892,616

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

Investment Companies:

The Fund may invest in portfolios of open-end investment companies. These investment companies value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value by the methods established by the board of directors of the underlying fund.

Foreign Exchange Currency Contracts:

The Fund may enter into foreign exchange currency contracts to convert U.S. dollars to and from various foreign currencies. A foreign exchange currency contract is an obligation by the Fund to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price (in U.S. dollars) set at the time of the contract. The Fund does not engage in "cross-currency" foreign exchange contracts (i.e., contracts to purchase or sell one foreign currency in exchange for another foreign currency). The Fund's foreign exchange currency contracts might be considered spot contracts (typically a contract of one week or less) or forward contracts (typically a contract term over one week). A spot contract is entered into for purposes of hedging against foreign currency fluctuations relating to a specific portfolio transaction, such as the delay between a security transaction trade date and settlement date. Forward contracts are entered into for purposes of hedging portfolio holdings or concentrations of such holdings. The Fund enters into foreign exchange currency contracts solely for spot or forward hedging purposes, and not for speculative purposes (i.e., the Fund does not enter into such contracts solely for the purpose of earning foreign currency gains). Each foreign exchange currency contract is adjusted daily by the prevailing spot or forward rate of the underlying currency, and any appreciation or depreciation is recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized until the contract settlement date, at which time the Fund records realized gains or losses equal to the difference between the value of a contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The Fund could be exposed to risk if a counterparty is unable to meet the terms of a foreign exchange currency contract or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably. In addition, the use of currency contracts does not eliminate


18



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities. As of December 31, 2018, the Fund had no open forward foreign exchange currency contracts.

Investment Transactions and Related Income:

Changes in holdings of investments are accounted for no later than one business day following the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, however, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date on the last business day of the reporting period. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

Withholding taxes on interest, dividends and gains as a result of certain investments in ADRs by the Fund have been provided for in accordance with each investment's applicable country's tax rules and rates.

Securities Lending:

The Trust has entered into a Master Securities Lending Agreement ("MSLA") with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank" or the "Agent"). Under the terms of the MSLA, the Fund may lend securities to certain broker-dealers and banks in exchange for collateral in the amount of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned or at least 105% of the value of non-U.S. securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls associated with increases in the valuation of the securities loaned are adjusted the next business day. The collateral can be received in the form of cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral can include U.S. Government Securities, letters of credit and certificates of deposit. The cash collateral is invested in short-term instruments or cash equivalents as noted on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Trust does not have effective control of the non-cash collateral and therefore it is not disclosed in the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund continues to benefit from interest or dividends on the securities loaned and may also earn a return from the collateral. The Fund pays various fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral. The Fund pays the Agent fees based on the investment income received from securities lending activities. Securities lending income is disclosed in the Fund's Statement of Operations. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral, the Fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return them.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under the MSLA, which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances such as an event of default, to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty to create a net payment due to or from the Fund.

The following table is a summary of the Fund's securities lending transactions which are subject to offset under the MSLA as of December 31, 2018. These transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings with an overnight and continuous contractual maturity for cash collateral, and greater than overnight and continuous contractual maturity for non-cash collateral.

Gross
Amount of
Recognized
Assets
(Value of
  Value of
Cash
  Value of Non-cash Collateral
Received by Maturity
     
Securities
on Loan)
  Collateral
Received
 

<30 Days

  Between 30 &
90 days
 

>90 Days

 

Net Amount

 
$

799,697

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

1,111,052

   

$

311,355

   

Foreign Currency Translations:

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities of the Fund denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments are


19



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates on the date of the transactions. The Fund does not isolate the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are disclosed as net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations on the Statement of Operations. Any realized gains or losses from these fluctuations are disclosed as net realized gains or losses from investments and foreign currency translations on the Statement of Operations.

Foreign Taxes:

The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes related to foreign income received (a portion of which may be reclaimable), capital gains on the sale of securities, and certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the Fund invests.

Dividends to Shareholders:

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually by the Fund. Distributable net realized gains, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually.

The amounts of dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. To the extent these "book/tax" differences are permanent in nature (e.g., net operating loss, distribution reclassification, and deemed distribution due to shareholder redemptions), such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales) do not require reclassification. To the extent dividends and distributions exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of capital. Net investment losses incurred by the Fund may be reclassified as an offset to capital on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

As of December 31, 2018, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, there are no permanent book-to-tax differences reclassification adjustments.

Federal Income Taxes:

It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements. The Fund has a tax year end of December 31.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Allocations:

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund, while expenses which are attributable to more than one fund in the Trust, or jointly with an affiliated trust, are allocated among the respective funds in the Trust and/or affiliated trust based upon net assets or another appropriate basis.

Affiliated Securities Transactions:

Pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may engage in securities transactions with affiliated investment companies and advisory accounts managed by the Adviser and any applicable sub-adviser. Any such purchase or sale transaction must be effected without brokerage commission or other remuneration, except for customary transfer fees. The transaction must be effected at the current market price, which is either the security's last sale price on an exchange or, if there are no transactions


20



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

in the security that day, at the average of the highest bid and lowest asked price. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not engage in any Rule 17a-7 transactions under the 1940 Act.

3. Purchases and Sales of Securities:

Purchases and sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) for the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows for the Fund:

Purchases  

Sales

 
$

72,652,199

   

$

90,143,516

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government Securities.

4. Fees and Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties:

Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by Victory Capital Management Inc. ("VCM" or the "Adviser"), a New York corporation registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings Inc., a publicly traded Delaware corporation, and a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Victory Capital Operating, LLC.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive 0.80% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may use its resources to assist with the Fund's distribution and marketing expenses.

VCM also serves as the Fund's administrator and fund accountant. Under an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement, VCM is paid for its services an annual fee at a rate of 0.08% of the first $15 billion in average daily net assets of the Trust, Victory Portfolios and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Trusts"), 0.05% of the average daily net assets above $15 billion to $30 billion of the Trusts and 0.04% of the average daily net assets over $30 billion of the Trusts.

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. ("Citi"), an affiliate of Citibank, N.A., acts as sub-administrator and sub-fund accountant to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement between VCM and Citi. VCM pays Citi a fee for providing these services. The Trust reimburses VCM and Citi for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

FIS Investor Services, LLC ("FIS") serves as the Fund's transfer agent. Under the Transfer Agent Agreement, the Trust pays FIS a fee for its services and reimburses FIS for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

The Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") is an employee of the Adviser, which pays the compensation of the CCO and his support staff. The Trust has entered into an Agreement to provide compliance services with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes its compliance personnel, including the services of the CCO, and other resources reasonably necessary to provide the Trust with compliance oversight services related to the design, administration and oversight of a compliance program for the Trust in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Funds in the Trust, Victory Portfolios, Victory Institutional Funds, and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Victory Funds Complex"), in the aggregate, compensate the Adviser for these services.

The Victory Funds Complex pays an annual retainer to each Independent Trustee, plus an additional annual retainer to the Chairman of the Board. The aggregate amount of the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees are allocated amongst all the funds in the Victory Funds Complex and are presented in the Statement of Operations.

Shearman & Sterling LLP provides legal services to the Trust.

Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor for the continuous offering of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust.

The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation agreement with the Fund until at least April 30, 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, the Adviser has agreed to waive fees or reimburse certain


21



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

expenses to the extent that ordinary operating expenses incurred by the Fund in any fiscal year exceed the expense limit for the Fund. Such excess amounts will be the liability of the Adviser. Interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund's business are excluded from the expense limits. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the expense limit (excluding voluntary waivers) is 0.93%.

The Fund has agreed to repay fees and expenses that were waived or reimbursed by the Adviser for a period up to three fiscal years after such waiver or reimbursement was made to the extent such payments or repayments would not cause the expenses of a class to exceed the original expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement or any expense limitation agreement in place at the time of repayment. As of December 31, 2018, the following amounts are available to be repaid to the Adviser. Amounts repaid to the Adviser during the year ended December 31, 2018, if any, are reflected on the Statement of Operations as "Recoupment of prior expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser".

Expires 12/31/2020  

Expires 12/31/2021

 
$

39,115

   

$

15,196

   

The Adviser may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees to assist the Fund in maintaining a competitive expense ratio. Voluntary waivers and reimbursements applicable to the Fund are not available to be recouped at a future time. There were no voluntary waivers or reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Certain officers and/or interested trustees of the Fund are also officers and/or employees of the Adviser, Administrator, Fund Accountant, Sub-Administrator, Sub-Fund Accountant, and Legal.

5. Risks:

The Fund may be subject to other risks in addition to these identified risks.

An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, some of which will be traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests may affect the value of the Fund's shares. An investment in the Fund's shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of the Fund's distributions.

The Fund will be subject to foreign securities risk. Foreign securities (including ADRs and other depository receipts) are subject to political, regulatory, and economic risks not present in domestic investments. In addition, when the Fund buys securities denominated in a foreign currency, there are special risks such as changes in currency exchange rates and the risk that a foreign government could regulate foreign exchange transactions. In addition, to the extent investments are made in a limited number of countries, events in those countries will have a more significant impact on the Fund.

The Fund will be subject to emerging market risk. Risk of investment in emerging markets include greater political and economic instability, greater volatility in currency exchange rates, less developed securities markets, possible trade barriers, currency transfer restrictions, a more limited number of potential buyers and issuers, an emerging market country's dependence on revenue from particular commodities or international aid, less governmental supervision and regulation, unavailability of currency hedging techniques, differences in auditing and financial reporting standards and less developed legal systems.

The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties for financial instruments entered into by the Fund. The Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties. The Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and the Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no


22



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

recovery in such circumstances. The Fund typically enters into transactions with counterparties whose credit ratings are investment grade, as determined by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

6. Borrowing and Interfund Lending:

Line of Credit:

The Victory Funds Complex participates in a short-term, demand note "Line of Credit" agreement with Citibank. Under the agreement with Citibank, the Victory Funds Complex may borrow up to $250 million, of which $100 million is committed and $150 million is uncommitted. $40 million of the Line of Credit is reserved for use by the Victory Floating Rate Fund, another series of the Victory Funds Complex, with that Fund paying the related commitment fees for that amount. The purpose of the agreement is to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. The current agreement was amended on July 27, 2018 with a new termination date of July 26, 2019. Citibank receives an annual commitment fee of 0.15% on $100 million for providing the Line of Credit. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Citibank earned approximately $150,000 in commitment fees from the Victory Funds Complex. Each fund in the Victory Funds Complex pays a pro-rata portion of the commitment fees plus any interest on amounts borrowed. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on line of credit.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Line of Credit during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Interfund Lending:

The Trust and Adviser rely on an exemptive order granted by the SEC in March 2017 (the "Order"), permitting the establishment and operation of an Interfund Lending Facility (the "Facility"). The Facility allows the Fund to directly lend and borrow money to or from any other Victory Fund relying upon the Order at rates beneficial to both the borrowing and lending funds. Advances under the Facility are allowed for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities, and are subject to each Fund's borrowing restrictions. The interfund loan rate is determined, as specified in the Order, by averaging the current repurchase agreement rate and the current bank loan rate. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on interfund lending.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Facility during the year ended December 31, 2018.

7. Federal Income Tax Information:

The tax character of distributions paid during the tax years ended, as noted below, were as follows (total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because, for tax purposes, dividends are recognized when actually paid).

   

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 
   

Distributions paid from

 


  Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
       

$

1,384,165

   

$

1,236,976

   

$

2,621,141

   
   

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 
   

Distributions paid from

 


  Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
       

$

3,484,383

   

$

   

$

3,484,383

   


23



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:


Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital
Gains
 

Accumulated
Earnings
 
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)*
  Total
Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
$

3,274,057

   

$

8,853,691

   

$

12,127,748

   

$

544,900

   

$

12,672,648

   

*The difference between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

During the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not utilize capital loss carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2018, the cost basis for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments were as follows:

Cost of
Investments
for Federal
Tax Purposes
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
$

140,349,108

   

$

34,055,350

   

$

(33,510,450

)

 

$

544,900

   

8. Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian:

During 2016, the Fund received notification from the Fund's prior custodian, State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street"), concerning issues related to billing on certain categories of expenses during the approximately 16-year period from 1998 through October 31, 2014. The over-billing primarily related to categories of expenses that involved an allocation of general costs among multiple clients.

State Street paid the refunded amounts during January 2017. Based on billing information received during 2016 from State Street and an analysis of any expense limitation agreements that were in place during the period of the activities in question, including the application of any recoupment provisions in such agreements, the Adviser received a portion of the refund.

The portion of the refund retained by the Fund was accounted for as a capital contribution and is reflected on the Financial Highlights as "Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian, Net".

9. Fund Ownership:

Ownership of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2018, the shareholders listed below held more than 25% of the shares outstanding of the Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund.

Shareholder  

Percent

 
GIAC    

99.8

%

 

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In October 2016, the SEC released its Final Rules on Investment Company Reporting Modernization (the "Rules"). The Rules introduced two new regulatory reporting forms for investment companies, Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-PORT was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing with the SEC on Form N-PORT for the period ending March 31, 2019. Effective with the period ended June 30, 2018, the Fund was required to maintain, and make available to the SEC upon request, the information required to be included in Form N-PORT. Form N-PORT will replace Form N-Q filings effective with the requirement to file the Form N-PORT with the SEC for the period ending March 31, 2019. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-CEN was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing on Form N-CEN for the period ended December 31, 2018. Form N-CEN will replace Form N-SAR filings. The Fund's adoption of these amendments have no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations.


24



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurements" ("ASU 2018-13"). This update makes certain removals from, changes to and additions to existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 does not change fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. ASU 2018-13 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, the Fund has early adopted ASU 2018-13 with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018.

In August 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain financial statement disclosure requirements to conform them to GAAP for investment companies. These amendments made certain disclosure requirements effective under Regulation S-X. The Fund's adoption of these amendments, effective with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018 had no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations. As a result of adopting these amendments, the distributions to shareholders in the December 31, 2017 Statements of Changes in Net Assets presented herein have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes all distributions to each class of shareholders, other than tax basis return of capital distributions, in one line item per share class. Distributions to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 from net investment income and net realized gains in the Fund were as follows:

Distributions to Shareholders:

From net investment income:

 

$

(3,484,383

)

 

From net Realized Gains:

   

   

11. Subsequent Events:

The Fund has evaluated the need for additional disclosures or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, there were no subsequent events to report that would have a material impact on the Fund's financial statements.


25



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Victory RS International VIP Series

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Victory RS International VIP Series (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting the Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2018, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the funds constituting the Trust) at December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The financial highlights of the Fund for each of the periods presented through December 31, 2015 were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 22, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Victory Capital's investment companies since 1995.

Cincinnati, Ohio
February 15, 2019


26



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Trustee and Officer Information

Board of Trustees:

Overall responsibility for management of the Trust rests with the Board. The Trust is managed by the Board in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. There are currently ten Trustees, nine of whom are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees") and one of whom is an "interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Interested Trustee"). The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust to actively supervise its day-to-day operations.

The following tables list the Trustees, their ages, position with the Trust, commencement of service, principal occupations during the past five years and any directorships of other investment companies or companies whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or who file reports under that Act. Each Trustee oversees nine portfolios in the Trust, one portfolio in Victory Institutional Funds, 42 portfolios in Victory Portfolios and 20 portfolios in Victory Portfolios II, each a registered investment company that, together with the Trust, comprise the Victory Funds Complex. Each Trustee's address is c/o Victory Variable Insurance Funds, 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. Each Trustee has an indefinite term.

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Independent Trustees.

 

David Brooks Adcock, 67

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Consultant (since 2006).

 

Chair and Trustee, Turner Funds (December 2016-December 2017).

 

Nigel D.T. Andrews, 71

 

Vice Chair and Trustee

 

August 2002

 

Retired.

 

Director, TCG BDC II, Inc. (since 2017); Director, TCG BDC I, Inc. (formerly Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc.) (since 2012); Director, Old Mutual US Asset Management (2002-2014).

 

E. Lee Beard, 67*

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Retired (since 2015); Consultant, The Henlee Group, LLC (consulting) (2005-2015).

 

None.

 

Dennis M. Bushe, 75

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Retired.

 

Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2011-July 2016).

 


27



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Sally M. Dungan, 64

 

Trustee

 

February 2011

 

Chief Investment Officer, Tufts University (since 2002).

 

None.

 

John L. Kelly, 65

 

Trustee

 

February 2015

 

Partner, McCarvill Capital Partners (September 2016-September 2017); Advisor (January 2016-April 2016) and Managing Partner (August 2014-January 2016), Endgate Commodities LLC; Chief Operating Officer, Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (2011-2014).

 

Director, Caledonia Mining Corporation (since May 2012).

 

David L. Meyer, 61*

 

Trustee

 

December 2008

 

Retired.

 

None.

 

Gloria S. Nelund, 57

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Chair, CEO and Co-Founder of TriLinc Global, LLC, an investment firm.

 

TriLinc Global Impact Fund, LLC (since 2012); Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2007-July 2016).

 

Leigh A. Wilson, 74

 

Chair and Trustee

 

February 1998

 

Private Investor.

 

Chair (since 2013), Caledonia Mining Corporation.

 

Interested Trustee.

 

David C. Brown, 46**

 

Trustee

 

May 2008

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2013), Co-Chief Executive Officer (2011-2013), the Adviser; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (since 2013).

 

None.

 

*  The Board has designated Mr. Meyer and Ms. Beard as its Audit Committee Financial Experts.

**  Mr. Brown is an "Interested Person" by reason of his relationship with the Adviser.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, by calling 800-539-3863.


28



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Officers:

The officers of the Trust, their ages, commencement of service and their principal occupations during the past five years, are detailed in the following table. Each officer serves until the earlier of his or her resignation, removal, retirement, death, or the election of a successor. The mailing address of each officer of the Trust is 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. The officers of the Trust receive no compensation directly from the Trust for performing the duties of their offices.

Name and Age

  Position with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

 

Christopher K. Dyer, 57

 

President

 

February 2006*

 

Director of Mutual Fund Administration, the Adviser.

 

Scott A. Stahorsky, 49

 

Vice President

 

December 2014

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2015); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2015).

 

Erin G. Wagner, 45

 

Secretary

 

December 2014

 

Associate General Counsel, the Adviser (since 2013).

 

Allan Shaer, 53

 

Treasurer

 

May 2017

 

Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (since 2016); Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, JP Morgan Chase (2011-2016).

 

Christopher A. Ponte, 34

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

December 2017

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2017); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2017); Chief Financial Officer, Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (since 2018).

 

Colin Kinney, 45

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

July 2017

 

Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013) and Chief Risk Officer (2009-2017), the Adviser.

 

Chuck Booth, 58

 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Officer

 

May 2015

 

Director, Regulatory Administration and CCO Support Services, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

 

Jay G. Baris, 65

 

Assistant Secretary

 

February 1998

 

Partner, Shearman & Sterling LLP (since 2018); Partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP (2011-2017).

 

*  On December 3, 2014, Mr. Dyer resigned as Secretary of the Trust and accepted the position of President.


29



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

Proxy Voting:

Information regarding the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-539-3863. The information is also included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Information relating to how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Availability of Schedules of Portfolio Investments:

The Trust expects to file a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT beginning March 1, 2019. Prior to that date, the Trust has filed a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-PORT and Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Expense Examples

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

The Actual Expense figures in the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

The Hypothetical Expense figures in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

Beginning
Account Value
7/1/18
  Actual
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Hypothetical
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Actual
Expenses
Paid During
Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Hypothetical
Expenses
Paid During
Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18
 
$

1,000.00

   

$

906.70

   

$

1,020.52

   

$

4.47

   

$

4.74

     

0.93

%

 

*  Expenses are equal to the average account value multiplied by the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by 184/365 (the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year).


30



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund paid qualified dividend income for purposes of reduced individual federal income tax rates of 58%.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund designated long-term capital gain distributions in the amount of $1,236,976.

The Fund intends to elect to pass through to shareholders the income tax credit for taxes paid to foreign countries. Foreign source income and foreign tax expense per shares outstanding on December 31, 2018 were $0.49 and $0.15, respectively.


31



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Considerations of the Board in Continuing the Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement")

The Board approved the Agreement on behalf of the Series at a meeting, which was called for that purpose, on December 5, 2018. The Board also considered information relating to the Series and the Agreement provided throughout the year and, more specifically, at a meeting on October 23, 2018. The Board noted that prior to the Series' reorganization on July 29, 2016, the Series was managed by RS Investment Management Co. LLC, which was acquired by the Adviser on July 29, 2016. In considering whether to approve the Agreement, the Board requested, and the Adviser provided, information that the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to reach its conclusions. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated this information along with other information obtained throughout the year and was advised by legal counsel to the Series and by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition, in 2017 the Independent Trustees, through their counsel, retained an independent consultant to assist with a review of the overall process for conducting the annual review of these advisory arrangements. The Board considered the Series' advisory fee, expense ratio and investment performance as significant factors in determining whether the Agreement should be continued. In considering whether the compensation paid to the Adviser was fair and reasonable, the Board also evaluated, among other things, the following factors:

•  The requirements of the Series for the services provided by the Adviser;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the services provided and expected to be provided;

•  The performance of the Series as compared to comparable funds;

•  The fees payable for the services and whether the fee arrangements provided for economies of scale that would benefit Series shareholders as the Series grows;

•  Whether the fee would be sufficient to enable the Adviser to attract and retain experienced personnel and continue to provide quality services to the Series;

•  Fees paid by other clients of the Adviser whose accounts are managed in a similar investment style and any differences in the services provided to the other clients compared to those provided to the Series;

•  Total expenses of the Series, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees;

•  Management's commitment to operating the Series at competitive expense levels;

•  The profitability of the Adviser (as reflected by comparing fees earned against an estimate of the Adviser's costs) with respect to the Adviser's relationship with the Series;

•  Research and other service benefits received by the Adviser obtained through payment of client commissions for securities transactions;

•  Other benefits received by the Adviser, and its affiliates, including revenues paid to the Adviser, or its affiliates, by the Series for administration and fund accounting services, and distribution;

•  The capabilities and financial condition of the Adviser;

•  Current economic and industry trends; and

•  The historical relationship between the Series and the Adviser.

The Board reviewed the Series' current management fee, comprised of the advisory fee plus the administrative services fee paid to the Adviser, in the context of the Adviser's profitability of the Series. In addition, the Board compared the Series' total operating expense ratio on a net and gross basis, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees and management fees with a universe of comparable mutual funds compiled by an independent consultant, FUSE Research Network, LLC ("FUSE"), and a peer group of funds with similar investment strategies selected by FUSE from the universe. The Board reviewed the factors and methodology used by FUSE in the selection of the Series' peer group, including FUSE's selection of a broad universe of funds using the standard Retail Morningstar Categories, the more specific universe of comparable funds, and peer groups of funds with comparable investment strategies and asset levels, among other factors. The Board also reviewed any changes to FUSE's methodology as compared to the prior year, including as a result of input from the Adviser, if any. The Board also reviewed fees and other information related to the Adviser's management of similarly managed institutional or private accounts, and the differences in the services


32



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

provided to the other accounts, to the extent applicable. The Board noted that the advisory fee arrangements for the Series do not include breakpoints, which are generally viewed as a method by which the investment adviser shares any economies of scale with a fund as a fund grows. The Board also considered the Adviser's commitment to limit expenses as discussed in more detail below.

The Board reviewed the Series' performance over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods against the performance of the Series' selected peer group and benchmark index. The Board recognized that the performance of the Series and the peer group funds are net of expenses, while the performance of the benchmark index is gross returns. The Board considered the additional resources that the Adviser has committed to enhance portfolio analysis, compliance and trading systems. The Board noted that, following the Series' reorganization, the Series is managed by substantially the same investment management team that managed the comparable predecessor fund.

The Board reviewed various other specific factors with respect to the Series, as described below. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not rank the importance of any particular information or factor considered and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

The Board concluded that the Series' gross annual management fee was reasonable as compared to the median gross management fee charged to the funds in the Series' peer group. The Board noted that the Series' net annual expense ratio, taking into account any shareholder servicing or distribution fees, was reasonable as compared to the median expense ratio for the peer group. The Board considered the Adviser's contractual agreement to waive its fees and reimburse expenses for a specified period of time, as described in the Series' prospectus. The Board then compared the Series' performance for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2018, to that of the median performance of the peer group and benchmark index for the same periods and considered the fact that the Series outperformed both the benchmark index and the peer group for all of the periods reviewed.

Having considered, among other things: (1) that the Series' management fee was within the ranges of advisory fees charged to comparable mutual funds; (2) that the Series' total expense ratio was reasonable; (3) the Adviser's willingness to limit the expenses for a period of time would provide stability to the Series' expenses during that period; and (4) the performance of the Series, the Board concluded that the Agreement continued to be in the best interests of the Series' shareholders.

Conclusion

Based on its review of the information requested and provided, and following extended discussions, the Board determined that the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, was consistent with the best interests of the Series and its shareholders, and the Board unanimously approved the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, for an additional annual period on the basis of the foregoing review and discussions and the following considerations, among others:

•  The fairness and reasonableness of the investment advisory fee payable to the Adviser under the Agreement in light of the investment advisory services provided, the costs of these services, the profitability of the Adviser's relationship with the Series and the comparability of the fee paid to the fees paid by other investment companies;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser;

•  The Adviser's entrepreneurial commitment to the management of the Series and the creation of a broad-based family of funds, which could entail a substantial commitment of the Adviser's resources to the successful operation of the Series;

•  The Adviser's representations regarding its staffing and capabilities to manage the Series, including the retention of personnel with relevant portfolio management experience;

•  The Adviser's efforts to enhance investment results by, among other things, developing quality portfolio management teams; and

•  The overall high quality of the personnel, operations, financial condition, investment management capabilities, methodologies and performance of the Adviser.


33



Privacy Policy

Protecting the Privacy of Information

The Trust respects your right to privacy. We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain personal information about you. This is the information we collect from you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you make with us or third parties. It may include your name, address, social security number, account transactions and balances, and information about investment goals and risk tolerance.

We do not disclose any information about you or about former customers to anyone except as permitted or required by law. Specifically, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform services on our behalf, such as the transfer agent that processes shareholder accounts and printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. We may also disclose this information to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf. This allows us to continue to offer you Victory investment products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize. These companies will use this information only in connection with the services for which we hired them. They are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.

To protect your personal information internally, we permit access only by authorized employees and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information.*

*  You may have received communications regarding information about privacy policies from other financial institutions which gave you the opportunity to "opt-out" of certain information sharing with companies which are not affiliated with that financial institution. The Trust does not share information with other companies for purposes of marketing solicitations for products other than the Trust. Therefore, the Trust does not provide opt-out options to their shareholders.



Victory Funds
P.O. Box 182593
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2593

Visit our website at:

 

Call Victory at:

 

www.vcm.com

  800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)  

VVIF-RS-IVIP-AR (12/18)



December 31, 2018

Annual Report

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Victory Funds' shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Victory Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.VictoryFunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you need not take any action.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Victory Funds or your financial intermediary electronically sooner than January 1, 2021 by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-539-3863 or by sending an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Victory Funds, you can call 800-539-3863 or send an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Victory Funds you hold directly or through your financial intermediary.



www.vcm.com

News, Information And Education 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week

The Victory Funds site gives fund shareholders, prospective shareholders, and investment professionals a convenient way to access fund information, get guidance, and track fund performance anywhere they can access the Internet. The site includes:

•  Detailed performance records

•  Daily share prices

•  The latest fund news

•  Investment resources to help you become a better investor

•  A section dedicated to investment professionals

Whether you're a potential investor searching for the fund that matches your investment philosophy, a seasoned investor interested in planning tools, or an investment professional, www.vcm.com has what you seek. Visit us anytime. We're always open.



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Table of Contents

Shareholder Letter (Unaudited)

   

3

   

Fund Review and Commentary (Unaudited)

   

4

   

Financial Statements

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

    8    

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    11    

Statement of Operations

    12    

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    13    

Financial Highlights

    14    

Notes to Financial Statements

   

15

   
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
   

23

   

Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

 

Trustee and Officer Information

    24    

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

    27    

Expense Examples

    27    

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

    28    

Advisory Contract Renewal

    29    

Privacy Policy (inside back cover)

 

 

The Fund is distributed by Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. Victory Capital Management Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and receives fees from the Fund for performing services for the Fund.

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus of the Fund.

For additional information about any Victory Fund, including fees, expenses, and risks, view our prospectus online at www.vcm.com or call 800-539-3863. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

The information in this annual report is based on data obtained from recognized services and sources and is believed to be reliable. Any opinions, projections, or recommendations in this report are subject to change without notice and are not intended as individual investment advice. Past investment performance of the Fund, markets or securities mentioned herein should not be considered to be indicative of future results.

• NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE
• MAY LOSE VALUE

Call Victory at:

800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)

Visit our website at:

www.vcm.com


1



This page is intentionally left blank.


2



Victory Funds Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholder,

What a difference a year makes. The year ended December 31, 2018, was marked by an abrupt return of volatility, which had largely been missing in action for years. Consider the range of highs and lows we witnessed. For the S&P 500 Index, it was a year in which we celebrated an all-time high in late summer, only to be followed by the worst December since the 2008 financial crisis. And if that wasn't enough volatility, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also registered several of its worst-ever, single-day point declines during 2018.

Through all that the S&P 500 clocked in with its first negative annual return since 2008, falling by 4.4 percent. Given the risk-off sentiment that was obvious as the year drew to a close, it's no surprise that small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, fared even worse, falling approximately 11.0 percent for the year. The challenges for equity investors were also evident around the world as the MSCI ACWI and Emerging Markets indexes declined 8.9 and 14.3 percent, respectively.

So what ushered in the renewed era of volatility and these challenging times? There were multiple culprits. For starters, trade tensions ratcheted up throughout the year as anti-global rhetoric bloomed into a series of new tariffs, which sparked concerns of a prolonged trade war with China. The Federal Reserve remained persistent in its monetary tightening, raising the benchmark interest rate four times throughout the year to a range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent. And then the year ended with a partial shutdown of the federal government. These factors conspired to elevate concerns of a possible recession here and abroad.

Yet despite the headline risks, we think it's critically important to remain focused on the data. By all accounts, the U.S. economy continued chugging along in 2018 with a real gross domestic product (GDP) rising 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018, the latest figures available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Moreover, the labor picture continues to shine with consistent monthly job growth and an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. All this comes against a backdrop of low inflation and solid corporate earnings.

The markets, it appears, have been vacillating between the dire headlines and higher perceived risks on one hand, and the continued positive economic data on the other. Of course, no one knows where the Fed will stop raising rates, nor is there any certainty on how the trade turmoil ultimately gets resolved. For now, however, we continue to embrace our solid economic fundamentals. Moreover, we believe all of Victory Capital's independent investment franchises are well positioned to take advantage of any short-term valuation dislocations resulting from the current era of heightened volatility.

On the following pages, you will find information relating to your Victory Funds investment. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact your financial advisor. Or, if you invest with us directly, you may call (800) 539-3863, or visit our website at www.vcm.com.

My colleagues and I sincerely appreciate the confidence you have placed in the Victory Funds, and we value the opportunity to help meet your investment goals.

Christopher K. Dyer, CFA

President,

Victory Funds


3



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series

Portfolio Holdings

As a Percentage of Total Investments

Commentary

It would be an understatement to characterize 2018 as a volatile year for the equity market. Consider the range of highs and lows we witnessed. For the S&P 500® Index, it was a year in which we enjoyed an all-time high but also suffered the worst December since the 2008 financial crisis. And if that wasn't enough, we also saw the worst single-day point decline in the history of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Through all that volatility, the S&P 500 Index ultimately registered its first negative annual return (-4.4%) since the financial crisis. Small-caps performed worse than large-caps in a risk-off environment as the Russell 2000® Index fell approximately 11% for the year. A number of concerns, including trade tensions with China, rising interest rates, a government shutdown, and rising concerns of a possible recession, were all culprits that created a jittery market.

The year started off in a sharp contrast to how it ended. The S&P 500 Index returned nearly 6% in January, followed by a sharp spike in volatility in February that culminated with the biggest single-day decline (over 1100 points) in the Dow's history. In the second and third quarters, the equity market performed well thanks to modest inflation, strong GDP data, and robust corporate earnings growth, with the S&P 500 Index hitting an all-time high in late September. But as the trade tension rhetoric ratcheted up, investors' sentiment turned decidedly negative. Coupled with concerns of slowing global economic growth and continued Federal Reserve tightening, valuation multiples were compressed as investors assigned a higher discount rate to equities to account for increased risk on the horizon. This resulted in a dramatic 20% drawdown in the S&P 500 Index and a 26% drawdown in the Russell 2000 Index from peak to trough late in the year. The sell-off was broad-based, with nine out of 11 sectors posting negative returns, while Health Care and Utilities had slight positive returns for the year. In addition, almost every global asset class sold off. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index was down 9.7% and the MSCI World ex USA Index declined approximately 10%. Commodities were no exception, as WTI crude fell nearly 25% for the year. As investors rotated into safe havens, the 10-year Treasury yield declined by approximately 60 bps in the fourth quarter to approximately 2.6% at year-end. High-yield credit spreads also widened by nearly 200 bps in the fourth quarter.

While 2018 was a challenging year in the equity market, valuations have become more reasonable, and the equity risk premium has moved up to the upper end of the recent decade.

Performance Update and Review

The Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series ("Fund") seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation. For the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018, the Fund delivered a -9.00% absolute return, modestly underperforming the Russell 1000® Value Index, which returned -8.27%.


4



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series (continued)

Solid stock selection in the Materials, Technology, and Consumer Staples sectors contributed positively to the portfolio. In particular, can manufacturer Ball Corp. (ticker: BLL; +23%) began to show progress from their acquisition of Rexam. Also, Visa (V), a global payments network operator, returned 16% on the back of strong operational momentum and improving sales and profitability. Another notable performer in the Fund was Consumer Staples company Post Holdings (ticker: POST), which returned 13% as the company announced intentions to unlock value in two segments of their portfolio via announced spin-offs. We reduced our position sizes in both POST and BLL during the year as their stock prices increased.

Contributing negatively to the Fund was negative stock selection in the Health Care and Consumer Discretionary sectors. Within Health Care, the negative selection effect was in part because of stocks we owned, such as Allergan (AGN). A global specialty pharmaceutical company, AGN returned -17% as financial results and worries over competition from new generic drug entrants competing against one of its key products weighed on the shares' valuation. Not owning a number of large-capitalization, branded pharmaceutical and medical device companies also hurt our relative performance in the Health Care sector.

Selection also lagged in the Consumer Discretionary sector. The worst performer was LKQ Corp. (ticker: LKQ), a provider of refurbished collision replacement parts for the auto industry. The stock declined over 40% as slightly slower than expected earnings growth was met with a draconian contraction in the company's valuation.

We added to our Allergan and LKQ positions during the year as their valuations became more compelling.

Outlook

As we enter our tenth year of economic expansion, a period of consistent underlying factors for equity investing, conditions are beginning to shift. Interest rates and the regulatory cycles have reached an inflection point, placing countervailing forces on the economy and markets. As for now, the U.S. economy remains quite robust and continues to be a global leader.

Energy prices remain significantly below peak levels, despite declining inventories worldwide. Natural gas prices have materially lagged oil prices. This stimulates consumer spending and confidence in the long run for the U.S. and for non-oil-producing countries abroad. In the U.S. we enjoy the competitive advantage of a long-term supply of abundant cheap natural gas.

Interest rates have moved off of their historically low levels, and now the question is which direction they will move from here. Ultimately, higher rates are a reflection of better economic performance and some inflation; however, the continued improvement is much more questionable, as the benefits from corporate tax reform have already been embedded in the economy. As with most things, the pendulum rarely stops in the middle, and the risk of the Federal Reserve tightening too much or too fast is a possibility that is gaining greater interest. Although we believe we are late in the economic cycle, the odds of an imminent recession without an unlikely full-blown trade war or some anomalistic event seem low.

We remain watchful of corporations continuing to lever their balance sheets, although some of this has been offset by strong free cash flow generation. The corporate tax cuts and the inducement to repatriate foreign cash holdings are fueling optimism and should drive higher employment, M&A activity, and capital returns such as buybacks and dividends. However, the U.S. Treasury 10-year/2-year rate spread stands at a mere 16 bps. This is the lowest


5



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series (continued)

level spread we have seen since August 2007 and well below the 10-year average of 176 bps. With the Federal Reserve seemingly motivated to raise rates further, we are mindful of the possibility of an inverted yield curve. Although not perfect, an inverted yield curve has proven a fairly reliable indicator of an economic slowdown in the past.

In our estimation equity valuations remain at historically high levels, in the eighth decile on trailing operating earnings. We feel we are in the later stages of a bull market, although nothing is certain. Equities look most reasonable when comparing earnings yields to U.S. Treasuries or even corporate bond yields. In any case, we believe the values inherent in the Fund's holdings as measured by our focus on improving return on invested capital (ROIC) and strong balance sheets should make them attractive to other investors and possibly acquirers over time. Meanwhile, we believe equities are the superior asset allocation alternative to bonds over the longer term.


6



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series (continued)

Average Annual Total Return

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Class I

 

INCEPTION DATE

 

4/13/83

 
    Net Asset
Value
  Russell 1000
Value Index1
  S&P 500 Index2  

One Year

   

–9.00

%

   

–8.27

%

   

–4.38

%

 

Three Year

   

5.59

%

   

6.95

%

   

9.26

%

 

Five Year

   

5.56

%

   

5.95

%

   

8.49

%

 

Ten Year

   

10.90

%

   

11.18

%

   

13.12

%

 

Since Inception

   

10.21

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

   

Expense Ratios

Gross

   

0.60

%

 

With Applicable Waivers

   

0.55

%

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month's end, please visit www.vcm.com.

The above expense ratios are from the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2018. Additional information pertaining to the Fund's expense ratios as of December 31, 2018 can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return figures set forth above include all waivers of fees for various periods since inception. Without such fee waivers, the total returns would have been lower. Some fee waivers are voluntary and may be modified or terminated at any time. The total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the total returns would have been lower.

Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series — Growth of $10,000

1The Russell 1000® Value Index is an unmanaged market-capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of those companies in the Russell 1000® Index (which consists of the 1,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization) with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. Index results assume the reinvestment of dividends paid on stocks constituting the index. You may not invest in the index, and, unlike the Fund, the index does not incur fees or expenses.

2The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index comprised of 500 domestically traded common stocks, is weighted according to the market value of each common stock in the index, and includes reinvestment of dividends. This index does not include effect of sales charges and is not representative of the Fund. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

The graph reflects investment of growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.


7



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Common Stocks (98.6%)

 

Communication Services (8.2%):

 

Alphabet, Inc., Class A (a)

   

30,395

   

$

31,761,559

   

Facebook, Inc., Class A (a)

   

288,010

     

37,755,231

   
     

69,516,790

   

Consumer Discretionary (6.8%):

 

Aramark

   

770,850

     

22,331,525

   

Booking Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

10,070

     

17,344,769

   

LKQ Corp. (a)

   

776,690

     

18,430,854

   
     

58,107,148

   

Consumer Staples (7.6%):

 

Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc. (b)

   

201,030

     

5,154,409

   

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

   

806,750

     

32,294,202

   

Post Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

41,904

     

3,734,904

   

The Kraft Heinz Co.

   

535,910

     

23,065,566

   
     

64,249,081

   

Energy (11.8%):

 

Chevron Corp.

   

215,180

     

23,409,432

   

Devon Energy Corp.

   

437,821

     

9,868,485

   

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

   

124,250

     

11,517,975

   

Enterprise Products Partners LP

   

961,290

     

23,638,122

   

EQT Corp.

   

777,840

     

14,693,398

   

Equitrans Midstream Corp. (a)

   

307,853

     

6,163,217

   

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

   

112,550

     

5,395,647

   

Noble Energy, Inc.

   

312,120

     

5,855,371

   
     

100,541,647

   

Financials (23.3%):

 

Aflac, Inc.

   

494,750

     

22,540,810

   

American International Group, Inc.

   

230,430

     

9,081,246

   

Brown & Brown, Inc.

   

984,800

     

27,141,087

   

Cincinnati Financial Corp. (b)

   

283,430

     

21,943,151

   

Citigroup, Inc.

   

568,880

     

29,615,892

   

E*TRADE Financial Corp.

   

275,025

     

12,068,097

   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

   

435,330

     

19,350,419

   

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

   

172,360

     

20,150,608

   

U.S. Bancorp

   

368,640

     

16,846,848

   

Wells Fargo & Co.

   

387,370

     

17,850,010

   
     

196,588,168

   

Health Care (13.8%):

 

Allergan PLC

   

224,827

     

30,050,377

   

AstraZeneca PLC, ADR

   

261,210

     

9,920,756

   

CVS Health Corp.

   

449,765

     

29,468,603

   

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

   

124,380

     

10,357,123

   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

   

69,295

     

17,262,770

   

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

   

192,760

     

19,993,067

   
     

117,052,696

   

See notes to financial statements.


8



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Industrials (5.5%):

 

Eaton Corp. PLC, ADR

   

253,240

   

$

17,387,458

   

Sensata Technologies Holding PLC, ADR (a)

   

363,150

     

16,283,646

   

Union Pacific Corp.

   

93,900

     

12,979,797

   
     

46,650,901

   

Information Technology (8.4%):

 

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

   

263,767

     

16,743,929

   

FleetCor Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

101,040

     

18,765,149

   

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

267,920

     

35,349,365

   
     

70,858,443

   

Materials (4.7%):

 

Ball Corp.

   

170,220

     

7,826,716

   

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

   

978,670

     

10,090,088

   

Sealed Air Corp. (b)

   

614,800

     

21,419,632

   
     

39,336,436

   

Real Estate (4.5%):

 

Equity Commonwealth

   

649,800

     

19,500,498

   

Invitation Homes, Inc. (b)

   

934,280

     

18,760,342

   
     

38,260,840

   

Utilities (4.0%):

 

Duke Energy Corp.

   

219,090

     

18,907,467

   

Exelon Corp.

   

328,260

     

14,804,526

   
     

33,711,993

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $838,411,671)

   

834,874,143

   

Collateral for Securities Loaned^ (1.0%)

 
BlackRock Liquidity Funds TempFund Portfolio,
Institutional Class, 2.49% (c)
 

$

1,618,811

     

1,618,811

   
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio,
Class I, 2.28% (c)
   

2,339,104

     

2,339,104

   
Fidelity Investments Prime Money Market Portfolio,
Class I, 2.46% (c)
   

72,232

     

72,232

   
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund,
Institutional Class, 2.55% (c)
   

899,349

     

899,349

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, Capital Class, 2.49% (c)

   

1,438,869

     

1,438,869

   
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Prime Portfolio,
Institutional Class, 2.58% (c)
   

2,158,438

     

2,158,438

   

Total Collateral for Securities Loaned (Cost $8,526,803)

   

8,526,803

   

Total Investments (Cost $846,938,474) — 99.6%

   

843,400,946

   

Other assets in excess of liabilities — 0.4%

   

3,589,255

   

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

 

$

846,990,201

   

See notes to financial statements.


9



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

^  Purchased with cash collateral from securities on loan.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)  Rate disclosed is the daily yield on December 31, 2018.

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

LP — Limited Partnership

PLC — Public Limited Company

See notes to financial statements.


10



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2018
 
    Victory
RS Large Cap
Alpha VIP
Series
 

ASSETS:

 

Investments, at value (Cost 846,938,474)

 

$

843,400,946

(a)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   

12,439,001

   

Interest and dividends receivable

   

606,034

   

Receivable for capital shares issued

   

714

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

641,704

   

Receivable from Adviser

   

280,727

   

Total Assets

   

857,369,126

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Payables:

 

Collateral received on loaned securities

   

8,526,803

   

Investments purchased

   

895,698

   

Capital shares redeemed

   

326,940

   

Accrued expenses and other payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

371,985

   

Administration fees

   

45,647

   

Custodian fees

   

11,050

   

Transfer agent fees

   

104,727

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

1,766

   

Trustees' fees

   

880

   

Other accrued expenses

   

93,429

   

Total Liabilities

   

10,378,925

   

NET ASSETS:

 

Capital

   

700,987,208

   

Total distributable earnings/(loss)

   

146,002,993

   

Net Assets

 

$

846,990,201

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, with a par value of
$0.001 per share):
   

19,494,720

   

Net asset value:

 

$

43.45

   

(a)  Includes $8,444,730 of securities on loan.

See notes to financial statements.


11



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
    Victory
RS Large Cap
Alpha VIP
Series
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends

 

$

16,207,889

   

Interest

   

319,062

   

Securities lending (net of fees)

   

61,836

   

Total Income

   

16,588,787

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

5,022,726

   

Administration fees

   

600,519

   

Custodian fees

   

45,478

   

Transfer agent fees

   

210,161

   

Trustees' fees

   

81,909

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

8,660

   

Legal and audit fees

   

124,801

   

Other expenses

   

118,151

   

Total Expenses

   

6,212,405

   

Expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser

   

(690,695

)

 

Net Expenses

   

5,521,710

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

11,067,077

   

Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Investment Transactions:

 

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

137,400,719

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

   

(229,244,068

)

 

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   

(91,843,349

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

(80,776,272

)

 

See notes to financial statements.


12



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
 

From Investment Activities:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

11,067,077

   

$

10,474,413

   
Net realized gains (losses) from investment
transactions
   

137,400,719

     

103,673,960

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments
   

(229,244,068

)

   

62,191,294

   

Change in net assets resulting from operations

   

(80,776,272

)

   

176,339,667

   

Distributions to Shareholders: (a)

 
Change in net assets resulting from distributions to
shareholders
   

(99,131,571

)

   

(10,800,168

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   

(33,842,009

)

   

(125,399,135

)

 

Change in net assets

   

(213,749,852

)

   

40,140,364

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

1,060,740,053

     

1,020,599,689

   

End of period

 

$

846,990,201

   

$

1,060,740,053

   

Capital Transactions:

 

Proceeds from shares issued

 

$

17,538,132

   

$

8,905,556

   

Distributions reinvested

   

99,131,571

     

10,800,168

   

Cost of shares redeemed

   

(150,511,712

)

   

(145,104,859

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

 

$

(33,842,009

)

 

$

(125,399,135

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Issued

   

327,122

     

181,681

   

Reinvested

   

2,271,183

     

199,449

   

Redeemed

   

(2,743,529

)

   

(2,937,643

)

 

Change in Shares

   

(145,224

)

   

(2,556,513

)

 

(a)  Current and prior year distributions to shareholders have been reclassified and conform to amended GAAP presentation under Regulation S-X (See Item 10 in the Notes to Financial Statements).

See notes to financial statements.


13



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Financial Highlights

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   

Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2015
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

54.01

   

$

45.98

   

$

44.26

   

$

50.63

   

$

51.52

   

Investment Activities:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

0.60

(a)

   

0.51

(a)

   

0.50

(a)

   

0.60

(a)

   

0.73

   
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments
   

(5.44

)

   

8.07

     

3.50

     

(1.64

)

   

6.21

   

Total from Investment Activities

   

(4.84

)

   

8.58

     

4.00

     

(1.04

)

   

6.94

   

Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.55

)

   

(0.52

)

   

(0.67

)

   

(0.71

)

 

Net realized gains from investments

   

(5.70

)

   

     

(1.76

)

   

(4.66

)

   

(7.12

)

 
Total Distributions to
Shareholders
   

(5.72

)

   

(0.55

)

   

(2.28

)

   

(5.33

)

   

(7.83

)

 
Capital Contributions from Prior
Custodian, Net (See Note 8)
   

     

     

(b)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

43.45

   

$

54.01

   

$

45.98

   

$

44.26

   

$

50.63

   

Total Return (c)

   

(9.00

)%

   

18.67

%

   

9.03

%(d)

   

(2.01

)%

   

13.58

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets at end of period (000)

 

$

846,990

   

$

1,060,740

   

$

1,020,600

   

$

1,015,821

   

$

1,148,698

   
Ratio of net expenses to average
net assets
   

0.55

%

   

0.55

%

   

0.54

%

   

0.55

%

   

0.55

%

 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets
   

1.10

%

   

1.02

%

   

1.12

%

   

1.20

%

   

1.27

%

 
Ratio of gross expenses to average
net assets
   

0.62

%(e)

   

0.60

%(e)

   

0.54

%

   

0.55

%

   

0.55

%

 

Portfolio turnover

   

60

%

   

56

%

   

84

%

   

47

%

   

56

%

 

(a)  Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total returns do not reflect the effects of charges deducted pursuant to the terms of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc.'s variable contracts. Inclusion of such charges would reduce the total returns for all periods shown.

(d)  The Fund received monies related to a nonrecurring refund from the prior Custodian. The corresponding impact to the total return was less than 0.01% for the period shown. (See Note 8)

(e)  During the period, certain fees were reduced and/or reimbursed. If such fee reductions and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

See notes to financial statements.


14



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
 

1. Organization:

Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust") was organized on February 11, 1998 as a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified open-end investment company. The Trust is comprised of nine funds and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, which are units of beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share.

The accompanying financial statements are those of the Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series (the "Fund"). The Fund offers a single class of shares: Class I Shares. Sales of shares of the Fund may only be made to certain separate accounts of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. ("GIAC") that fund certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts issued by GIAC. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America ("Guardian Life").

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund follows the specialized accounting and reporting requirements under GAAP that are applicable to investment companies.

Investment Valuation:

The Fund records investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The valuation techniques described below maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund's investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

• Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

• Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities or interest rates applicable to those securities, etc.)

• Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The inputs or methodologies used for valuation techniques are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with entering into those investments.

Portfolio securities listed or traded on securities exchanges, including American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and Rights, are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, if available, or at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price. If there have been no sales for that day on the exchange or system, then a security is valued at the last available bid quotation on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.


15



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Investments for which there are no such quotations, or for which quotations do not appear reliable, are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board"). These valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, based on the observability of inputs used to determine the fair value.

A summary of the valuations as of December 31, 2018, based upon the three levels defined above, is included in the table below while the breakdown, by category, of investments is disclosed in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments:

    LEVEL 1 —
Quoted Prices
 

Total

 
    Investments
in
Securities
  Investments
in
Securities
 

Common Stocks

 

$

834,874,143

   

$

834,874,143

   

Collateral for Securities Loaned

   

8,526,803

     

8,526,803

   

Total

 

$

843,400,946

   

$

843,400,946

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

Investment Transactions and Related Income:

Changes in holdings of investments are accounted for no later than one business day following the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, however, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date on the last business day of the reporting period. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

Withholding taxes on interest, dividends and gains as a result of certain investments in ADRs by the Fund have been provided for in accordance with each investment's applicable country's tax rules and rates.

Securities Lending:

The Trust has entered into a Master Securities Lending Agreement ("MSLA") with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank" or the "Agent"). Under the terms of the MSLA, the Fund may lend securities to certain broker-dealers and banks in exchange for collateral in the amount of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned or at least 105% of the value of non-U.S. securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls associated with increases in the valuation of the securities loaned are adjusted the next business day. The collateral can be received in the form of cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral can include U.S. Government Securities, letters of credit and certificates of deposit. The cash collateral is invested in short-term instruments or cash equivalents as noted on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Trust does not have effective control of the non-cash collateral and therefore it is not disclosed in the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund continues to benefit from interest or dividends on the securities loaned and may also earn a return from the collateral. The Fund pays various fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral. The Fund pays the Agent fees based on the investment income received from securities lending activities. Securities lending income is disclosed in the Fund's Statement of Operations. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral, the Fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return them.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under the MSLA, which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances such as an event of default, to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty to create a net payment due to or from the Fund.


16



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

The following table is a summary of the Fund's securities lending transactions which are subject to offset under the MSLA as of December 31, 2018. These transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings with an overnight and continuous contractual maturity for cash collateral, and greater than overnight and continuous contractual maturity for non-cash collateral.

Gross
Amount of
Recognized
Assets
(Value of
  Value of
Cash
  Value of Non-cash Collateral
Received by Maturity
     
Securities
on Loan)
  Collateral
Received
 

<30 Days

  Between 30
& 90 days
 

>90 Days

 

Net Amount

 
$

8,444,730

   

$

8,526,803

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

82,073

   

Dividends to Shareholders:

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually by the Fund. Distributable net realized gains, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually.

The amounts of dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. To the extent these "book/tax" differences are permanent in nature (e.g., net operating loss, distribution reclassification, and deemed distribution due to shareholder redemptions), such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales) do not require reclassification. To the extent dividends and distributions exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of capital. Net investment losses incurred by the Fund may be reclassified as an offset to capital on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

As of December 31, 2018, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, reclassification adjustments were $701 and $(701) for total distributable earnings/(loss) and Capital, respectively.

Federal Income Taxes:

It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements. The Fund has a tax year end of December 31.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Allocations:

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund, while expenses which are attributable to more than one fund in the Trust, or jointly with an affiliated trust, are allocated among the respective funds in the Trust and/or affiliated trust based upon net assets or another appropriate basis.

Affiliated Securities Transactions:

Pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may engage in securities transactions with affiliated investment companies and advisory accounts managed by the Adviser and any applicable sub-adviser. Any such purchase or sale transaction must be effected without brokerage commission or


17



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

other remuneration, except for customary transfer fees. The transaction must be effected at the current market price, which is either the security's last sale price on an exchange or, if there are no transactions in the security that day, at the average of the highest bid and lowest asked price. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not engage in any Rule 17a-7 transactions under the 1940 Act.

3. Purchases and Sales of Securities:

Purchases and sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) for the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

Purchases  

Sales

 
$

587,240,888

   

$

706,599,413

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government Securities.

4. Fees and Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties:

Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by Victory Capital Management Inc. ("VCM" or the "Adviser"), a New York corporation registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings Inc., a publicly traded Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Victory Capital Operating, LLC.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may use its resources to assist with the Fund's distribution and marketing expenses.

VCM also serves as the Fund's administrator and fund accountant. Under an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement, VCM is paid for its services an annual fee at a rate of 0.08% of the first $15 billion in average daily net assets of the Trust, Victory Portfolios and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Trusts"), 0.05% of the average daily net assets above $15 billion to $30 billion of the Trusts and 0.04% of the average daily net assets over $30 billion of the Trusts.

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. ("Citi"), an affiliate of Citibank N.A., acts as sub-administrator and sub-fund accountant to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement between VCM and Citi. VCM pays Citi a fee for providing these services. The Trust reimburses VCM and Citi for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

FIS Investor Services, LLC ("FIS") serves as the Fund's transfer agent. Under the Transfer Agent Agreement, the Trust pays FIS a fee for its services and reimburses FIS for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

The Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") is an employee of the Adviser, which pays the compensation of the CCO and his support staff. The Trust has entered into an Agreement to provide compliance services with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes its compliance personnel, including the services of the CCO, and other resources reasonably necessary to provide the Trust with compliance oversight services related to the design, administration and oversight of a compliance program for the Trust in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Funds in the Trust, Victory Portfolios, Victory Institutional Funds, and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Victory Funds Complex"), in the aggregate, compensate the Adviser for these services.

The Victory Funds Complex pays an annual retainer to each Independent Trustee, plus an additional annual retainer to the Chairman of the Board. The aggregate amount of the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees are allocated amongst all the funds in the Victory Funds Complex and are presented in the Statement of Operations.

Shearman & Sterling LLP provides legal services to the Trust.

Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor for the continuous offering of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust.


18



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation agreement with the Fund until at least April 30, 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, the Adviser has agreed to waive fees or reimburse certain expenses to the extent that ordinary operating expenses incurred by certain classes of the Fund in any fiscal year exceed the expense limit for such classes of the Fund. Such excess amounts will be the liability of the Adviser. Interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund's business are excluded from the expense limits. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the expense limit (excluding voluntary waivers) is 0.55%.

The Fund has agreed to repay fees and expenses that were waived or reimbursed by the Adviser for a period up to three fiscal years after such waiver or reimbursement was made to the extent such payments or repayments would not cause the expenses of a class to exceed the original expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement or any expense limitation agreement in place at the time of repayment. As of December 31, 2018, the following amounts are available to be repaid to the Adviser. Amounts repaid to the Adviser during the year ended, if any, are reflected on the Statement of Operations as "Recoupment of prior expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser".

Expires 12/31/2020  

Expires 12/31/2021

 
$

522,796

   

$

690,695

   

The Adviser may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees to assist the Fund in maintaining a competitive expense ratio. Voluntary waivers and reimbursements applicable to the Fund are not available to be recouped at a future time. There were no voluntary waivers or reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Certain officers and/or interested trustees of the Fund are also officers and/or employees of the Adviser, Administrator, Fund Accountant, Sub-Administrator, Sub-Fund Accountant, and Legal.

5. Risks:

The Fund may be subject to other risks in addition to these identified risks.

An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, some of which will be traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests may affect the value of the Fund's shares. An investment in the Fund's shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of the Fund's distributions.

The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties for financial instruments entered into by the Fund. The Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties. The Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and the Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The Fund typically enters into transactions with counterparties whose credit ratings are investment grade, as determined by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

6. Borrowing and Interfund Lending:

Line of Credit:

The Victory Funds Complex participates in a short-term, demand note "Line of Credit" agreement with Citibank. Under the agreement with Citibank, the Victory Funds Complex may borrow up to $250 million, of which $100 million is committed and $150 million is uncommitted. $40 million of the Line of Credit is reserved for use by the Victory Floating Rate Fund, another series of the Victory Funds Complex, with that Fund paying the related commitment fees for that amount. The purpose of the agreement is to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might


19



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. The current agreement was amended on July 27, 2018 with a new termination date of July 26, 2019. Citibank receives an annual commitment fee of 0.15% on $100 million for providing the Line of Credit. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Citibank earned approximately $150,000 in commitment fees from the Victory Funds Complex. Each fund in the Victory Funds Complex pays a pro-rata portion of the commitment fees plus any interest on amounts borrowed. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on line of credit.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Line of Credit during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Interfund Lending:

The Trust and Adviser rely on an exemptive order granted by the SEC in March 2017 (the "Order"), permitting the establishment and operation of an Interfund Lending Facility (the "Facility"). The Facility allows the Fund to directly lend and borrow money to or from any other Victory Fund relying upon the Order at rates beneficial to both the borrowing and lending funds. Advances under the Facility are allowed for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities, and are subject to each Fund's borrowing restrictions. The interfund loan rate is determined, as specified in the Order, by averaging the current repurchase agreement rate and the current bank loan rate. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on interfund lending.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Facility during the year ended December 31, 2018.

7. Federal Income Tax Information:

The tax character of distributions paid during the tax years ended, as noted below, were as follows (total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because, for tax purposes, dividends are recognized when actually paid).

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Distributions paid from

 
Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
$

11,515,218

   

$

87,616,353

   

$

99,131,571

   

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 

Distributions paid from

 
Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
$

10,800,168

   

$

   

$

10,800,168

   

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Accumulated
Earnings
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)*
  Total
Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
$

10,660,966

   

$

137,576,831

   

$

148,237,797

   

$

(2,234,804

)

 

$

146,002,993

   

*The difference between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

During the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not utilize capital loss carryforwards.


20



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

As of December 31, 2018, the cost basis for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments were as follows:

Cost of
Investments
for Federal
Tax Purposes
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
$

845,635,750

   

$

238,118,674

   

$

(240,353,478

)

 

$

(2,234,804

)

 

8. Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian:

During 2016, the Fund received notification from the Fund's prior custodian, State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street"), concerning issues related to billing on certain categories of expenses during the approximately 16-year period from 1998 through October 31, 2014. The over-billing primarily related to categories of expenses that involved an allocation of general costs among multiple clients.

State Street paid the refunded amounts during January 2017. Based on billing information received during 2016 from State Street and an analysis of any expense limitation agreements that were in place during the period of the activities in question, including the application of any recoupment provisions in such agreements, the Adviser received a portion of the refund.

The portion of the refund retained by the Fund was accounted for as a capital contribution and is reflected on the Financial Highlights as "Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian, Net".

9. Fund Ownership:

Ownership of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2018, the shareholders listed below held more than 25% of the shares outstanding of the Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund.

Shareholder  

Percent

 
GIAC    

99.8

%

 

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In October 2016, the SEC released its Final Rules on Investment Company Reporting Modernization (the "Rules"). The Rules introduced two new regulatory reporting forms for investment companies, Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-PORT was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing with the SEC on Form N-PORT for the period ending March 31, 2019. Effective with the period ended June 30, 2018, the Fund was required to maintain, and make available to the SEC upon request, the information required to be included in Form N-PORT. Form N-PORT will replace Form N-Q filings effective with the requirement to file the Form N-PORT with the SEC for the period ending March 31, 2019. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-CEN was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing on Form N-CEN for the period ended December 31, 2018. Form N-CEN will replace Form N-SAR filings. The Fund's adoption of these amendments have no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurements" ("ASU 2018-13"). This update makes certain removals from, changes to and additions to existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 does not change fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. ASU 2018-13 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, the Fund has early adopted ASU 2018-13 with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018.

In August 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain financial statement disclosure requirements to conform them to GAAP for investment companies. These amendments made certain disclosure requirements effective under Regulation S-X. The Fund's adoption of these amendments, effective with


21



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018 had no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations. As a result of adopting these amendments, the distributions to shareholders in the December 31, 2017 Statements of Changes in Net Assets presented herein have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes all distributions to each class of shareholders, other than tax basis return of capital distributions, in one line item per share class. Distributions to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 from net investment income and net realized gains in the Fund were as follows:

Distributions to Shareholders:

From net investment income:

 

$

(10,800,168

)

 

From net Realized Gains:

   

   

11. Subsequent Events:

The Fund has evaluated the need for additional disclosures or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, there were no subsequent events to report that would have a material impact on the Fund's financial statements.


22



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Victory RS Large Cap Alpha VIP Series (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting the Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2018, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the funds constituting the Trust) at December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The financial highlights of the Fund for each of the periods presented through December 31, 2015 were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 22, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Victory Capital's investment companies since 1995.

Cincinnati, Ohio
February 15, 2019


23



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Trustee and Officer Information Board of Trustees:

Overall responsibility for management of the Trust rests with the Board. The Trust is managed by the Board in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. There are currently ten Trustees, nine of whom are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees") and one of whom is an "interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Interested Trustee"). The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust to actively supervise its day-to-day operations.

The following tables list the Trustees, their ages, position with the Trust, commencement of service, principal occupations during the past five years and any directorships of other investment companies or companies whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or who file reports under that Act. Each Trustee oversees nine portfolios in the Trust, one portfolio in Victory Institutional Funds, 42 portfolios in Victory Portfolios and 20 portfolios in Victory Portfolios II, each a registered investment company that, together with the Trust, comprise the Victory Funds Complex. Each Trustee's address is c/o Victory Variable Insurance Funds, 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. Each Trustee has an indefinite term.

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Independent Trustees.

 

David Brooks Adcock, 67

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Consultant (since 2006).

 

Chair and Trustee, Turner Funds (December 2016-December 2017).

 

Nigel D.T. Andrews, 71

 

Vice Chair and Trustee

 

August 2002

 

Retired.

 

Director, TCG BDC II, Inc. (since 2017); Director, TCG BDC I, Inc. (formerly Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc.) (since 2012); Director, Old Mutual US Asset Management (2002-2014).

 

E. Lee Beard, 67*

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Retired (since 2015); Consultant, The Henlee Group, LLC (consulting) (2005-2015).

 

None.

 

Dennis M. Bushe, 75

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Retired.

 

Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2011-July 2016).

 


24



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Sally M. Dungan, 64

 

Trustee

 

February 2011

 

Chief Investment Officer, Tufts University (since 2002).

 

None.

 

John L. Kelly, 65

 

Trustee

 

February 2015

 

Partner, McCarvill Capital Partners (September 2016-September 2017); Advisor (January 2016-April 2016) and Managing Partner (August 2014-January 2016), Endgate Commodities LLC; Chief Operating Officer, Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (2011-2014).

 

Director, Caledonia Mining Corporation (since May 2012).

 

David L. Meyer, 61*

 

Trustee

 

December 2008

 

Retired.

 

None.

 

Gloria S. Nelund, 57

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Chair, CEO and Co-Founder of TriLinc Global, LLC, an investment firm.

 

TriLinc Global Impact Fund, LLC (since 2012); Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2007-July 2016).

 

Leigh A. Wilson, 74

 

Chair and Trustee

 

February 1998

 

Private Investor.

 

Chair (since 2013), Caledonia Mining Corporation.

 

Interested Trustee.

 

David C. Brown, 46**

 

Trustee

 

May 2008

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2013), Co-Chief Executive Officer (2011-2013), the Adviser; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (since 2013).

 

None.

 

*  The Board has designated Mr. Meyer and Ms. Beard as its Audit Committee Financial Experts.

**  Mr. Brown is an "Interested Person" by reason of his relationship with the Adviser.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, by calling 800-539-3863.


25



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Officers:

The officers of the Trust, their ages, commencement of service and their principal occupations during the past five years, are detailed in the following table. Each officer serves until the earlier of his or her resignation, removal, retirement, death, or the election of a successor. The mailing address of each officer of the Trust is 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. The officers of the Trust receive no compensation directly from the Trust for performing the duties of their offices.

Name and Age

  Position with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

 

Christopher K. Dyer, 57

 

President

 

February 2006*

 

Director of Mutual Fund Administration, the Adviser.

 

Scott A. Stahorsky, 49

 

Vice President

 

December 2014

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2015); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2015).

 

Erin G. Wagner, 45

 

Secretary

 

December 2014

 

Associate General Counsel, the Adviser (since 2013).

 

Allan Shaer, 53

 

Treasurer

 

May 2017

 

Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (since 2016); Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, JP Morgan Chase (2011-2016).

 

Christopher A. Ponte, 34

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

December 2017

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2017); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2017); Chief Financial Officer, Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (since 2018).

 

Colin Kinney, 45

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

July 2017

 

Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013) and Chief Risk Officer (2009-2017), the Adviser.

 

Chuck Booth, 58

 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Officer

 

May 2015

 

Director, Regulatory Administration and CCO Support Services, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

 

Jay G. Baris, 65

 

Assistant Secretary

 

February 1998

 

Partner, Shearman & Sterling LLP (since 2018); Partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP (2011-2017).

 

*  On December 3, 2014, Mr. Dyer resigned as Secretary of the Trust and accepted the position of President.


26



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

Proxy Voting:

Information regarding the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-539-3863. The information is also included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Information relating to how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Availability of Schedules of Portfolio Investments:

The Trust expects to file a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT beginning March 1, 2019. Prior to that date, the Trust has filed a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-PORT and Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Expense Examples

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

The Actual Expense figures in the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

The Hypothetical Expense figures in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

Beginning
Account Value
7/1/18
  Actual
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Hypothetical
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Actual
Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18
 
$

1,000.00

   

$

899.80

   

$

1,022.43

   

$

2.63

   

$

2.80

     

0.55

%

 

*  Expenses are equal to the average account value multiplied by the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by 184/365 (the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year).


27



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund paid qualified dividend income for purposes of reduced individual federal income tax rates of 69%.

Dividends qualifying for corporate dividends received a deduction of 64%.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund designated short-term and long-term capital gain distributions in the amount of $11,109,108 and $87,616,353, respectively.


28



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Considerations of the Board in Continuing the Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement")

The Board approved the Agreement on behalf of the Series at a meeting, which was called for that purpose, on December 5, 2018. The Board also considered information relating to the Series and the Agreement provided throughout the year and, more specifically, at a meeting on October 23, 2018. The Board noted that prior to the Series' reorganization on July 29, 2016, the Series was managed by RS Investment Management Co. LLC, which was acquired by the Adviser on July 29, 2016. In considering whether to approve the Agreement, the Board requested, and the Adviser provided, information that the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to reach its conclusions. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated this information along with other information obtained throughout the year and was advised by legal counsel to the Series and by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition, in 2017 the Independent Trustees, through their counsel, retained an independent consultant to assist with a review of the overall process for conducting the annual review of these advisory arrangements. The Board considered the Series' advisory fee, expense ratio and investment performance as significant factors in determining whether the Agreement should be continued. In considering whether the compensation paid to the Adviser was fair and reasonable, the Board also evaluated, among other things, the following factors:

•  The requirements of the Series for the services provided by the Adviser;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the services provided and expected to be provided;

•  The performance of the Series as compared to comparable funds;

•  The fees payable for the services and whether the fee arrangements provided for economies of scale that would benefit Series shareholders as the Series grows;

•  Whether the fee would be sufficient to enable the Adviser to attract and retain experienced personnel and continue to provide quality services to the Series;

•  Fees paid by other clients of the Adviser whose accounts are managed in a similar investment style and any differences in the services provided to the other clients compared to those provided to the Series;

•  Total expenses of the Series, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees;

•  Management's commitment to operating the Series at competitive expense levels;

•  The profitability of the Adviser (as reflected by comparing fees earned against an estimate of the Adviser's costs) with respect to the Adviser's relationship with the Series;

•  Research and other service benefits received by the Adviser obtained through payment of client commissions for securities transactions;

•  Other benefits received by the Adviser, and its affiliates, including revenues paid to the Adviser, or its affiliates, by the Series for administration and fund accounting services, and distribution;

•  The capabilities and financial condition of the Adviser;

•  Current economic and industry trends; and

•  The historical relationship between the Series and the Adviser.

The Board reviewed the Series' current management fee, comprised of the advisory fee plus the administrative services fee paid to the Adviser, in the context of the Adviser's profitability of the Series. In addition, the Board compared the Series' total operating expense ratio on a net and gross basis, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees and management fees with a universe of comparable mutual funds compiled by an independent consultant, FUSE Research Network, LLC ("FUSE"), and a peer group of funds with similar investment strategies selected by FUSE from the universe. The Board reviewed the factors and methodology used by FUSE in the selection of the Series' peer group, including FUSE's selection of a broad universe of funds using the standard Retail Morningstar Categories, the more specific universe of comparable funds, and peer groups of funds with comparable investment strategies and asset levels, among other factors. The Board also reviewed any changes to FUSE's methodology as compared to the prior year, including as a result of input from the Adviser, if any. The Board also reviewed fees and other information related to the Adviser's management of similarly managed institutional or private accounts, and the differences in the services provided to the other accounts, to the extent applicable. The Board noted that the advisory fee arrangements for the Series do not include breakpoints, which are generally viewed as a method by which the investment


29



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

adviser shares any economies of scale with a fund as a fund grows. The Board also considered the Adviser's commitment to limit expenses as discussed in more detail below.

The Board reviewed the Series' performance over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods against the performance of the Series' selected peer group and benchmark index. The Board recognized that the performance of the Series and the peer group funds are net of expenses, while the performance of the benchmark index is gross returns. The Board considered the additional resources that the Adviser has committed to enhance portfolio analysis, compliance and trading systems. The Board noted that, following the Series' reorganization, the Series is managed by substantially the same investment management team that managed the comparable predecessor fund.

The Board reviewed various other specific factors with respect to the Series, as described below. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not rank the importance of any particular information or factor considered and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

The Board concluded that the Series' gross annual management fee was reasonable as compared to the median gross management fee charged to the funds in the Series' peer group. The Board noted that the Series' net annual expense ratio, taking into account any shareholder servicing or distribution fees, was reasonable as compared to the median expense ratio for the peer group. The Board considered the Adviser's contractual agreement to waive its fees and reimburse expenses for a specified period of time, as described in the Series' prospectus. The Board then compared the Series' performance for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2018, to that of the median performance of the peer group and benchmark index for the same periods and considered the fact that the Series outperformed the benchmark index for all of the periods reviewed, and outperformed the peer group for the one-year period and underperformed the peer group for the three-, five- and ten-year periods.

Having considered, among other things: (1) that the Series' management fee was within the ranges of advisory fees charged to comparable mutual funds; (2) that the Series' total expense ratio was reasonable; (3) the Adviser's willingness to limit the expenses for a period of time would provide stability to the Series' expenses during that period; and (4) the performance of the Series, the Board concluded that the Agreement continued to be in the best interests of the Series' shareholders.

Conclusion

Based on its review of the information requested and provided, and following extended discussions, the Board determined that the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, was consistent with the best interests of the Series and its shareholders, and the Board unanimously approved the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, for an additional annual period on the basis of the foregoing review and discussions and the following considerations, among others:

•  The fairness and reasonableness of the investment advisory fee payable to the Adviser under the Agreement in light of the investment advisory services provided, the costs of these services, the profitability of the Adviser's relationship with the Series and the comparability of the fee paid to the fees paid by other investment companies;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser;

•  The Adviser's entrepreneurial commitment to the management of the Series and the creation of a broad-based family of funds, which could entail a substantial commitment of the Adviser's resources to the successful operation of the Series;

•  The Adviser's representations regarding its staffing and capabilities to manage the Series, including the retention of personnel with relevant portfolio management experience;

•  The Adviser's efforts to enhance investment results by, among other things, developing quality portfolio management teams; and

•  The overall high quality of the personnel, operations, financial condition, investment management capabilities, methodologies and performance of the Adviser.


30



Privacy Policy

Protecting the Privacy of Information

The Trust respects your right to privacy. We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain personal information about you. This is the information we collect from you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you make with us or third parties. It may include your name, address, social security number, account transactions and balances, and information about investment goals and risk tolerance.

We do not disclose any information about you or about former customers to anyone except as permitted or required by law. Specifically, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform services on our behalf, such as the transfer agent that processes shareholder accounts and printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. We may also disclose this information to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf. This allows us to continue to offer you Victory investment products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize. These companies will use this information only in connection with the services for which we hired them. They are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.

To protect your personal information internally, we permit access only by authorized employees and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information.*

*  You may have received communications regarding information about privacy policies from other financial institutions which gave you the opportunity to "opt-out" of certain information sharing with companies which are not affiliated with that financial institution. The Trust does not share information with other companies for purposes of marketing solicitations for products other than the Trust. Therefore, the Trust does not provide opt-out options to their shareholders.



Victory Funds
P.O. Box 182593
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2593

Visit our website at:

 

Call Victory at:

 

www.vcm.com

  800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)  

VVIF-RS-LCAVIP-AR (12/18)



December 31, 2018

Annual Report

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Victory Funds' shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Victory Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.VictoryFunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you need not take any action.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Victory Funds or your financial intermediary electronically sooner than January 1, 2021 by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-539-3863 or by sending an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Victory Funds, you can call 800-539-3863 or send an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Victory Funds you hold directly or through your financial intermediary.



www.vcm.com

News, Information And Education 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week

The Victory Funds site gives fund shareholders, prospective shareholders, and investment professionals a convenient way to access fund information, get guidance, and track fund performance anywhere they can access the Internet. The site includes:

•  Detailed performance records

•  Daily share prices

•  The latest fund news

•  Investment resources to help you become a better investor

•  A section dedicated to investment professionals

Whether you're a potential investor searching for the fund that matches your investment philosophy, a seasoned investor interested in planning tools, or an investment professional, www.vcm.com has what you seek. Visit us anytime. We're always open.



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Table of Contents

Shareholder Letter (Unaudited)

   

3

   

Fund Review and Commentary (Unaudited)

   

4

   

Financial Statements

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

    8    

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    11    

Statement of Operations

    12    

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    13    

Financial Highlights

    14    

Notes to Financial Statements

   

15

   
Report of Ernst & Young LLP,
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   

23

   

Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

 

Trustee and Officer Information

    24    

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

    27    

Expense Examples

    27    

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

    28    

Advisory Contract Renewal

    29

 

Privacy Policy (inside back cover)

 

 

The Fund is distributed by Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. Victory Capital Management Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and receives fees from the Fund for performing services for the Fund.

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus of the Fund.

For additional information about any Victory Fund, including fees, expenses, and risks, view our prospectus online at www.vcm.com or call 800-539-3863. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

The information in this annual report is based on data obtained from recognized services and sources and is believed to be reliable. Any opinions, projections, or recommendations in this report are subject to change without notice and are not intended as individual investment advice. Past investment performance of the Fund, markets or securities mentioned herein should not be considered to be indicative of future results.

• NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE
• MAY LOSE VALUE

Call Victory at:

800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)

Visit our website at:

www.vcm.com


1



This page is intentionally left blank.


2



Victory Funds Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholder,

What a difference a year makes. The year ended December 31, 2018, was marked by an abrupt return of volatility, which had largely been missing in action for years. Consider the range of highs and lows we witnessed. For the S&P 500 Index, it was a year in which we celebrated an all-time high in late summer, only to be followed by the worst December since the 2008 financial crisis. And if that wasn't enough volatility, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also registered several of its worst-ever, single-day point declines during 2018.

Through all that the S&P 500 clocked in with its first negative annual return since 2008, falling by 4.4 percent. Given the risk-off sentiment that was obvious as the year drew to a close, it's no surprise that small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, fared even worse, falling approximately 11.0 percent for the year. The challenges for equity investors were also evident around the world as the MSCI ACWI and Emerging Markets indexes declined 8.9 and 14.3 percent, respectively.

So what ushered in the renewed era of volatility and these challenging times? There were multiple culprits. For starters, trade tensions ratcheted up throughout the year as anti-global rhetoric bloomed into a series of new tariffs, which sparked concerns of a prolonged trade war with China. The Federal Reserve remained persistent in its monetary tightening, raising the benchmark interest rate four times throughout the year to a range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent. And then the year ended with a partial shutdown of the federal government. These factors conspired to elevate concerns of a possible recession here and abroad.

Yet despite the headline risks, we think it's critically important to remain focused on the data. By all accounts, the U.S. economy continued chugging along in 2018 with a real gross domestic product (GDP) rising 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018, the latest figures available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Moreover, the labor picture continues to shine with consistent monthly job growth and an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. All this comes against a backdrop of low inflation and solid corporate earnings.

The markets, it appears, have been vacillating between the dire headlines and higher perceived risks on one hand, and the continued positive economic data on the other. Of course, no one knows where the Fed will stop raising rates, nor is there any certainty on how the trade turmoil ultimately gets resolved. For now, however, we continue to embrace our solid economic fundamentals. Moreover, we believe all of Victory Capital's independent investment franchises are well positioned to take advantage of any short-term valuation dislocations resulting from the current era of heightened volatility.

On the following pages, you will find information relating to your Victory Funds investment. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact your financial advisor. Or, if you invest with us directly, you may call (800) 539-3863, or visit our website at www.vcm.com.

My colleagues and I sincerely appreciate the confidence you have placed in the Victory Funds, and we value the opportunity to help meet your investment goals.

Christopher K. Dyer, CFA

President,

Victory Funds


3



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series

Portfolio Holdings

As a Percentage of Total Investments

Commentary

In a challenging year for U.S. equity markets, the Russell 2000® Growth Index (the "Index") of small-cap growth stocks returned -9.31%, despite the strong underlying economic landscape and strong earnings growth reported by the majority of small-cap growth companies. The Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series ("Fund") seeks to provide long-term capital growth. The Fund outperformed the Index for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018. This outperformance was due to outperformance in the technology sector, as well as positive stock selection within the financial services and materials & processing sectors. Stock selection in Health Care and Consumer Discretionary provided an offset to the Fund's positive relative performance. The Fund seeks long-term capital growth by investing primarily in small-cap companies that we believe have the potential to produce sustainable earnings growth over a multi-year horizon.

Market Overview

U.S. equity markets delivered mixed performance throughout 2018, as the S&P 500® Index failed to deliver its tenth straight year of positive returns after a strong first nine months of the year. U.S. stocks underperformed despite continued resilience in the U.S. economy and record earnings, supported by a strong job market and the largest corporate tax reform in decades.

The year began on a positive note with strong performance in January before volatility emerged in February, dampening strong investor sentiment and ending the S&P 500's record run of 15 straight months of positive performance. The market rebounded in the second and third quarters, despite the continued uncertainty surrounding trade tariffs and a flattening yield curve, largely driven by fundamentals. Fundamentals continued to be supported by the strength of the U.S. economy (highlighted by 4.2% growth in the second quarter — the highest growth since Q3 2014, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis). U.S. stocks declined sharply in the fourth quarter, as growth-oriented stocks in the Russell 3000® Growth Index returned -16.33%, the seventh largest quarterly decline since the 1979 inception of the index, ending the record run of twelve consecutive quarters of positive returns for the index.

Large-cap stocks outperformed mid- and small-cap stocks during the year, as measured by the Russell family of indices, a continued trend from 2017, while growth-oriented investments outperformed value as investors favored the strong fundamentals of growth stocks. Growth stocks as measured by the Russell 3000® Growth Index have now outperformed value stocks as measured by the Russell 3000® Value Index over 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 years.


4



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series (continued)

Performance Update

The Fund returned -8.25% for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018, outperforming the Index, which returned -9.31%.

Portfolio Review

Within the technology sector, contributors included RingCentral, a provider of software-as-a-service solutions for businesses to support modern communications. RingCentral's outperformance was driven by strong execution, as the company reported revenue up 32% year-over-year with improved gross margins, leading to earnings that grew 46% year-over-year in the most recent quarter and easily beat expectations. Our outlook for the company remains strong, driven by their continued march upmarket to the larger enterprise market and by the company's attractive anticipated growth rate.

Technology holding SendGrid, a cloud-based platform that provides various tools to businesses (including developers and marketers) to reach their customers using email, was also a strong contributor to performance. SendGrid has been a holding since the company's IPO, at which time RS Investments was a top three owner of the company. SendGrid rallied sharply after it was announced in mid-October that the company would be acquired by Twilio in an all-stock deal. The stock initially rallied approximately 15% on the announcement and we continued to hold the position given we already had a positive view of Twilio, owning it in our mid-cap growth strategy. This further benefitted performance as Twilio was a strong performer throughout the remainder of the quarter given the all-stock nature of the SendGrid acquisition.

Stock selection within the Financial Services sector was also additive to performance, due in large part to an investment in Euronet Worldwide, a payment and transaction processing company that provides distribution solutions to financial institutions, retailers, service providers, and individual consumers worldwide. Euronet owns and operates the largest ATM network in Europe and has a large presence in Asia, operating almost 20,000 ATMs in total. The stock performed well in 2018, driven by a 29% increase in operating income as the company continued to execute.

Within the Health Care sector, the largest detractor was biotechnology holding Vital Therapies, a biotechnology company that was initially developing a cell-based treatment for acute liver failure, a condition that affects 30,000 patients in the United States. We initially purchased the stock given the potential treatment of patients with a wide range of advanced liver disease, providing a more cost-effective and safer alternative to liver transplants. Unfortunately, in early September the company ran into its final roadblock — failing to meet primary or secondary endpoints in a trial to determine significant improvement in overall survival rates, leading the company to believe their ELAD system would not be approved in the United States and European Union.

Consumer Discretionary also proved to be a challenging sector in 2018, driven by underperforming holdings H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and Altra Industrial Motion Corp. H&E operates as an integrated equipment services company and rents, sells, and provides parts and support services for hi-lift or aerial work platform equipment, cranes, and earth moving equipment. Altra designs, produces, and markets mechanical power transmission components worldwide. Both companies were under significant pressure in the most recent quarter over concerns of a renewed industrial recession. H&E's underperformance was


5



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series (continued)

driven by concerns that earnings represented a cyclical peak and was further impacted by the replacement of the company's CEO. We sold the position given the increased uncertainty and a lack of a clear path forward for the company. Altra, on the other hand, showed signs of life despite the underperformance, beating earnings expectations with non-GAAP income growth of more than 30% year-over-year. Given the company's attractive valuation and acquisition of Fortive's Automation and Specialty business, which we feel will be transformative, we continued to hold the position.

Outlook

The abrupt market sell-off at the end the year and strong earnings generated by U.S. corporations have driven valuations to among the cheapest levels seen in decades, as reflected by forward price-to-earnings ratios. Given our optimistic outlook for U.S. economic growth and corporate earnings against the expected backdrop of positive employment trends and moderate inflation, stocks appear very attractive to us. We acknowledge the potential headwinds from a less accommodative Federal Reserve (Fed), political turmoil that recently led to a government shutdown, and the impact of retaliatory tariffs from China and our other trade partners, but we would note that the U.S. economy is still expected to grow at a high rate, while U.S. interest rates are likely to remain low relative to history even with additional Fed tightening. As a result, we believe the current environment remains supportive of small-cap growth stocks, though we remain committed to careful stock selection and disciplined risk management as we seek to identify well-managed, well-capitalized small-cap growth companies that in our view will be able to grow their revenues and tap new market opportunities regardless of the economic backdrop.


6



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series (continued)

Average Annual Return

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Class A

 

INCEPTION DATE

 

5/1/97

 
    Net Asset
Value
  Russell 2000
Growth Index1
  Russell 2000 Index2  

One Year

   

–8.25

%

   

–9.31

%

   

–11.01

%

 

Three Year

   

8.75

%

   

7.24

%

   

7.36

%

 

Five Year

   

7.34

%

   

5.13

%

   

4.41

%

 

Ten Year

   

15.50

%

   

13.52

%

   

11.97

%

 

Since Inception

   

9.54

%

   

N/A

     

N/A

   

Expense Ratios

Gross

   

0.87

%

 

With Applicable Waivers

   

0.87

%

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month's end, please visit www.vcm.com.

The above expense ratios are from the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2018. Additional information pertaining to the Fund's expense ratios as of December 31, 2018 can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return figures set forth above include all waivers of fees for various periods since inception. Without such fee waivers, the total returns would have been lower. Some fee waivers are voluntary and may be modified or terminated at any time. The total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the total returns would have been lower.

Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series — Growth of $10,000

1The Russell 2000® Growth Index is an unmanaged market-capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of those companies in the Russell 2000® Index with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. Index results assume the reinvestment of dividends paid on the stocks constituting the index. You may not invest in the index, and, unlike the Fund, the index does not incur fees and expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

2The Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged market-capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which consists of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization. Index results assume the reinvestment of dividends paid on the stocks constituting the index. You may not invest in the index, and, unlike the Fund, the index does not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

The graph reflects investment of growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.


7



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Common Stocks (98.4%)

 

Consumer Discretionary (15.9%):

 

Arco Platform Ltd., ADR, Class A (a)

   

25,900

   

$

572,908

   

At Home Group, Inc. (a) (b)

   

36,170

     

674,932

   

Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc.

   

27,100

     

1,207,576

   

Dineequity, Inc. (b)

   

21,820

     

1,469,358

   

Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (a)

   

35,580

     

1,288,352

   

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (a)

   

5,909

     

568,091

   

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. (b)

   

18,350

     

1,261,563

   

National Vision Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

30,960

     

872,143

   

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

14,418

     

958,941

   

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A (a)

   

31,990

     

1,715,303

   

Red Rock Resorts, Inc., Class A (b)

   

33,570

     

681,807

   

Steven Madden Ltd.

   

36,883

     

1,116,080

   

Strategic Education, Inc.

   

5,340

     

605,663

   

Weight Watchers International, Inc. (a)

   

13,320

     

513,486

   

Wingstop, Inc. (b)

   

9,450

     

606,596

   
     

14,112,799

   

Consumer Staples (4.3%):

 

Freshpet, Inc. (a) (b)

   

29,226

     

939,908

   

Nomad Foods Ltd., ADR (a)

   

99,290

     

1,660,129

   

Sprouts Farmers Markets, Inc. (a)

   

48,580

     

1,142,116

   
     

3,742,153

   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (1.7%):

 

II-VI, Inc. (a)

   

14,510

     

470,995

   

Littelfuse, Inc.

   

6,009

     

1,030,423

   
     

1,501,418

   

Energy (2.0%):

 

Matador Resources Co. (a)

   

18,660

     

289,790

   

Newpark Resources, Inc. (a)

   

200,759

     

1,379,214

   

SRC Energy, Inc. (a)

   

39,650

     

186,355

   
     

1,855,359

   

Financials (7.3%):

 

eHealth, Inc. (a)

   

25,070

     

963,189

   

Firstcash, Inc.

   

15,220

     

1,101,167

   

Green Dot Corp. (a)

   

18,090

     

1,438,517

   

Kemper Corp.

   

18,420

     

1,222,720

   

LendingTree, Inc. (a) (b)

   

3,260

     

715,798

   

Primerica, Inc.

   

5,550

     

542,291

   

Webster Financial Corp.

   

9,220

     

454,454

   
     

6,438,136

   

Health Care (22.8%):

 

Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc. (a) (b)

   

27,370

     

654,690

   

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. (a) (b)

   

85,569

     

819,751

   

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

   

37,550

     

495,285

   

Aptinyx, Inc. (a)

   

18,799

     

310,935

   

See notes to financial statements.


8



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (a)

   

13,750

   

$

311,025

   

Audentes Therapeutics, Inc. (a)

   

24,530

     

522,980

   

Bluebird Bio, Inc. (a) (b)

   

8,122

     

805,702

   

Blueprint Medicines Corp. (a)

   

13,946

     

751,829

   

Celyad SA, ADR (a) (b)

   

16,890

     

306,722

   

Cytomx Therapeutics, Inc. (a)

   

26,620

     

401,962

   

Equillium, Inc. (a)

   

34,527

     

281,740

   

Exact Sciences Corp. (a)

   

12,010

     

757,831

   

Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (a)

   

30,470

     

390,930

   

Glaukos Corp. (a) (b)

   

12,270

     

689,206

   

Globus Medical, Inc., Class A (a)

   

27,110

     

1,173,321

   

GW Pharmaceuticals PLC, ADR (a) (b)

   

6,380

     

621,348

   

Hanger, Inc. (a)

   

31,780

     

602,231

   

HealthEquity, Inc. (a)

   

13,750

     

820,188

   

Immunomedics, Inc. (a) (b)

   

53,220

     

759,449

   

Insulet Corp. (a) (b)

   

12,110

     

960,565

   

Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (a) (b)

   

84,904

     

751,400

   

Irhythm Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

6,330

     

439,808

   

Kura Oncology, Inc. (a)

   

45,960

     

645,278

   

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class B (a) (b)

   

7,068

     

959,128

   

Loxo Oncology, Inc. (a)

   

7,756

     

1,086,383

   

Masimo Corp. (a)

   

16,440

     

1,765,163

   

Penumbra, Inc. (a) (b)

   

5,760

     

703,872

   

Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (a)

   

6,226

     

596,389

   

Teladoc, Inc. (a) (b)

   

21,410

     

1,061,294

   
     

20,446,405

   

Industrials (12.9%):

 

Advanced Disposal Services, Inc. (a)

   

41,620

     

996,383

   

Altra Industrial Motion Corp.

   

35,720

     

898,358

   

Axon Enterprise, Inc. (a)

   

26,090

     

1,141,438

   

Azul SA, ADR (a)

   

47,950

     

1,327,736

   

Harsco Corp. (a)

   

67,770

     

1,345,912

   

Kennametal, Inc. (b)

   

48,300

     

1,607,424

   

Proto Labs, Inc. (a)

   

8,300

     

936,157

   

Saia, Inc. (a)

   

10,680

     

596,158

   

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

   

24,750

     

1,339,718

   

Siteone Landscape Supply, Inc. (a) (b)

   

21,810

     

1,205,439

   
     

11,394,723

   

IT Services (8.9%):

 

Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (a)

   

22,283

     

2,281,333

   

Evo Payments, Inc. (a)

   

24,570

     

606,142

   

InterXion Holding NV, ADR (a)

   

29,140

     

1,578,222

   

WEX, Inc. (a)

   

3,200

     

448,192

   

Wix.com Ltd., ADR (a)

   

20,510

     

1,852,873

   

WNS Holdings Ltd., ADR (a)

   

28,206

     

1,163,780

   
     

7,930,542

   

See notes to financial statements.


9



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Materials (4.2%):

 

Allegheny Technologies, Inc. (a) (b)

   

62,207

   

$

1,354,246

   

Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.

   

19,250

     

1,365,980

   

Ferro Corp. (a)

   

66,290

     

1,039,427

   
     

3,759,653

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (4.0%):

 

Cypress Semiconductor Corp.

   

31,310

     

398,263

   

MKS Instruments, Inc.

   

11,690

     

755,291

   

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

   

6,147

     

714,589

   

Silicon Laboratories, Inc. (a)

   

9,310

     

733,721

   

Versum Materials, Inc.

   

35,150

     

974,358

   
     

3,576,222

   

Software (13.6%):

 

Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc. (a)

   

38,430

     

1,938,025

   

Coupa Software, Inc. (a)

   

20,050

     

1,260,343

   

Envestnet, Inc. (a)

   

22,070

     

1,085,623

   

Mindbody, Inc. (a)

   

50,200

     

1,827,280

   

Q2 Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

24,380

     

1,208,029

   

RingCentral, Inc., Class A (a)

   

31,888

     

2,628,846

   

SendGrid, Inc. (a)

   

50,410

     

2,176,200

   
     

12,124,346

   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.8%):

 

Pure Storage, Inc. (a)

   

46,350

     

745,308

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $84,929,007)

   

87,627,064

   

Collateral for Securities Loaned^ (11.7%)

 
BlackRock Liquidity Funds TempFund Portfolio, Institutional
Class, 2.49% (c)
   

1,984,921

     

1,984,921

   

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Class I, 2.28% (c)

   

2,868,117

     

2,868,117

   

Fidelity Investments Prime Money Market Portfolio, Class I, 2.46% (c)

   

88,568

     

88,568

   
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund, Institutional
Class, 2.55% (c)
   

1,102,747

     

1,102,747

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, Capital Class, 2.49% (c)

   

1,764,284

     

1,764,284

   
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Prime Portfolio, Institutional
Class, 2.58% (c)
   

2,646,592

     

2,646,592

   

Total Collateral for Securities Loaned (Cost $10,455,229)

   

10,455,229

   

Total Investments (Cost $95,384,236) — 110.1%

   

98,082,293

   

Liabilities in excess of other assets — (10.1)%

   

(9,026,319

)

 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

 

$

89,055,974

   

^  Purchased with cash collateral from securities on loan.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)  Rate disclosed is the daily yield on December 31, 2018.

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

PLC — Public Limited Company

See notes to financial statements.


10



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2018
 
    Victory RS Small Cap
Growth Equity VIP Series
 

ASSETS:

 

Investments, at value (Cost $95,384,236)

 

$

98,082,293

(a)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   

1,713,689

   

Interest and dividends receivable

   

37,882

   

Receivable for capital shares issued

   

6,474

   

Receivable from Advisor

   

5,628

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

1,864

   

Total Assets

   

99,847,830

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Payables:

 

Collateral received on loaned securities

   

10,455,229

   

Investments purchased

   

51,559

   

Capital shares redeemed

   

186,412

   

Accrued expenses and other payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

58,481

   

Administration fees

   

4,784

   

Custodian fees

   

1,622

   

Transfer agent fees

   

11,585

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

186

   

Trustees' fees

   

93

   

Other accrued expenses

   

21,905

   

Total Liabilities

   

10,791,856

   

NET ASSETS:

 

Capital

   

65,268,691

   

Total distributable earnings/(loss)

   

23,787,283

   

Net Assets

 

$

89,055,974

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, with a par value of
$0.001 per share):
   

5,824,578

   

Net asset value:

 

$

15.29

   

(a)  Includes $10,274,441 of securities on loan.

See notes to financial statements.


11



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
    Victory RS Small Cap
Growth Equity VIP Series
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends

 

$

389,949

   

Interest

   

30,864

   

Securities lending (net of fees)

   

74,486

   

Total Income

   

495,299

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

849,068

   

Administration fees

   

67,857

   

Custodian fees

   

7,264

   

Transfer agent fees

   

23,431

   

Trustees' fees

   

9,534

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

964

   

Legal and audit fees

   

23,016

   

Interest expense on interfund lending (See Note 6)

   

72

   

Other expenses

   

20,172

   

Total Expenses

   

1,001,378

   

Expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser

   

(5,628

)

 

Net Expenses

   

995,750

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

(500,451

)

 

Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Investment Transactions:

 

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

22,267,262

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

   

(28,678,125

)

 

Net realized/unrealized losses on investments

   

(6,410,863

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

(6,911,314

)

 

See notes to financial statements.


12



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
    Victory RS Small Cap Growth
Equity VIP Series
 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
 

From Investment Activities:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

(500,451

)

 

$

(476,134

)

 

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

22,267,262

     

18,834,058

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
investments
   

(28,678,125

)

   

15,172,056

   

Change in net assets resulting from operations

   

(6,911,314

)

   

33,529,980

   

Distributions to Shareholders: (a)

 

Change in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

   

(16,485,913

)

   

   

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   

982,954

     

(19,301,445

)

 

Change in net assets

   

(22,414,273

)

   

14,228,535

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

111,470,247

     

97,241,712

   

End of period

 

$

89,055,974

   

$

111,470,247

   

Capital Transactions:

 

Proceeds from shares issued

 

$

6,277,058

   

$

3,530,550

   

Distributions reinvested

   

16,485,913

     

   

Cost of shares redeemed

   

(21,780,017

)

   

(22,831,995

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

 

$

982,954

   

$

(19,301,445

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Issued

   

284,919

     

198,987

   

Reinvested

   

1,088,898

     

   

Redeemed

   

(991,856

)

   

(1,317,237

)

 

Change in Shares

   

381,961

     

(1,118,250

)

 

(a)  Current and prior year distributions to shareholders have been reclassified and conform to amended GAAP presentation under Regulation S-X (See Item 10 in the Notes to Financial Statements).

See notes to financial statements.


13



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Financial Highlights

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   

Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2015
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

20.48

   

$

14.82

   

$

14.61

   

$

17.47

   

$

18.87

   

Investment Activities:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

(0.10

)(a)

   

(0.05

)(a)

   

(0.05

)(a)

   

(0.10

)(a)

   

(0.10

)

 
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments
   

(1.62

)

   

5.71

     

0.25

     

0.24

     

1.98

   

Total from Investment Activities

   

(1.72

)

   

5.66

     

0.20

     

0.14

     

1.88

   

Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

     

     

     

     

   

Net realized gains from investments

   

(3.47

)

   

     

     

(3.00

)

   

(3.28

)

 
Total Distributions to
Shareholders
   

(3.47

)

   

     

     

(3.00

)

   

(3.28

)

 
Capital Contributions from
Prior Custodian, Net (See Note 8)
   

     

     

0.01

     

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

15.29

   

$

20.48

   

$

14.82

   

$

14.61

   

$

17.47

   

Total Return (b)

   

(8.25

)%

   

38.19

%

   

1.44

%(c)

   

0.62

%

   

10.13

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets at end of period (000)

 

$

89,056

   

$

111,470

   

$

97,242

   

$

106,962

   

$

118,144

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.88

%

   

0.87

%

   

0.88

%

   

0.88

%

   

0.86

%

 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets
   

(0.44

)%

   

(0.30

)%

   

(0.39

)%

   

(0.54

)%

   

(0.60

)%

 
Ratio of gross expenses to average
net assets
   

0.89

%(d)

   

0.87

%

   

0.88

%

   

0.88

%

   

0.86

%

 

Portfolio turnover

   

76

%

   

71

%

   

91

%

   

88

%

   

95

%

 

(a)  Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)  Total returns do not reflect the effects of charges deducted pursuant to the terms of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc.'s variable contracts. Inclusion of such charges would reduce the total returns for all periods shown.

(c)  The Fund received monies related to a nonrecurring refund from the prior Custodian. The corresponding impact to the total return was less than 0.01% for the period shown. (See Note 8)

(d)  During the period, certain fees were reduced and/or reimbursed. If such fee reductions and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

See notes to financial statements.


14



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
 

1. Organization:

Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust") was organized on February 11, 1998 as a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified open-end investment company. The Trust is comprised of nine funds and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, which are units of beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share.

The accompanying financial statements are those of the Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series (the "Fund"). The Fund offers a single class of shares: Class I Shares. Sales of shares of the Fund may only be made to certain separate accounts of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. ("GIAC") that fund certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts issued by GIAC. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America ("Guardian Life").

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund follows the specialized accounting and reporting requirements under GAAP that are applicable to investment companies.

Investment Valuation:

The Fund records investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The valuation techniques described below maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund's investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

• Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

• Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities or interest rates applicable to those securities, etc.)

• Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The inputs or methodologies used for valuation techniques are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with entering into those investments.

Portfolio securities listed or traded on securities exchanges, including American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and Rights, are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, if available, or at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price. If there have been no sales for that day on the exchange or system, then a security is valued at the last available bid quotation on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.


15



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Investments for which there are no such quotations, or for which quotations do not appear reliable, are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board"). These valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, based on the observability of inputs used to determine the fair value.

A summary of the valuations as of December 31, 2018, based upon the three levels defined above, is included in the table below while the breakdown, by category, of investments is disclosed in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments:

    LEVEL 1 —
Quoted Prices
 

Total

 
    Investments
in
Securities
  Investments
in
Securities
 

Common Stocks

 

$

87,627,064

   

$

87,627,064

   

Collateral for Securities Loaned

   

10,455,229

     

10,455,229

   

Total

 

$

98,082,293

   

$

98,082,293

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

Investment Transactions and Related Income:

Changes in holdings of investments are accounted for no later than one business day following the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, however, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date on the last business day of the reporting period. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

Withholding taxes on interest, dividends and gains as a result of certain investments in ADRs by the Fund have been provided for in accordance with each investment's applicable country's tax rules and rates.

Securities Lending:

The Trust has entered into a Master Securities Lending Agreement ("MSLA") with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank" or the "Agent"). Under the terms of the MSLA, the Fund may lend securities to certain broker-dealers and banks in exchange for collateral in the amount of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned or at least 105% of the value of non-U.S. securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls associated with increases in the valuation of the securities loaned are adjusted the next business day. The collateral can be received in the form of cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral can include U.S. Government Securities, letters of credit and certificates of deposit. The cash collateral is invested in short-term instruments or cash equivalents as noted on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Trust does not have effective control of the non-cash collateral and therefore it is not disclosed in the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund continues to benefit from interest or dividends on the securities loaned and may also earn a return from the collateral. The Fund pays various fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral. The Fund pays the Agent fees based on the investment income received from securities lending activities. Securities lending income is disclosed in the Fund's Statement of Operations. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral, the Fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return them.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under the MSLA, which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances such as an event of default, to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty to create a net payment due to or from the Fund.


16



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

The following table is a summary of the Fund's securities lending transactions which are subject to offset under the MSLA as of December 31, 2018. These transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings with an overnight and continuous contractual maturity for cash collateral, and greater than overnight and continuous contractual maturity for non-cash collateral.

Gross
Amount of
Recognized
Assets
(Value of
  Value of
Cash
  Value of Non-cash Collateral
Received by Maturity
     
Securities on
Loan)
  Collateral
Received
 

<30 Days

  Between 30 &
90 days
 

>90 Days

  Net
Amount
 
$

10,274,441

   

$

10,455,229

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

180,788

   

Dividends to Shareholders:

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually by the Fund. Distributable net realized gains, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually.

The amounts of dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. To the extent these "book/tax" differences are permanent in nature (e.g., net operating loss, distribution reclassification, and deemed distribution due to shareholder redemptions), such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales) do not require reclassification. To the extent dividends and distributions exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of capital. Net investment losses incurred by the Fund may be reclassified as an offset to capital on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

As of December 31, 2018, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, there were no permanent book-to-tax differences reclassification adjustments.

Federal Income Taxes:

It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements. The Fund has a tax year end of December 31.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Allocations:

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund, while expenses which are attributable to more than one fund in the Trust, or jointly with an affiliated trust, are allocated among the respective funds in the Trust and/or affiliated trust based upon net assets or another appropriate basis.

Affiliated Securities Transactions:

Pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may engage in securities transactions with affiliated investment companies and advisory accounts managed by the Adviser and any applicable sub-adviser. Any such purchase or sale transaction must be effected without brokerage commission or other remuneration, except for customary transfer fees. The transaction must be effected at the current market price, which is either the security's last sale price on an exchange or, if there are no transactions


17



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

in the security that day, at the average of the highest bid and lowest asked price. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not engage in any Rule 17a-7 transactions under the 1940 Act.

3. Purchases and Sales of Securities:

Purchases and sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) for the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

Purchases  

Sales

 
$

84,191,661

   

$

100,741,877

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government Securities.

4. Fees and Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties:

Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by Victory Capital Management Inc. ("VCM" or the "Adviser"), a New York corporation registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings Inc., a publicly traded Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Victory Capital Operating, LLC.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may use its resources to assist with the Fund's distribution and marketing expenses.

VCM also serves as the Fund's administrator and fund accountant. Under an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement, VCM is paid for its services an annual fee at a rate of 0.08% of the first $15 billion in average daily net assets of the Trust, Victory Portfolios and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Trusts"), 0.05% of the average daily net assets above $15 billion to $30 billion of the Trusts and 0.04% of the average daily net assets over $30 billion of the Trusts.

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. ("Citi"), an affiliate of Citibank, N.A., acts as sub-administrator and sub-fund accountant to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement between VCM and Citi. VCM pays Citi a fee for providing these services. The Trust reimburses VCM and Citi for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

FIS Investor Services, LLC ("FIS") serves as the Fund's transfer agent. Under the Transfer Agent Agreement, the Trust pays FIS a fee for its services and reimburses FIS for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

The Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") is an employee of the Adviser, which pays the compensation of the CCO and his support staff. The Trust has entered into an Agreement to provide compliance services with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes its compliance personnel, including the services of the CCO, and other resources reasonably necessary to provide the Trust with compliance oversight services related to the design, administration and oversight of a compliance program for the Trust in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Funds in the Trust, Victory Portfolios, Victory Institutional Funds and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Victory Funds Complex"), in the aggregate, compensate the Adviser for these services.

The Victory Funds Complex pays an annual retainer to each Independent Trustee, plus an additional annual retainer to the Chairman of the Board. The aggregate amount of the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees are allocated amongst all the funds in the Victory Funds Complex and are presented in the Statement of Operations.

Shearman & Sterling LLP provides legal services to the Trust.

Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor for the continuous offering of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust.


18



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation agreement with the Fund until at least April 30, 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, the Adviser has agreed to waive fees or reimburse certain expenses to the extent that ordinary operating expenses incurred by certain classes of the Fund in any fiscal year exceed the expense limit for such classes of the Fund. Such excess amounts will be the liability of the Adviser. Interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund's business are excluded from the expense limits. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the expense limit (excluding voluntary waivers) is 0.88%.

The Fund has agreed to repay fees and expenses that were waived or reimbursed by the Adviser for a period up to three fiscal years after such waiver or reimbursement was made to the extent such payments or repayments would not cause the expenses of a class to exceed the original expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement or any expense limitation agreement in place at the time of repayment. As of December 31, 2018, the following amounts are available to be repaid to the Adviser. Amounts repaid to the Adviser during the year ended, if any, are reflected on the Statement of Operations as "Recoupment of prior expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser".

Expires
12/31/2019
  Expires
12/31/2021
 
$

1,642

   

$

5,628

   

The Adviser may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees to assist the Fund in maintaining a competitive expense ratio. Voluntary waivers and reimbursements applicable to the Fund are not available to be recouped at a future time. There were no voluntary waivers or reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Certain officers and/or interested trustees of the Fund are also officers and/or employees of the Adviser, Administrator, Fund Accountant, Sub-Administrator, Sub-Fund Accountant, and Legal.

5. Risks:

The Fund may be subject to other risks in addition to these identified risks.

An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, some of which will be traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests may affect the value of the Fund's shares. An investment in the Fund's shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of the Fund's distributions.

The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties for financial instruments entered into by the Fund. The Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties. The Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and the Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The Fund typically enters into transactions with counterparties whose credit ratings are investment grade, as determined by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

6. Borrowing and Interfund Lending:

Line of Credit:

The Victory Funds Complex participates in a short-term, demand note "Line of Credit" agreement with Citibank. Under the agreement with Citibank, the Victory Funds Complex may borrow up to $250 million, of which $100 million is committed and $150 million is uncommitted. $40 million of the Line of Credit is reserved for use by the Victory Floating Rate Fund, another series of the Victory Funds


19



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Complex, with that Fund paying the related commitment fees for that amount. The purpose of the agreement is to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. The current agreement was amended on July 27, 2018 with a new termination date of July 26, 2019. Citibank receives an annual commitment fee of 0.15% on $100 million for providing the Line of Credit. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Citibank earned approximately $150,000 in commitment fees from the Victory Funds Complex. Each fund in the Victory Funds Complex pays a pro-rata portion of the commitment fees plus any interest on amounts borrowed. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on line of credit.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Line of Credit during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Interfund Lending:

The Trust and Adviser rely on an exemptive order granted by the SEC in March 2017 (the "Order"), permitting the establishment and operation of an Interfund Lending Facility (the "Facility"). The Facility allows the Fund to directly lend and borrow money to or from any other Victory Fund relying upon the Order at rates beneficial to both the borrowing and lending funds. Advances under the Facility are allowed for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities, and are subject to each Fund's borrowing restrictions. The interfund loan rate is determined, as specified in the Order, by averaging the current repurchase agreement rate and the current bank loan rate. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on interfund lending.

The average loans for the days outstanding and average interest rate for the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

Borrower or
Lender
  Amount
Outstanding at
December 31, 2018
  Average
Borrowing*
  Days
Borrowing
Outstanding
  Average
Interest
Rate*
  Maximum
Borrowing
During the
Period
 
Borrower  

$

   

$

654,500

     

2

     

1.98

%

 

$

827,000

   

*  For the year ended December 31, 2018, based on the number of days borrowings were outstanding.

7. Federal Income Tax Information:

The tax character of distributions paid during the tax years ended, as noted below, were as follows (total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because, for tax purposes, dividends are recognized when actually paid).

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Distributions paid from

 
Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
$

411,847

   

$

16,074,066

   

$

16,485,913

   

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 

Distributions paid from

 
Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
$

   

$

   

$

   


20



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Accumulated
Earnings
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)*
  Total
Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
$

90,732

   

$

21,803,368

   

$

21,894,100

   

$

1,893,183

   

$

23,787,283

   

*The difference between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

During the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not utilize capital loss carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2018, the cost basis for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments were as follows:

Cost of
Investments
for Federal
Tax Purposes
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
$

96,189,110

   

$

32,863,311

   

$

(30,970,128

)

 

$

1,893,183

   

8. Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian:

During 2016, the Fund received notification from the Fund's prior custodian, State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street"), concerning issues related to billing on certain categories of expenses during the approximately 16-year period from 1998 through October 31, 2014. The over-billing primarily related to categories of expenses that involved an allocation of general costs among multiple clients.

State Street paid the refunded amounts during January 2017. Based on billing information received during 2016 from State Street and an analysis of any expense limitation agreements that were in place during the period of the activities in question, including the application of any recoupment provisions in such agreements, the Adviser received a portion of the refund.

The portion of the refund retained by the Fund was accounted for as a capital contribution and is reflected on the Financial Highlights as "Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian, Net".

9. Fund Ownership:

Ownership of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2018, the shareholders listed below held more than 25% of the shares outstanding of the Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund.

Shareholder  

Percent

 
GIAC    

100.0

%

 

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In October 2016, the SEC released its Final Rules on Investment Company Reporting Modernization (the "Rules"). The Rules introduced two new regulatory reporting forms for investment companies, Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-PORT was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing with the SEC on Form N-PORT for the period ending March 31, 2019. Effective with the period ended June 30, 2018, the Fund was required to maintain, and make available to the SEC upon request, the information required to be included in Form N-PORT. Form N-PORT will replace Form N-Q filings effective with the requirement to file the Form N-PORT with the SEC for the period ending March 31, 2019. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-CEN was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing on Form N-CEN for the period ended December 31, 2018. Form N-CEN will replace Form N-SAR filings. The Fund's adoption of these amendments have no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations.


21



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurements" ("ASU 2018-13"). This update makes certain removals from, changes to and additions to existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 does not change fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. ASU 2018-13 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, the Fund has early adopted ASU 2018-13 with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018.

In August 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain financial statement disclosure requirements to conform them to GAAP for investment companies. These amendments made certain disclosure requirements effective under Regulation S-X. The Fund's adoption of these amendments, effective with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018 had no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations.

11. Subsequent Events:

The Fund has evaluated the need for additional disclosures or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, there were no subsequent events to report that would have a material impact on the Fund's financial statements.


22



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Victory RS Small Cap Growth Equity VIP Series (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting the Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2018, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the funds constituting the Trust) at December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The financial highlights of the Fund for each of the periods presented through December 31, 2015 were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 22, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Victory Capital's investment companies since 1995.

Cincinnati, Ohio
February 15, 2019


23



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Trustee and Officer Information

Board of Trustees:

Overall responsibility for management of the Trust rests with the Board. The Trust is managed by the Board in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. There are currently ten Trustees, nine of whom are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees") and one of whom is an "interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Interested Trustee"). The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust to actively supervise its day-to-day operations.

The following tables list the Trustees, their ages, position with the Trust, commencement of service, principal occupations during the past five years and any directorships of other investment companies or companies whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or who file reports under that Act. Each Trustee oversees nine portfolios in the Trust, one portfolio in Victory Institutional Funds, 42 portfolios in Victory Portfolios and 20 portfolios in Victory Portfolios II, each a registered investment company that, together with the Trust, comprise the Victory Funds Complex. Each Trustee's address is c/o Victory Variable Insurance Funds, 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. Each Trustee has an indefinite term.

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Independent Trustees.

 

David Brooks Adcock, 67

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Consultant (since 2006).

 

Chair and Trustee, Turner Funds (December 2016-December 2017).

 

Nigel D.T. Andrews, 71

 

Vice Chair and Trustee

 

August 2002

 

Retired.

 

Director, TCG BDC II, Inc. (since 2017); Director, TCG BDC I, Inc. (formerly Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc.) (since 2012); Director, Old Mutual US Asset Management (2002-2014).

 

E. Lee Beard, 67*

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Retired (since 2015); Consultant, The Henlee Group, LLC (consulting) (2005-2015).

 

None.

 

Dennis M. Bushe, 75

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Retired.

 

Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2011-July 2016).

 


24



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Sally M. Dungan, 64

 

Trustee

 

February 2011

 

Chief Investment Officer, Tufts University (since 2002).

 

None.

 

John L. Kelly, 65

 

Trustee

 

February 2015

 

Partner, McCarvill Capital Partners (September 2016-September 2017); Advisor (January 2016-April 2016) and Managing Partner (August 2014- January 2016), Endgate Commodities LLC; Chief Operating Officer, Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (2011-2014).

 

Director, Caledonia Mining Corporation (since May 2012).

 

David L. Meyer, 61*

 

Trustee

 

December 2008

 

Retired.

 

None.

 

Gloria S. Nelund, 57

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Chair, CEO and Co-Founder of TriLinc Global, LLC, an investment firm.

 

TriLinc Global Impact Fund, LLC (since 2012); Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2007-July 2016).

 

Leigh A. Wilson, 74

 

Chair and Trustee

 

February 1998

 

Private Investor.

 

Chair (since 2013), Caledonia Mining Corporation.

 

Interested Trustee.

 

David C. Brown, 46**

 

Trustee

 

May 2008

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2013), Co-Chief Executive Officer (2011-2013), the Adviser; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (since 2013).

 

None.

 

*  The Board has designated Mr. Meyer and Ms. Beard as its Audit Committee Financial Experts.

**  Mr. Brown is an "Interested Person" by reason of his relationship with the Adviser.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, by calling 800-539-3863.


25



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Officers:

The officers of the Trust, their ages, commencement of service and their principal occupations during the past five years, are detailed in the following table. Each officer serves until the earlier of his or her resignation, removal, retirement, death, or the election of a successor. The mailing address of each officer of the Trust is 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. The officers of the Trust receive no compensation directly from the Trust for performing the duties of their offices.

Name and Age

  Position with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

 

Christopher K. Dyer, 57

 

President

 

February 2006*

 

Director of Mutual Fund Administration, the Adviser.

 

Scott A. Stahorsky, 49

 

Vice President

 

December 2014

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2015); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2015).

 

Erin G. Wagner, 45

 

Secretary

 

December 2014

 

Associate General Counsel, the Adviser (since 2013).

 

Allan Shaer, 53

 

Treasurer

 

May 2017

 

Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (since 2016); Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, JP Morgan Chase (2011-2016).

 

Christopher A. Ponte, 34

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

December 2017

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2017); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2017); Chief Financial Officer, Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (since 2018).

 

Colin Kinney, 45

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

July 2017

 

Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013) and Chief Risk Officer (2009-2017), the Adviser.

 

Chuck Booth, 58

 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Officer

 

May 2015

 

Director, Regulatory Administration and CCO Support Services, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

 

Jay G. Baris, 65

 

Assistant Secretary

 

February 1998

 

Partner, Shearman & Sterling LLP (since 2018); Partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP (2011-2017).

 

*  On December 3, 2014, Mr. Dyer resigned as Secretary of the Trust and accepted the position of President.


26



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

Proxy Voting:

Information regarding the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-539-3863. The information is also included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Information relating to how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Availability of Schedules of Portfolio Investments:

The Trust expects to file a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT beginning March 1, 2019. Prior to that date, the Trust has filed a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-PORT and Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Expense Examples

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

The Actual Expense figures in the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

The Hypothetical Expense figures in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

Beginning
Account Value
7/1/18
  Actual
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Hypothetical
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Actual
Expenses
Paid During
Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Hypothetical
Expenses
Paid During
Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

812.40

   

$

1,020.72

   

$

4.07

   

$

4.53

     

0.89

%

 

*  Expenses are equal to the average account value multiplied by the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by 184/365 (the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year).


27



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

For the year ended, December 31, 2018, the Fund designated short-term and long-term capital gain distributions of $411,847 and $16,074,066, respectively.


28



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Considerations of the Board in Continuing the Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement")

The Board approved the Agreement on behalf of the Series at a meeting, which was called for that purpose, on December 5, 2018. The Board also considered information relating to the Series and the Agreement provided throughout the year and, more specifically, at a meeting on October 23, 2018. The Board noted that prior to the Series' reorganization on July 29, 2016, the Series was managed by RS Investment Management Co. LLC, which was acquired by the Adviser on July 29, 2016. In considering whether to approve the Agreement, the Board requested, and the Adviser provided, information that the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to reach its conclusions. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated this information along with other information obtained throughout the year and was advised by legal counsel to the Series and by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition, in 2017 the Independent Trustees, through their counsel, retained an independent consultant to assist with a review of the overall process for conducting the annual review of these advisory arrangements. The Board considered the Series' advisory fee, expense ratio and investment performance as significant factors in determining whether the Agreement should be continued. In considering whether the compensation paid to the Adviser was fair and reasonable, the Board also evaluated, among other things, the following factors:

•  The requirements of the Series for the services provided by the Adviser;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the services provided and expected to be provided;

•  The performance of the Series as compared to comparable funds;

•  The fees payable for the services and whether the fee arrangements provided for economies of scale that would benefit Series shareholders as the Series grows;

•  Whether the fee would be sufficient to enable the Adviser to attract and retain experienced personnel and continue to provide quality services to the Series;

•  Fees paid by other clients of the Adviser whose accounts are managed in a similar investment style and any differences in the services provided to the other clients compared to those provided to the Series;

•  Total expenses of the Series, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees;

•  Management's commitment to operating the Series at competitive expense levels;

•  The profitability of the Adviser (as reflected by comparing fees earned against an estimate of the Adviser's costs) with respect to the Adviser's relationship with the Series;

•  Research and other service benefits received by the Adviser obtained through payment of client commissions for securities transactions;

•  Other benefits received by the Adviser, and its affiliates, including revenues paid to the Adviser, or its affiliates, by the Series for administration and fund accounting services, and distribution;

•  The capabilities and financial condition of the Adviser;

•  Current economic and industry trends; and

•  The historical relationship between the Series and the Adviser.

The Board reviewed the Series' current management fee, comprised of the advisory fee plus the administrative services fee paid to the Adviser, in the context of the Adviser's profitability of the Series. In addition, the Board compared the Series' total operating expense ratio on a net and gross basis, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees and management fees with a universe of comparable mutual funds compiled by an independent consultant, FUSE Research Network, LLC ("FUSE"), and a peer group of funds with similar investment strategies selected by FUSE from the universe. The Board reviewed the factors and methodology used by FUSE in the selection of the Series' peer group, including FUSE's selection of a broad universe of funds using the standard Retail Morningstar Categories, the more specific universe of comparable funds, and peer groups of funds with comparable investment strategies and asset levels, among other factors. The Board also reviewed any changes to FUSE's methodology as compared to the prior year, including as a result of input from the Adviser, if any. The Board also reviewed fees and other information related to the Adviser's management of similarly managed institutional or private accounts, and the differences in the services


29



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

provided to the other accounts, to the extent applicable. The Board noted that the advisory fee arrangements for the Series do not include breakpoints, which are generally viewed as a method by which the investment adviser shares any economies of scale with a fund as a fund grows. The Board also considered the Adviser's commitment to limit expenses as discussed in more detail below.

The Board reviewed the Series' performance over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods against the performance of the Series' selected peer group and benchmark index. The Board recognized that the performance of the Series and the peer group funds are net of expenses, while the performance of the benchmark index is gross returns. The Board considered the additional resources that the Adviser has committed to enhance portfolio analysis, compliance and trading systems. The Board noted that, following the Series' reorganization, the Series is managed by substantially the same investment management team that managed the comparable predecessor fund.

The Board reviewed various other specific factors with respect to the Series, as described below. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not rank the importance of any particular information or factor considered and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

The Board concluded that the Series' gross annual management fee was reasonable as compared to the median gross management fee charged to the funds in the Series' peer group. The Board noted that the Series' net annual expense ratio, taking into account any shareholder servicing or distribution fees, was reasonable as compared to the median expense ratio for the peer group. The Board considered the Adviser's contractual agreement to waive its fees and reimburse expenses for a specified period of time, as described in the Series' prospectus. The Board then compared the Series' performance for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2018, to that of the median performance of the peer group and benchmark index for the same periods and considered the fact that the Series outperformed both the benchmark index and the peer group for all of the periods reviewed.

Having considered, among other things: (1) that the Series' management fee was within the ranges of advisory fees charged to comparable mutual funds; (2) that the Series' total expense ratio was reasonable; (3) the Adviser's willingness to limit the expenses for a period of time would provide stability to the Series' expenses during that period; and (4) the performance of the Series, the Board concluded that the Agreement continued to be in the best interests of the Series' shareholders.

Conclusion

Based on its review of the information requested and provided, and following extended discussions, the Board determined that the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, was consistent with the best interests of the Series and its shareholders, and the Board unanimously approved the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, for an additional annual period on the basis of the foregoing review and discussions and the following considerations, among others:

•  The fairness and reasonableness of the investment advisory fee payable to the Adviser under the Agreement in light of the investment advisory services provided, the costs of these services, the profitability of the Adviser's relationship with the Series and the comparability of the fee paid to the fees paid by other investment companies;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser;

•  The Adviser's entrepreneurial commitment to the management of the Series and the creation of a broad-based family of funds, which could entail a substantial commitment of the Adviser's resources to the successful operation of the Series;

•  The Adviser's representations regarding its staffing and capabilities to manage the Series, including the retention of personnel with relevant portfolio management experience;

•  The Adviser's efforts to enhance investment results by, among other things, developing quality portfolio management teams; and

•  The overall high quality of the personnel, operations, financial condition, investment management capabilities, methodologies and performance of the Adviser.


30



Privacy Policy

Protecting the Privacy of Information

The Trust respects your right to privacy. We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain personal information about you. This is the information we collect from you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you make with us or third parties. It may include your name, address, social security number, account transactions and balances, and information about investment goals and risk tolerance.

We do not disclose any information about you or about former customers to anyone except as permitted or required by law. Specifically, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform services on our behalf, such as the transfer agent that processes shareholder accounts and printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. We may also disclose this information to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf. This allows us to continue to offer you Victory investment products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize. These companies will use this information only in connection with the services for which we hired them. They are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.

To protect your personal information internally, we permit access only by authorized employees and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information.*

*  You may have received communications regarding information about privacy policies from other financial institutions which gave you the opportunity to "opt-out" of certain information sharing with companies which are not affiliated with that financial institution. The Trust does not share information with other companies for purposes of marketing solicitations for products other than the Trust. Therefore, the Trust does not provide opt-out options to their shareholders.



Victory Funds
P.O. Box 182593
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2593

Visit our website at:

 

Call Victory at:

 

www.vcm.com

  800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)  

VVIF-RS-SCGEVIP-AR (12/18)



December 31, 2018

Annual Report

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Victory Funds' shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Victory Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.VictoryFunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you need not take any action.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Victory Funds or your financial intermediary electronically sooner than January 1, 2021 by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-539-3863 or by sending an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Victory Funds, you can call 800-539-3863 or send an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Victory Funds you hold directly or through your financial intermediary.



www.vcm.com

News, Information And Education 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week

The Victory Funds site gives fund shareholders, prospective shareholders, and investment professionals a convenient way to access fund information, get guidance, and track fund performance anywhere they can access the Internet. The site includes:

•  Detailed performance records

•  Daily share prices

•  The latest fund news

•  Investment resources to help you become a better investor

•  A section dedicated to investment professionals

Whether you're a potential investor searching for the fund that matches your investment philosophy, a seasoned investor interested in planning tools, or an investment professional, www.vcm.com has what you seek. Visit us anytime. We're always open.



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Table of Contents

Shareholder Letter (Unaudited)

   

3

   

Fund Review and Commentary (Unaudited)

   

4

   

Financial Statements

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

    6    

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    18    

Statement of Operations

    19    

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    20    

Financial Highlights

    21    

Notes to Financial Statements

   

22

   
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
   

31

   

Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

 

Trustee and Officer Information

    32    

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

    35    

Expense Examples

    35    

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

    36    

Advisory Contract Renewal

    37    

Privacy Policy (inside back cover)

 

 

The Fund is distributed by Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. Victory Capital Management Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and receives fees from the Fund for performing services for the Fund.

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus of the Fund.

For additional information about any Victory Fund, including fees, expenses, and risks, view our prospectus online at www.vcm.com or call 800-539-3863. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

The information in this annual report is based on data obtained from recognized services and sources and is believed to be reliable. Any opinions, projections, or recommendations in this report are subject to change without notice and are not intended as individual investment advice. Past investment performance of the Fund, markets or securities mentioned herein should not be considered to be indicative of future results.

• NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE
• MAY LOSE VALUE

Call Victory at:

800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)

Visit our website at:

www.vcm.com


1



This page is intentionally left blank.


2



Victory Funds Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholder,

What a difference a year makes. The year ended December 31, 2018, was marked by an abrupt return of volatility, which had largely been missing in action for years. Consider the range of highs and lows we witnessed. For the S&P 500 Index, it was a year in which we celebrated an all-time high in late summer, only to be followed by the worst December since the 2008 financial crisis. And if that wasn't enough volatility, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also registered several of its worst-ever, single-day point declines during 2018.

Through all that the S&P 500 clocked in with its first negative annual return since 2008, falling by 4.4 percent. Given the risk-off sentiment that was obvious as the year drew to a close, it's no surprise that small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, fared even worse, falling approximately 11.0 percent for the year. The challenges for equity investors were also evident around the world as the MSCI ACWI and Emerging Markets indexes declined 8.9 and 14.3 percent, respectively.

So what ushered in the renewed era of volatility and these challenging times? There were multiple culprits. For starters, trade tensions ratcheted up throughout the year as anti-global rhetoric bloomed into a series of new tariffs, which sparked concerns of a prolonged trade war with China. The Federal Reserve remained persistent in its monetary tightening, raising the benchmark interest rate four times throughout the year to a range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent. And then the year ended with a partial shutdown of the federal government. These factors conspired to elevate concerns of a possible recession here and abroad.

Yet despite the headline risks, we think it's critically important to remain focused on the data. By all accounts, the U.S. economy continued chugging along in 2018 with a real gross domestic product (GDP) rising 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018, the latest figures available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Moreover, the labor picture continues to shine with consistent monthly job growth and an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. All this comes against a backdrop of low inflation and solid corporate earnings.

The markets, it appears, have been vacillating between the dire headlines and higher perceived risks on one hand, and the continued positive economic data on the other. Of course, no one knows where the Fed will stop raising rates, nor is there any certainty on how the trade turmoil ultimately gets resolved. For now, however, we continue to embrace our solid economic fundamentals. Moreover, we believe all of Victory Capital's independent investment franchises are well positioned to take advantage of any short-term valuation dislocations resulting from the current era of heightened volatility.

On the following pages, you will find information relating to your Victory Funds investment. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact your financial advisor. Or, if you invest with us directly, you may call (800) 539-3863, or visit our website at www.vcm.com.

My colleagues and I sincerely appreciate the confidence you have placed in the Victory Funds, and we value the opportunity to help meet your investment goals.

Christopher K. Dyer, CFA

President,

Victory Funds


3



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series

Portfolio Holdings

As a Percentage of Total Investments

Commentary

The Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series ("Fund") seeks to track the investment performance of the S&P 500 Index ("Index"). The Fund returned -4.65% for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018, slightly underperforming the Index, which returned -4.38%. The difference in performance of the Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series and the Index was primarily due to internal fees and expenses to manage the Fund. The Index is not an investable product, therefore fees and expenses do not apply.

Health Care and Utilities were the highest performing sectors in the Index in 2018, returning 6.03% and 4.11%, respectively. Energy and materials ended the year with a negative impact to the overall performance with returns of -18.33% and -15.34%, respectively.

Overview

2018 was a volatile year for the market capitalization weighted S&P 500 Index as well as the broad stock market. The Index began the year with strong returns peaking on January 26th, followed by sharp declines of 10% by the first week in February. Above-average volatility persisted throughout the year by slowly increasing to new highs on September 21st. The Index began to decline sharply to a December 24th low of -19.30%, ending the year at -4.38%.

During the period, the Fund used both index futures to equitize the Fund's cash. The derivatives strategy with regards to futures had a non-material impact on the Fund's overall performance for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018.


4



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series (continued)

Average Annual Return

Year Ended December 31, 2018

   

Class A

 

INCEPTION DATE

 

8/25/99

 
    Net Asset
Value
  S&P 500
Index(1)
 

One Year

   

–4.65

%

   

–4.38

%

 

Three Year

   

9.02

%

   

9.26

%

 

Five Year

   

8.23

%

   

8.49

%

 

Ten Year

   

12.85

%

   

13.12

%

 

Since Inception

   

4.89

%

   

N/A

   

Expense Ratios

Gross

   

0.41

%

 

With Applicable Waivers

   

0.28

%

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month's end, please visit www.vcm.com.

The above expense ratios are from the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2018. Additional information pertaining to the Fund's expense ratios as of December 31, 2018 can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return figures set forth above include all waivers of fees for various periods since inception. Without such fee waivers, the total returns would have been lower. Some fee waivers are voluntary and may be modified or terminated at any time. The total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the total returns would have been lower.

Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series — Growth of $10,000

1The S&P 500 Index® is an unmanaged index comprised of 500 domestically traded common stocks, is weighted according to the market value of each common stock in the index, and includes reinvestment of dividends. This index does not include effect of sales charges and is not representative of the Fund. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

The graph reflects investment of growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.


5



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Common Stocks (99.7%)

 

Communication Services (10.1%):

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

   

3,833

   

$

178,503

   

Alphabet, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,503

     

1,570,575

   

Alphabet, Inc., Class C (a)

   

1,548

     

1,603,124

   

AT&T, Inc.

   

36,513

     

1,042,081

   

CBS Corp., Class B

   

1,702

     

74,411

   

CenturyLink, Inc.

   

4,779

     

72,402

   

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A (a)

   

898

     

255,903

   

Comcast Corp., Class A

   

22,990

     

782,809

   

Discovery Communications, Inc., Class A (a) (b)

   

786

     

19,446

   

Discovery Communications, Inc., Class C (a)

   

1,808

     

41,729

   

DISH Network Corp. (a)

   

1,152

     

28,765

   

Electronic Arts, Inc. (a)

   

1,533

     

120,969

   

Facebook, Inc., Class A (a)

   

12,126

     

1,589,597

   

Netflix, Inc. (a)

   

2,189

     

585,908

   

News Corp., Class A

   

1,928

     

21,883

   

News Corp., Class B

   

622

     

7,184

   

Omnicom Group, Inc.

   

1,128

     

82,615

   

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (a)

   

572

     

58,882

   

The Interpublic Group of Co., Inc.

   

1,930

     

39,816

   

The Walt Disney Co.

   

7,478

     

819,962

   

TripAdvisor, Inc. (a)

   

514

     

27,725

   

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Class A

   

5,300

     

255,036

   

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Class B

   

2,449

     

117,013

   

Twitter, Inc. (a)

   

3,620

     

104,039

   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

20,775

     

1,167,970

   

Viacom, Inc., Class B

   

1,777

     

45,669

   
     

10,714,016

   

Consumer Discretionary (10.0%):

 

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

   

372

     

58,575

   

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

   

2,060

     

3,094,059

   

Aptiv PLC

   

1,331

     

81,950

   

AutoZone, Inc. (a)

   

133

     

111,499

   

Best Buy Co., Inc.

   

1,222

     

64,717

   

Booking Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

239

     

411,658

   

BorgWarner, Inc.

   

1,050

     

36,477

   

CarMax, Inc. (a) (b)

   

888

     

55,704

   

Carnival Corp., Class A

   

2,028

     

99,980

   

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (a)

   

123

     

53,110

   

D.R. Horton, Inc.

   

1,725

     

59,789

   

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

   

624

     

62,313

   

Dollar General Corp.

   

1,335

     

144,287

   

Dollar Tree, Inc. (a)

   

1,196

     

108,023

   

eBay, Inc. (a)

   

4,677

     

131,283

   

Expedia, Inc.

   

598

     

67,365

   

Foot Locker, Inc.

   

588

     

31,282

   

Ford Motor Co.

   

19,684

     

150,583

   

See notes to financial statements.


6



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Garmin Ltd.

   

608

   

$

38,499

   

General Motors Co.

   

6,597

     

220,670

   

Genuine Parts Co.

   

738

     

70,863

   

H&R Block, Inc.

   

1,033

     

26,207

   

Hanesbrands, Inc.

   

1,813

     

22,717

   

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

   

837

     

28,558

   

Hasbro, Inc. (b)

   

587

     

47,693

   

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

   

1,499

     

107,628

   

Kohl's Corp.

   

838

     

55,593

   

L Brands, Inc.

   

1,148

     

29,469

   

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

   

654

     

23,439

   

Lennar Corp., Class A

   

1,467

     

57,433

   

LKQ Corp. (a)

   

1,599

     

37,944

   

Lowe's Co., Inc.

   

4,078

     

376,645

   

Macy's, Inc.

   

1,543

     

45,951

   

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

   

1,448

     

157,195

   

Mattel, Inc. (a) (b)

   

1,730

     

17,283

   

McDonald's Corp.

   

3,901

     

692,700

   

MGM Resorts International

   

2,569

     

62,324

   

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. (a)

   

751

     

28,478

   

Mohawk Industries, Inc. (a)

   

319

     

37,310

   

Newell Brands, Inc. (b)

   

2,186

     

40,638

   

Nike, Inc., Class B

   

6,438

     

477,313

   

Nordstrom, Inc. (b)

   

576

     

26,847

   

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (a)

   

1,102

     

46,714

   

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (a)

   

405

     

139,454

   

PulteGroup, Inc.

   

1,314

     

34,151

   

PVH Corp.

   

386

     

35,879

   

Ralph Lauren Corp.

   

278

     

28,762

   

Ross Stores, Inc.

   

1,893

     

157,498

   

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

   

862

     

84,295

   

Starbucks Corp.

   

6,237

     

401,663

   

Tapestry, Inc.

   

1,448

     

48,870

   

Target Corp.

   

2,646

     

174,873

   

The Gap, Inc.

   

1,091

     

28,104

   

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

   

1,192

     

24,329

   

The Home Depot, Inc.

   

5,753

     

988,481

   

The TJX Co., Inc.

   

6,306

     

282,130

   

Tiffany & Co.

   

548

     

44,119

   

Tractor Supply Co.

   

612

     

51,065

   

Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (a)

   

285

     

69,779

   

Under Armour, Inc., Class A (a) (b)

   

936

     

16,539

   

Under Armour, Inc., Class C (a)

   

959

     

15,507

   

VF Corp.

   

1,635

     

116,641

   

Whirlpool Corp.

   

325

     

34,733

   

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

   

492

     

48,664

   

Yum! Brands, Inc.

   

1,596

     

146,704

   
     

10,571,005

   

See notes to financial statements.


7



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Consumer Staples (7.4%):

 

Altria Group, Inc.

   

9,479

   

$

468,168

   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

   

2,814

     

115,290

   

Brown-Forman Corp., Class B

   

847

     

40,300

   

Campbell Soup Co. (b)

   

967

     

31,901

   

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

   

1,234

     

81,148

   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

   

4,363

     

259,686

   

Conagra Brands, Inc.

   

2,358

     

50,367

   

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

   

844

     

135,732

   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

   

2,205

     

449,181

   

Coty, Inc., Class A

   

2,265

     

14,858

   

General Mills, Inc.

   

2,997

     

116,703

   

Hormel Foods Corp. (b)

   

1,367

     

58,344

   

Kellogg Co.

   

1,272

     

72,517

   

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

   

1,748

     

199,167

   

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.

   

735

     

54,067

   

McCormick & Co., Inc.

   

610

     

84,936

   

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B

   

941

     

52,847

   

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

   

7,374

     

295,181

   

Monster Beverage Corp. (a)

   

2,000

     

98,440

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

   

7,111

     

785,623

   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

   

7,816

     

521,796

   

Sysco Corp.

   

2,404

     

150,635

   

The Clorox Co.

   

644

     

99,266

   

The Coca-Cola Co.

   

19,245

     

911,251

   

The Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A

   

1,127

     

146,623

   

The Hershey Co.

   

703

     

75,348

   

The J.M. Smucker Co.

   

572

     

53,476

   

The Kraft Heinz Co.

   

3,126

     

134,543

   

The Kroger Co.

   

4,006

     

110,165

   

The Procter & Gamble Co.

   

12,515

     

1,150,379

   

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

   

1,488

     

79,459

   

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

   

4,241

     

289,788

   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

   

7,216

     

672,169

   
     

7,859,354

   

Energy (5.2%):

 

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

   

2,575

     

112,888

   

Apache Corp.

   

1,923

     

50,479

   

Baker Hughes, Inc.

   

2,556

     

54,954

   

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

   

2,218

     

49,572

   

Chevron Corp.

   

9,634

     

1,048,083

   

Cimarex Energy Co.

   

479

     

29,530

   

Concho Resources, Inc. (a)

   

1,007

     

103,510

   

ConocoPhillips

   

5,843

     

364,311

   

Devon Energy Corp.

   

2,354

     

53,059

   

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

   

763

     

70,730

   

EOG Resources, Inc.

   

2,912

     

253,956

   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

   

21,288

     

1,451,628

   

Halliburton Co.

   

4,424

     

117,590

   

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

   

548

     

26,271

   

See notes to financial statements.


8



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Hess Corp.

   

1,266

   

$

51,273

   

HollyFrontier Corp.

   

815

     

41,663

   

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

   

9,542

     

146,756

   

Marathon Oil Corp.

   

4,295

     

61,590

   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

   

3,371

     

198,923

   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

   

1,924

     

49,447

   

Newfield Exploration Co. (a)

   

1,005

     

14,733

   

Noble Energy, Inc.

   

2,429

     

45,568

   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

   

3,845

     

236,006

   

ONEOK, Inc.

   

2,068

     

111,569

   

Phillips 66

   

2,148

     

185,050

   

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

   

857

     

112,713

   

Schlumberger Ltd.

   

6,959

     

251,081

   

TechnipFMC PLC

   

2,148

     

42,058

   

The Williams Cos., Inc.

   

6,081

     

134,086

   

Valero Energy Corp.

   

2,149

     

161,111

   
     

5,630,188

   

Financials (13.4%):

 

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

   

269

     

26,211

   

Aflac, Inc.

   

3,860

     

175,862

   

American Express Co.

   

3,550

     

338,385

   

American International Group, Inc.

   

4,467

     

176,044

   

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

   

713

     

74,416

   

Aon PLC

   

1,220

     

177,339

   

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

   

918

     

67,657

   

Assurant, Inc.

   

265

     

23,702

   

Bank of America Corp.

   

46,705

     

1,150,811

   

BB&T Corp.

   

3,894

     

168,688

   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B (a)

   

9,802

     

2,001,372

   

BlackRock, Inc., Class A

   

618

     

242,763

   

Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (a) (b)

   

602

     

18,349

   

Capital One Financial Corp.

   

2,406

     

181,870

   

CBOE Holdings, Inc.

   

562

     

54,980

   

Chubb Ltd.

   

2,329

     

300,860

   

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

   

761

     

58,917

   

Citigroup, Inc.

   

12,653

     

658,715

   

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

   

2,393

     

71,144

   

CME Group, Inc.

   

1,770

     

332,973

   

Comerica, Inc.

   

813

     

55,845

   

Discover Financial Services

   

1,723

     

101,623

   

E*TRADE Financial Corp.

   

1,306

     

57,307

   

Everest Re Group Ltd.

   

205

     

44,641

   

Fifth Third BanCorp

   

3,350

     

78,826

   

Franklin Resources, Inc.

   

1,537

     

45,587

   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

   

1,802

     

80,099

   

Huntington Bancshares, Inc.

   

5,552

     

66,180

   

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

   

2,883

     

217,176

   

Invesco Ltd.

   

2,066

     

34,585

   

Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.

   

1,458

     

25,311

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

16,899

     

1,649,680

   

See notes to financial statements.


9



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

KeyCorp

   

5,290

   

$

78,186

   

Lincoln National Corp.

   

1,089

     

55,877

   

Loews Corp.

   

1,398

     

63,637

   

M&T Bank Corp.

   

723

     

103,483

   

Marsh & McLennan Co., Inc.

   

2,539

     

202,484

   

MetLife, Inc.

   

5,002

     

205,381

   

Moody's Corp.

   

839

     

117,494

   

Morgan Stanley

   

6,667

     

264,347

   

MSCI, Inc.

   

447

     

65,901

   

Nasdaq, Inc.

   

579

     

47,229

   

Northern Trust Corp.

   

1,123

     

93,872

   

People's United Financial, Inc.

   

1,874

     

27,042

   

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

   

1,331

     

58,790

   

Prudential Financial, Inc.

   

2,097

     

171,010

   

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

   

660

     

49,111

   

Regions Financial Corp.

   

5,198

     

69,549

   

S&P Global, Inc.

   

1,265

     

214,974

   

State Street Corp.

   

1,908

     

120,338

   

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

   

2,317

     

116,869

   

SVB Financial Group (a)

   

268

     

50,899

   

Synchrony Financial

   

3,426

     

80,374

   

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

   

1,223

     

112,907

   

The Allstate Corp.

   

1,741

     

143,859

   

The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

   

4,625

     

217,699

   

The Charles Schwab Corp.

   

6,046

     

251,090

   

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

   

1,765

     

294,843

   

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

   

2,335

     

272,985

   

The Progressive Corp.

   

2,932

     

176,888

   

The Travelers Co., Inc.

   

1,346

     

161,184

   

Torchmark Corp.

   

521

     

38,830

   

U.S. Bancorp

   

7,699

     

351,844

   

Unum Group

   

1,100

     

32,318

   

Wells Fargo & Co.

   

21,794

     

1,004,268

   

Willis Towers Watson PLC

   

658

     

99,924

   

Zions BanCorp

   

977

     

39,803

   
     

14,213,207

   

Health Care (15.5%):

 

Abbott Laboratories

   

8,821

     

638,022

   

AbbVie, Inc.

   

7,614

     

701,935

   

ABIOMED, Inc. (a)

   

226

     

73,459

   

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

   

1,603

     

108,138

   

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

   

1,121

     

109,141

   

Align Technology, Inc. (a)

   

368

     

77,070

   

Allergan PLC

   

1,604

     

214,391

   

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

   

805

     

59,892

   

Amgen, Inc.

   

3,254

     

633,456

   

Anthem, Inc.

   

1,307

     

343,257

   

Baxter International, Inc.

   

2,498

     

164,418

   

Becton, Dickinson & Co.

   

1,345

     

303,055

   

See notes to financial statements.


10



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Biogen, Inc. (a)

   

1,013

   

$

304,832

   

Boston Scientific Corp. (a)

   

6,953

     

245,719

   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

   

8,205

     

426,496

   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

   

1,553

     

69,264

   

Celgene Corp. (a)

   

3,537

     

226,686

   

Centene Corp. (a)

   

1,032

     

118,990

   

Cerner Corp. (a)

   

1,654

     

86,736

   

Cigna Corp.

   

1,912

     

363,127

   

CVS Health Corp.

   

6,497

     

425,683

   

Danaher Corp.

   

3,096

     

319,260

   

DaVita, Inc. (a)

   

638

     

32,831

   

Dentsply Sirona, Inc.

   

1,118

     

41,601

   

Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (a)

   

1,053

     

161,288

   

Eli Lilly & Co.

   

4,806

     

556,150

   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

   

6,518

     

407,701

   

HCA Holdings, Inc.

   

1,357

     

168,879

   

Henry Schein, Inc. (a)

   

770

     

60,460

   

Hologic, Inc. (a)

   

1,368

     

56,225

   

Humana, Inc.

   

693

     

198,531

   

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (a)

   

435

     

80,919

   

Illumina, Inc. (a)

   

739

     

221,648

   

Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

   

887

     

56,404

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

572

     

273,942

   

IQVIA Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

815

     

94,679

   

Johnson & Johnson

   

13,489

     

1,740,755

   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (a)

   

512

     

64,696

   

McKesson Corp.

   

1,004

     

110,912

   

Medtronic PLC

   

6,790

     

617,618

   

Merck & Co., Inc.

   

13,372

     

1,021,755

   

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (a)

   

127

     

71,829

   

Mylan NV (a)

   

2,592

     

71,021

   

Nektar Therapeutics (a)

   

867

     

28,498

   

PerkinElmer, Inc. (b)

   

557

     

43,752

   

Perrigo Co. PLC

   

633

     

24,529

   

Pfizer, Inc.

   

29,475

     

1,286,584

   

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

   

687

     

57,206

   

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

   

390

     

145,665

   

ResMed, Inc.

   

718

     

81,759

   

Stryker Corp.

   

1,561

     

244,687

   

The Cooper Co., Inc.

   

247

     

62,862

   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

   

2,025

     

453,175

   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

   

4,839

     

1,205,493

   

Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B

   

433

     

50,470

   

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (a)

   

460

     

52,123

   

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

   

1,285

     

212,937

   

Waters Corp. (a)

   

387

     

73,008

   

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (a)

   

251

     

59,259

   

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

   

1,023

     

106,106

   

Zoetis, Inc.

   

2,423

     

207,263

   
     

16,518,247

   

See notes to financial statements.


11



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Industrials (9.2%):

 

3M Co.

   

2,949

   

$

561,903

   

A.O. Smith Corp.

   

727

     

31,043

   

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

   

619

     

37,666

   

Allegion PLC

   

478

     

38,101

   

American Airlines Group, Inc.

   

2,061

     

66,179

   

AMETEK, Inc.

   

1,166

     

78,938

   

Arconic, Inc.

   

2,161

     

36,434

   

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

   

697

     

58,611

   

Caterpillar, Inc.

   

2,988

     

379,686

   

Cintas Corp.

   

433

     

72,740

   

Copart, Inc. (a)

   

1,028

     

49,118

   

CSX Corp.

   

4,102

     

254,857

   

Cummins, Inc.

   

755

     

100,898

   

Deere & Co.

   

1,617

     

241,208

   

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

   

3,163

     

157,833

   

Dover Corp.

   

743

     

52,716

   

Eaton Corp. PLC, ADR

   

2,179

     

149,610

   

Emerson Electric Co.

   

3,160

     

188,810

   

Equifax, Inc.

   

605

     

56,344

   

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

   

877

     

59,715

   

Fastenal Co.

   

1,443

     

75,455

   

FedEx Corp.

   

1,223

     

197,307

   

Flowserve Corp.

   

658

     

25,017

   

Fluor Corp.

   

707

     

22,765

   

Fortive Corp.

   

1,546

     

104,602

   

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

   

716

     

27,201

   

General Dynamics Corp.

   

1,400

     

220,094

   

General Electric Co.

   

43,699

     

330,801

   

Harris Corp.

   

591

     

79,578

   

Honeywell International, Inc.

   

3,734

     

493,336

   

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

   

218

     

41,488

   

IHS Markit Ltd. (a)

   

1,794

     

86,058

   

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

   

1,551

     

196,496

   

Ingersoll-Rand PLC

   

1,233

     

112,486

   

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

   

440

     

40,938

   

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

   

599

     

35,018

   

Johnson Controls International PLC

   

4,651

     

137,902

   

Kansas City Southern

   

514

     

49,061

   

L3 Technologies, Inc.

   

394

     

68,422

   

Lockheed Martin Corp.

   

1,246

     

326,253

   

Masco Corp.

   

1,546

     

45,205

   

Nielsen Holdings PLC

   

1,791

     

41,784

   

Norfolk Southern Corp.

   

1,408

     

210,552

   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

   

875

     

214,288

   

PACCAR, Inc.

   

1,763

     

100,738

   

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

   

666

     

99,327

   

Pentair PLC

   

811

     

30,640

   

Quanta Services, Inc.

   

748

     

22,515

   

See notes to financial statements.


12



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Raytheon Co.

   

1,434

   

$

219,904

   

Republic Services, Inc., Class A

   

1,096

     

79,011

   

Robert Half International, Inc.

   

616

     

35,235

   

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

   

619

     

93,147

   

Rollins, Inc.

   

741

     

26,750

   

Roper Technologies, Inc.

   

520

     

138,590

   

Snap-on, Inc.

   

284

     

41,262

   

Southwest Airlines Co.

   

2,593

     

120,523

   

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

   

769

     

92,080

   

Textron, Inc.

   

1,249

     

57,442

   

The Boeing Co.

   

2,686

     

866,234

   

TransDigm Group, Inc. (a)

   

243

     

82,635

   

Union Pacific Corp.

   

3,718

     

513,940

   

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

1,151

     

96,373

   

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

   

3,486

     

339,989

   

United Rentals, Inc. (a)

   

416

     

42,652

   

United Technologies Corp.

   

4,094

     

435,928

   

Verisk Analytics, Inc., Class A (a)

   

828

     

90,285

   

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

   

229

     

64,660

   

Waste Management, Inc.

   

1,983

     

176,466

   

Xylem, Inc.

   

903

     

60,248

   
     

9,781,091

   

Information Technology (20.1%):

 

Accenture PLC, Class A

   

3,222

     

454,335

   

Adobe Systems, Inc. (a)

   

2,462

     

557,003

   

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (a)

   

4,313

     

79,618

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

852

     

52,040

   

Alliance Data Systems Corp.

   

238

     

35,719

   

Amphenol Corp., Class A

   

1,510

     

122,340

   

Analog Devices, Inc.

   

1,869

     

160,416

   

ANSYS, Inc. (a)

   

424

     

60,607

   

Apple, Inc.

   

23,071

     

3,639,219

   

Applied Materials, Inc.

   

4,942

     

161,801

   

Arista Networks, Inc. (a)

   

260

     

54,782

   

Autodesk, Inc. (a)

   

1,099

     

141,342

   

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

   

2,203

     

288,857

   

Broadcom, Inc.

   

2,170

     

551,788

   

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

   

585

     

56,306

   

Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (a)

   

1,422

     

61,829

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

   

22,985

     

995,940

   

Citrix Systems, Inc.

   

648

     

66,394

   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

   

2,917

     

185,171

   

Corning, Inc.

   

4,073

     

123,046

   

DXC Technology Co.

   

1,414

     

75,182

   

F5 Networks, Inc. (a)

   

306

     

49,581

   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

   

1,653

     

169,515

   

Fiserv, Inc. (a)

   

2,036

     

149,626

   

FleetCor Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

444

     

82,460

   

FLIR Systems, Inc.

   

694

     

30,217

   

See notes to financial statements.


13



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Fortinet, Inc. (a)

   

723

   

$

50,921

   

Gartner, Inc. (a)

   

457

     

58,423

   

Global Payments, Inc.

   

795

     

81,988

   

Hewlett Packard Enterprises Co.

   

7,399

     

97,741

   

HP, Inc.

   

7,956

     

162,780

   

Intel Corp.

   

23,184

     

1,088,026

   

International Business Machines Corp.

   

4,589

     

521,632

   

Intuit, Inc.

   

1,301

     

256,102

   

IPG Photonics Corp. (a) (b)

   

181

     

20,505

   

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

   

388

     

49,090

   

Juniper Networks, Inc.

   

1,734

     

46,662

   

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

942

     

58,479

   

KLA-Tencor Corp.

   

785

     

70,250

   

Lam Research Corp.

   

792

     

107,847

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

4,587

     

865,338

   

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

   

1,397

     

71,037

   

Microchip Technology, Inc.

   

1,184

     

85,153

   

Micron Technology, Inc. (a)

   

5,832

     

185,049

   

Microsoft Corp.

   

38,556

     

3,916,132

   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

   

816

     

93,873

   

NetApp, Inc.

   

1,304

     

77,810

   

Nvidia Corp.

   

3,057

     

408,110

   

Oracle Corp.

   

12,874

     

581,260

   

Paychex, Inc.

   

1,610

     

104,892

   

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

5,951

     

500,420

   

Qorvo, Inc. (a)

   

632

     

38,381

   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

   

6,095

     

346,866

   

Red Hat, Inc. (a)

   

892

     

156,671

   

Salesforce.com, Inc. (a)

   

3,805

     

521,171

   

Seagate Technology PLC

   

1,314

     

50,707

   

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

   

900

     

60,318

   

Symantec Corp.

   

3,125

     

59,047

   

Synopsys, Inc. (a)

   

747

     

62,927

   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

   

1,752

     

132,504

   

Texas Instruments, Inc.

   

4,888

     

461,916

   

The Western Union Co.

   

2,249

     

38,368

   

Total System Services, Inc.

   

844

     

68,609

   

VeriSign, Inc. (a)

   

539

     

79,928

   

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

8,933

     

1,178,619

   

Western Digital Corp.

   

1,465

     

54,161

   

Xerox Corp.

   

1,042

     

20,590

   

Xilinx, Inc.

   

1,272

     

108,336

   
     

21,403,773

   

Materials (2.6%):

 

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

   

1,102

     

176,375

   

Albemarle Corp. (b)

   

545

     

42,003

   

Avery Dennison Corp.

   

440

     

39,525

   

Ball Corp.

   

1,729

     

79,499

   

Celanese Corp., Series A

   

675

     

60,730

   

See notes to financial statements.


14



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

   

1,174

   

$

51,081

   

DowDuPont, Inc.

   

11,601

     

620,422

   

Eastman Chemical Co.

   

710

     

51,908

   

Ecolab, Inc.

   

1,278

     

188,313

   

FMC Corp.

   

677

     

50,071

   

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

   

7,286

     

75,119

   

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

   

509

     

68,343

   

International Paper Co.

   

2,056

     

82,981

   

Linde PLC

   

2,769

     

432,074

   

Lyondellbasell Industries NV, Class A

   

1,605

     

133,472

   

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

   

317

     

54,483

   

Newmont Mining Corp.

   

2,682

     

92,931

   

Nucor Corp.

   

1,591

     

82,430

   

Packaging Corp. of America

   

475

     

39,644

   

PPG Industries, Inc.

   

1,217

     

124,414

   

Sealed Air Corp.

   

799

     

27,837

   

The Mosaic Co.

   

1,783

     

52,081

   

The Sherwin-Williams Co.

   

413

     

162,499

   

Vulcan Materials Co.

   

665

     

65,702

   

WestRock Co.

   

1,283

     

48,446

   
     

2,902,383

   

Real Estate (3.0%):

 

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

   

532

     

61,308

   

American Tower Corp.

   

2,217

     

350,707

   

Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A

   

791

     

34,709

   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

   

695

     

120,965

   

Boston Properties, Inc.

   

776

     

87,339

   

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A (a)

   

1,589

     

63,624

   

Crown Castle International Corp.

   

2,086

     

226,602

   

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

   

1,036

     

110,386

   

Duke Realty Investments, Inc.

   

1,796

     

46,516

   

Equinix, Inc.

   

400

     

141,024

   

Equity Residential

   

1,852

     

122,251

   

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

   

332

     

81,410

   

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

   

636

     

57,545

   

Federal Realty Investment Trust

   

370

     

43,675

   

HCP, Inc.

   

2,362

     

65,971

   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

   

3,729

     

62,162

   

Iron Mountain, Inc.

   

1,439

     

46,638

   

Kimco Realty Corp.

   

2,119

     

31,043

   

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

   

572

     

54,740

   

Prologis, Inc.

   

3,165

     

185,849

   

Public Storage

   

753

     

152,415

   

Realty Income Corp.

   

1,458

     

91,912

   

Regency Centers Corp.

   

852

     

49,995

   

SBA Communications Corp. (a)

   

577

     

93,411

   

Simon Property Group, Inc.

   

1,555

     

261,224

   

SL Green Realty Corp.

   

435

     

34,400

   

The Macerich Co.

   

532

     

23,025

   

See notes to financial statements.


15



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

UDR, Inc.

   

1,346

   

$

53,329

   

Ventas, Inc.

   

1,792

     

104,993

   

Vornado Realty Trust

   

870

     

53,966

   

Welltower, Inc.

   

1,871

     

129,866

   

Weyerhaeuser Co.

   

3,810

     

83,287

   
     

3,126,287

   

Utilities (3.2%):

 

AES Corp.

   

3,327

     

48,108

   

Alliant Energy Corp.

   

1,175

     

49,644

   

Ameren Corp.

   

1,227

     

80,037

   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

   

2,478

     

185,206

   

American Water Works Co., Inc.

   

908

     

82,419

   

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

   

2,474

     

69,841

   

CMS Energy Corp.

   

1,424

     

70,702

   

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

   

1,564

     

119,583

   

Dominion Resources, Inc.

   

3,287

     

234,890

   

DTE Energy Co.

   

914

     

100,814

   

Duke Energy Corp.

   

3,582

     

309,126

   

Edison International

   

1,638

     

92,989

   

Entergy Corp.

   

909

     

78,238

   

Evergy, Inc.

   

1,366

     

77,548

   

Eversource Energy

   

1,593

     

103,609

   

Exelon Corp.

   

4,857

     

219,051

   

FirstEnergy Corp.

   

2,443

     

91,735

   

NextEra Energy, Inc.

   

2,371

     

412,126

   

NiSource, Inc.

   

1,825

     

46,264

   

NRG Energy, Inc.

   

1,526

     

60,430

   

PG&E Corp. (a)

   

2,600

     

61,750

   

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

   

563

     

47,968

   

PPL Corp.

   

3,517

     

99,637

   

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

   

2,541

     

132,259

   

Sempra Energy

   

1,375

     

148,761

   

The Southern Co.

   

5,099

     

223,948

   

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

   

1,586

     

109,846

   

Xcel Energy, Inc.

   

2,560

     

126,130

   
     

3,482,659

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $39,338,876)

   

106,202,210

   

See notes to financial statements.


16



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Collateral for Securities Loaned^ (0.4%)

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds TempFund Portfolio, Institutional Class, 2.49% (c)

   

71,928

   

$

71,928

   
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Class I,
2.28% (c)
   

103,933

     

103,933

   

Fidelity Investments Prime Money Market Portfolio, Class I, 2.46% (c)

   

3,209

     

3,209

   
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund,
Institutional Class, 2.55% (c)
   

39,961

     

39,961

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, Capital Class, 2.49% (c)

   

63,933

     

63,933

   
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Prime Portfolio, Institutional Class,
2.58% (c)
   

95,907

     

95,907

   

Total Collateral for Securities Loaned (Cost $378,871)

   

378,871

   

Total Investments (Cost $39,717,747) — 100.1%

   

106,581,081

   

Liabilities in excess of other assets — (0.1)%

   

(149,367

)

 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

 

$

106,431,714

   

^  Purchased with cash collateral from securities on loan.

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)  Rate disclosed is the daily yield on December 31, 2018.

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

PLC — Public Limited Company

Futures Contracts Purchased

    Number of
Contracts
  Expiration
Date
  Notional
Amount
 

Value

  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

E-Mini S&P 500 Futures

   

7

   

3/15/19

 

$

908,891

   

$

876,820

   

$

(32,071

)

 
   

Total unrealized appreciation

             

$

   
   

Total unrealized depreciation

               

(32,071

)

 
   

Total net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

             

$

(32,071

)

 

See notes to financial statements.


17



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2018
 
    Victory
S&P 500
Index VIP
Series
 

ASSETS:

 

Investments, at value (Cost $39,717,747)

 

$

106,581,081

(a)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   

629,840

   

Deposits with brokers for futures contracts

   

140,849

   

Interest and dividends receivable

   

125,330

   

Receivable for capital shares issued

   

11,178

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

94,805

   

Variation margin receivable on open futures contracts

   

5,978

   

Receivable from Adviser

   

33,493

   

Total Assets

   

107,622,554

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Payables:

 

Collateral received on loaned securities

   

378,871

   

Capital shares redeemed

   

743,093

   

Accrued expenses and other payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

23,448

   

Administration fees

   

5,752

   

Custodian fees

   

1,645

   

Transfer agent fees

   

13,206

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

218

   

Trustees' fees

   

112

   

Other accrued expenses

   

24,495

   

Total Liabilities

   

1,190,840

   

NET ASSETS:

 

Capital

   

31,092,521

   

Total distributable earnings/(loss)

   

75,339,193

   

Net Assets

 

$

106,431,714

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized,
with a par value of $0.001 per share):
   

6,290,917

   

Net asset value:

 

$

16.92

   

(a)  Includes $371,821 of securities on loan.

See notes to financial statements.


18



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
    Victory
S&P 500
Index VIP
Series
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends

 

$

2,379,221

   

Interest

   

13,454

   

Securities lending (net of fees)

   

7,800

   

Total Income

   

2,400,475

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

310,804

   

Administration fees

   

74,293

   

Custodian fees

   

6,228

   

Transfer agent fees

   

26,676

   

Trustees' fees

   

10,516

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

1,072

   

Legal and audit fees

   

25,048

   

Interest expense on interfund lending

   

19

   

Other expenses

   

19,648

   

Total Expenses

   

474,304

   

Expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser

   

(126,360

)

 

Net Expenses

   

347,944

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

2,052,531

   

Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Investment Transactions:

 

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

11,560,971

   

Net realized gains (losses) from futures transactions

   

(35,067

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

   

(18,179,217

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures transactions

   

(49,613

)

 

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   

(6,702,926

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

(4,650,395

)

 

See notes to financial statements.


19



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
 

From Investment Activities:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

2,052,531

   

$

2,136,011

   

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

11,525,904

     

8,589,741

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments
   

(18,228,830

)

   

13,782,820

   

Change in net assets resulting from operations

   

(4,650,395

)

   

24,508,572

   

Distributions to Shareholders: (a)

 
Change in net assets resulting from distributions to
shareholders
   

(7,462,566

)

   

(2,489,073

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   

(10,536,165

)

   

(13,095,982

)

 

Change in net assets

   

(22,649,126

)

   

8,923,517

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

129,080,840

     

120,157,323

   

End of period

 

$

106,431,714

   

$

129,080,840

   

Capital Transactions:

 

Proceeds from shares issued

 

$

5,103,469

   

$

7,683,257

   

Distributions reinvested

   

7,462,566

     

2,489,073

   

Cost of shares redeemed

   

(23,102,200

)

   

(23,268,312

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

 

$

(10,536,165

)

 

$

(13,095,982

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Issued

   

260,170

     

440,557

   

Reinvested

   

440,689

     

130,083

   

Redeemed

   

(1,183,894

)

   

(1,316,648

)

 

Change in Shares

   

(483,035

)

   

(746,008

)

 

(a)  Current and prior year distributions to shareholders have been reclassified and conform to amended GAAP presentation under Regulation S-X (See Item 10 in the Notes to Financial Statements).

See notes to financial statements.


20



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Financial Highlights

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   

Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2015
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

19.06

   

$

15.98

   

$

14.84

   

$

14.97

   

$

13.43

   

Investment Activities:

 

Net investment income (loss) (a)

   

0.32

     

0.30

     

0.28

     

0.27

     

0.24

   
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments
   

(1.21

)

   

3.15

     

1.46

     

(0.12

)

   

1.56

   

Total from Investment Activities

   

(0.89

)

   

3.45

     

1.74

     

0.15

     

1.80

   

Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

(0.02

)

   

(0.33

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.26

)

 

Net realized gains from investments

   

(1.23

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.28

)

   

     

   
Total Distributions
to Shareholders
   

(1.25

)

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.60

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.26

)

 
Capital Contributions from Prior
Custodian, Net (See Note 8)
   

     

     

(b)

   

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

16.92

   

$

19.06

   

$

15.98

   

$

14.84

   

$

14.97

   

Total Return (c)

   

(4.65

)%

   

21.60

%

   

11.75

%(d)

   

1.03

%

   

13.42

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets at end of period (000)

 

$

106,432

   

$

129,081

   

$

120,157

   

$

118,752

   

$

129,723

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.28

%

   

0.28

%

   

0.28

%

   

0.28

%

   

0.28

%

 
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average net assets
   

1.65

%

   

1.70

%

   

1.84

%

   

1.75

%

   

1.73

%

 
Ratio of gross expenses to
average net assets (e)
   

0.38

%

   

0.41

%

   

0.37

%

   

0.39

%

   

0.37

%

 

Portfolio turnover

   

3

%

   

3

%

   

4

%

   

3

%

   

3

%

 

(a)  Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total returns do not reflect the effects of charges deducted pursuant to the terms of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc.'s variable contracts. Inclusion of such charges would reduce the total returns for all periods shown.

(d)  The Fund received monies related to a nonrecurring refund from the prior Custodian. The corresponding impact to the total return was less than 0.01% for the period shown. (See Note 8)

(e)  During the period, certain fees were reduced and/or reimbursed. If such fee reductions and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

See notes to financial statements.


21



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
 

1. Organization:

Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust") was organized on February 11, 1998 as a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified open-end investment company. The Trust is comprised of nine funds and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, which are units of beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share.

The accompanying financial statements are those of the Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series (the "Fund"). The Fund offers a single class of shares: Class I Shares. Sales of shares of the Fund may only be made to certain separate accounts of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. ("GIAC") that fund certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts issued by GIAC. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America ("Guardian Life").

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund follows the specialized accounting and reporting requirements under GAAP that are applicable to investment companies.

Investment Valuation:

The Fund records investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The valuation techniques described below maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund's investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

• Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

• Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities or interest rates applicable to those securities, etc.)

• Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The inputs or methodologies used for valuation techniques are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with entering into those investments.

Portfolio securities listed or traded on securities exchanges, including American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and Rights, are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, if available, or at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price. If there have been no sales for that day on the exchange or system, then a security is valued at the last available bid quotation on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.


22



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price established each day by the board of trade or an exchange on which they are traded. These valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Investments for which there are no such quotations, or for which quotations do not appear reliable, are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board"). These valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, based on the observability of inputs used to determine the fair value.

A summary of the valuations as of December 31, 2018, based upon the three levels defined above, is included in the table below while the breakdown, by category, of investments is disclosed in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments:

    LEVEL 1 —
Quoted Prices
 

Total

 
    Investments
in
Securities
  Other
Financial
Investments^
  Investments
in
Securities
  Other
Financial
Investments^
 

Common Stocks

 

$

106,202,210

   

$

   

$

106,202,210

   

$

   

Collateral for Securities Loaned

   

378,871

     

     

378,871

     

   

Futures Contracts

   

     

(32,071

)

   

     

(32,071

)

 

Total

 

$

106,581,081

   

$

(32,071

)

 

$

106,581,081

   

$

(32,071

)

 

^  Other Financial instruments include any derivative instruments not reflected in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments as Investment Securities, such as futures contracts. These instruments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

Derivative Instruments:

Futures Contracts:

The Fund may enter into contracts for the future delivery of securities or foreign currencies and futures contracts based on a specific security, class of securities, foreign currency or an index, and purchase or sell options on any such futures contracts. A futures contract on a securities index is an agreement obligating either party to pay, and entitling the other party to receive, while the contract is outstanding, cash payments based on the level of a specified securities index. No physical delivery of the underlying asset is made. The Fund may enter into futures contracts in an effort to hedge against market risks. The acquisition of put and call options on futures contracts will give the Fund the right (but not the obligation), for a specified price, to sell or to purchase the underlying futures contract, upon exercise of the option, at any time during the option period. Futures transactions involve brokerage costs and require the Fund to segregate assets to cover contracts that would require it to purchase securities or currencies. A good faith margin deposit, known as initial margin, of cash or government securities with a broker or custodian is required to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, are made or received by the Fund based on the change in the market value of the position and are recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the contract is closed out, at which time the gain or loss is realized. The Fund may lose the expected benefit of futures transactions if interest rates, exchange rates or securities prices change in an unanticipated manner. Such unanticipated changes may also result in lower overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures transactions. In addition, the value of the Fund's futures positions may not prove to be perfectly or even highly correlated with the value of its portfolio securities or foreign currencies, limiting the Fund's ability to hedge effectively against interest rate, exchange rate and/or market risk and giving rise to additional risks. There is no assurance of liquidity in the secondary market for purposes of closing out futures positions. The collateral held by the Fund is presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities under Deposit with broker for futures contracts. As of December 31, 2018, the Fund entered into Futures Contracts primarily for the strategy of hedging or other purposes, including but not limited to, providing liquidity and equitizing cash.


23



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Summary of Derivative Instruments:

The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2018.

   

Liabilities

 
    Variation Margin
Payable on Open
Futures Contracts*
 

Equity Risk Exposure

 

$

(32,071

)

 

*  Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day's variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2018.

    Net Realized Gains (Losses) on
Derivative Recognized as
a Result from Operations
  Net Change in Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation
on Derivatives Recognized
as a Result of Operations
 
    Net Realized
Gains (Losses) from
Futures Transactions
  Net Change in Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation
on Futures Transactions
 

Equity Risk Exposure

 

$

(35,067

)

 

$

(49,613

)

 

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The underlying face value of open derivative positions relative to the Fund's net assets at period end is generally representative of the notional amount of open positions to net assets throughout the period.

Investment Transactions and Related Income:

Changes in holdings of investments are accounted for no later than one business day following the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, however, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date on the last business day of the reporting period. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

Withholding taxes on interest, dividends and gains as a result of certain investments in ADRs by the Fund have been provided for in accordance with each investment's applicable country's tax rules and rates.

Securities Lending:

The Trust has entered into a Master Securities Lending Agreement ("MSLA") with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank" or the "Agent"). Under the terms of the MSLA, the Fund may lend securities to certain broker-dealers and banks in exchange for collateral in the amount of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned or at least 105% of the value of non-U.S. securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls associated with increases in the valuation of the securities loaned are adjusted the next business day. The collateral can be received in the form of cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral can include U.S. Government Securities, letters of credit and certificates of deposit. The cash collateral is invested in short-term instruments or cash equivalents as noted on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Trust does not have effective control of the non-cash collateral and therefore it is not disclosed in the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund continues to benefit from interest or dividends on the securities loaned and may also earn a return from the collateral. The Fund pays various fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral.


24



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

The Fund pays the Agent fees based on the investment income received from securities lending activities. Securities lending income is disclosed in the Fund's Statement of Operations. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral, the Fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return them.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under the MSLA, which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances such as an event of default, to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty to create a net payment due to or from the Fund.

The following table is a summary of the Fund's securities lending transactions which are subject to offset under the MSLA as of December 31, 2018. These transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings with an overnight and continuous contractual maturity for cash collateral, and greater than overnight and continuous contractual maturity for non-cash collateral.

Gross
Amount of
Recognized
Assets
(Value of
  Value of
Cash
  Value of Non-cash Collateral
Received by Maturity
     
Securities
on Loan)
  Collateral
Received
 

<30 Days

  Between 30
& 90 days
 

>90 Days

 

Net Amount

 
$

371,821

   

$

378,871

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

7,050

   

Dividends to Shareholders:

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually by the Fund. Distributable net realized gains, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually.

The amounts of dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. To the extent these "book/tax" differences are permanent in nature (e.g., net operating loss, distribution reclassification, and deemed distribution due to shareholder redemptions), such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales) do not require reclassification. To the extent dividends and distributions exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of capital. Net investment losses incurred by the Fund may be reclassified as an offset to capital on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

As of December 31, 2018, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, there were no permanent book-to-tax differences reclassification adjustments.

Federal Income Taxes:

It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements. The Fund has a tax year end of December 31.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Allocations:

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund, while expenses which are attributable to more than one fund, or jointly with an affiliated trust, are allocated among the Fund


25



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

and respective funds in the Trust and/or affiliated trust based upon net assets or another appropriate basis.

Affiliated Securities Transactions:

Pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may engage in securities transactions with affiliated investment companies and advisory accounts managed by the Adviser and any applicable sub-adviser. Any such purchase or sale transaction must be effected without brokerage commission or other remuneration, except for customary transfer fees. The transaction must be effected at the current market price, which is either the security's last sale price on an exchange or, if there are no transactions in the security that day, at the average of the highest bid and lowest asked price. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not engage in any Rule 17a-7 transactions under the 1940 Act.

3. Purchases and Sales of Securities:

Purchases and sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) for the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows for the Fund:

Purchases  

Sales

 
$

3,397,358

   

$

17,739,950

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government Securities.

4. Fees and Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties:

Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by Victory Capital Management Inc. ("VCM" or the "Adviser"), a New York corporation registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings Inc., a publicly traded Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Victory Capital Operating, LLC.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may use its resources to assist with the Fund's distribution and marketing expenses.

VCM also serves as the Fund's administrator and fund accountant. Under an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement, VCM is paid for its services an annual fee at a rate of 0.08% of the first $15 billion in average daily net assets of the Trust, Victory Portfolios and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Trusts"), 0.05% of the average daily net assets above $15 billion to $30 billion of the Trusts and 0.04% of the average daily net assets over $30 billion of the Trusts.

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. ("Citi"), an affiliate of Citibank, N.A., acts as sub-administrator and sub-fund accountant to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement between VCM and Citi. VCM pays Citi a fee for providing these services. The Trust reimburses VCM and Citi for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

FIS Investor Services, LLC ("FIS") serves as the Fund's transfer agent. Under the Transfer Agent Agreement, the Trust pays FIS a fee for its services and reimburses FIS for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

The Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") is an employee of the Adviser, which pays the compensation of the CCO and his support staff. The Trust has entered into an Agreement to provide compliance services with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes its compliance personnel, including the services of the CCO, and other resources reasonably necessary to provide the Trust with compliance oversight services related to the design, administration and oversight of a compliance program for the Trust in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Funds in the Trust, Victory Portfolios, Victory Institutional Funds, and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Victory Funds Complex"), in the aggregate, compensate the Adviser for these services.


26



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

The Victory Funds Complex pays an annual retainer to each Independent Trustee, plus an additional annual retainer to the Chairman of the Board. The aggregate amount of the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees are allocated amongst all the funds in the Victory Funds Complex and are presented in the Statement of Operations.

Shearman & Sterling LLP provides legal services to the Trust.

Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor for the continuous offering of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust.

The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation agreement with the Fund until at least April 30, 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, the Adviser has agreed to waive fees or reimburse certain expenses to the extent that ordinary operating expenses incurred by certain classes of the Fund in any fiscal year exceed the expense limit for such classes of the Fund. Such excess amounts will be the liability of the Adviser. Interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund's business are excluded from the expense limits. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the expense limit (excluding voluntary waivers) is 0.28%.

The Fund has agreed to repay fees and expenses that were waived or reimbursed by the Adviser for a period up to three fiscal years after such waiver or reimbursement was made to the extent such payments or repayments would not cause the expenses of a class to exceed the original expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement or any expense limitation agreement in place at the time of repayment. As of December 31, 2018, the following amounts are available to be repaid to the Adviser. Amounts repaid to the Adviser during the year ended, if any, are reflected on the Statement of Operations as "Recoupment of prior expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser".

Expires
12/31/2019
  Expires
12/31/2020
  Expires
12/31/2021
 
$

36,542

   

$

167,384

   

$

126,360

   

The Adviser may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees to assist the Fund in maintaining a competitive expense ratio. Voluntary waivers and reimbursements applicable to the Fund are not available to be recouped at a future time. There were no voluntary waivers or reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Certain officers and/or interested trustees of the Fund are also officers and/or employees of the Adviser, Administrator, Fund Accountant, Sub-Administrator, Sub-Fund Accountant, and Legal.

5. Risks:

The Fund may be subject to other risks in addition to these identified risks.

An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, some of which will be traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests may affect the value of the Fund's shares. An investment in the Fund's shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of the Fund's distributions.

The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties for financial instruments entered into by the Fund. The Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties. The Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and the Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The Fund typically enters into transactions with counterparties whose credit ratings are investment grade, as determined by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.


27



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

6. Borrowing and Interfund Lending:

Line of Credit:

The Victory Funds Complex participates in a short-term, demand note "Line of Credit" agreement with Citibank. Under the agreement with Citibank, the Victory Funds Complex may borrow up to $250 million, of which $100 million is committed and $150 million is uncommitted. $40 million of the Line of Credit is reserved for use by the Victory Floating Rate Fund, another series of the Victory Funds Complex, with that Fund paying the related commitment fees for that amount. The purpose of the agreement is to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. The current agreement was amended on July 27, 2018 with a new termination date of July 26, 2019. Citibank receives an annual commitment fee of 0.15% on $100 million for providing the Line of Credit. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Citibank earned approximately $150,000 in commitment fees from the Victory Funds Complex. Each fund in the Victory Funds Complex pays a pro-rata portion of the commitment fees plus any interest on amounts borrowed. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on line of credit.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Line of Credit during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Interfund Lending:

The Trust and Adviser rely on an exemptive order granted by the SEC in March 2017 (the "Order"), permitting the establishment and operation of an Interfund Lending Facility (the "Facility"). The Facility allows the Fund to directly lend and borrow money to or from any other Victory Fund relying upon the Order at rates beneficial to both the borrowing and lending funds. Advances under the Facility are allowed for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities, and are subject to each Fund's borrowing restrictions. The interfund loan rate is determined, as specified in the Order, by averaging the current repurchase agreement rate and the current bank loan rate. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on interfund lending.

The average loans for the days outstanding and average interest rate for the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

Borrower or
Lender
  Amount
Outstanding
at
December 31,
2018
  Average
Borrowing*
  Days
Borrowing
Outstanding
  Average
Interest
Rate*
  Maximum
Borrowing
During the
Period
 
Borrower    

   

$

341,000

     

1

     

2.00

%

 

$

341,000

   

* For the year ended December 31, 2018, based on the number of days borrowings were outstanding.

7. Federal Income Tax Information:

The tax character of distributions paid during the tax years ended, as noted below, were as follows (total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because, for tax purposes, dividends are recognized when actually paid).

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Distributions paid from

 
Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
$

349,417

   

$

7,113,149

   

$

7,462,566

   


28



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 

Distributions paid from

 
Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
$

2,216,230

   

$

272,843

   

$

2,489,073

   

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Accumulated
Earnings
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)*
  Total
Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
$

1,897,408

   

$

11,013,973

   

$

12,911,381

   

$

62,427,812

   

$

75,339,193

   

*The difference between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

During the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not utilize capital loss carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2018, the cost basis for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments were as follows:

Cost of
Investments
for Federal
Tax Purposes
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
$

44,153,269

   

$

85,974,126

   

$

(23,546,314

)

 

$

62,427,812

   

8. Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian:

During 2016, the Fund received notification from the Fund's prior custodian, State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street"), concerning issues related to billing on certain categories of expenses during the approximately 16-year period from 1998 through October 31, 2014. The over-billing primarily related to categories of expenses that involved an allocation of general costs among multiple clients.

State Street paid the refunded amounts during January 2017. Based on billing information received during 2016 from State Street and an analysis of any expense limitation agreements that were in place during the period of the activities in question, including the application of any recoupment provisions in such agreements, the Adviser received a portion of the refund.

The portion of the refund retained by the Fund was accounted for as a capital contribution and is reflected on the Financial Highlights as "Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian, Net".

9. Fund Ownership:

Ownership of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2018, the shareholders listed below held more than 25% of the shares outstanding of the Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund.

Shareholder  

Percent

 
GIAC    

100.0

%

 

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In October 2016, the SEC released its Final Rules on Investment Company Reporting Modernization (the "Rules"). The Rules introduced two new regulatory reporting forms for investment companies,


29



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-PORT was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing with the SEC on Form N-PORT for the period ending March 31, 2019. Effective with the period ended June 30, 2018, the Fund was required to maintain, and make available to the SEC upon request, the information required to be included in Form N-PORT. Form N-PORT will replace Form N-Q filings effective with the requirement to file the Form N-PORT with the SEC for the period ending March 31, 2019. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-CEN was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing on Form N-CEN for the period ended December 31, 2018. Form N-CEN will replace Form N-SAR filings. The Fund's adoption of these amendments have no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurements" ("ASU 2018-13"). This update makes certain removals from, changes to and additions to existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 does not change fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. ASU 2018-13 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, the Fund has early adopted ASU 2018-13 with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018.

In August 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain financial statement disclosure requirements to conform them to GAAP for investment companies. These amendments made certain disclosure requirements effective under Regulation S-X. The Fund's adoption of these amendments, effective with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018 had no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations. As a result of adopting these amendments, the distributions to shareholders in the December 31, 2017 Statements of Changes in Net Assets presented herein have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes all distributions to each class of shareholders, other than tax basis return of capital distributions, in one line item per share class. Distributions to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 from net investment income and net realized gains in the Fund were as follows:

Distributions to Shareholders:

From net investment income:

 

$

(2,216,230

)

 

From net Realized Gains:

   

(272,843

)

 

11. Subsequent Events:

The Fund has evaluated the need for additional disclosures or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, there were no subsequent events to report that would have a material impact on the Fund's financial statements.


30



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Victory S&P 500 Index VIP Series (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting the Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2018, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the funds constituting the Trust) at December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The financial highlights of the Fund for each of the periods presented through December 31, 2015 were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 22, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Victory Capital's investment companies since 1995.

Cincinnati, Ohio
February 15, 2019


31



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Trustee and Officer Information

Board of Trustees:

Overall responsibility for management of the Trust rests with the Board. The Trust is managed by the Board in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. There are currently ten Trustees, nine of whom are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees") and one of whom is an "interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Interested Trustee"). The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust to actively supervise its day-to-day operations.

The following tables list the Trustees, their ages, position with the Trust, commencement of service, principal occupations during the past five years and any directorships of other investment companies or companies whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or who file reports under that Act. Each Trustee oversees nine portfolios in the Trust, one portfolio in Victory Institutional Funds, 42 portfolios in Victory Portfolios and 20 portfolios in Victory Portfolios II, each a registered investment company that, together with the Trust, comprise the Victory Funds Complex. Each Trustee's address is c/o Victory Variable Insurance Funds, 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. Each Trustee has an indefinite term.

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Independent Trustees.

 

David Brooks Adcock, 67

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Consultant (since 2006).

 

Chair and Trustee, Turner Funds (December 2016-December 2017).

 

Nigel D.T. Andrews, 71

 

Vice Chair and Trustee

 

August 2002

 

Retired.

 

Director, TCG BDC II, Inc. (since 2017); Director, TCG BDC I, Inc. (formerly Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc.) (since 2012); Director, Old Mutual US Asset Management (2002-2014).

 

E. Lee Beard, 67*

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Retired (since 2015); Consultant, The Henlee Group, LLC (consulting) (2005-2015).

 

None.

 

Dennis M. Bushe, 75

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Retired.

 

Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2011-July 2016).

 


32



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Sally M. Dungan, 64

 

Trustee

 

February 2011

 

Chief Investment Officer, Tufts University (since 2002).

 

None.

 

John L. Kelly, 65

 

Trustee

 

February 2015

 

Partner, McCarvill Capital Partners (September 2016-September 2017); Advisor (January 2016-April 2016) and Managing Partner (August 2014-January 2016), Endgate Commodities LLC; Chief Operating Officer, Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (2011-2014).

 

Director, Caledonia Mining Corporation (since May 2012).

 

David L. Meyer, 61*

 

Trustee

  December
2008
 

Retired.

 

None.

 

Gloria S. Nelund, 57

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Chair, CEO and Co-Founder of TriLinc Global, LLC, an investment firm.

 

TriLinc Global Impact Fund, LLC (since 2012); Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2007-July 2016).

 

Leigh A. Wilson, 74

 

Chair and Trustee

 

February 1998

 

Private Investor.

 

Chair (since 2013), Caledonia Mining Corporation.

 

Interested Trustee.

 

David C. Brown, 46**

 

Trustee

 

May 2008

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2013), Co-Chief Executive Officer (2011-2013), the Adviser; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (since 2013).

 

None.

 

*  The Board has designated Mr. Meyer and Ms. Beard as its Audit Committee Financial Experts.

**  Mr. Brown is an "Interested Person" by reason of his relationship with the Adviser.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, by calling 800-539-3863.


33



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Officers:

The officers of the Trust, their ages, commencement of service and their principal occupations during the past five years, are detailed in the following table. Each officer serves until the earlier of his or her resignation, removal, retirement, death, or the election of a successor. The mailing address of each officer of the Trust is 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. The officers of the Trust receive no compensation directly from the Trust for performing the duties of their offices.

Name and Age

  Position with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

 

Christopher K. Dyer, 57

 

President

 

February 2006*

 

Director of Mutual Fund Administration, the Adviser.

 

Scott A. Stahorsky, 49

 

Vice President

 

December 2014

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2015); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2015).

 

Erin G. Wagner, 45

 

Secretary

 

December 2014

 

Associate General Counsel, the Adviser (since 2013).

 

Allan Shaer, 53

 

Treasurer

 

May 2017

 

Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (since 2016); Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, JP Morgan Chase (2011-2016).

 

Christopher A. Ponte, 34

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

December 2017

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2017); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2017); Chief Financial Officer, Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (since 2018).

 

Colin Kinney, 45

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

July 2017

 

Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013) and Chief Risk Officer (2009-2017), the Adviser.

 

Chuck Booth, 58

 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Officer

 

May 2015

 

Director, Regulatory Administration and CCO Support Services, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

 

Jay G. Baris, 65

 

Assistant Secretary

 

February 1998

 

Partner, Shearman & Sterling LLP (since 2018); Partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP (2011-2017).

 

*  On December 3, 2014, Mr. Dyer resigned as Secretary of the Trust and accepted the position of President.


34



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

Proxy Voting:

Information regarding the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-539-3863. The information is also included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Information relating to how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Availability of Schedules of Portfolio Investments:

The Trust expects to file a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT beginning March 1, 2019. Prior to that date, the Trust has filed a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-PORT and Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Expense Examples

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

The Actual Expense figures in the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

The Hypothetical Expense figures in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


Beginning
Account Value
7/1/18
  Actual
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Hypothetical
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Actual
Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18
 
$

1,000.00

   

$

930.60

   

$

1,023.79

   

$

1.36

   

$

1.43

     

0.28

%

 

*  Expenses are equal to the average account value multiplied by the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by 184/365 (the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year).


35



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund paid qualified dividend income for purposes of reduced individual federal income tax rates of 99%.

Dividends qualifying for corporate dividends received a deduction of 98%.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund designated short-term and long-term capital gain distributions in the amount of $194,292 and $7,113,149, respectively.


36



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Considerations of the Board in Continuing the Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement")

The Board approved the Agreement on behalf of the Series at a meeting, which was called for that purpose, on December 5, 2018. The Board also considered information relating to the Series and the Agreement provided throughout the year and, more specifically, at a meeting on October 23, 2018. The Board noted that prior to the Series' reorganization on July 29, 2016, the Series was managed by RS Investment Management Co. LLC, which was acquired by the Adviser on July 29, 2016. In considering whether to approve the Agreement, the Board requested, and the Adviser provided, information that the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to reach its conclusions. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated this information along with other information obtained throughout the year and was advised by legal counsel to the Series and by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition, in 2017 the Independent Trustees, through their counsel, retained an independent consultant to assist with a review of the overall process for conducting the annual review of these advisory arrangements. The Board considered the Series' advisory fee, expense ratio and investment performance as significant factors in determining whether the Agreement should be continued. In considering whether the compensation paid to the Adviser was fair and reasonable, the Board also evaluated, among other things, the following factors:

•  The requirements of the Series for the services provided by the Adviser;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the services provided and expected to be provided;

•  The performance of the Series as compared to comparable funds;

•  The fees payable for the services and whether the fee arrangements provided for economies of scale that would benefit Series shareholders as the Series grows;

•  Whether the fee would be sufficient to enable the Adviser to attract and retain experienced personnel and continue to provide quality services to the Series;

•  Fees paid by other clients of the Adviser whose accounts are managed in a similar investment style and any differences in the services provided to the other clients compared to those provided to the Series;

•  Total expenses of the Series, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees;

•  Management's commitment to operating the Series at competitive expense levels;

•  The profitability of the Adviser (as reflected by comparing fees earned against an estimate of the Adviser's costs) with respect to the Adviser's relationship with the Series;

•  Research and other service benefits received by the Adviser obtained through payment of client commissions for securities transactions;

•  Other benefits received by the Adviser, and its affiliates, including revenues paid to the Adviser, or its affiliates, by the Series for administration and fund accounting services, and distribution;

•  The capabilities and financial condition of the Adviser;

•  Current economic and industry trends; and

•  The historical relationship between the Series and the Adviser.

The Board reviewed the Series' current management fee, comprised of the advisory fee plus the administrative services fee paid to the Adviser, in the context of the Adviser's profitability of the Series. In addition, the Board compared the Series' total operating expense ratio on a net and gross basis, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees and management fees with a universe of comparable mutual funds compiled by an independent consultant, FUSE Research Network, LLC ("FUSE"), and a peer group of funds with similar investment strategies selected by FUSE from the universe. The Board reviewed the factors and methodology used by FUSE in the selection of the Series' peer group, including FUSE's selection of a broad universe of funds using the standard Retail Morningstar Categories, the more specific universe of comparable funds, and peer groups of funds with comparable investment strategies and asset levels, among other factors. The Board also reviewed any changes to FUSE's methodology as compared to the prior year, including as a result of input from the Adviser, if any. The Board also reviewed fees and other information related to the Adviser's management of similarly managed institutional or private accounts, and the differences in the services provided to the other accounts, to the extent applicable. The Board noted that the advisory fee arrangements


37



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

for the Series do not include breakpoints, which are generally viewed as a method by which the investment adviser shares any economies of scale with a fund as a fund grows. The Board also considered the Adviser's commitment to limit expenses as discussed in more detail below.

The Board reviewed the Series' performance over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods against the performance of the Series' selected peer group and benchmark index, noting that the Series' investment objective is to track its benchmark index before fees and expenses. The Board recognized that the performance of the Series is net of expenses, while the performance of the benchmark index is gross returns and as a result, the Series generally will underperform its benchmark index due to fees and expenses. The Board considered the Series' tracking error as a factor in evaluating performance. The Board also considered the additional resources that the Adviser has committed to enhance portfolio analysis, compliance and trading systems.

The Board reviewed various other specific factors with respect to the Series, as described below. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not rank the importance of any particular information or factor considered and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

The Board concluded that the Series' gross annual management fee was reasonable as compared to the median gross management fee charged to the funds in the Series' peer group. The Board noted that the Series' net annual expense ratio, taking into account any shareholder servicing or distribution fees, was reasonable as compared to the median expense ratio for the peer group. The Board considered the Adviser's contractual agreement to waive its fees and reimburse expenses for a specified period of time, as described in the Series' prospectus. The Board then compared the Series' performance for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2018, to that of the median performance of the peer group and benchmark index for the same periods and considered the fact that the Series underperformed the benchmark index for all of the periods reviewed, and outperformed the peer group for all of the periods reviewed.

Having considered, among other things: (1) that the Series' management fee was within the ranges of advisory fees charged to comparable mutual funds; (2) that the Series' total expense ratio was reasonable; (3) the Adviser's willingness to limit the expenses for a period of time would provide stability to the Series' expenses during that period; and (4) the performance of the Series, the Board concluded that the Agreement continued to be in the best interests of the Series' shareholders.

The Board noted that the Adviser's investment management team replaced the predecessor fund's investment sub-adviser as portfolio managers for the Series upon completion of the Series' reorganization.

Conclusion

Based on its review of the information requested and provided, and following extended discussions, the Board determined that the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, was consistent with the best interests of the Series and its shareholders, and the Board unanimously approved the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, for an additional annual period on the basis of the foregoing review and discussions and the following considerations, among others:

•  The fairness and reasonableness of the investment advisory fee payable to the Adviser under the Agreement in light of the investment advisory services provided, the costs of these services, the profitability of the Adviser's relationship with the Series and the comparability of the fee paid to the fees paid by other investment companies;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser;

•  The Adviser's entrepreneurial commitment to the management of the Series and the creation of a broad-based family of funds, which could entail a substantial commitment of the Adviser's resources to the successful operation of the Series;

•  The Adviser's representations regarding its staffing and capabilities to manage the Series, including the retention of personnel with relevant portfolio management experience;

•  The Adviser's efforts to enhance investment results by, among other things, developing quality portfolio management teams; and

•  The overall high quality of the personnel, operations, financial condition, investment management capabilities, methodologies and performance of the Adviser.


38



Privacy Policy

Protecting the Privacy of Information

The Trust respects your right to privacy. We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain personal information about you. This is the information we collect from you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you make with us or third parties. It may include your name, address, social security number, account transactions and balances, and information about investment goals and risk tolerance.

We do not disclose any information about you or about former customers to anyone except as permitted or required by law. Specifically, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform services on our behalf, such as the transfer agent that processes shareholder accounts and printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. We may also disclose this information to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf. This allows us to continue to offer you Victory investment products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize. These companies will use this information only in connection with the services for which we hired them. They are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.

To protect your personal information internally, we permit access only by authorized employees and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information.*

*  You may have received communications regarding information about privacy policies from other financial institutions which gave you the opportunity to "opt-out" of certain information sharing with companies which are not affiliated with that financial institution. The Trust does not share information with other companies for purposes of marketing solicitations for products other than the Trust. Therefore, the Trust does not provide opt-out options to their shareholders.



Victory Funds
P.O. Box 182593
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2593

Visit our website at:

 

Call Victory at:

 

www.vcm.com

  800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)  

VVIF-RS-SPIVIP-AR (12/18)



December 31, 2018

Annual Report

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Victory Funds' shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Victory Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.VictoryFunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you need not take any action.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Victory Funds or your financial intermediary electronically sooner than January 1, 2021 by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-539-3863 or by sending an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Victory Funds, you can call 800-539-3863 or send an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Victory Funds you hold directly or through your financial intermediary.



www.vcm.com

News, Information And Education 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week

The Victory Funds site gives fund shareholders, prospective shareholders, and investment professionals a convenient way to access fund information, get guidance, and track fund performance anywhere they can access the Internet. The site includes:

•  Detailed performance records

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Whether you're a potential investor searching for the fund that matches your investment philosophy, a seasoned investor interested in planning tools, or an investment professional, www.vcm.com has what you seek. Visit us anytime. We're always open.



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Table of Contents

Shareholder Letter (Unaudited)

   

3

   

Fund Review and Commentary (Unaudited)

   

4

   

Financial Statements

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

    7    

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    14    

Statement of Operations

    15    

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    16    

Financial Highlights

    17    

Notes to Financial Statements

   

18

   
Report of Ernst & Young LLP,
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
   

27

   

Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

 

Trustee and Officer Information

    28    

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

    31    

Expense Examples

    31    

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

    32    

Advisory Contract Renewal

    33    

Privacy Policy (inside back cover)

 

 

The Fund is distributed by Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. Victory Capital Management Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and receives fees from the Fund for performing services for the Fund.

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus of the Fund.

For additional information about any Victory Fund, including fees, expenses, and risks, view our prospectus online at www.vcm.com or call 800-539-3863. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

The information in this annual report is based on data obtained from recognized services and sources and is believed to be reliable. Any opinions, projections, or recommendations in this report are subject to change without notice and are not intended as individual investment advice. Past investment performance of the Fund, markets or securities mentioned herein should not be considered to be indicative of future results.

• NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE
• MAY LOSE VALUE

Call Victory at:

800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)

Visit our website at:

www.vcm.com


1



This page is intentionally left blank.


2



Victory Funds Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholder,

What a difference a year makes. The year ended December 31, 2018, was marked by an abrupt return of volatility, which had largely been missing in action for years. Consider the range of highs and lows we witnessed. For the S&P 500 Index, it was a year in which we celebrated an all-time high in late summer, only to be followed by the worst December since the 2008 financial crisis. And if that wasn't enough volatility, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also registered several of its worst-ever, single-day point declines during 2018.

Through all that the S&P 500 clocked in with its first negative annual return since 2008, falling by 4.4 percent. Given the risk-off sentiment that was obvious as the year drew to a close, it's no surprise that small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, fared even worse, falling approximately 11.0 percent for the year. The challenges for equity investors were also evident around the world as the MSCI ACWI and Emerging Markets indexes declined 8.9 and 14.3 percent, respectively.

So what ushered in the renewed era of volatility and these challenging times? There were multiple culprits. For starters, trade tensions ratcheted up throughout the year as anti-global rhetoric bloomed into a series of new tariffs, which sparked concerns of a prolonged trade war with China. The Federal Reserve remained persistent in its monetary tightening, raising the benchmark interest rate four times throughout the year to a range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent. And then the year ended with a partial shutdown of the federal government. These factors conspired to elevate concerns of a possible recession here and abroad.

Yet despite the headline risks, we think it's critically important to remain focused on the data. By all accounts, the U.S. economy continued chugging along in 2018 with a real gross domestic product (GDP) rising 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018, the latest figures available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Moreover, the labor picture continues to shine with consistent monthly job growth and an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. All this comes against a backdrop of low inflation and solid corporate earnings.

The markets, it appears, have been vacillating between the dire headlines and higher perceived risks on one hand, and the continued positive economic data on the other. Of course, no one knows where the Fed will stop raising rates, nor is there any certainty on how the trade turmoil ultimately gets resolved. For now, however, we continue to embrace our solid economic fundamentals. Moreover, we believe all of Victory Capital's independent investment franchises are well positioned to take advantage of any short-term valuation dislocations resulting from the current era of heightened volatility.

On the following pages, you will find information relating to your Victory Funds investment. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact your financial advisor. Or, if you invest with us directly, you may call (800) 539-3863, or visit our website at www.vcm.com.

My colleagues and I sincerely appreciate the confidence you have placed in the Victory Funds, and we value the opportunity to help meet your investment goals.

Christopher K. Dyer, CFA

President,

Victory Funds


3



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series

Portfolio Holdings

As a Percentage of Total Investments

Commentary

The Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series ("Fund") seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation. The Fund underperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net) for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018. Emerging markets equities were under pressure for the better part of the year, as the strengthening U.S. dollar, global trade tensions, and tightening financial conditions created significant headwinds for the asset class. Sophus Capital employs a disciplined, bottom-up approach utilizing both quantitative and fundamental processes to invest in businesses that we believe have superior and sustainable earnings growth at attractive valuations, with revisions as the catalyst. By investing in companies with these characteristics, coupled with our risk-managed approach, we seek to provide a more consistent return pattern over time.

Market Overview

The year opened up strong with persistent and pervasive growth around the globe pushing equities higher and contributing to a strong risk on mode. However, as we got further into the year, a stronger U.S. dollar, a more hawkish Federal Reserve with the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury bond eclipsing 3%, the U.S./China trade war escalation, the Turkish and Argentinian currency crises causing fear of contagion across emerging markets, and concerns of slowing growth in China all contributed to a rapid and deep sell-off in emerging markets equities in the middle of the year. Slowing global growth fears grew as it became apparent that the economic growth in the U.S. was not translating globally. These fears escalated with the heightening of the U.S./China trade war mid-year. Global equities experienced a major risk-off episode in October with the worst sell-off since 2012, with emerging markets underperforming. China was among the biggest influencers of the direction of emerging markets for the month as soft macro data, including lower manufacturing and GDP numbers, appeared to confirm fears of an economic slowdown there. Supportive measures announced by the Chinese government and central bank officials, such as a cut in the reserve requirement ratio and the proposal of personal tax cuts, did very little to alleviate these concerns. Rising interest rates, with the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond hitting the highest point since 2011, and the continued strength in the U.S. dollar also continued to weigh on the asset class. A rally in late November and in to December on growing optimism of a trade deal, and a more dovish Fed helped emerging markets equities recover some, but not all, of their losses.

Performance Update

The Fund was down 18.97% versus the MSCI Emerging Market Index (net), which was down 14.58%.


4



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series (continued)

Portfolio Review

By sectors, the largest detractor from performance was stock selection in financials. The largest contributor to relative performance was stock selection in consumer staples. By country, the largest detractor was stock selection in South Korea. The largest contributor was stock selection in Brazil.

Outlook

2018 was a difficult year in emerging markets, to say the least. There was no shortage of headwinds for the asset class, including a stronger dollar. However, there is much to be optimistic about emerging markets for 2019. For starters, we expect the U.S. dollar to weaken, after rising 4.40% in 2018. We see the issues that boosted the dollar last year, namely stronger economic growth in the U.S. and higher interest rates, moderating in 2019 as fiscal stimulus measures have essentially played themselves out. Yet, a weaker dollar is not the only reason for our optimism. We believe the media attention about China's growth declining and the "loss of confidence" by the consumer is overblown. While recent retail sales figures are down, excluding autos, retail sales have been stable, while growth in the consumption of services is skyrocketing. Regarding the U.S./China trade dispute, as of this writing the trade truce that was agreed upon at the G20 meetings in December is ongoing (until March 1, 2019), and it appears the negotiations are moving in a favorable direction. While it is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of the negotiations, even a partial resolution, or at least a stabilization of tariffs, would be viewed favorably by the markets.

Fundamentals continue to be positive across emerging markets, with country balance sheets still in relatively good shape. Corporate earnings growth continues to be healthy, as we are looking for 10%-12% for 2019 and is expected to eclipse earnings growth in the U.S. where the favorable impacts of the tax changes are rolling off. The emerging markets economic growth premium over developed markets contracted in 2018, but we expect that to widen again in 2019. Furthermore, valuations across emerging markets are attractive and roughly 15% below the mean, with the cyclically adjusted price to earnings ratio at roughly 30% below its historical average — a level last seen in late 2016. Finally, the secular trends in emerging markets remain intact with improving demographics and a rising middle class. All of this makes for a compelling reason to own emerging markets as part of a well-diversified portfolio. We continue to find attractive opportunities with the characteristics we seek — superior earnings growth at attractive valuations with revisions as the catalyst.


5



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series (continued)

Average Annual Return

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Class I

 

Inception Date

 

10/17/94

 
    Net Asset
Value
  MSCI Emerging Markets
Index (Net)1
 

One Year

   

–18.97

%

   

–14.58

%

 

Three Year

   

8.91

%

   

9.25

%

 

Five Year

   

1.65

%

   

1.65

%

 

Ten Year

   

8.20

%

   

8.02

%

 

Since Inception

   

6.95

%

   

N/A

   

Expense Ratios

Gross

   

1.33

%

 

With Applicable Waivers

   

1.33

%

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month's end, please visit www.vcm.com.

The above expense ratios are from the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2018 (supplemented on June 29, 2018). Additional information pertaining to the Fund's expense ratios as of December 31, 2018 can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return figures set forth above include all waivers of fees for various periods since inception. Without such fee waivers, the total returns would have been lower. Some fee waivers are voluntary and may be modified or terminated at any time. The total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the total returns would have been lower.

Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series — Growth of $10,000

1The MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity performance of emerging markets. The index reflects the reinvestment of dividends paid on the stocks constituting the index net of withholding taxes. You may not invest in the index and, unlike the Fund, the index does not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

The graph reflects investment of growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.


6



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Common Stocks (96.9%)

 

Australia (0.6%):

 

Materials (0.6%):

 

BHP Billiton Ltd., ADR (b)

   

5,212

   

$

251,688

   

Brazil (7.6%):

 

Communication Services (0.5%):

 

TIM Participacoes SA

   

74,200

     

226,682

   

Consumer Discretionary (2.0%):

 

Construtora Tenda SA

   

30,200

     

249,759

   

Lojas Renner SA

   

33,600

     

366,609

   

Tupy SA

   

44,300

     

229,827

   
     

846,195

   

Energy (1.4%):

 

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

   

44,471

     

578,568

   

Financials (1.5%):

 

Banco Bradesco SA, ADR

   

63,342

     

626,452

   

Health Care (0.6%):

 

Odontoprev SA

   

77,000

     

272,829

   

Materials (0.9%):

 

Vale SA, ADR

   

28,995

     

382,444

   

Real Estate (0.7%):

 

Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA

   

43,800

     

274,486

   
     

3,207,656

   

Chile (0.4%):

 

Energy (0.4%):

 

Empresas COPEC SA

   

13,055

     

157,219

   

China (23.9%):

 

Communication Services (7.5%):

 

Autohome, Inc., ADR

   

2,065

     

161,545

   

Baidu, Inc., ADR (c)

   

2,279

     

361,449

   

NetEase, Inc., ADR

   

1,093

     

257,260

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

59,730

     

2,394,152

   
     

3,174,406

   

Consumer Discretionary (3.7%):

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR (c)

   

10,031

     

1,374,949

   

JNBY Design Ltd.

   

138,500

     

194,127

   
     

1,569,076

   

Consumer Staples (1.7%):

 

Ausnutria Dairy Corp. Ltd. (b)

   

184,000

     

206,614

   

Chlitina Holding Ltd.

   

25,000

     

209,255

   

Want China Holdings Ltd.

   

441,000

     

308,574

   
     

724,443

   

See notes to financial statements.


7



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Energy (0.7%):

 

PetroChina Co. Ltd.

   

506,000

   

$

313,991

   

Financials (6.7%):

 

China Construction Bank Corp.

   

1,366,638

     

1,119,148

   

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.

   

1,147,000

     

815,867

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd.

   

101,000

     

891,080

   
     

2,826,095

   

Health Care (0.3%):

 

3SBio, Inc. (d)

   

94,000

     

120,179

   

Industrials (1.4%):

 

China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd.

   

429,000

     

595,905

   

Materials (1.0%):

 

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd.

   

92,500

     

447,338

   

Utilities (0.9%):

 

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

   

41,000

     

364,422

   
     

10,135,855

   

Greece (0.8%):

 

Communication Services (0.5%):

 

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA

   

19,292

     

210,465

   

Industrials (0.3%):

 

Mytilineos Holdings SA

   

14,765

     

123,013

   
     

333,478

   

Hong Kong (7.6%):

 

Communication Services (1.3%):

 

China Mobile Ltd.

   

55,000

     

532,247

   

Consumer Discretionary (1.1%):

 

Pacific Textiles Holdings

   

259,000

     

230,190

   

Xinyi Glass Holdings Ltd.

   

198,000

     

218,735

   
     

448,925

   

Energy (1.0%):

 

CNOOC Ltd.

   

281,000

     

432,858

   

Health Care (0.4%):

 

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. (b)

   

132,000

     

189,494

   

Industrials (1.1%):

 

NWS Holdings Ltd.

   

236,000

     

484,627

   

Information Technology (0.3%):

 

Kingboard Laminates Holdings Ltd.

   

174,000

     

143,741

   

Real Estate (2.4%):

 

China Resources Land Ltd.

   

88,000

     

338,529

   

Shimao Property Holdings Ltd.

   

248,500

     

661,900

   
     

1,000,429

   
     

3,232,321

   

See notes to financial statements.


8



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Hungary (0.6%):

 

Financials (0.6%):

 

OTP Bank Public Co. Ltd.

   

6,451

   

$

260,918

   

India (8.3%):

 

Consumer Discretionary (0.7%):

 

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

   

25,274

     

290,836

   

Consumer Staples (0.9%):

 

Nestle India Ltd.

   

2,299

     

364,817

   

Energy (1.6%):

 

Reliance Industries Ltd.

   

41,784

     

670,666

   

Financials (0.7%):

 

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co. Ltd.

   

7,463

     

134,582

   

Indusind Bank Ltd.

   

7,578

     

173,538

   
     

308,120

   

Industrials (1.3%):

 

Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

   

26,698

     

549,459

   

Information Technology (1.7%):

 

HCL Technologies Ltd.

   

22,701

     

313,725

   

Infosys Technologies, ADR

   

44,512

     

423,754

   
     

737,479

   

Materials (0.6%):

 

Tata Steel Ltd.

   

34,121

     

254,448

   

Utilities (0.8%):

 

Mahanagar Gas Ltd.

   

25,199

     

326,133

   
     

3,501,958

   

Indonesia (3.0%):

 

Consumer Discretionary (1.1%):

 

PT Astra International TBK

   

415,300

     

238,005

   

PT Sri Rejeki Isman TBK

   

8,956,900

     

223,798

   
     

461,803

   

Consumer Staples (0.7%):

 

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur TBK

   

370,900

     

269,964

   

Financials (1.2%):

 

PT Bank Negara Indonesia Persero TBK

   

842,100

     

516,711

   
     

1,248,478

   

Korea, Republic Of (13.7%):

 

Communication Services (0.5%):

 

LG Uplus Corp.

   

14,160

     

223,807

   

See notes to financial statements.


9



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Consumer Discretionary (3.0%):

 

Fila Korea Ltd.

   

8,246

   

$

398,334

   

Hotel Shilla Co. Ltd. (b)

   

3,998

     

274,256

   

LG Electronics, Inc.

   

6,008

     

336,918

   

Youngone Corp.

   

6,803

     

234,315

   
     

1,243,823

   

Consumer Staples (0.4%):

 

Neopharm Co. Ltd. (c)

   

4,500

     

181,851

   

Energy (0.6%):

 

SK Innovation Co. Ltd.

   

1,558

     

250,104

   

Financials (2.1%):

 

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

   

9,983

     

324,705

   

KB Financial Group, Inc.

   

13,745

     

573,449

   
     

898,154

   

Industrials (1.6%):

 

Doosan Infracore Co. Ltd. (c)

   

41,587

     

283,351

   

Samsung Engineering Co., Ltd. (c)

   

25,416

     

401,418

   
     

684,769

   

Information Technology (5.5%):

 

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd.

   

2,139

     

199,419

   

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

   

61,523

     

2,141,913

   
     

2,341,332

   
     

5,823,840

   

Malaysia (1.1%):

 

Financials (0.6%):

 

Ammb Holdings Berhad

   

246,900

     

258,990

   

Industrials (0.5%):

 

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad

   

108,700

     

220,323

   
     

479,313

   

Mexico (1.9%):

 

Consumer Discretionary (0.2%):

 

El Puerto de Liverpool Sab de CV

   

12,278

     

78,844

   

Financials (1.3%):

 

Banco del Bajio SA (d)

   

60,464

     

118,080

   

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV

   

87,645

     

427,256

   
     

545,336

   

Materials (0.4%):

 

Alpek SAB de CV (c)

   

158,998

     

194,622

   
     

818,802

   

Philippines (0.4%):

 

Financials (0.4%):

 

Metro Pacific Investments Co.

   

2,004,000

     

176,387

   

See notes to financial statements.


10



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Poland (0.5%):

 

Financials (0.5%):

 

Bank Pekao SA

   

6,473

   

$

188,839

   

Russian Federation (3.7%):

 

Energy (1.9%):

 

LUKOIL PJSC, ADR

   

11,183

     

797,977

   
     

797,977

   

Financials (0.6%):

 

Sberbank of Russia PJSC, ADR

   

25,244

     

276,451

   

Materials (0.5%):

 

ALROSA AO

   

150,400

     

212,448

   

Utilities (0.7%):

 

Inter RAO UES PJSC

   

5,304,000

     

295,232

   
     

1,582,108

   

Saudi Arabia (0.8%):

 

Financials (0.8%):

 

Al Rajhi Bank

   

13,757

     

320,615

   

South Africa (6.8%):

 

Communication Services (1.5%):

 

Naspers Ltd.

   

3,168

     

635,894

   

Consumer Discretionary (0.5%):

 

The Foschini Group Ltd.

   

19,873

     

230,078

   

Consumer Staples (0.7%):

 

The SPAR Group Ltd.

   

19,924

     

287,767

   

Financials (2.9%):

 

Absa Group Ltd.

   

49,515

     

557,150

   

Capitec Bank Holdings Ltd.

   

4,629

     

359,628

   

Nedbank Group Ltd.

   

16,437

     

314,290

   
     

1,231,068

   

Materials (0.6%):

 

AngloGold Ashanti, Ltd.

   

18,466

     

235,182

   

Real Estate (0.6%):

 

Growthpoint Properties, Ltd.

   

162,339

     

264,545

   
     

2,884,534

   

Taiwan (10.6%):

 

Consumer Staples (0.7%):

 

TCI Co. Ltd.

   

17,843

     

300,259

   

Financials (2.3%):

 

CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

   

941,000

     

618,948

   

Yuanta Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

   

702,000

     

352,928

   
     

971,876

   

See notes to financial statements.


11



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Industrials (0.6%):

 

Far Eastern New Century Corp.

   

264,000

   

$

239,761

   

Information Technology (6.2%):

 

Chipbond Technology Corp.

   

124,000

     

248,996

   

Elite Material Co. Ltd.

   

52,000

     

111,232

   

Largan Precision Co. Ltd.

   

3,000

     

313,045

   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   

270,259

     

1,962,477

   
     

2,635,750

   

Materials (0.8%):

 

Formosa Plastics Corp.

   

102,000

     

335,284

   
     

4,482,930

   

Thailand (3.3%):

 

Energy (0.8%):

 

PTT Exploration & Production

   

104,200

     

361,641

   

Financials (1.3%):

 

Bangkok Bank PCL

   

60,600

     

378,238

   

TMB Bank Public Corp.

   

2,469,200

     

166,989

   
     

545,227

   

Health Care (0.6%):

 

Bumrungrad Hospital PCL

   

45,400

     

261,349

   

Materials (0.6%):

 

Indorama Ventures

   

140,800

     

234,986

   
     

1,403,203

   

United Arab Emirates (0.8%):

 

Financials (0.8%):

 

National Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC

   

92,527

     

355,206

   

United Kingdom (0.5%):

 

Materials (0.5%):

 

Anglo American PLC

   

9,922

     

221,829

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $39,094,657)

   

41,067,177

   

Preferred Stocks (2.4%)

 

Brazil (2.4%):

 

Financials (2.0%):

 

Itau Unibanco Holding S.A.

   

93,250

     

853,535

   

Industrials (0.4%):

 

Randon SA Implementos e Participacoes

   

79,800

     

190,554

   
     

1,044,089

   

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $922,901)

   

1,044,089

   

See notes to financial statements.


12



Victory Variable Insurance Funds
Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series
  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Security Description

 

Shares

  Fair
Value(a)
 

Collateral for Securities Loaned^ (1.5%)

 

United States (1.5%):

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds TempFund Portfolio, Institutional Class, 2.49% (e)

   

118,380

   

$

118,380

   

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Class I, 2.28% (e)

   

171,053

     

171,053

   

Fidelity Investments Prime Money Market Portfolio, Class I, 2.46% (e)

   

5,282

     

5,282

   
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Prime Obligations Fund,
Institutional Class, 2.55% (e)
   

65,767

     

65,767

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, Capital Class, 2.49% (e)

   

105,221

     

105,221

   
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Prime Portfolio,
Institutional Class, 2.58% (e)
   

157,841

     

157,841

   

Total Collateral for Securities Loaned (Cost $623,544)

   

623,544

   

Total Investments (Cost $40,641,102) — 100.8%

   

42,734,810

   

Liabilities in excess of other assets — (0.8)%

   

(350,015

)

 

NET ASSETS — 100.00%

 

$

42,384,795

   

^  Purchased with cash collateral from securities on loan.

(a)  All securities, except those traded on exchanges in the United States (including ADRs) and Mexico were fair valued at December 31, 2018. See Note 2 for further information.

(b)  All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)  Non-income producing security.

(d)  Rule 144A security or other security that is restricted as to resale to institutional investors. The Fund's Adviser has deemed this security to be liquid based upon procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. As of December 31, 2018, the fair value of these securities was $238,259 and amounted to 0.6% of net assets.

(e)  Rate disclosed is the daily yield on December 31, 2018.

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

PCL — Public Company Limited

PLC — Public Limited Company

See notes to financial statements.


13



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2018
 
    Victory
Sophus Emerging
Markets VIP
Series
 

ASSETS:

 

Investments, at value (Cost $40,641,102)

 

$

42,734,810

(a)

 

Foreign currency, at value (Cost $7,671)

   

7,655

   

Cash and cash equivalents

   

225,865

   

Interest and dividends receivable

   

167,857

   

Receivable for capital shares issued

   

2,676

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

231,273

   

Reclaims receivable

   

532

   

Total Assets

   

43,370,668

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Payables:

 

Collateral received on loaned securities

   

623,544

   

Accrued foreign capital gains taxes

   

2,432

   

Investments purchased

   

119,842

   

Capital shares redeemed

   

141,811

   

Accrued expenses and other payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

44,556

   

Administration fees

   

2,239

   

Custodian fees

   

17,478

   

Transfer agent fees

   

49

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

98

   

Trustees' fees

   

43

   

Other accrued expenses

   

33,781

   

Total Liabilities

   

985,873

   

NET ASSETS:

 

Capital

   

37,815,860

   

Total distributable earnings/(loss)

   

4,568,935

   

Net Assets

 

$

42,384,795

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, with a par value
of $0.001 per share):
   

3,118,711

   

Net asset value:

 

$

13.59

   

(a)  Includes $596,120 of securities on loan.

See notes to financial statements.


14



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
    Victory
Sophus Emerging
Markets VIP
Series
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends

 

$

1,499,545

   

Interest

   

3,383

   

Securities lending (net of fees)

   

11,560

   

Foreign tax withholding

   

(153,588

)

 

Total Income

   

1,360,900

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

553,678

   

Administration fees

   

33,115

   

Custodian fees

   

70,340

   

Transfer agent fees

   

317

   

Trustees' fees

   

5,205

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

495

   

Legal and audit fees

   

36,448

   

Interest expense on line of credit

   

278

   

Interest expense on interfund lending

   

377

   

Other expenses

   

34,731

   

Recoupment of prior expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser

   

8,198

   

Total Expenses

   

743,182

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

617,718

   

Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Investment Transactions:

 
Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions and foreign
currency translations
   

2,023,055

   

Foreign taxes on realized gains

   

(65,888

)

 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and
foreign currency translations
   

(12,889,962

)

 

Net change in accrued foreign taxes on unrealized gains

   

(32,019

)

 

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   

(10,964,814

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

(10,347,096

)

 

See notes to financial statements.


15



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
    Victory Sophus Emerging
Markets VIP Series
 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
 

From Investment Activities:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

617,718

   

$

589,559

   

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

1,957,167

     

9,014,684

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments
   

(12,921,981

)

   

10,215,009

   

Change in net assets resulting from operations

   

(10,347,096

)

   

19,819,252

   

Distributions to Shareholders: (a)

 

Change in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

   

(4,578,069

)

   

(505,562

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   

(5,239,557

)

   

(5,398,302

)

 

Change in net assets

   

(20,164,722

)

   

13,915,388

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

62,549,517

     

48,634,129

   

End of period

 

$

42,384,795

   

$

62,549,517

   

Capital Transactions:

 

Proceeds from shares issued

 

$

3,506,148

   

$

4,463,681

   

Distributions reinvested

   

4,578,069

     

505,562

   

Cost of shares redeemed

   

(13,323,774

)

   

(10,367,545

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

 

$

(5,239,557

)

 

$

(5,398,302

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Issued

   

186,585

     

271,586

   

Reinvested

   

338,686

     

27,283

   

Redeemed

   

(735,217

)

   

(637,452

)

 

Change in Shares

   

(209,946

)

   

(338,583

)

 

(a)  Current and prior year distributions to shareholders have been reclassified and conform to amended GAAP presentation under Regulation S-X (See Item 10 in the Notes to Financial Statements).

See notes to financial statements.


16



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

Financial Highlights

 

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   

Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2015
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

18.79

   

$

13.26

   

$

11.99

   

$

13.81

   

$

14.79

   

Investment Activities:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

0.20

(a)

   

0.17

(a)

   

0.12

(a)

   

0.13

(a)

   

0.14

   
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments
   

(3.79

)

   

5.51

     

1.14

     

(1.89

)

   

(0.70

)

 

Total from Investment Activities

   

(3.59

)

   

5.68

     

1.26

     

(1.76

)

   

(0.56

)

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.15

)

 

Net realized gains from investments

   

(1.47

)

   

     

     

     

(0.27

)

 
Total Distributions to
Shareholders
   

(1.61

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.42

)

 
Capital Contributions from Prior
Custodian, Net (See Note 8)
   

     

     

0.13

     

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

13.59

   

$

18.79

   

$

13.26

   

$

11.99

   

$

13.81

   

Total Return (b)

   

(18.97

)%

   

42.88

%

   

11.57

%(c)

   

(12.74

)%

   

(3.71

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets at end of period (000)

 

$

42,385

   

$

62,550

   

$

48,634

   

$

48,426

   

$

62,782

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

1.34

%

   

1.33

%

   

1.34

%

   

1.35

%

   

1.35

%

 
Ratio of net investment income (loss)
to average net assets
   

1.12

%

   

1.03

%

   

0.98

%

   

0.92

%

   

0.94

%

 

Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets

   

1.34

%

   

1.33

%

   

1.35

%(d)

   

1.35

%

   

1.35

%

 

Portfolio turnover

   

105

%

   

99

%

   

102

%

   

123

%

   

135

%

 

(a)  Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)  Total returns do not reflect the effects of charges deducted pursuant to the terms of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc.'s variable contracts. Inclusion of such charges would reduce the total returns for all periods shown.

(c)  The Fund received monies related to a nonrecurring refund from the prior Custodian. The corresponding impact to the total return was less than 0.95% for the period shown. (See Note 8)

(d)  During the period, certain fees were reduced and/or reimbursed. If such fee reductions and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

See notes to financial statements.


17



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2018
 

1. Organization:

Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust") was organized on February 11, 1998 as a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified open-end investment company. The Trust is comprised of nine funds and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, which are units of beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share.

The accompanying financial statements are those of the Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series (the "Fund"). The Fund offers a single class of shares: Class I Shares. Sales of shares of the Fund may only be made to certain separate accounts of The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. ("GIAC") that fund certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts issued by GIAC. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America ("Guardian Life").

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund follows the specialized accounting and reporting requirements under GAAP that are applicable to investment companies.

Investment Valuation:

The Fund records investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The valuation techniques described below maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund's investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

• Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

• Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities or interest rates applicable to those securities, etc.)

• Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The inputs or methodologies used for valuation techniques are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with entering into those investments.

Portfolio securities listed or traded on securities exchanges, American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and Rights, are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, if available, or at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price. If there have been no sales for that day on the exchange or system, then a security is valued at the last available bid quotation on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.


18



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

Investments for which there are no such quotations, or for which quotations do not appear reliable, are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board"). These valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, based on the observability of inputs used to determine the fair value.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Board, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time the Fund's net asset value is calculated. The Fund uses a systematic valuation model, provided daily by an independent third party to fair value their international equity securities. These valuations are considered as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

A summary of the valuations as of December 31, 2018, based upon the three levels defined above, is included in the table below while the breakdown, by category, of investments is disclosed in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments:

    LEVEL 1 —
Quoted Prices
  LEVEL 2 —
Other Significant
Observable Inputs
 

Total

 
    Investments
in
Securities
  Other
Financial
Investments
  Investments
in
Securities
  Investments
in
Securities
  Other
Financial
Investments
 

Common Stocks

 

$

5,987,550

(a)

 

$

   

$

35,079,627

   

$

41,067,177

   

$

   

Preferred Stocks

   

     

     

1,044,089

     

1,044,089

     

   

Collateral for Securities Loaned

   

623,544

     

     

     

623,544

     

   

Total

 

$

6,611,094

   

$

   

$

36,123,716

   

$

42,734,810

   

$

   

(a)  All securities categorized as Mexico and all ADRs.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

Investment Transactions and Related Income:

Changes in holdings of investments are accounted for no later than one business day following the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, however, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date on the last business day of the reporting period. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

Withholding taxes on interest, dividends and gains as a result of certain investments in ADRs by the Fund have been provided for in accordance with each investment's applicable country's tax rules and rates.

Securities Lending:

The Trust has entered into a Master Securities Lending Agreement ("MSLA") with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank" or the "Agent"). Under the terms of the MSLA, the Fund may lend securities to certain broker-dealers and banks in exchange for collateral in the amount of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned or at least 105% of the value of non-U.S. securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls associated with increases in the valuation of the securities loaned are adjusted the next business day. The collateral can be received in the form of cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral can include U.S. Government Securities, letters of credit and certificates of deposit. The cash collateral is invested in short-term instruments or cash equivalents as noted on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Trust does not have effective control of the non-cash collateral and therefore it is not disclosed in the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund continues to benefit from interest or dividends on the securities loaned and may also earn a return from the collateral. The Fund pays various fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral.


19



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

The Fund pays the Agent fees based on the investment income received from securities lending activities. Securities lending income is disclosed in the Fund's Statement of Operations. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral, the Fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return them.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under the MSLA, which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances such as an event of default, to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty to create a net payment due to or from the Fund.

The following table is a summary of the Fund's securities lending transactions which are subject to offset under the MSLA as of December 31, 2018. These transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings with an overnight and continuous contractual maturity for cash collateral, and greater than overnight and continuous contractual maturity for non-cash collateral.

Gross
Amount of
Recognized
Assets
(Value of
  Value of
Cash
  Value of Non-cash Collateral
Received by Maturity
     
Securities
on Loan)
  Collateral
Received
 

<30 Days

  Between 30 &
90 Days
 

>90 Days

 

Net Amount

 
$

596,120

   

$

623,544

   

$

   

$

1,232

   

$

   

$

28,656

   

Foreign Currency Translations:

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities of the Fund denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates on the date of the transactions. The Fund does not isolate the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are disclosed as net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations on the Statement of Operations. Any realized gains or losses from these fluctuations are disclosed as net realized gains or losses from investments and foreign currency translations on the Statement of Operations.

Foreign Taxes:

The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes related to foreign income received (a portion of which may be reclaimable), capital gains on the sale of securities, and certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the Fund invests.

Dividends to Shareholders:

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually by the Fund. Distributable net realized gains, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually.

The amounts of dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. To the extent these "book/tax" differences are permanent in nature (e.g., net operating loss, distribution reclassification, and deemed distribution due to shareholder redemptions), such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales) do not require reclassification. To the extent dividends and distributions exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of capital. Net investment losses incurred by the Fund may be reclassified as an offset to capital on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.


20



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

As of December 31, 2018, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, there are no permanent book-to-tax differences reclassification adjustments.

Federal Income Taxes:

It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements. The Fund has a tax year end of December 31.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Allocations:

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund, while expenses which are attributable to more than one fund in the Trust, or jointly with an affiliated trust, are allocated among the respective funds in the Trust and/or affiliated trust based upon net assets or another appropriate basis.

Affiliated Securities Transactions:

Pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may engage in securities transactions with affiliated investment companies and advisory accounts managed by the Adviser and any applicable sub-adviser. Any such purchase or sale transaction must be effected without brokerage commission or other remuneration, except for customary transfer fees. The transaction must be effected at the current market price, which is either the security's last sale price on an exchange or, if there are no transactions in the security that day, at the average of the highest bid and lowest asked price. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not engage in any Rule 17a-7 transactions under the 1940 Act.

3. Purchases and Sales of Securities:

Purchases and sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) for the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows for the Fund:

Purchases  

Sales

 
$

57,301,898

   

$

66,277,818

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government Securities.

4. Fees and Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties:

Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by Victory Capital Management Inc. ("VCM" or the "Adviser"), a New York corporation registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings Inc., a publicly traded Delaware corporation, and a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Victory Capital Operating, LLC.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may use its resources to assist with the Fund's distribution and marketing expenses.

VCM also serves as the Fund's administrator and fund accountant. Under an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement, VCM is paid for its services an annual fee at a rate of 0.08% of the first $15 billion in average daily net assets of the Trust, Victory Portfolios and Victory Portfolios II


21



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

(collectively, the "Trusts"), 0.05% of the average daily net assets above $15 billion to $30 billion of the Trusts and 0.04% of the average daily net assets over $30 billion of the Trusts.

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. ("Citi"), an affiliate of Citibank, N.A., acts as sub-administrator and sub-fund accountant to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement between VCM and Citi. VCM pays Citi a fee for providing these services. The Trust reimburses VCM and Citi for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

FIS Investor Services, LLC ("FIS") serves as the Fund's transfer agent. Under the Transfer Agent Agreement, the Trust pays FIS a fee for its services and reimburses FIS for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

The Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") is an employee of the Adviser, which pays the compensation of the CCO and his support staff. The Trust has entered into an Agreement to provide compliance services with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes its compliance personnel, including the services of the CCO, and other resources reasonably necessary to provide the Trust with compliance oversight services related to the design, administration and oversight of a compliance program for the Trust in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Funds in the Trust, Victory Portfolios, Victory Institutional Funds and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Victory Funds Complex"), in the aggregate, compensate the Adviser for these services.

The Victory Funds Complex pays an annual retainer to each Independent Trustee, plus an additional annual retainer to the Chairman of the Board. The aggregate amount of the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees are allocated amongst all the funds in the Victory Funds Complex and are presented in the Statement of Operations.

Shearman & Sterling LLP provides legal services to the Trust.

Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor for the continuous offering of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust.

The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation agreement with the Fund until at least April 30, 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, to the extent that ordinary operating expenses incurred by the Fund in any fiscal year exceed the expense limit for the Fund, such excess amounts will be the liability of the Adviser. Interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund's business are excluded from the expense limitation agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the expense limit (excluding voluntary waivers) is 1.35%.

The Fund has agreed to repay fees and expenses that were waived or reimbursed by the Adviser for a period up to three fiscal years after such waiver or reimbursement was made to the extent such payments or repayments would not cause the expenses of a class to exceed the original expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement or any expense limitation agreement in place at the time of repayment. Amounts repaid to the Adviser during the year ended December 31, 2018, if any, are reflected on the Statement of Operations as "Recoupment of prior expenses waived/reimbursed by Adviser". As of December 31, 2018, there are no amounts available to be repaid to the Adviser.

The Adviser may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees to assist the Fund in maintaining a competitive expense ratio. Voluntary waivers and reimbursements applicable to the Fund are not available to be recouped at a future time. There were no voluntary waivers or reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Certain officers and/or interested trustees of the Fund are also officers and/or employees of the Adviser, Administrator, Fund Accountant, Sub-Administrator, Sub-Fund Accountant, and Legal.


22



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

5. Risks:

The Fund may be subject to other risks in addition to these identified risks.

An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, some of which will be traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests may affect the value of the Fund's shares. An investment in the Fund's shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of the Fund's distributions.

The Fund will be subject to foreign securities risk. Foreign securities (including ADRs and other depository receipts) are subject to political, regulatory, and economic risks not present in domestic investments. In addition, when the Fund buys securities denominated in a foreign currency, there are special risks such as changes in currency exchange rates and the risk that a foreign government could regulate foreign exchange transactions. In addition, to the extent investments are made in a limited number of countries, events in those countries will have a more significant impact on the Fund.

The Fund will be subject to emerging market risk. Risk of investment in emerging markets include greater political and economic instability, greater volatility in currency exchange rates, less developed securities markets, possible trade barriers, currency transfer restrictions, a more limited number of potential buyers and issuers, an emerging market country's dependence on revenue from particular commodities or international aid, less governmental supervision and regulation, unavailability of currency hedging techniques, differences in auditing and financial reporting standards and less developed legal systems.

The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties for financial instruments entered into by the Fund. The Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties. The Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and the Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The Fund typically enters into transactions with counterparties whose credit ratings are investment grade, as determined by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

6. Borrowing and Interfund Lending:

Line of Credit:

The Victory Funds Complex participates in a short-term, demand note "Line of Credit" agreement with Citibank. Under the agreement with Citibank, the Victory Funds Complex may borrow up to $250 million, of which $100 million is committed and $150 million is uncommitted. $40 million of the Line of Credit is reserved for use by the Victory Floating Rate Fund, another series of the Victory Funds Complex, with that Fund paying the related commitment fees for that amount. The purpose of the agreement is to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. The current agreement was amended on July 27, 2018 with a new termination date of July 26, 2019. Citibank receives an annual commitment fee of 0.15% on $100 million for providing the Line of Credit. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Citibank earned approximately $150,000 in commitment fees from the Victory Funds Complex. Each fund in the Victory Funds Complex pays a pro-rata portion of the commitment fees plus any interest on amounts borrowed. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on line of credit.


23



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

The average loans for the days outstanding and average interest rate for the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

Amount
Outstanding at
December 31, 2018
  Average
Borrowing*
  Days
Borrowing
Outstanding
  Average
Interest
Rate*
  Maximum
Borrowing During
the Period
 
$

   

$

1,100,000

     

3

     

3.08

%

 

$

1,600,000

   

*  For the year ended December 31, 2018, based on the number of days borrowings were outstanding.

Interfund Lending:

The Trust and Adviser rely on an exemptive order granted by the SEC in March 2017 (the "Order"), permitting the establishment and operation of an Interfund Lending Facility (the "Facility"). The Facility allows the Fund to directly lend and borrow money to or from any other Victory Fund relying upon the Order at rates beneficial to both the borrowing and lending funds. Advances under the Facility are allowed for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities, and are subject to each Fund's borrowing restrictions. The interfund loan rate is determined, as specified in the Order, by averaging the current repurchase agreement rate and the current bank loan rate. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on interfund lending.

The average loans for the days outstanding and average interest rate for the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

Borrower or Lender   Amount
Outstanding
at
December 31, 2018
  Average
Borrowing*
  Days
Borrowing
Outstanding
  Average
Interest
Rate*
  Maximum
Borrowing During
the Period
 
Borrower  

$

   

$

221,391

     

23

     

2.70

%

 

$

391,000

   

*  For the year ended December 31, 2018, based on the number of days borrowings were outstanding.

7. Federal Income Tax Information:

The tax character of distributions paid during the tax years ended, as noted below, were as follows (total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because, for tax purposes, dividends are recognized when actually paid).

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Distributions paid from

 
Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
$

437,091

   

$

4,140,978

   

$

4,578,069

   

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 

Distributions paid from

 
Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
$

505,562

   

$

   

$

505,562

   


24



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital
Gains
  Accumulated
Earnings
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)*
  Total
Accumulated
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
$

457,781

   

$

2,248,688

   

$

2,706,469

   

$

1,862,466

   

$

4,568,935

   

*  The difference between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

During the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not utilize capital loss carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2018, the cost basis for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments were as follows:

Cost of
Investments
for Federal
Tax Purposes
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
$

40,870,239

   

$

15,670,554

   

$

(13,805,983

)

 

$

1,864,571

   

8. Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian:

During 2016, the Fund received notification from the Fund's prior custodian, State Street Bank and Trust ("State Street"), related to over-billing on certain categories of expenses during the approximately 16-year period from 1998 through October 31, 2014. The over-billing primarily related to categories of expenses that involved an allocation of general costs among multiple clients.

State Street paid the refunded amounts during January 2017. Based on billing information received during 2016 from State Street and an analysis of any expense limitation agreements that were in place during the period of the over-billing, including the application of any recoupment provisions in such agreements, the Adviser received a portion of the refund.

The portion of the refund retained by the Fund was accounted for as a capital contribution and is reflected on the Financial Highlights as "Capital Contribution from Prior Custodian, Net".

9. Fund Ownership:

Ownership of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2018, the shareholders listed below held more than 25% of the shares outstanding of the Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund.

Shareholder  

Percent

 
GIAC    

99.5

%

 

10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In October 2016, the SEC released its Final Rules on Investment Company Reporting Modernization (the "Rules"). The Rules introduced two new regulatory reporting forms for investment companies, Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-PORT was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing with the SEC on Form N-PORT for the period ending March 31, 2019. Effective with the period ended June 30, 2018, the Fund was required to maintain, and make available to the SEC upon request, the information required to be included in Form N-PORT. Form N-PORT will replace Form N-Q filings effective with the requirement to file the Form N-PORT with the SEC for the period ending March 31, 2019. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-CEN was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing on Form N-CEN for the period ended December 31, 2018. Form N-CEN


25



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Notes to Financial Statements — continued
December 31, 2018
 

will replace Form N-SAR filings. The Fund's adoption of these amendments have no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurements" ("ASU 2018-13"). This update makes certain removals from, changes to and additions to existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 does not change fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. ASU 2018-13 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, the Fund has early adopted ASU 2018-13 with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018.

In August 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain financial statement disclosure requirements to conform them to GAAP for investment companies. These amendments made certain disclosure requirements effective under Regulation S-X. The Fund's adoption of these amendments, effective with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018 had no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations. As a result of adopting these amendments, the distributions to shareholders in the December 31, 2017 Statements of Changes in Net Assets presented herein have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes all distributions to each class of shareholders, other than tax basis return of capital distributions, in one line item per share class. Distributions to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 from net investment income and net realized gains in the Fund were as follows:

Distributions to Shareholders:

From net investment income:

 

$

(505,562

)

 

From net Realized Gains:

   

   

11. Subsequent Events:

The Fund has evaluated the need for additional disclosures or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, there were no subsequent events to report that would have a material impact on the Fund's financial statements.


26



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Victory Sophus Emerging Markets VIP Series (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting the Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2018, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the funds constituting the Trust) at December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The financial highlights of the Fund for each of the periods presented through December 31, 2015 were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 22, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Victory Capital's investment companies since 1995.

Cincinnati, Ohio
February 15, 2019


27



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Trustee and Officer Information

Board of Trustees:

Overall responsibility for management of the Trust rests with the Board. The Trust is managed by the Board in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. There are currently ten Trustees, nine of whom are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees") and one of whom is an "interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Interested Trustee"). The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust to actively supervise its day-to-day operations.

The following tables list the Trustees, their ages, position with the Trust, commencement of service, principal occupations during the past five years and any directorships of other investment companies or companies whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or who file reports under that Act. Each Trustee oversees nine portfolios in the Trust, one portfolio in Victory Institutional Funds, 42 portfolios in Victory Portfolios and 20 portfolios in Victory Portfolios II, each a registered investment company that, together with the Trust, comprise the Victory Funds Complex. Each Trustee's address is c/o Victory Variable Insurance Funds, 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. Each Trustee has an indefinite term.

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Independent Trustees.

 

David Brooks Adcock, 67

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Consultant (since 2006).

 

Chair and Trustee, Turner Funds (December 2016-December 2017).

 

Nigel D.T. Andrews, 71

 

Vice Chair and Trustee

 

August 2002

 

Retired.

 

Director, TCG BDC II, Inc. (since 2017); Director, TCG BDC I, Inc. (formerly Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc.) (since 2012); Director, Old Mutual US Asset Management (2002-2014).

 

E. Lee Beard, 67*

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Retired (since 2015); Consultant, The Henlee Group, LLC (consulting) (2005-2015).

 

None.

 

Dennis M. Bushe, 75

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Retired.

 

Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2011-July 2016).

 


28



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Name and Age

  Position
Held with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other
Directorships
Held During
Past 5 Years
 

Sally M. Dungan, 64

 

Trustee

 

February 2011

 

Chief Investment Officer, Tufts University (since 2002).

 

None.

 

John L. Kelly, 65

 

Trustee

 

February 2015

 

Partner, McCarvill Capital Partners (September 2016-September 2017); Advisor (January 2016-April 2016) and Managing Partner (August 2014-January 2016), Endgate Commodities LLC; Chief Operating Officer, Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (2011-2014).

 

Director, Caledonia Mining Corporation (since May 2012).

 

David L. Meyer, 61*

 

Trustee

 

December 2008

 

Retired.

 

None.

 

Gloria S. Nelund, 57

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Chair, CEO and Co-Founder of TriLinc Global, LLC, an investment firm.

 

TriLinc Global Impact Fund, LLC (since 2012); Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2007-July 2016).

 

Leigh A. Wilson, 74

 

Chair and Trustee

 

February 1998

 

Private Investor.

 

Chair (since 2013), Caledonia Mining Corporation.

 

Interested Trustee.

 

David C. Brown, 46**

 

Trustee

 

May 2008

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2013), Co-Chief Executive Officer (2011-2013), the Adviser; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (since 2013).

 

None.

 

*  The Board has designated Mr. Meyer and Ms. Beard as its Audit Committee Financial Experts.

**  Mr. Brown is an "Interested Person" by reason of his relationship with the Adviser.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, by calling 800-539-3863.


29



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Officers:

The officers of the Trust, their ages, commencement of service and their principal occupations during the past five years, are detailed in the following table. Each officer serves until the earlier of his or her resignation, removal, retirement, death, or the election of a successor. The mailing address of each officer of the Trust is 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. The officers of the Trust receive no compensation directly from the Trust for performing the duties of their offices.

Name and Age

  Position with
the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

 

Christopher K. Dyer, 57

 

President

 

February 2006*

 

Director of Mutual Fund Administration, the Adviser.

 

Scott A. Stahorsky, 49

 

Vice President

 

December 2014

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2015); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2015).

 

Erin G. Wagner, 45

 

Secretary

 

December 2014

 

Associate General Counsel, the Adviser (since 2013).

 

Allan Shaer, 53

 

Treasurer

 

May 2017

 

Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (since 2016); Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, JP Morgan Chase (2011-2016).

 

Christopher A. Ponte, 34

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

December 2017

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2017); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2017); Chief Financial Officer, Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (since 2018).

 

Colin Kinney, 45

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

July 2017

 

Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013) and Chief Risk Officer (2009-2017), the Adviser.

 

Chuck Booth, 58

 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Officer

 

May 2015

 

Director, Regulatory Administration and CCO Support Services, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

 

Jay G. Baris, 65

 

Assistant Secretary

 

February 1998

 

Partner, Shearman & Sterling LLP (since 2018); Partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP (2011-2017).

 

*  On December 3, 2014, Mr. Dyer resigned as Secretary of the Trust and accepted the position of President.


30



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

Proxy Voting:

Information regarding the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-539-3863. The information is also included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Information relating to how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Availability of Schedules of Portfolio Investments:

The Trust expects to file a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT beginning March 1, 2019. Prior to that date, the Trust has filed a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-PORT and Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Expense Examples

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

The Actual Expense figures in the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

The Hypothetical Expense figures in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

Beginning
Account Value
7/1/18
  Actual
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Hypothetical
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Actual
Expenses
Paid During
Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Hypothetical
Expenses
Paid During
Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

849.20

   

$

1,017.95

   

$

6.71

   

$

7.32

     

1.44

%

 

*  Expenses are equal to the average account value multiplied by the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by 184/365 (the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year).


31



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund paid qualified dividend income for purposes of reduced individual federal income tax rates of 83%.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund designated long-term capital gain distributions in the amount of $4,140,978.

The Fund intends to elect to pass through to shareholders the income tax credit for taxes paid to foreign countries. Foreign source income and foreign tax expense per shares outstanding on December 31, 2018 were $0.42 and $0.20, respectively.


32



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

Considerations of the Board in Continuing the Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement")

The Board approved the Agreement on behalf of the Series at a meeting, which was called for that purpose, on December 5, 2018. The Board also considered information relating to the Series and the Agreement provided throughout the year and, more specifically, at a meeting on October 23, 2018. The Board noted that prior to the Series' reorganization on July 29, 2016, the Series was managed by RS Investment Management Co. LLC, which was acquired by the Adviser on July 29, 2016. In considering whether to approve the Agreement, the Board requested, and the Adviser provided, information that the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to reach its conclusions. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated this information along with other information obtained throughout the year and was advised by legal counsel to the Series and by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition, in 2017 the Independent Trustees, through their counsel, retained an independent consultant to assist with a review of the overall process for conducting the annual review of these advisory arrangements. The Board considered the Series' advisory fee, expense ratio and investment performance as significant factors in determining whether the Agreement should be continued. In considering whether the compensation paid to the Adviser was fair and reasonable, the Board also evaluated, among other things, the following factors:

•  The requirements of the Series for the services provided by the Adviser;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the services provided and expected to be provided;

•  The performance of the Series as compared to comparable funds;

•  The fees payable for the services and whether the fee arrangements provided for economies of scale that would benefit Series shareholders as the Series grows;

•  Whether the fee would be sufficient to enable the Adviser to attract and retain experienced personnel and continue to provide quality services to the Series;

•  Fees paid by other clients of the Adviser whose accounts are managed in a similar investment style and any differences in the services provided to the other clients compared to those provided to the Series;

•  Total expenses of the Series, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees;

•  Management's commitment to operating the Series at competitive expense levels;

•  The profitability of the Adviser (as reflected by comparing fees earned against an estimate of the Adviser's costs) with respect to the Adviser's relationship with the Series;

•  Research and other service benefits received by the Adviser obtained through payment of client commissions for securities transactions;

•  Other benefits received by the Adviser, and its affiliates, including revenues paid to the Adviser, or its affiliates, by the Series for administration and fund accounting services, and distribution;

•  The capabilities and financial condition of the Adviser;

•  Current economic and industry trends; and

•  The historical relationship between the Series and the Adviser.

The Board reviewed the Series' current management fee, comprised of the advisory fee plus the administrative services fee paid to the Adviser, in the context of the Adviser's profitability of the Series. In addition, the Board compared the Series' total operating expense ratio on a net and gross basis, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees and management fees with a universe of comparable mutual funds compiled by an independent consultant, FUSE Research Network, LLC ("FUSE"), and a peer group of funds with similar investment strategies selected by FUSE from the universe. The Board reviewed the factors and methodology used by FUSE in the selection of the Series' peer group, including FUSE's selection of a broad universe of funds using the standard Retail Morningstar Categories, the more specific universe of comparable funds, and peer groups of funds with comparable investment strategies and asset levels, among other factors. The Board also reviewed any changes to FUSE's methodology as compared to the prior year, including as a result of input from the Adviser, if any. The Board also reviewed fees and other information related to the Adviser's management of similarly managed institutional or private accounts, and the differences in the services


33



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

  Supplemental Information — continued
December 31, 2018
 

  (Unaudited)

provided to the other accounts, to the extent applicable. The Board noted that the advisory fee arrangements for the Series do not include breakpoints, which are generally viewed as a method by which the investment adviser shares any economies of scale with a fund as a fund grows. The Board also considered the Adviser's commitment to limit expenses as discussed in more detail below.

The Board reviewed the Series' performance over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods against the performance of the Series' selected peer group and benchmark index. The Board recognized that the performance of the Series and the peer group funds are net of expenses, while the performance of the benchmark index is gross returns. The Board considered the additional resources that the Adviser has committed to enhance portfolio analysis, compliance and trading systems. The Board noted that, following the Series' reorganization, the Series is managed by substantially the same investment management team that managed the comparable predecessor fund.

The Board reviewed various other specific factors with respect to the Series, as described below. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not rank the importance of any particular information or factor considered and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

The Board concluded that the Series' gross annual management fee was reasonable as compared to the median gross management fee charged to the funds in the Series' peer group. The Board noted that the Series' net annual expense ratio, taking into account any shareholder servicing or distribution fees, was reasonable as compared to the median expense ratio for the peer group. The Board considered the Adviser's contractual agreement to waive its fees and reimburse expenses for a specified period of time, as described in the Series' prospectus. The Board then compared the Series' performance for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2018, to that of the median performance of the peer group and benchmark index for the same periods and considered the fact that the Series outperformed both the benchmark index and the peer group for all of the periods reviewed.

Having considered, among other things: (1) that the Series' management fee was within the ranges of advisory fees charged to comparable mutual funds; (2) that the Series' total expense ratio was reasonable; (3) the Adviser's willingness to limit the expenses for a period of time would provide stability to the Series' expenses during that period; and (4) the performance of the Series, the Board concluded that the Agreement continued to be in the best interests of the Series' shareholders.

Conclusion

Based on its review of the information requested and provided, and following extended discussions, the Board determined that the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, was consistent with the best interests of the Series and its shareholders, and the Board unanimously approved the Agreement, on behalf of the Series, for an additional annual period on the basis of the foregoing review and discussions and the following considerations, among others:

•  The fairness and reasonableness of the investment advisory fee payable to the Adviser under the Agreement in light of the investment advisory services provided, the costs of these services, the profitability of the Adviser's relationship with the Series and the comparability of the fee paid to the fees paid by other investment companies;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser;

•  The Adviser's entrepreneurial commitment to the management of the Series and the creation of a broad-based family of funds, which could entail a substantial commitment of the Adviser's resources to the successful operation of the Series;

•  The Adviser's representations regarding its staffing and capabilities to manage the Series, including the retention of personnel with relevant portfolio management experience;

•  The Adviser's efforts to enhance investment results by, among other things, developing quality portfolio management teams; and

•  The overall high quality of the personnel, operations, financial condition, investment management capabilities, methodologies and performance of the Adviser.


34



Privacy Policy

Protecting the Privacy of Information

The Trust respects your right to privacy. We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain personal information about you. This is the information we collect from you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you make with us or third parties. It may include your name, address, social security number, account transactions and balances, and information about investment goals and risk tolerance.

We do not disclose any information about you or about former customers to anyone except as permitted or required by law. Specifically, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform services on our behalf, such as the transfer agent that processes shareholder accounts and printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. We may also disclose this information to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf. This allows us to continue to offer you Victory investment products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize. These companies will use this information only in connection with the services for which we hired them. They are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.

To protect your personal information internally, we permit access only by authorized employees and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information.*

*  You may have received communications regarding information about privacy policies from other financial institutions which gave you the opportunity to "opt-out" of certain information sharing with companies which are not affiliated with that financial institution. The Trust does not share information with other companies for purposes of marketing solicitations for products other than the Trust. Therefore, the Trust does not provide opt-out options to their shareholders.



Victory Funds
P.O. Box 182593
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2593

Visit our website at:

 

Call Victory at:

 

www.vcm.com

  800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)  

VVIF-RS-SEMVIP-AR (12/18)



December 31, 2018

Annual Report

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Diversified Stock Fund

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Victory Funds' shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Victory Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.VictoryFunds.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change, and you need not take any action.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Victory Funds or your financial intermediary electronically sooner than January 1, 2021 by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800-539-3863 or by sending an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Victory Funds, you can call 800-539-3863 or send an e-mail request to TA.Processing@FISGlobal.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Victory Funds you hold directly or through your financial intermediary.



www.vcm.com

News, Information And Education 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week

The Victory Funds site gives fund shareholders, prospective shareholders, and investment professionals a convenient way to access fund information, get guidance, and track fund performance anywhere they can access the Internet. The site includes:

•  Detailed performance records

•  Daily share prices

•  The latest fund news

•  Investment resources to help you become a better investor

•  A section dedicated to investment professionals

Whether you're a potential investor searching for the fund that matches your investment philosophy, a seasoned investor interested in planning tools, or an investment professional, www.vcm.com has what you seek. Visit us anytime. We're always open.



Victory Variable Insurance Funds

Table of Contents

Shareholder Letter (Unaudited)

   

2

   

Fund Review and Commentary (Unaudited)

   

3

   

Financial Statements

 

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

   

5

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

7

   

Statement of Operations

   

8

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

9

   

Financial Highlights

   

10

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

11

   
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
   

17

   

Supplemental Information (Unaudited)

 

Trustee and Officer Information

   

18

   

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

   

20

   

Expense Examples

   

20

   

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

   

21

   

Advisory Contract Renewal

   

22

   

Privacy Policy (inside back cover)

     

The Fund is distributed by Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. Victory Capital Management Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund and receives fees from the Fund for performing services for the Fund.

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus of the Victory Variable Insurance Diversified Stock Fund.

The information in this annual report is based on data obtained from recognized services and sources and is believed to be reliable. Any opinions, projections, or recommendations in this report are subject to change without notice and are not intended as individual investment advice. Past investment performance of the Fund, markets or securities mentioned herein should not be considered to be indicative of future results.

• NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE

Call Victory at:

800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)

Visit our website at:

www.vcm.com


1



Victory Funds Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholder,

What a difference a year makes. The year ended December 31, 2018, was marked by an abrupt return of volatility, which had largely been missing in action for years. Consider the range of highs and lows we witnessed. For the S&P 500 Index, it was a year in which we celebrated an all-time high in late summer, only to be followed by the worst December since the 2008 financial crisis. And if that wasn't enough volatility, the Dow Jones Industrial Average also registered several of its worst-ever, single-day point declines during 2018.

Through all that the S&P 500 clocked in with its first negative annual return since 2008, falling by 4.4 percent. Given the risk-off sentiment that was obvious as the year drew to a close, it's no surprise that small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, fared even worse, falling approximately 11.0 percent for the year. The challenges for equity investors were also evident around the world as the MSCI ACWI and Emerging Markets indexes declined 8.9 and 14.3 percent, respectively.

So what ushered in the renewed era of volatility and these challenging times? There were multiple culprits. For starters, trade tensions ratcheted up throughout the year as anti-global rhetoric bloomed into a series of new tariffs, which sparked concerns of a prolonged trade war with China. The Federal Reserve remained persistent in its monetary tightening, raising the benchmark interest rate four times throughout the year to a range of 2.25 to 2.5 percent. And then the year ended with a partial shutdown of the federal government. These factors conspired to elevate concerns of a possible recession here and abroad.

Yet despite the headline risks, we think it's critically important to remain focused on the data. By all accounts, the U.S. economy continued chugging along in 2018 with a real gross domestic product (GDP) rising 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2018, the latest figures available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Moreover, the labor picture continues to shine with consistent monthly job growth and an unemployment rate of 3.9 percent. All this comes against a backdrop of low inflation and solid corporate earnings.

The markets, it appears, have been vacillating between the dire headlines and higher perceived risks on one hand, and the continued positive economic data on the other. Of course, no one knows where the Fed will stop raising rates, nor is there any certainty on how the trade turmoil ultimately gets resolved. For now, however, we continue to embrace our solid economic fundamentals. Moreover, we believe all of Victory Capital's independent investment franchises are well positioned to take advantage of any short-term valuation dislocations resulting from the current era of heightened volatility.

On the following pages, you will find information relating to your Victory Funds investment. If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact your financial advisor. Or, if you invest with us directly, you may call (800) 539-3863, or visit our website at www.vcm.com.

My colleagues and I sincerely appreciate the confidence you have placed in the Victory Funds, and we value the opportunity to help meet your investment goals.

Christopher K. Dyer, CFA

President,
Victory Funds


2



Portfolio Commentary (Unaudited)

Diversified Stock Fund

Portfolio Holdings

As a Percentage of Total Investments

Commentary

The Victory Variable Insurance Diversified Stock Fund ("Fund") seeks to provide long-term growth of capital. The Fund returned -13.30% while the S&P 500® Index benchmark (the "Index") returned -4.38% for the year ended December 31, 2018. Performance has lagged the S&P 500® Index as of late in large part due to sector allocation (overweight cyclical sectors Financials/Energy, underweight defensive & secular growth sectors like Utilities/Staples/Health Care/Technology) and more granularly our positive exposure to value, volatility, and market sensitivity style factors, given the market's strong preference for high growth/high valuation stocks earlier in the year and the recent rotation into defensive names. Stock selection has also been challenged this year, though this is notwithstanding 4Q, which encouraging saw good performance in sectors that we have historically generated excess returns, i.e. Technology, Health Care and Consumer Discretionary.

Consumer Services was our top performing sector this year on a relative basis as good stock selection offset negative industry positioning. Our top performer was Nexstar Media Group, which owns 171 television stations reaching 100 markets and 39% of US households, while we also avoided weaker names like Facebook and Activision Blizzard. Nexstar was a position we entered in the fourth quarter, with our thesis centered on industry consolidation, solid recent trends in advertising revenue and free cash flow generation, and a much improved balance sheet. Shares materially outperformed in December after it was announced that Nexstar would be acquiring Tribune Media for $46.50/share, a deal that is expected to be highly accretive to free cash flow as well as position the company as the dominant player in the broadcast space.

Consumer Discretionary and Industrials were our worst performing sectors on a relative basis. The headwind we experienced from our value tilt was most acute in these sectors, while we also experienced some challenges from industry positioning and stock selection. Within Consumer Discretionary, it was our overexposure to homebuilders, which were pressured by rising rates, and underweight to Amazon and Netflix. Within Industrials, our overweight to machinery and building products dragged on results, while Patrick Industries was our most challenged position, with shares pressured by declining RV industry shipments as dealers continue to destock excess inventory. We exited our positions.

The Fund maintains material overweight allocations to the Industrial, Finance and Energy sectors, though within the sectors we raised industry exposures to aerospace & defense, investment banking and O&G refining, and reduced exposures to asset managers, E&Ps, and building products. We maintain underweight allocations to the Real Estate, Consumer Staples, Utilities, and Health Care sectors. For Materials, we've gone from a modest overweight to a more material underweight, while we've materially reduced our underweight allocation to Technology. Overall, the style currently has positive exposure to growth, earnings yield, and highly profitable companies with a smaller-cap bias.

The Fund continues to focus on companies that we believe have superior earnings growth, return on invested capital, and positive earnings/price momentum combined with a reasonable valuation over a wide spectrum of market capitalizations. We are confident that this combination of characteristics positions the Fund for strong competitive performance. These are the characteristics that have historically contributed to Munder's strong long-term record, and we firmly believe they will continue to serve our investors well.


3



Portfolio Commentary (Unaudited)

Diversified Stock Fund (continued)

Average Annual Total Return

Year Ended December 31, 2018

Inception Date

 

7/1/99

     
    Net Asset
Value
  S&P 500
Index1
 

One Year

   

–13.30

%

   

–4.38

%

 

Three Year

   

4.44

%

   

9.26

%

 

Five Year

   

3.99

%

   

8.49

%

 

Ten Year

   

9.68

%

   

13.12

%

 

Since Inception

   

4.63

%

   

N/A

   

Expense Ratios

 

Gross

   

0.94

%

 

 

 

With Applicable Waivers

   

0.94

%

 

 

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month's end, please visit www.vcm.com.

The above expense ratio is from the Fund's prospectus dated April 17, 2018. Additional information pertaining to the Fund's expense ratio as of December 31, 2018 can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return figures set forth above include all waivers of fees for various periods since inception. Without such fee waivers, the total returns would have been lower. Some fee waivers are voluntary and may be modified or terminated at any time. The total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the total returns would have been lower.

Diversified Stock Fund — Growth of $10,000

1 The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index comprised of 500 domestically traded common stocks, is weighted according to the market value of each common stock in the index, and includes reinvestment of dividends. This index does not include effect of sales charges and is not representative of the Fund. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

The graph reflects investment of growth of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.


4



Victory Variable Insurance Funds  Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Diversified Stock Fund  December 31, 2018

(Amounts in Thousands, Except for Shares)  

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Common Stocks (92.5%):

 

Communication Services (10.2%):

 

Alphabet, Inc., Class C (a)

   

816

   

$

845

   

Comcast Corp., Class A

   

15,784

     

538

   

Netflix, Inc. (a)

   

414

     

111

   

Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., Class A

   

5,097

     

401

   

The Walt Disney Co.

   

2,578

     

282

   

T-Mobile US, Inc. (a)

   

5,948

     

378

   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

5,640

     

317

   
     

2,872

   

Consumer Discretionary (10.2%):

 

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

   

509

     

765

   

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (a)

   

4,307

     

287

   

Burlington Stores, Inc. (a)

   

2,134

     

347

   

Dollar General Corp.

   

3,507

     

379

   

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (a)

   

833

     

287

   

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.

   

5,929

     

239

   

Ross Stores, Inc.

   

2,331

     

194

   

The Home Depot, Inc.

   

2,243

     

385

   
     

2,883

   

Consumer Staples (4.1%):

 

PepsiCo, Inc.

   

2,808

     

310

   

The Procter & Gamble Co.

   

3,350

     

308

   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

   

5,675

     

529

   
     

1,147

   

Energy (6.6%):

 

Chevron Corp.

   

5,092

     

555

   

EOG Resources, Inc.

   

2,663

     

232

   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

   

3,510

     

239

   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

   

3,467

     

213

   

Phillips 66

   

4,293

     

370

   

Valero Energy Corp.

   

3,246

     

243

   
     

1,852

   

Financials (15.0%):

 

Ally Financial, Inc.

   

15,795

     

358

   

Athene Holding Ltd., Class A (a)

   

8,255

     

329

   

Bank of America Corp.

   

12,347

     

304

   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B (a)

   

3,181

     

649

   

Cathay General Bancorp

   

9,898

     

332

   

E*TRADE Financial Corp.

   

5,898

     

259

   

Essent Group Ltd. (a)

   

9,919

     

339

   

FCB Financial Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

5,645

     

190

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

4,145

     

404

   

Regions Financial Corp.

   

15,448

     

207

   

ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc.

   

4,620

     

147

   

SVB Financial Group (a)

   

1,656

     

315

   

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

   

8,069

     

395

   
     

4,228

   

See notes to financial statements.
5



Victory Variable Insurance Funds  Schedule of Portfolio Investments — continued

Diversified Stock Fund  December 31, 2018

(Amounts in Thousands, Except for Shares)  

Security Description

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Health Care (13.3%):

 

AbbVie, Inc.

   

6,115

   

$

564

   

Biogen, Inc. (a)

   

1,550

     

466

   

Cigna Corp.

   

1,337

     

254

   

CVS Health Corp.

   

1,865

     

122

   

HCA Holdings, Inc.

   

3,199

     

399

   

Innoviva, Inc. (a)

   

13,798

     

241

   

Johnson & Johnson

   

2,183

     

282

   

Medtronic PLC

   

1,553

     

141

   

Merck & Co., Inc.

   

2,687

     

205

   

Pfizer, Inc.

   

6,388

     

279

   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

   

1,579

     

393

   

Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B

   

3,380

     

394

   
     

3,740

   

Industrials (13.4%):

 

Air Lease Corp.

   

7,785

     

235

   

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.

   

9,512

     

418

   

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

   

5,295

     

231

   

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

   

3,534

     

329

   

Marten Transport Ltd.

   

6,811

     

110

   

Norfolk Southern Corp.

   

2,446

     

366

   

PACCAR, Inc.

   

6,116

     

349

   

SkyWest, Inc.

   

4,593

     

204

   

The Boeing Co.

   

1,478

     

477

   

Union Pacific Corp.

   

3,607

     

499

   

United Rentals, Inc. (a)

   

2,685

     

275

   

United Technologies Corp.

   

2,659

     

283

   
     

3,776

   

Information Technology (19.0%):

 

Apple, Inc.

   

4,440

     

700

   

Broadcom, Inc.

   

2,057

     

523

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

   

13,425

     

582

   

Intel Corp.

   

13,306

     

625

   

KEMET Corp.

   

11,821

     

207

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

1,008

     

190

   

Microsoft Corp.

   

13,295

     

1,350

   

ON Semiconductor Corp. (a)

   

17,272

     

285

   

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

1,707

     

144

   

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

1,484

     

195

   

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

   

8,068

     

145

   

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A (a)

   

2,426

     

387

   
     

5,333

   

Materials (0.7%):

 

Packaging Corp. of America

   

2,301

     

192

   

Total Common Stocks (Cost $25,228)

   

26,023

   

Exchange-Traded Funds (5.8%):

 

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, 2.04% (b)

   

6,534

     

1,633

   

Total Exchange-Traded Fund (Cost $1,706)

   

1,633

   

Total Investments (Cost $26,934) — 98.3%

   

27,656

   

Other assets in excess of liabilities — 1.7%

       

474

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

 

$

28,130

   

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security is on loan.

PLC — Public Liability Company

ETF — Exchange Traded Fund

See notes to financial statements.
6



  Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

(Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)  

    Victory
Variable
Insurance
Diversified
Stock Fund
 

ASSETS:

 

Investments, at value (Cost $26,934)

 

$

27,656

(a)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   

644

   

Dividends receivable

   

47

   

Total Assets

   

28,347

   

LIABILITIES:

 

Payables:

 

Investments purchased

   

110

   

Capital shares redeemed

   

64

   

Accrued expenses and other payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

7

   

Administration fees

   

2

   

Contract owner fees

   

14

   

Custodian fees

   

1

   

Transfer agent fees

   

(b)

 

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

(b)

 

Trustees' fees

   

(b)

 
12b-1 fees    

3

   

Other accrued expenses

   

16

   

Total Liabilities

   

217

   

NET ASSETS:

 

Capital

   

25,789

   

Total distributable earnings/(loss)

   

2,341

   

Net Assets

 

$

28,130

   

Shares Outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, with a par value of $0.001 per share):

   

2,753

   

Net asset value, offering price & redemption price per share (c):

 

$

10.22

   

(a)  Includes $150 of securities on loan.

(b)  Rounds to less than $1

(c)  Per share amount may not recalculate due to rounding of net assets and/or shares outstanding.

See notes to financial statements.
7



  Statement of Operations

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  For the Year Ended December 31, 2018

(Amounts in Thousands)  

    Victory
Variable
Insurance
Diversified
Stock Fund
 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends

 

$

501

   

Interest

   

7

   

Securities lending (net of fees)

   

1

   

Foreign tax withholding

   

(1

)

 

Total Income

   

508

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fees

   

105

   

Administration fees

   

21

   

Contract owner fees

   

85

   
12b-1 fees    

87

   

Custodian fees

   

2

   

Transfer agent fees

   

(a)

 

Trustees' fees

   

3

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees

   

(a)

 

Legal and audit fees

   

14

   

Interest expense on interfund lending

   

(a)

 

Other expenses

   

17

   

Total Expenses

   

334

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

174

   

Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Investment Transactions:

 

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

1,594

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

   

(6,154

)

 

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   

(4,560

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

(4,386

)

 

(a)  Rounds to less than $1.

See notes to financial statements.
8



Victory Variable Insurance Funds  Statements of Changes in Net Assets

(Amounts in Thousands)  

    Victory Variable Insurance
Diversified Stock Fund
 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
 

From Investment Activities:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

174

   

$

242

   

Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions

   

1,594

     

5,822

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

   

(6,154

)

   

2,410

   

Change in net assets resulting from operations

   

(4,386

)

   

8,474

   

Distributions to Shareholders: (a)

 

Change in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

   

(5,921

)

   

(759

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

   

(440

)

   

(2,825

)

 

Change in net assets

   

(10,747

)

   

4,890

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

38,877

     

33,987

   

End of period

 

$

28,130

   

$

38,877

   

Capital Transactions:

 

Proceeds from shares issued

 

$

235

   

$

2,575

   

Dividends reinvested

   

5,921

     

759

   

Cost of shares redeemed

   

(6,596

)

   

(6,159

)

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

 

$

(440

)

 

$

(2,825

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Issued

   

17

     

189

   

Reinvested

   

580

     

53

   

Redeemed

   

(451

)

   

(460

)

 

Change in Shares

   

146

     

(218

)

 

(a)  Current and prior year distributions to shareholders have been reclassified and conform to amended GAAP presentation under Regulation S-X (See Item 9 in the Notes to Financial Statements).

See notes to financial statements.
9



Victory Variable Insurance Funds  Financial Highlights

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

   

Victory Variable Insurance Diversified Stock Fund

 
    Year
Ended
December 31,
2018
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2017
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2015
  Year
Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

14.91

   

$

12.03

   

$

12.75

   

$

15.15

   

$

13.87

   

Investment Activities:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

0.07

(a)

   

0.09

(a)

   

0.13

(a)

   

0.09

     

0.13

   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   

(2.07

)

   

3.08

     

0.37

     

(0.53

)

   

1.28

   

Total from Investment Activities

   

(2.00

)

   

3.17

     

0.50

     

(0.44

)

   

1.41

   

Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.13

)

 

Net realized gains from investments

   

(2.63

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(1.87

)

   

   

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(2.69

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(1.22

)

   

(1.96

)

   

(0.13

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

10.22

   

$

14.91

   

$

12.03

   

$

12.75

   

$

15.15

   

Total Return (b)

   

(13.30

)%

   

26.45

%

   

3.90

%

   

(3.11

)%

   

10.20

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net Assets at end of period (000)

 

$

28,130

   

$

38,877

   

$

33,987

   

$

38,441

   

$

48,524

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.96

%

   

0.94

%

   

1.08

%

   

1.14

%

   

1.16

%

 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

   

0.50

%

   

0.68

%

   

1.06

%

   

0.56

%

   

0.89

%

 

Portfolio turnover

   

114

%

   

138

%

   

86

%

   

78

%

   

70

%

 

(a)  Per share net investment income (loss) has been calculated using the average daily shares method.

(b)  Total returns do not include any insurance, sales or administrative charges of variable annuity or life insurance contracts. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.  

See notes to financial statements.
10



  Notes to Financial Statements

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

1.   Organization:

Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust") was organized on February 11, 1998 as a Delaware statutory trust. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a diversified open-end investment company. The Trust is comprised of nine funds and is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, which are units of beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share.

The accompanying financial statements are those of the Victory Variable Insurance Diversified Stock Fund (the "Fund"). The Fund offers a single class of shares: Class A Shares. Sales of shares of the Fund may only be made to separate accounts of various life insurance companies.

Under the Trust's organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.

2.   Significant Accounting Policies:

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund follows the specialized accounting and reporting requirements under GAAP that are applicable to investment companies.

Investment Valuation:

The Fund records investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The valuation techniques described below maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund's investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

• Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

• Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities or interest rates applicable to those securities, etc.)

• Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The inputs or methodologies used for valuation techniques are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with entering into those investments.

Portfolio securities listed or traded on securities exchanges, including exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and Rights, are valued at the closing price on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded, if available, or at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price. If there have been no sales for that day on the exchange or system, then a security is valued at the last available bid quotation on the exchange or system where the security is principally traded. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Investments for which there are no such quotations, or for which quotations do not appear reliable, are valued at fair value in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Trust's Board of Trustees ("Board"). These valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy, based on the observability of inputs used to determine the fair value.

A summary of the valuations as of December 31, 2018, based upon the three levels defined above, is included in the table below while the breakdown, by category, of investments is disclosed in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments (in thousands):

Investment

  LEVEL 1 —
Quoted Prices
 

Total

 

Common Stocks

 

$

26,023

   

$

26,023

   

Exchange-Traded Funds

   

1,633

     

1,633

   

Total

 

$

27,656

   

$

27,656

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

Continued
11



  Notes to Financial Statements — continued

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

Investment Companies:

Exchange-Traded Funds:

The Fund may invest in ETFs. ETFs are a type of index fund, the shares of which are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF trades like common stock and represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. The Fund may purchase shares of an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market while awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although the lack of liquidity of an ETF could result in it being more volatile. Additionally, ETFs have fees and expenses that reduce their value.

Investment Transactions and Related Income:

Changes in holdings of investments are accounted for no later than one business day following the trade date. For financial reporting purposes, however, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date on the last business day of the reporting period. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

Withholding taxes on interest, dividends and gains as a result of certain investments in ADRs by the Fund have been provided for in accordance with each investment's applicable country's tax rules and rates.

Securities Lending:

The Trust has entered into a Master Securities Lending Agreement ("MSLA") with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank" or the "Agent"). Under the terms of the MSLA, the Fund may lend securities to certain broker-dealers and banks in exchange for collateral in the amount of at least 102% of the value of U.S. securities loaned or at least 105% of the value of non-U.S. securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls associated with increases in the valuation of the securities loaned are adjusted the next business day. The collateral can be received in the form of cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral can include U.S. Government Securities, letters of credit and certificates of deposit. The cash collateral is invested in short-term instruments or cash equivalents as noted on the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Trust does not have effective control of the non-cash collateral and therefore it is not disclosed in the Fund's Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund continues to benefit from interest or dividends on the securities loaned and may also earn a return from the collateral. The Fund pays various fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral. The Fund pays the Agent fees based on the investment income received from securities lending activities. Securities lending income is disclosed in the Fund's Statement of Operations. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral, the Fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return them.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under the MSLA, which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances such as an event of default, to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty to create a net payment due to or from the Fund.

The following table (in thousands) is a summary of the Fund's securities lending transactions which are subject to offset under the MSLA as of December 31, 2018. These transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings with an overnight and continuous contractual maturity for cash collateral, and greater than overnight and continuous contractual maturity for non-cash collateral.

Gross
Amount of
Recognized
Assets
(Value of
  Value of
Cash
  Value of Non-cash Collateral
Received by Maturity
     
Securities
on Loan)
  Collateral
Received
 

<30 Days

  Between 30
& 90 Days
 

>90 Days

 

Net Amount

 
$

150

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

158

   

$

8

   

Dividends to Shareholders:

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly by the Fund. Distributable net realized gains, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually.

The amounts of dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. To the extent these "book/tax" differences are permanent in nature (e.g., net operating loss, distribution reclassification, and deemed distribution due to shareholder redemptions), such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales) do not require reclassification. To the extent dividends and distributions exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes, they are reported as distributions of capital. Net investment losses incurred by the Fund may be reclassified as an offset to capital on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Continued
12



  Notes to Financial Statements — continued

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

As of December 31, 2018, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, there were no permanent book-to-tax differences reclassification adjustments.

Federal Income Taxes:

It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of net investment income and net realized gains sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements. The Fund has a tax year end of December 31.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Allocations:

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund, while expenses which are attributable to more than one fund in the Trust, or jointly with an affiliated trust, are allocated among the respective funds in the Trust and/or affiliated trust based upon net assets or another appropriate basis.

Affiliated Securities Transactions:

Pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may engage in securities transactions with affiliated investment companies and advisory accounts managed by the Adviser and any applicable sub-adviser. Any such purchase or sale transaction must be effected without brokerage commission or other remuneration, except for customary transfer fees. The transaction must be effected at the current market price, which is either the security's last sale price on an exchange or, if there are no transactions in the security that day, at the average of the highest bid and lowest asked price. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not engage in any Rule 17a-7 transactions under the 1940 Act.

3.   Purchases and Sales of Securities:

Purchases and sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) for the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows for the Fund (in thousands):

Purchases  

Sales

 
$

39,137

   

$

45,801

   

For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government Securities.

4.   Fees and Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties:

Investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by Victory Capital Management Inc. ("VCM" or the "Adviser"), a New York corporation registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Victory Capital Holdings Inc., a publicly traded Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Victory Capital Operating, LLC.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive 0.30% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Adviser may use its resources to assist with the Fund's distribution and marketing expenses.

VCM also serves as the Fund's administrator and fund accountant. Under an Administration and Fund Accounting Agreement, VCM is paid for its services an annual fee at a rate of 0.08% of the first $15 billion in average daily net assets of the Trust, Victory Portfolios and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Trusts"), 0.05% of the average daily net assets above $15 billion to $30 billion of the Trusts and 0.04% of the average daily net assets over $30 billion of the Trusts.

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. ("Citi"), an affiliate of Citibank, N.A., acts as sub-administrator and sub-fund accountant to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Administration and Sub-Fund Accounting Services Agreement between VCM and Citi. VCM pays Citi a fee for providing these services. The Trust reimburses VCM and Citi for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

FIS Investor Services, LLC ("FIS") serves as the Fund's transfer agent. Under the Transfer Agent Agreement, the Trust pays FIS a fee for its services and reimburses FIS for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing these services.

The Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") is an employee of the Adviser, which pays the compensation of the CCO and his support staff. The Trust has entered into an Agreement to provide compliance services with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Adviser furnishes its compliance personnel, including the services of the CCO, and other resources reasonably necessary to provide the Trust with compliance oversight services related to the design, administration and oversight of a compliance program for the Trust in accordance with

Continued
13



  Notes to Financial Statements — continued

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. Funds in the Trust, Victory Portfolios, Victory Institutional Funds, and Victory Portfolios II (collectively, the "Victory Funds Complex"), in the aggregate, compensate the Adviser for these services.

The Victory Funds Complex pays an annual retainer to each Independent Trustee, plus an additional annual retainer to the Chairman of the Board. The aggregate amount of the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees are allocated amongst all the funds in the Victory Funds Complex and are presented in the Statement of Operations.

Shearman & Sterling LLP provides legal services to the Trust.

Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as distributor for the continuous offering of the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust. Pursuant to the Trust's Distribution and Service Plans adopted in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Distributor may receive a monthly distribution and service fee, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Distributor may pay a 12b-1 fee to life insurance companies for activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares to life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies or to provide services to owners of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies whose contracts or policies are funded with shares of the Fund, which services are not otherwise provided by life insurance companies and paid for with fees charged by life insurance companies. The Distributor re-allowed all except for approximately $1 thousand to life insurance companies to provide these services.

The Fund has entered into Contract Owner Administrative Services Agreements with certain contract owner servicing agents. A contract owner servicing agent performs a number of services for its customers who hold contracts offered by separate accounts that invest in the Fund, such as establishing and maintaining accounts and records, processing additional contract units attributable to Fund dividend payments, arranging for bank wires, assisting in transactions, and changing account information. For these services, Class A Shares of the Fund pay a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets serviced by the agent. The Fund may enter into these agreements with financial institutions that provide such services. Contract owner servicing agents may waive all or a portion of their fee. (Not all agents may provide all services listed above.)

The Adviser may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees to assist the Fund in maintaining a competitive expense ratio. Voluntary waivers and reimbursements applicable to the Fund are not available to be recouped at a future time. There were no voluntary waivers or reimbursements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Certain officers and/or interested trustees of the Fund are also officers and/or employees of the Adviser, Administrator, Fund Accountant, Sub-Administrator, Sub-Fund Accountant, and Legal.

5.   Risks:

The Fund may be subject to other risks in addition to these identified risks.

An investment in the Fund's shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, some of which will be traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of the securities in which the Fund invests may affect the value of the Fund's shares. An investment in the Fund's shares at any point in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account the reinvestment of the Fund's distributions.

The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the amount it expects to receive from counterparties for financial instruments entered into by the Fund. The Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties. The Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and the Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The Fund typically enters into transactions with counterparties whose credit ratings are investment grade, as determined by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, judged by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

6.  Borrowing and Interfund Lending:

Line of Credit:

The Victory Funds Complex participates in a short-term, demand note "Line of Credit" agreement with Citibank. Under the agreement with Citibank, the Victory Trusts may borrow up to $250 million, of which $100 million is committed and $150 million is uncommitted. $40 million of the Line of Credit is reserved for use by the Victory Floating Rate Fund, another series of the Victory Funds Complex, with that Fund paying the related commitment fees for that amount. The purpose of the agreement is to meet temporary or emergency cash needs, including redemption requests that might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities. The current agreement was amended on July 27, 2018 with a new termination date of July 26, 2019. Citibank receives an annual commitment fee of 0.15% on $100 million for providing the Line of Credit. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Citibank earned approximately $150,000 in commitment fees from the Victory Funds Complex. Each fund in the Victory Funds Complex pays a pro-rata portion of the commitment

Continued
14



  Notes to Financial Statements — continued

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

fees plus any interest on amounts borrowed. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on line of credit.

The Fund did not utilize or participate in the Line of Credit during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Interfund Lending:

The Trust and Adviser rely on an exemptive order granted by the SEC in March 2017 (the "Order"), permitting the establishment and operation of an Interfund Lending Facility (the "Facility"). The Facility allows the Fund to directly lend and borrow money to or from any other Victory Fund relying upon the Order at rates beneficial to both the borrowing and lending funds. Advances under the Facility are allowed for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities, and are subject to each Fund's borrowing restrictions. The interfund loan rate is determined, as specified in the Order, by averaging the current repurchase agreement rate and the current bank loan rate. Interest accrued by the Fund during the period is presented on the Statement of Operations under Interest expense on interfund lending.

The average loans for the days outstanding and average interest rate for the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows (in thousands):

Borrower or
Lender
  Amount
Outstanding at
December 31, 2018
  Average
Borrowing*
  Days
Borrowing
Outstanding
  Average
Interest
Rate*
  Maximum
Borrowing
During the
Period
 
Borrower  

$

   

$

137

     

1

     

2.09

%

 

$

137

   

* For the year ended December 31, 2018, based on the number of days borrowings were outstanding.

7.   Federal Income Tax Information:

The tax character of distributions paid during the tax years ended, as noted below, were as follows (total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because, for tax purposes, dividends are recognized when actually paid) (in thousands):

    Year Ended December 31, 2018
Distributions paid from
 
    Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital
Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
       

$

2,582

   

$

3,339

   

$

5,921

   
    Year Ended December 31, 2017
Distributions paid from
 
    Ordinary
Income
  Net
Long-Term
Capital
Gains
  Total
Distributions
Paid
 
       

$

242

   

$

517

   

$

759

   

As of the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows (in thousands):

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Accumulated
Earnings
  Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)*
  Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)
 
$

264

   

$

1,443

   

$

1,707

   

$

634

   

$

2,341

   

* The difference between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

Continued
15



  Notes to Financial Statements — continued

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

During the tax year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund did not utilize capital loss carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2018, the cost basis for federal income tax purposes, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments were as follows (in thousands):

Cost of
Investments
for Federal
Tax Purposes
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
$

27,022

   

$

7,018

   

$

(6,384

)

 

$

634

   

8.  Fund Ownership:

Ownership of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2018, the shareholders listed below held more than 25% of the shares outstanding of the Fund and may be deemed to control the Fund.

Shareholder  

Percent

 
New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation    

90.2

%

 

9.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In October 2016, the SEC released its Final Rules on Investment Company Reporting Modernization (the "Rules"). The Rules introduced two new regulatory reporting forms for investment companies, Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-PORT was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing with the SEC on Form N-PORT for the period ending March 31, 2019. Effective with the period ended June 30, 2018, the Fund was required to maintain, and make available to the SEC upon request, the information required to be included in Form N-PORT. Form N-PORT will replace Form N-Q filings effective with the requirement to file the Form N-PORT with the SEC for the period ending March 31, 2019. The Fund's compliance date for Form N-CEN was June 1, 2018, and the Fund will make its initial filing on Form N-CEN for the period ended December 31, 2018. Form N-CEN will replace Form N-SAR filings. The Fund's adoption of these amendments have no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurements" ("ASU 2018-13"). This update makes certain removals from, changes to and additions to existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 does not change fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. ASU 2018-13 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, the Fund has early adopted ASU 2018-13 with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018.

In August 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain financial statement disclosure requirements to conform them to GAAP for investment companies. These amendments made certain disclosure requirements effective under Regulation S-X. The Fund's adoption of these amendments, effective with the financial statements prepared as of December 31, 2018 had no effect on the Fund's net assets or results of operations. As a result of adopting these amendments, the distributions to shareholders in the December 31, 2017 Statements of Changes in Net Assets presented herein have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, which includes all distributions to each class of shareholders, other than tax basis return of capital distributions, in one line item per share class. Distributions to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 from net investment income and net realized gains in the Fund were as follows (in thousands):

Distributions to Shareholders:

From net investment income:

 

$

(242

)

 

From net Realized Gains:

   

(517

)

 

10.  Subsequent Events:

The Fund has evaluated the need for additional disclosures or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, there were no subsequent events to report that would have a material impact on the Fund's financial statements.


16



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of Diversified Stock Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Diversified Stock Fund (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting the Victory Variable Insurance Funds (the "Trust")), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2018, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund (one of the funds constituting the Trust) at December 31, 2018, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The financial highlights of the Fund for each of the periods presented through December 31, 2015 were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 22, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the auditor of one or more Victory Capital's investment companies since 1995.

Cincinnati, Ohio
February 15, 2019


17



  Supplemental Information

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

Trustee and Officer Information

Board of Trustees:

Overall responsibility for management of the Trust rests with the Board. The Trust is managed by the Board in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. There are currently ten Trustees, nine of whom are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees") and one of whom is an "interested person" of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act ("Interested Trustee"). The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Trust to actively supervise its day-to-day operations.

The following tables list the Trustees, their ages, position with the Trust, commencement of service, principal occupations during the past five years and any directorships of other investment companies or companies whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or who file reports under that Act. Each Trustee oversees nine portfolios in the Trust, one portfolio in Victory Institutional Funds, 42 portfolios in Victory Portfolios and 20 portfolios in Victory Portfolios II, each a registered investment company that, together with the Trust, comprise the Victory Funds Complex. Each Trustee's address is c/o Victory Variable Insurance Funds, 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. Each Trustee has an indefinite term.

Name and Age

  Position Held
with the Trust
  Date
Commenced
Service
  Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
  Other Directorships
Held
During Past 5 Years
 

Independent Trustees.

                 

David Brooks Adcock, 67

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Consultant (since 2006).

 

Chair and Trustee, Turner Funds (December 2016-December 2017).

 

Nigel D.T. Andrews, 71

 

Vice Chair and Trustee

 

August 2002

 

Retired.

 

Director, TCG BDC II, Inc. (since 2017); Director, TCG BDC I, Inc. (formerly Carlyle GMS Finance, Inc.) (since 2012); Director, Old Mutual US Asset Management (2002-2014).

 

E. Lee Beard, 67*

 

Trustee

 

February 2005

 

Retired (since 2015); Consultant, The Henlee Group, LLC (consulting) (2005-2015).

 

None.

 

Dennis M. Bushe, 75

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Retired.

 

Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2011-July 2016).

 

Sally M. Dungan, 64

 

Trustee

 

February 2011

 

Chief Investment Officer, Tufts University (since 2002).

 

None.

 

John L. Kelly, 65

 

Trustee

 

February 2015

 

Partner, McCarvill Capital Partners (September 2016-September 2017); Advisor (January 2016-April 2016) and Managing Partner (August 2014-January 2016), Endgate Commodities LLC; Chief Operating Officer, Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. (2011-2014).

 

Director, Caledonia Mining Corporation (since May 2012).

 

David L. Meyer, 61*

 

Trustee

 

December 2008

 

Retired.

 

None.

 

Gloria S. Nelund, 57

 

Trustee

 

July 2016

 

Chair, CEO and Co-Founder of TriLinc Global, LLC, an investment firm.

 

TriLinc Global Impact Fund, LLC (since 2012); Trustee, RS Investment Trust and RS Variable Products Trust (November 2007-July 2016).

 

Leigh A. Wilson, 74

 

Chair and Trustee

 

February 1998

 

Private Investor.

 

Chair (since 2013), Caledonia Mining Corporation.

 

Interested Trustee.

                 

David C. Brown, 46**

 

Trustee

 

May 2008

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2013), Co-Chief Executive Officer (2011-2013), the Adviser; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. (since 2013).

 

None.

 

*  The Board has designated Mr. Meyer and Ms. Beard as its Audit Committee Financial Experts.

**  Mr. Brown is an "Interested Person" by reason of his relationship with the Adviser.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees of the Trust and is available, without charge, by calling 800-539-3863.

Continued
18



  Supplemental Information — continued

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

Officers:

The officers of the Trust, their ages, commencement of service and their principal occupations during the past five years, are detailed in the following table. Each officer serves until the earlier of his or her resignation, removal, retirement, death, or the election of a successor. The mailing address of each officer of the Trust is 4900 Tiedeman Road, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144. The officers of the Trust receive no compensation directly from the Trust for performing the duties of their offices.

Name and Age

  Position with
the Trust
  Date Commenced
Service
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years

 

Christopher K. Dyer, 57

 

President

 

February 2006*

 

Director of Mutual Fund Administration, the Adviser.

 

Scott A. Stahorsky, 49

 

Vice President

 

December 2014

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2015); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2015).

 

Erin G. Wagner, 45

 

Secretary

 

December 2014

 

Associate General Counsel, the Adviser (since 2013).

 

Allan Shaer, 53

 

Treasurer

 

May 2017

 

Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (since 2016); Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration, JP Morgan Chase (2011-2016).

 

Christopher A. Ponte, 34

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

December 2017

 

Manager, Fund Administration, the Adviser (since 2017); Senior Analyst, Fund Administration, the Adviser (prior to 2017), Chief Financial Officer, Victory Capital Advisers, Inc. (since 2018).

 

Colin Kinney, 45

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

July 2017

 

Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013) and Chief Risk Officer (2009-2017), the Adviser.

 

Chuck Booth, 58

 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Officer

 

May 2015

 

Director, Regulatory Administration and CCO Support Services, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

 

Jay G. Baris, 65

 

Assistant Secretary

 

February 1998

 

Partner, Shearman & Sterling LLP (since 2018); Partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP (2011-2017).

 

* On December 3, 2014, Mr. Dyer resigned as Secretary of the Trust and accepted the position of President.

Continued
19



  Supplemental Information — continued

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

Proxy Voting and Form N-Q Information

Proxy Voting:

Information regarding the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-539-3863. The information is also included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Information relating to how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Availability of Schedules of Portfolio Investments:

The Trust expects to file a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT beginning March 1, 2019. Prior to that date, the Trust has filed a complete list of Schedules of Portfolio Investments with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Forms N-PORT and Forms N-Q are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Expense Examples

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

The Actual Expense figures in the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled "Actual Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

The Hypothetical Expense figures in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

    Beginning
Account Value
7/1/18
  Actual Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Hypothetical
Ending
Account Value
12/31/18
  Actual
Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Hypothetical
Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18*
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/18-12/31/18
 
       

$

1,000.00

   

$

894.40

   

$

1,020.37

   

$

4.58

   

$

4.89

     

0.96

%

 

*  Expenses are equal to the average account value multiplied by the Fund's annualized expense ratio multiplied by 184/365 (the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year).

Continued
20



  Supplemental Information — continued

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

Additional Federal Income Tax Information

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund paid qualified dividend income for purposes of reduced individual federal income tax rates of 5%.

Dividends qualifying for corporate dividends received a deduction of 5%.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund designated short-term and long-term capital gain distributions in the amount of $2,435 and $3,339, respectively.

Continued
21



  Supplemental Information — continued

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

Considerations of the Board in Continuing the Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement")

The Board approved the Agreement on behalf of the Fund at a meeting, which was called for that purpose, on December 5, 2018. The Board also considered information relating to the Fund and the Agreement provided throughout the year and, more specifically, at a meeting on October 23, 2018. In considering whether to approve the Agreement, the Board requested, and the Adviser provided, information that the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to reach its conclusions. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated this information along with other information obtained throughout the year and was advised by legal counsel to the Fund and by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition, in 2017 the Independent Trustees, through their counsel, retained an independent consultant to assist with a review of the overall process for conducting the annual review of these advisory arrangements. The Board considered the Fund's advisory fee, expense ratio and investment performance as significant factors in determining whether the Agreement should be continued. In considering whether the compensation paid to the Adviser was fair and reasonable, the Board also evaluated, among other things, the following factors:

•  The requirements of the Fund for the services provided by the Adviser;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the services provided and expected to be provided;

•  The performance of the Fund as compared to comparable funds;

•  The fees payable for the services and whether the fee arrangements provided for economies of scale that would benefit Fund shareholders as the Fund grows;

•  Whether the fee would be sufficient to enable the Adviser to attract and retain experienced personnel and continue to provide quality services to the Fund;

•  Fees paid by other clients of the Adviser whose accounts are managed in a similar investment style and any differences in the services provided to the other clients compared to those provided to the Fund;

•  Total expenses of the Fund, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees;

•  Management's commitment to operating the Fund at competitive expense levels;

•  The profitability of the Adviser (as reflected by comparing fees earned against an estimate of the Adviser's costs) with respect to the Adviser's relationship with the Fund;

•  Research and other service benefits received by the Adviser obtained through payment of client commissions for securities transactions;

•  Other benefits received by the Adviser, and its affiliates, including revenues paid to the Adviser, or its affiliates, by the Fund for administration and fund accounting services, and distribution;

•  The capabilities and financial condition of the Adviser;

•  Current economic and industry trends; and

•  The historical relationship between the Fund and the Adviser.

The Board reviewed the Fund's current management fee, comprised of the advisory fee plus the administrative services fee paid to the Adviser, in the context of the Adviser's profitability of the Fund. In addition, the Board compared the Fund's total operating expense ratio on a net and gross basis, taking into consideration any distribution or shareholder servicing fees and management fees with a universe of comparable mutual funds compiled by an independent consultant, FUSE Research Network, LLC ("FUSE"), and a peer group of funds with similar investment strategies selected by FUSE from the universe. The Board reviewed the factors and methodology used by FUSE in the selection of the Fund's peer group, including FUSE's selection of a broad universe of funds using the standard Retail Morningstar Categories, the more specific universe of comparable funds, and peer groups of funds with comparable investment strategies and asset levels, among other factors. The Board also reviewed any changes to FUSE's methodology as compared to the prior year, including as a result of input from the Adviser, if any. With respect to the Fund, the Board also reviewed fees and other information related to the Adviser's management of similarly managed institutional or private accounts, and the differences in the services provided to the other accounts. The Board noted that the advisory fee arrangements for the Fund do not include breakpoints, which are generally viewed as a method by which the investment adviser shares any economies of scale with a fund as a fund grows.

The Board reviewed the Fund's performance over one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods against the performance of the Fund's selected peer group and benchmark index. The Board recognized that the performance of the Fund and the peer group funds are net of expenses, while the performance of the benchmark index is gross returns. The Board considered the additional resources that the Adviser has committed to enhance portfolio analysis, compliance and trading systems.

The Board reviewed various other specific factors with respect to the Fund, as described below. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not rank the importance of any particular information or factor considered and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

The Board concluded that the Fund's gross annual management fee was reasonable as compared to the median gross management fee charged to the funds in the Fund's peer group. The Board noted that the Fund's Class A net annual expense ratio, taking into account any shareholder servicing or distribution fees, was reasonable as compared to the median expense ratio for the peer group. The Board then compared the Fund's Class A performance for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended June 30, 2018, to that of the median performance of the peer group and benchmark index for the same periods and considered the fact that the Fund underperformed the benchmark index for all of the periods reviewed, underperformed the peer group for the three-, five- and ten-year periods, and outperformed the peer group for the one-year period. The Board brought the Fund's underperformance to management's attention and discussed with the Adviser any steps that had been or could be taken to enhance performance in the future.

Having considered, among other things: (1) that the Fund's management fee was within the ranges of advisory fees charged to comparable mutual funds; (2) that the Fund's total expense ratio was reasonable; and (3) the performance of the Fund, the Board concluded that the Agreement continued to be in the best interests of the Series' shareholders.

Conclusion

Based on its review of the information requested and provided, and following extended discussions, the Board determined that the Agreement, on behalf of the Fund, was consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, and the Board unanimously approved the Agreement, on behalf of the Fund, for an additional annual period on the basis of the foregoing review and discussions and the following considerations, among others:

•  The fairness and reasonableness of the investment advisory fee payable to the Adviser under the Agreement in light of the investment advisory services provided, the costs of these services, the profitability of the Adviser's relationship with the Fund and the comparability of the fee paid to the fees paid by other investment companies;

•  The nature, quality and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser;

Continued
22



  Supplemental Information — continued

Victory Variable Insurance Funds  December 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

•  The Adviser's entrepreneurial commitment to the management of the Fund and the creation of a broad-based family of funds, which could entail a substantial commitment of the Adviser's resources to the successful operation of the Fund;

•  The Adviser's representations regarding its staffing and capabilities to manage the Fund, including the retention of personnel with relevant portfolio management experience;

•  The Adviser's efforts to enhance investment results by, among other things, developing quality portfolio management teams; and

•  The overall high quality of the personnel, operations, financial condition, investment management capabilities, methodologies and performance of the Adviser.


23



Privacy Policy

Protecting the Privacy of Information

The Trust respects your right to privacy. We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain personal information about you. This is the information we collect from you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you make with us or third parties. It may include your name, address, social security number, account transactions and balances, and information about investment goals and risk tolerance.

We do not disclose any information about you or about former customers to anyone except as permitted or required by law. Specifically, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform services on our behalf, such as the transfer agent that processes shareholder accounts and printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. We may also disclose this information to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf. This allows us to continue to offer you Victory investment products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize. These companies will use this information only in connection with the services for which we hired them. They are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose.

To protect your personal information internally, we permit access only by authorized employees and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information.*

*  You may have received communications regarding information about privacy policies from other financial institutions which gave you the opportunity to "opt-out" of certain information sharing with companies which are not affiliated with that financial institution. The Trust does not share information with other companies for purposes of marketing solicitations for products other than the Trust. Therefore, the Trust does not provide opt-out options to their shareholders.



Visit our web site at:
www.vcm.com
  Call Victory at:
800-539-FUND (800-539-3863)
 

VF-VIDS-AR (12/18)



 

Item 2.  Code of Ethics.

 

(a) The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. This code of ethics is included as an Exhibit.

 

(b) During the period covered by the report, with respect to the registrant’s code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions; there have been no amendments to, not any waivers granted from, a provision that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item 2.

 

Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Experts.

 

(a)(1) The registrant’s board of directors has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.

(a)(2) The audit committee financial experts are David L. Meyer and E. Lee Beard, who are “independent” for purposes of this Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

 

Item 4.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Audit Fees(1)

 

$

164,970

 

$

160,165

 

Audit-Related Fees(2)

 

0

 

0

 

Tax Fees(3)

 

42,937

 

41,684

 

All Other Fees(4)

 

0

 

0

 

 


 


(1)         Audit fees include amounts related to the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements, security counts and services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. Audit fees billed were for professional services provided by Ernst & Young LLP for audit compliance, audit advice and audit planning.

(2)         Represents the fee for assurance and related services by Ernst & Young LLP reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant’s financial statements that was not reported under (a) of this item.

(3)         Represents the aggregate tax fee billed for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. Such tax services included the review of income and excise tax returns for the Registrant.

(4)         For fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were no fees billed for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP to the Registrant, other than the services reported in (a) through (c) of this item.

 

Tax fees for 2018 and 2017 are for recurring tax fees for the preparation of the federal and state tax returns.

 

(e)(1) The Registrant’s Audit Committee must pre-approve non-audit services to be provided by the principal accountant and the fees charged for these services. The Committee may delegate authority to one or more Committee members to pre-approve these services, subject to subsequent review and approval by the Committee.

 

(e)(2) There were no services performed under Rule 2.01 (c)(7)(i)(C)

 

(f) Not applicable.

 

(g)

 

2018

 

$

133,280

 

2017

 

$

273,979

 

 

(h) The Registrant’s Audit Committee has evaluated the non-audit services that the principal accountant provided to the registrant’s investment adviser (and the adviser’s relevant affiliates), which services the Committee did not pre-approve, and has concluded that the provision of those services was compatible with maintaining the accountant’s independence.

 

Item 5.  Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6.  Investments.

 

(a)       Not applicable.

(b)       Not applicable.

 

Item 7.  Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8.  Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9.  Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 10.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 11.  Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that these disclosure controls and procedures are adequately designed and are operating effectively to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 


 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

(a)(1) Not applicable.

(a)(2) Not applicable.

(a)(3) Not applicable.

(a)(4) Not applicable.

(b)      Not applicable.

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1) The code of ethics that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) are attached hereto.

(a)(3) Not applicable.

(a)(4) Change in the registrant’s independent public accountant is attached hereto.

(b)     Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) are furnished herewith.

 


 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant)

Victory Variable Insurance Funds

 

 

 

 

 

By (Signature and Title)*

/s/ Allan Shaer

 

 

Allan Shaer, Principal Financial Officer

Date

February 28, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By (Signature and Title)*

/s/ Christopher K. Dyer

 

 

Christopher K. Dyer, Principal Executive Officer

Date

February 28, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By (Signature and Title)*

/s/ Allan Shaer

 

 

Allan Shaer, Principal Financial Officer

Date

February 28, 2019