UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number811-09645
Columbia Funds Series Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Daniel J. Beckman
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
Ryan C. Larrenaga, Esq.
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (800) 345-6611
Date of fiscal year end: March 31
Date of reporting period: September 30, 2021
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
Columbia Short Term
Bond Fund
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as
permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semiannual shareholder reports like this one are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically
requested paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are made available on the Fund’s website (columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/), and each time a report is posted you will be notified by mail and
provided with a website address to access the report.
If you have 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 Fund electronically
at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, for Fund shares held directly with the Fund, by calling 800.345.6611 or by enrolling in “eDelivery” by logging
into your account at columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/.
You may elect to receive all future
shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports.
If you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 800.345.6611 to let the Fund know you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive paper reports will apply to all
Columbia Funds held in your account if you invest through a financial intermediary or all Columbia Funds held with the fund complex if you invest directly with the Fund.
Not Federally Insured • No
Financial Institution Guarantee • May Lose Value
Table of Contents
If you elect to receive the
shareholder report for Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (the Fund) in paper, mailed to you, the Fund mails one shareholder report to each shareholder address, unless such shareholder elects to receive shareholder reports
from the Fund electronically via e-mail or by having a paper notice mailed to you (Postcard Notice) that your Fund’s shareholder report is available at the Columbia funds’ website
(columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/). If you would like more than one report in paper to be mailed to you, or would like to elect to receive reports via e-mail or access them through Postcard Notice, please call
shareholder services at 800.345.6611 and additional reports will be sent to you.
Proxy voting policies and
procedures
The policy of the Board of Trustees
is to vote the proxies of the companies in which the Fund holds investments consistent with the procedures as stated in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). You may obtain a copy of the SAI without charge by
calling 800.345.6611; contacting your financial intermediary; visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/; or searching the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at sec.gov. Information regarding
how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is filed with the SEC by August 31st for the most recent 12-month period ending June 30th of that year, and is available without charge by visiting
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/, or searching the website of the SEC at sec.gov.
Quarterly schedule of
investments
The Fund files a complete schedule
of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The Fund’s
complete schedule of portfolio holdings, as filed on Form N-PORT, can also be obtained without charge, upon request, by calling 800.345.6611.
Additional Fund information
For more information about the
Fund, please visit columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/ or call 800.345.6611. Customer Service Representatives are available to answer your questions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Fund investment manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the
Investment Manager)
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
Fund distributor
Columbia Management Investment Distributors,
Inc.
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
Fund transfer agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
Columbia Short Term Bond
Fund | Semiannual Report 2021
Fund at a Glance
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
Investment objective
The Fund
seeks current income, consistent with minimal fluctuation of principal.
Portfolio management
Gregory Liechty
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2010
Ronald Stahl, CFA
Co-Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2006
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 3 |
Understanding Your Fund’s
Expenses
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
As an investor, you incur two types
of costs. There are shareholder transaction costs, which generally include sales charges on purchases and may include redemption fees. There are also ongoing fund costs, which generally include management fees,
distribution and/or service fees, and other fund expenses. The following information is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these costs with
the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
Analyzing your Fund’s
expenses
To illustrate these ongoing
costs, we have provided examples and calculated the expenses paid by investors in each share class of the Fund during the period. The actual and hypothetical information in the table is based on an initial investment
of $1,000 at the beginning of the period indicated and held for the entire period. Expense information is calculated two ways and each method provides you with different information. The amount listed in the
“Actual” column is calculated using the Fund’s actual operating expenses and total return for the period. You may use the Actual information, together with the amount 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 $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the results by the expenses paid during the period under
the “Actual” column. The amount listed in the “Hypothetical” column assumes a 5% annual rate of return before expenses (which is not the Fund’s actual return) and then applies the
Fund’s actual expense ratio for the period to the hypothetical return. You should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate either your actual account balance at the end of the period or
the expenses you paid during the period. See “Compare with other funds” below for details on how to use the hypothetical data.
Compare with other funds
Since all mutual funds are
required to include the same hypothetical calculations about expenses in shareholder reports, you can use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare the
hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. As you compare hypothetical examples of other funds, it is important to note that hypothetical examples are
meant to highlight the ongoing costs of investing in a fund only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges, or redemption or exchange fees. Therefore, the hypothetical calculations are useful in
comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included in these calculations, your costs would be higher.
| April 1, 2021 — September 30, 2021 | |||||||
| Account value at the beginning of the period ($) | Account value at the end of the period ($) | Expenses paid during the period ($) | Fund’s annualized expense ratio (%) | ||||
| Actual | Hypothetical | Actual | Hypothetical | Actual | Hypothetical | Actual | |
| Class A | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,006.30 | 1,021.31 | 3.77 | 3.80 | 0.75 |
| Advisor Class | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,007.60 | 1,022.56 | 2.52 | 2.54 | 0.50 |
| Class C | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,004.50 | 1,018.55 | 6.53 | 6.58 | 1.30 |
| Institutional Class | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,008.60 | 1,022.56 | 2.52 | 2.54 | 0.50 |
| Institutional 2 Class | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,008.90 | 1,022.91 | 2.17 | 2.18 | 0.43 |
| Institutional 3 Class | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,008.20 | 1,023.16 | 1.91 | 1.93 | 0.38 |
| Class R | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,005.10 | 1,020.05 | 5.03 | 5.06 | 1.00 |
Expenses paid during the period
are equal to the annualized expense ratio for each class as indicated above, multiplied by the average account value over the period and then multiplied by the number of days in the Fund’s most recent fiscal
half year and divided by 365.
Expenses do not include fees and
expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund from its investment in underlying funds, including affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles, such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.
Had Columbia Management Investment
Advisers, LLC and/or certain of its affiliates not waived/reimbursed certain fees and expenses, account value at the end of the period would have been reduced.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 5 |
Portfolio of Investments
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
(Percentages represent value of
investments compared to net assets)
Investments in securities
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 6 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 7 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 8 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 9 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 10 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 11 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 12 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 13 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 14 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 15 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 16 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 17 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 18 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 19 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
At September 30, 2021,
securities and/or cash totaling $639,140 were pledged as collateral.
Investments in
derivatives
| Long futures contracts | ||||||
| Description | Number of contracts | Expiration date | Trading currency | Notional amount | Value/Unrealized appreciation ($) | Value/Unrealized depreciation ($) |
| U.S. Treasury 2-Year Note | 1,875 | 12/2021 | USD | 412,602,540 | — | (253,550) |
| Short futures contracts | ||||||
| Description | Number of contracts | Expiration date | Trading currency | Notional amount | Value/Unrealized appreciation ($) | Value/Unrealized depreciation ($) |
| U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note | (875) | 12/2021 | USD | (107,399,415) | 695,944 | — |
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| 20 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Notes to Portfolio of
Investments
| (a) | Represents privately placed and other securities and instruments exempt from Securities and Exchange Commission registration (collectively, private placements), such as Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 144A eligible securities, which are often sold only to qualified institutional buyers. At September 30, 2021, the total value of these securities amounted to $857,026,306, which represents 72.56% of total net assets. |
| (b) | Variable rate security. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of September 30, 2021. |
| (c) | Represents a security purchased on a when-issued basis. |
| (d) | Valuation based on significant unobservable inputs. |
| (e) | Variable or floating rate security, the interest rate of which adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of September 30, 2021. |
| (f) | Payment-in-kind security. Interest can be paid by issuing additional par of the security or in cash. |
| (g) | Represents a variable rate security with a step coupon where the rate adjusts according to a schedule for a series of periods, typically lower for an initial period and then increasing to a higher coupon rate thereafter. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of September 30, 2021. |
| (h) | Principal and interest may not be guaranteed by a governmental entity. |
| (i) | Represents fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. At September 30, 2021, the total value of these securities amounted to $8,178,286, which represents 0.69% of total net assets. |
| (j) | Represents securities that have defaulted on payment of interest. The Fund has stopped accruing interest on these securities. At September 30, 2021, the total value of these securities amounted to $1, which represents less than 0.01% of total net assets. |
| (k) | The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at September 30, 2021. |
| (l) | As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5% or more of the company’s outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. The value of the holdings and transactions in these affiliated companies during the period ended September 30, 2021 are as follows: |
| Affiliated issuers | Beginning of period($) | Purchases($) | Sales($) | Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)($) | End of period($) | Realized gain (loss)($) | Dividends($) | End of period shares |
| Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, 0.065% | ||||||||
| 27,869,716 | 331,551,587 | (334,941,444) | — | 24,479,859 | — | 6,389 | 24,482,307 | |
Abbreviation Legend
| AID | Agency for International Development |
| CMO | Collateralized Mortgage Obligation |
| CMT | Constant Maturity Treasury |
| LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate |
| SOFR | Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
Currency Legend
| USD | US Dollar |
Fair value measurements
The Fund categorizes its fair
value measurements according to a three-level hierarchy that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by prioritizing that the most observable input be used when available.
Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing an investment based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are those that reflect the
Fund’s assumptions about the information market participants would use in pricing an investment. An investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is
deemed significant to the asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement. The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investments at that level. For example,
certain U.S. government securities are generally high quality and liquid, however, they are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.
Fair value inputs are summarized in
the three broad levels listed below:
| ■ | Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices for investments in active markets that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date. Valuation adjustments are not applied to Level 1 investments. |
| ■ | Level 2 — Valuations based on other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.). |
| ■ | Level 3 — Valuations based on significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions and judgment in determining the fair value of investments). |
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 21 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Fair value measurements (continued)
Inputs that are used in determining fair value of an investment may include price information, credit data, volatility statistics, and other factors. These inputs can be either observable or unobservable. The availability of observable inputs can vary between investments, and is affected by various factors such as the type of investment, and the volume and level of activity for that investment or similar investments in the marketplace. The inputs will be considered by the Investment Manager, along with any other relevant factors in the calculation of an investment’s fair value. The Fund uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may include periods of market dislocations. During these periods, the availability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many investments. This condition could cause an investment to be reclassified between the various levels within the hierarchy.
Inputs that are used in determining fair value of an investment may include price information, credit data, volatility statistics, and other factors. These inputs can be either observable or unobservable. The availability of observable inputs can vary between investments, and is affected by various factors such as the type of investment, and the volume and level of activity for that investment or similar investments in the marketplace. The inputs will be considered by the Investment Manager, along with any other relevant factors in the calculation of an investment’s fair value. The Fund uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may include periods of market dislocations. During these periods, the availability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many investments. This condition could cause an investment to be reclassified between the various levels within the hierarchy.
Investments falling into the Level 3
category are primarily supported by quoted prices from brokers and dealers participating in the market for those investments. However, these may be classified as Level 3 investments due to lack of market transparency
and corroboration to support these quoted prices. Additionally, valuation models may be used as the pricing source for any remaining investments classified as Level 3. These models may rely on one or more significant
unobservable inputs and/or significant assumptions by the Investment Manager. Inputs used in valuations may include, but are not limited to, financial statement analysis, capital account balances, discount rates and
estimated cash flows, and comparable company data.
Under the direction of the
Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Investment Manager’s Valuation Committee (the Committee) is responsible for overseeing the valuation procedures approved by the Board. The Committee consists of
voting and non-voting members from various groups within the Investment Manager’s organization, including operations and accounting, trading and investments, compliance, risk management and legal.
The Committee meets at least monthly
to review and approve valuation matters, which may include a description of specific valuation determinations, data regarding pricing information received from approved pricing vendors and brokers and the results of
Board-approved valuation control policies and procedures (the Policies). The Policies address, among other things, instances when market quotations are or are not readily available, including recommendations of third
party pricing vendors and a determination of appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require specific valuation determinations and assessment of fair value techniques; securities with a potential for stale
pricing, including those that are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and the effectiveness of third party pricing vendors, including periodic reviews of vendors. The Committee meets more frequently, as needed, to
discuss additional valuation matters, which may include the need to review back-testing results, review time-sensitive information or approve related valuation actions. The Committee reports to the Board, with members
of the Committee meeting with the Board at each of its regularly scheduled meetings to discuss valuation matters and actions during the period, similar to those described earlier.
The following table is a summary of
the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at September 30, 2021:
| Level 1 ($) | Level 2 ($) | Level 3 ($) | Total ($) | |
| Investments in Securities | ||||
| Asset-Backed Securities — Non-Agency | — | 321,825,556 | 4,177,096 | 326,002,652 |
| Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities - Non-Agency | — | 132,469,465 | — | 132,469,465 |
| Corporate Bonds & Notes | — | 385,944,778 | — | 385,944,778 |
| Foreign Government Obligations | — | 111,067 | 168,300 | 279,367 |
| Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities - Agency | — | 272,605 | — | 272,605 |
| Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities - Non-Agency | — | 290,723,016 | 9,209,986 | 299,933,002 |
| U.S. Treasury Obligations | 11,773,910 | — | — | 11,773,910 |
| Money Market Funds | 24,479,859 | — | — | 24,479,859 |
| Total Investments in Securities | 36,253,769 | 1,131,346,487 | 13,555,382 | 1,181,155,638 |
| Investments in Derivatives | ||||
| Asset | ||||
| Futures Contracts | 695,944 | — | — | 695,944 |
| Liability | ||||
| Futures Contracts | (253,550) | — | — | (253,550) |
| Total | 36,696,163 | 1,131,346,487 | 13,555,382 | 1,181,598,032 |
See the Portfolio of Investments for
all investment classifications not indicated in the table.
The Fund’s assets assigned to
the Level 2 input category are generally valued using the market approach, in which a security’s value is determined through reference to prices and information from market transactions for similar or identical
assets.
Derivative instruments are valued at
unrealized appreciation (depreciation).
The following table is a
reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant observable and unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value:
| Balance as of 03/31/2021 ($) | Increase (decrease) in accrued discounts/ premiums ($) | Realized gain (loss) ($) | Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a) ($) | Purchases ($) | Sales ($) | Transfers into Level 3 ($) | Transfers out of Level 3 ($) | Balance as of 09/30/2021 ($) | |
| Asset-Backed Securities — Non-Agency | 9,086,089 | — | — | — | — | (1,208,993) | — | (3,700,000) | 4,177,096 |
| Foreign Government Obligations | 209,844 | — | 737 | 219 | — | (42,500) | — | — | 168,300 |
| Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities — Non-Agency | 7,900,001 | — | — | 9,985 | 8,000,000 | — | — | (6,700,000) | 9,209,986 |
| Total | 17,195,934 | — | 737 | 10,204 | 8,000,000 | (1,251,493) | — | (10,400,000) | 13,555,382 |
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| 22 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Fair value measurements (continued)
(a) Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) relating to securities held at September 30, 2021 was $10,204, which is comprised of Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities — Non-Agency of $9,985 and Foreign Government Obligations of $219.
(a) Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) relating to securities held at September 30, 2021 was $10,204, which is comprised of Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities — Non-Agency of $9,985 and Foreign Government Obligations of $219.
The Fund’s assets assigned to
the Level 3 category are valued utilizing the valuation technique deemed the most appropriate in the circumstances. Certain asset backed securities, residential mortgage backed securities and foreign government
obligations classified as Level 3 securities are valued using the market approach. To determine fair value for these securities, management considered various factors which may have included, but were not limited to,
single market quotations from broker dealers, estimated cash flows of the securities, discount rates observed in the market for similar assets as well as observed yields on securities management deemed comparable.
Significant increases (decreases) to any of these inputs would have resulted in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.
Financial assets were transferred
from Level 3 to Level 2 as observable market inputs were utilized and management determined that there was sufficient, reliable and observable market data to value these assets as of period end.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 23 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
| Assets | |
| Investments in securities, at value | |
| Unaffiliated issuers (cost $1,150,914,474) | $1,156,675,779 |
| Affiliated issuers (cost $24,479,797) | 24,479,859 |
| Cash | 2,930,248 |
| Margin deposits on: | |
| Futures contracts | 639,140 |
| Receivable for: | |
| Investments sold | 11,496,444 |
| Investments sold on a delayed delivery basis | 10,465,625 |
| Capital shares sold | 2,184,321 |
| Dividends | 877 |
| Interest | 4,055,255 |
| Foreign tax reclaims | 15,532 |
| Variation margin for futures contracts | 73,241 |
| Expense reimbursement due from Investment Manager | 2,995 |
| Prepaid expenses | 15,128 |
| Other assets | 22,543 |
| Total assets | 1,213,056,987 |
| Liabilities | |
| Payable for: | |
| Investments purchased | 11,285,592 |
| Investments purchased on a delayed delivery basis | 17,624,875 |
| Capital shares purchased | 858,085 |
| Distributions to shareholders | 1,669,563 |
| Variation margin for futures contracts | 75,196 |
| Management services fees | 13,763 |
| Distribution and/or service fees | 1,987 |
| Transfer agent fees | 50,316 |
| Compensation of board members | 312,856 |
| Compensation of chief compliance officer | 104 |
| Other expenses | 51,159 |
| Total liabilities | 31,943,496 |
| Net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock | $1,181,113,491 |
| Represented by | |
| Paid in capital | 1,174,927,376 |
| Total distributable earnings (loss) | 6,186,115 |
| Total - representing net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock | $1,181,113,491 |
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| 24 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
| Class A | |
| Net assets | $241,936,287 |
| Shares outstanding | 23,919,106 |
| Net asset value per share | $10.11 |
| Maximum sales charge | 1.00% |
| Maximum offering price per share (calculated by dividing the net asset value per share by 1.0 minus the maximum sales charge for Class A shares) | $10.21 |
| Advisor Class | |
| Net assets | $4,897,915 |
| Shares outstanding | 484,863 |
| Net asset value per share | $10.10 |
| Class C | |
| Net assets | $14,459,571 |
| Shares outstanding | 1,432,741 |
| Net asset value per share | $10.09 |
| Institutional Class | |
| Net assets | $206,210,932 |
| Shares outstanding | 20,416,232 |
| Net asset value per share | $10.10 |
| Institutional 2 Class | |
| Net assets | $12,465,987 |
| Shares outstanding | 1,235,847 |
| Net asset value per share | $10.09 |
| Institutional 3 Class | |
| Net assets | $700,000,969 |
| Shares outstanding | 69,343,267 |
| Net asset value per share | $10.09 |
| Class R | |
| Net assets | $1,141,830 |
| Shares outstanding | 112,887 |
| Net asset value per share | $10.11 |
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 25 |
Statement of Operations
Six Months Ended September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
| Net investment income | |
| Income: | |
| Dividends — affiliated issuers | $6,389 |
| Interest | 11,425,192 |
| Total income | 11,431,581 |
| Expenses: | |
| Management services fees | 2,439,518 |
| Distribution and/or service fees | |
| Class A | 303,162 |
| Class C | 69,931 |
| Class R | 2,948 |
| Transfer agent fees | |
| Class A | 152,022 |
| Advisor Class | 4,638 |
| Class C | 9,393 |
| Institutional Class | 123,399 |
| Institutional 2 Class | 3,375 |
| Institutional 3 Class | 18,276 |
| Class R | 740 |
| Compensation of board members | 49,190 |
| Custodian fees | 10,521 |
| Printing and postage fees | 27,477 |
| Registration fees | 75,867 |
| Audit fees | 19,804 |
| Legal fees | 12,054 |
| Compensation of chief compliance officer | 104 |
| Other | 11,924 |
| Total expenses | 3,334,343 |
| Fees waived or expenses reimbursed by Investment Manager and its affiliates | (511,404) |
| Fees waived by distributor | |
| Class C | (10,071) |
| Total net expenses | 2,812,868 |
| Net investment income | 8,618,713 |
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) — net | |
| Net realized gain (loss) on: | |
| Investments — unaffiliated issuers | 1,782,887 |
| Futures contracts | (343,630) |
| Net realized gain | 1,439,257 |
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | |
| Investments — unaffiliated issuers | (522,626) |
| Futures contracts | (425,927) |
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (948,553) |
| Net realized and unrealized gain | 490,704 |
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $9,109,417 |
The accompanying Notes to
Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 26 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Six Months Ended September 30, 2021 (Unaudited) | Year Ended March 31, 2021 | |
| Operations | ||
| Net investment income | $8,618,713 | $21,098,476 |
| Net realized gain | 1,439,257 | 16,120,906 |
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (948,553) | 60,186,272 |
| Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 9,109,417 | 97,405,654 |
| Distributions to shareholders | ||
| Net investment income and net realized gains | ||
| Class A | (1,522,212) | (3,974,903) |
| Advisor Class | (55,367) | (149,463) |
| Class C | (52,566) | (233,592) |
| Institutional Class | (1,487,936) | (3,531,098) |
| Institutional 2 Class | (97,644) | (494,230) |
| Institutional 3 Class | (5,473,848) | (12,183,013) |
| Class R | (5,920) | (17,562) |
| Total distributions to shareholders | (8,695,493) | (20,583,861) |
| Increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock activity | 165,530,908 | (12,110,753) |
| Total increase in net assets | 165,944,832 | 64,711,040 |
| Net assets at beginning of period | 1,015,168,659 | 950,457,619 |
| Net assets at end of period | $1,181,113,491 | $1,015,168,659 |
The accompanying Notes to
Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 27 |
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
| Six Months Ended | Year Ended | |||
| September 30, 2021 (Unaudited) | March 31, 2021 | |||
| Shares | Dollars ($) | Shares | Dollars ($) | |
| Capital stock activity | ||||
| Class A | ||||
| Subscriptions | 3,720,657 | 37,689,781 | 7,169,680 | 71,775,307 |
| Distributions reinvested | 136,858 | 1,386,296 | 361,431 | 3,600,128 |
| Redemptions | (3,737,057) | (37,859,521) | (6,801,427) | (67,916,997) |
| Net increase | 120,458 | 1,216,556 | 729,684 | 7,458,438 |
| Advisor Class | ||||
| Subscriptions | 117,082 | 1,184,670 | 212,120 | 2,100,571 |
| Distributions reinvested | 5,215 | 52,762 | 14,422 | 143,559 |
| Redemptions | (371,354) | (3,758,330) | (251,213) | (2,490,224) |
| Net decrease | (249,057) | (2,520,898) | (24,671) | (246,094) |
| Class C | ||||
| Subscriptions | 223,191 | 2,255,293 | 659,644 | 6,556,190 |
| Distributions reinvested | 5,016 | 50,699 | 21,513 | 213,336 |
| Redemptions | (479,413) | (4,844,253) | (1,259,371) | (12,538,139) |
| Net decrease | (251,206) | (2,538,261) | (578,214) | (5,768,613) |
| Institutional Class | ||||
| Subscriptions | 4,898,714 | 49,558,492 | 11,082,248 | 110,318,662 |
| Distributions reinvested | 122,863 | 1,242,944 | 301,014 | 2,994,634 |
| Redemptions | (3,406,917) | (34,443,980) | (10,467,604) | (104,181,414) |
| Net increase | 1,614,660 | 16,357,456 | 915,658 | 9,131,882 |
| Institutional 2 Class | ||||
| Subscriptions | 188,320 | 1,902,810 | 1,473,117 | 14,692,474 |
| Distributions reinvested | 9,665 | 97,644 | 49,659 | 494,220 |
| Redemptions | (134,052) | (1,354,523) | (2,748,735) | (27,428,317) |
| Net increase (decrease) | 63,933 | 645,931 | (1,225,959) | (12,241,623) |
| Institutional 3 Class | ||||
| Subscriptions | 20,247,859 | 204,719,659 | 23,146,189 | 228,897,284 |
| Distributions reinvested | 226,385 | 2,288,603 | 473,558 | 4,705,889 |
| Redemptions | (5,396,385) | (54,563,341) | (24,304,365) | (243,201,968) |
| Net increase (decrease) | 15,077,859 | 152,444,921 | (684,618) | (9,598,795) |
| Class R | ||||
| Subscriptions | 9,761 | 98,887 | 26,547 | 266,113 |
| Distributions reinvested | 507 | 5,131 | 1,439 | 14,314 |
| Redemptions | (17,664) | (178,815) | (117,404) | (1,126,375) |
| Net decrease | (7,396) | (74,797) | (89,418) | (845,948) |
| Total net increase (decrease) | 16,369,251 | 165,530,908 | (957,538) | (12,110,753) |
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| 28 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Financial Highlights
The following table is intended to
help you understand the Fund’s financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of a class held for the periods shown. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are
calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. Total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect payment of sales charges, if any. Total
return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain
derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.
| Net asset value, beginning of period | Net investment income | Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | Total from investment operations | Distributions from net investment income | Total distributions to shareholders | |
| Class A | ||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.11 | 0.06 | 0.00(c) | 0.06 | (0.06) | (0.06) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $9.37 | 0.18 | 0.73 | 0.91 | (0.17) | (0.17) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.98 | 0.26 | (0.54) | (0.28) | (0.33) | (0.33) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.88 | 0.20 | 0.05 | 0.25 | (0.15) | (0.15) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.98 | 0.11 | (0.09) | 0.02 | (0.12) | (0.12) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.97 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.09 | (0.08) | (0.08) |
| Advisor Class | ||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.10 | 0.08 | 0.00(c) | 0.08 | (0.08) | (0.08) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $9.36 | 0.20 | 0.74 | 0.94 | (0.20) | (0.20) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.96 | 0.29 | (0.53) | (0.24) | (0.36) | (0.36) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.87 | 0.23 | 0.03 | 0.26 | (0.17) | (0.17) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.97 | 0.13 | (0.09) | 0.04 | (0.14) | (0.14) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.96 | 0.11 | 0.00(c) | 0.11 | (0.10) | (0.10) |
| Class C | ||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.08 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.05 | (0.04) | (0.04) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $9.35 | 0.12 | 0.72 | 0.84 | (0.11) | (0.11) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.96 | 0.20 | (0.54) | (0.34) | (0.27) | (0.27) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.86 | 0.14 | 0.05 | 0.19 | (0.09) | (0.09) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.96 | 0.05 | (0.09) | (0.04) | (0.06) | (0.06) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.95 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.03 | (0.02) | (0.02) |
| Institutional Class | ||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.09 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.09 | (0.08) | (0.08) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $9.36 | 0.20 | 0.73 | 0.93 | (0.20) | (0.20) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.96 | 0.29 | (0.53) | (0.24) | (0.36) | (0.36) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.86 | 0.24 | 0.03 | 0.27 | (0.17) | (0.17) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.97 | 0.12 | (0.09) | 0.03 | (0.14) | (0.14) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.95 | 0.11 | 0.01 | 0.12 | (0.10) | (0.10) |
| Institutional 2 Class | ||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.08 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.09 | (0.08) | (0.08) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $9.35 | 0.21 | 0.72 | 0.93 | (0.20) | (0.20) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.95 | 0.29 | (0.52) | (0.23) | (0.37) | (0.37) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.85 | 0.22 | 0.06 | 0.28 | (0.18) | (0.18) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.96 | 0.14 | (0.10) | 0.04 | (0.15) | (0.15) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.95 | 0.12 | 0.00(c) | 0.12 | (0.11) | (0.11) |
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 30 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
| Net asset value, end of period | Total return | Total gross expense ratio to average net assets(a) | Total net expense ratio to average net assets(a),(b) | Net investment income ratio to average net assets | Portfolio turnover | Net assets, end of period (000’s) | |
| Class A | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.11 | 0.63% | 0.84%(d) | 0.75%(d) | 1.25%(d) | 53% | $241,936 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $10.11 | 9.77% | 0.85% | 0.77%(e) | 1.77% | 173% | $240,561 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.37 | (2.94%) | 0.85% | 0.78%(e) | 2.61% | 169% | $216,266 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.98 | 2.55% | 0.86% | 0.80%(e) | 2.02% | 154% | $226,907 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.88 | 0.15% | 0.86% | 0.80%(e) | 1.06% | 86% | $242,170 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.98 | 0.90% | 0.88% | 0.80%(e) | 0.82% | 68% | $290,277 |
| Advisor Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.10 | 0.76% | 0.59%(d) | 0.50%(d) | 1.50%(d) | 53% | $4,898 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $10.10 | 10.06% | 0.60% | 0.52%(e) | 2.03% | 173% | $7,409 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.36 | (2.60%) | 0.60% | 0.53%(e) | 2.87% | 169% | $7,103 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.96 | 2.71% | 0.61% | 0.55%(e) | 2.30% | 154% | $7,344 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.87 | 0.40% | 0.60% | 0.55%(e) | 1.31% | 86% | $7,420 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.97 | 1.16% | 0.63% | 0.55%(e) | 1.07% | 68% | $9,760 |
| Class C | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.09 | 0.45% | 1.52%(d) | 1.30%(d) | 0.70%(d) | 53% | $14,460 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $10.08 | 9.06% | 1.60% | 1.34%(e) | 1.22% | 173% | $16,981 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.35 | (3.53%) | 1.60% | 1.38%(e) | 2.02% | 169% | $21,157 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.96 | 1.94% | 1.61% | 1.40%(e) | 1.38% | 154% | $27,118 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.86 | (0.45%) | 1.61% | 1.40%(e) | 0.46% | 86% | $42,010 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.96 | 0.33% | 1.62% | 1.40%(e) | 0.22% | 68% | $59,183 |
| Institutional Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.10 | 0.86% | 0.59%(d) | 0.50%(d) | 1.50%(d) | 53% | $206,211 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $10.09 | 9.95% | 0.60% | 0.52%(e) | 2.03% | 173% | $189,774 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.36 | (2.60%) | 0.60% | 0.53%(e) | 2.87% | 169% | $167,429 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.96 | 2.81% | 0.61% | 0.55%(e) | 2.40% | 154% | $303,373 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.86 | 0.29% | 0.61% | 0.55%(e) | 1.23% | 86% | $194,236 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.97 | 1.26% | 0.63% | 0.55%(e) | 1.07% | 68% | $985,868 |
| Institutional 2 Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.09 | 0.89% | 0.52%(d) | 0.43%(d) | 1.57%(d) | 53% | $12,466 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $10.08 | 10.04% | 0.52% | 0.44% | 2.08% | 173% | $11,814 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.35 | (2.52%) | 0.51% | 0.44% | 2.94% | 169% | $22,420 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.95 | 2.91% | 0.51% | 0.46% | 2.27% | 154% | $18,228 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.85 | 0.39% | 0.51% | 0.46% | 1.44% | 86% | $30,580 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.96 | 1.25% | 0.50% | 0.45% | 1.16% | 68% | $17,167 |
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 31 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
| Net asset value, beginning of period | Net investment income | Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | Total from investment operations | Distributions from net investment income | Total distributions to shareholders | |
| Institutional 3 Class | ||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.09 | 0.08 | 0.00(c) | 0.08 | (0.08) | (0.08) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $9.36 | 0.21 | 0.73 | 0.94 | (0.21) | (0.21) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.96 | 0.30 | (0.53) | (0.23) | (0.37) | (0.37) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.86 | 0.24 | 0.05 | 0.29 | (0.19) | (0.19) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.96 | 0.15 | (0.10) | 0.05 | (0.15) | (0.15) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.95 | 0.13 | 0.00(c) | 0.13 | (0.12) | (0.12) |
| Class R | ||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.11 | 0.05 | 0.00(c) | 0.05 | (0.05) | (0.05) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $9.37 | 0.15 | 0.74 | 0.89 | (0.15) | (0.15) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.98 | 0.24 | (0.54) | (0.30) | (0.31) | (0.31) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.88 | 0.18 | 0.05 | 0.23 | (0.13) | (0.13) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.99 | 0.08 | (0.10) | (0.02) | (0.09) | (0.09) |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.97 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.08 | (0.06) | (0.06) |
| Notes to Financial Highlights | |
| (a) | In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios. |
| (b) | Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable. |
| (c) | Rounds to zero. |
| (d) | Annualized. |
| (e) | The benefits derived from expense reductions had an impact of less than 0.01%. |
The accompanying Notes to
Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 32 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
| Net asset value, end of period | Total return | Total gross expense ratio to average net assets(a) | Total net expense ratio to average net assets(a),(b) | Net investment income ratio to average net assets | Portfolio turnover | Net assets, end of period (000’s) | |
| Institutional 3 Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.09 | 0.82% | 0.47%(d) | 0.38%(d) | 1.62%(d) | 53% | $700,001 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $10.09 | 10.09% | 0.47% | 0.39% | 2.16% | 173% | $547,413 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.36 | (2.47%) | 0.46% | 0.39% | 3.00% | 169% | $514,116 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.96 | 2.96% | 0.46% | 0.41% | 2.41% | 154% | $717,896 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.86 | 0.54% | 0.46% | 0.41% | 1.50% | 86% | $771,726 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.96 | 1.30% | 0.45% | 0.40% | 1.28% | 68% | $394,827 |
| Class R | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 9/30/2021 (Unaudited) | $10.11 | 0.51% | 1.09%(d) | 1.00%(d) | 1.00%(d) | 53% | $1,142 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2021 | $10.11 | 9.50% | 1.10% | 1.02%(e) | 1.54% | 173% | $1,216 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2020 | $9.37 | (3.18%) | 1.10% | 1.03%(e) | 2.37% | 169% | $1,966 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2019 | $9.98 | 2.30% | 1.11% | 1.05%(e) | 1.78% | 154% | $2,549 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2018 | $9.88 | (0.20%) | 1.10% | 1.05%(e) | 0.81% | 86% | $2,535 |
| Year Ended 3/31/2017 | $9.99 | 0.75% | 1.12% | 1.05%(e) | 0.56% | 68% | $3,490 |
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 33 |
Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Note 1. Organization
Columbia Short Term Bond Fund
(the Fund), a series of Columbia Funds Series Trust (the Trust), is a diversified fund. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment
company organized as a Delaware statutory trust.
Fund shares
The Trust may issue an unlimited
number of shares (without par value). The Fund offers each of the share classes listed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Although all share classes generally have identical voting, dividend and liquidation
rights, each share class votes separately when required by the Trust’s organizational documents or by law. Each share class has its own expense and sales charge structure. Different share classes may have
different minimum initial investment amounts and pay different net investment income distribution amounts to the extent the expenses of distributing such share classes vary. Distributions to shareholders in a
liquidation will be proportional to the net asset value of each share class.
As described in the Fund’s
prospectus, Class A and Class C shares are offered to the general public for investment. Effective April 1, 2021, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares after 8 years. Prior to April 1, 2021, Class C
shares automatically converted to Class A shares after 10 years. Advisor Class, Institutional Class, Institutional 2 Class, Institutional 3 Class and Class R shares are available for purchase through authorized
investment professionals to omnibus retirement plans or to institutional investors and to certain other investors as also described in the Fund’s prospectus.
Note 2. Summary of
significant accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The Fund is an investment company
that applies the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies (ASC 946). The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which requires
management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of
significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Security valuation
Debt securities generally are
valued by pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees based upon market transactions for normal, institutional-size trading units of similar securities. The services may use various pricing techniques that take
into account, as applicable, factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other data, as well as approved independent broker-dealer quotes. Debt securities for
which quotations are not readily available or not believed to be reflective of market value may also be valued based upon a bid quote from an approved independent broker-dealer. Debt securities maturing in 60 days or
less are valued primarily at amortized market value, unless this method results in a valuation that management believes does not approximate fair value.
Asset- and mortgage-backed
securities are generally valued by pricing services, which utilize pricing models that incorporate the securities’ cash flow and loan performance data. These models also take into account available market data,
including trades, market quotations, and benchmark yield curves for identical or similar securities. Factors used to identify similar securities may include, but are not limited to, issuer, collateral type, vintage,
prepayment speeds, collateral performance, credit ratings, credit enhancement and expected life. Asset-backed securities for which quotations are readily available may also be valued based upon an over-the-counter or
exchange bid quote from an approved independent broker-dealer. Debt securities maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily at amortized market value, unless this method results in a valuation that management
believes does not approximate fair value.
Investments in open-end investment
companies (other than exchange-traded funds (ETFs)), are valued at the latest net asset value reported by those companies as of the valuation time.
| 34 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Futures and options on futures
contracts are valued based upon the settlement price at the close of regular trading on their principal exchanges or, in the absence of a settlement price, at the mean of the latest quoted bid and ask prices.
Investments for which market
quotations are not readily available, or that have quotations which management believes are not reflective of market value or reliable, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by
and under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. If a security or class of securities (such as foreign securities) is valued at fair value, such value is likely to be different from the quoted or published
price for the security, if available.
The determination of fair value
often requires significant judgment. To determine fair value, management may use assumptions including but not limited to future cash flows and estimated risk premiums. Multiple inputs from various sources may be used
to determine fair value.
GAAP requires disclosure regarding
the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value and any changes in valuation inputs or techniques. In addition, investments shall be disclosed by major category. This information is disclosed following
the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.
Derivative instruments
The Fund invests in certain
derivative instruments, as detailed below, in seeking to meet its investment objectives. Derivatives are instruments whose values depend on, or are derived from, in whole or in part, the value of one or more
securities, currencies, commodities, indices, or other assets or instruments. Derivatives may be used to increase investment flexibility (including to maintain cash reserves while maintaining desired exposure to
certain assets), for risk management (hedging) purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs and to pursue higher investment returns. The Fund may also use derivative instruments to mitigate certain
investment risks, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. Derivatives may involve various risks, including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill its
obligations under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market (making it difficult for the Fund to sell or terminate, including at favorable prices) and the potential for market movements
which may expose the Fund to gains or losses in excess of the amount shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The notional amounts of derivative instruments, if applicable, are not recorded in the financial
statements.
A derivative instrument may suffer
a marked-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform its
obligations under the contract. The Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on over-the-counter derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain netted against any collateral held by
the Fund and the amount of any variation margin held by the counterparty, plus any replacement costs or related amounts. With exchange-traded or centrally cleared derivatives, there is reduced counterparty credit risk
to the Fund since the clearinghouse or central counterparty (CCP) provides some protection in the case of clearing member default. The clearinghouse or CCP stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract;
therefore, additional counterparty credit risk is failure of the clearinghouse or CCP. However, credit risk still exists in exchange-traded or centrally cleared derivatives with respect to initial and variation margin
that is held in a broker’s customer account. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy
and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients and such shortfall is remedied by the CCP or otherwise, U.S. bankruptcy laws will typically
allocate that shortfall on a pro-rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers (including the Fund), potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.
In order to better define its
contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Fund mitigate its counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (ISDA Master Agreement)
or similar agreement with its derivatives counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty that governs over-the-counter derivatives and foreign exchange forward contracts
and contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset
with the counterparty certain derivative instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically
permit a single net payment in the event of default (close-out netting), including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Note, however, that bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may
impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset or netting in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 35 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Collateral (margin) requirements
differ by type of derivative. Margin requirements are established by the clearinghouse or CCP for exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivatives. Brokers can ask for margin in excess of the minimum in certain
circumstances. Collateral terms for most over-the-counter derivatives are subject to regulatory requirements to exchange variation margin with trading counterparties and may have contract specific margin terms as
well. For over-the-counter derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the marked-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and
comparing that amount to the value of any variation margin currently pledged by the Fund and/or the counterparty. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a party has to exceed a minimum transfer amount
threshold (e.g., $250,000) before a transfer has to be made. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Fund bears the risk of loss from
counterparty nonperformance. The Fund may also pay interest expense on cash collateral received from the broker. Any interest expense paid by the Fund is shown on the Statement of Operations. The Fund attempts to
mitigate counterparty risk by only entering into agreements with counterparties that it believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those
counterparties.
Certain ISDA Master Agreements
allow counterparties of over-the-counter derivatives transactions to terminate derivatives contracts prior to maturity in the event the Fund’s net asset value declines by a stated percentage over a specified
time period or if the Fund fails to meet certain terms of the ISDA Master Agreement, which would cause the Fund to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty. The Fund also has termination
rights if the counterparty fails to meet certain terms of the ISDA Master Agreement. In determining whether to exercise such termination rights, the Fund would consider, in addition to counterparty credit risk,
whether termination would result in a net liability owed from the counterparty.
For financial reporting purposes,
the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Futures contracts
Futures contracts are
exchange-traded and represent commitments for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date. The Fund bought and sold futures contracts to manage the duration and yield curve
exposure of the Fund versus the benchmark and to manage exposure to movements in interest rates. These instruments may be used for other purposes in future periods. Upon entering into futures contracts, the
Fund bears risks that it may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and may realize a loss. Additional risks include counterparty credit risk, the possibility of an illiquid market, and that a
change in the value of the contract or option may not correlate with changes in the value of the underlying asset.
Upon entering into a futures
contract, the Fund deposits cash or securities with the broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), in an amount sufficient to meet the initial margin requirement. The initial margin deposit must be
maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Cash deposited as initial margin is recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as margin deposits. Securities deposited as initial margin are
designated in the Portfolio of Investments. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day. The variation margin payments are equal to the daily change in the contract value and are
recorded as variation margin receivable or payable and are offset in unrealized gains or losses. The Fund generally expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits. The Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss
when the contract is closed or expires. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Effects of derivative transactions in
the financial statements
The following tables are intended
to provide additional information about the effect of derivatives on the financial statements of the Fund, including: the fair value of derivatives by risk category and the location of those fair values in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities; and the impact of derivative transactions over the period in the Statement of Operations, including realized and unrealized gains (losses). The derivative instrument schedules
following the Portfolio of Investments present additional information regarding derivative instruments outstanding at the end of the period, if any.
| 36 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
The following table is a summary of
the fair value of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) at September 30, 2021:
| Asset derivatives | ||
| Risk exposure category | Statement of assets and liabilities location | Fair value ($) |
| Interest rate risk | Component of total distributable earnings (loss) — unrealized appreciation on futures contracts | 695,944* |
| Liability derivatives | ||
| Risk exposure category | Statement of assets and liabilities location | Fair value ($) |
| Interest rate risk | Component of total distributable earnings (loss) — unrealized depreciation on futures contracts | 253,550* |
| * | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the tables following the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The following table indicates the
effect of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) in the Statement of Operations for the six months ended September 30, 2021:
| Amount of realized gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income | |
| Risk exposure category | Futures contracts ($) |
| Interest rate risk | (343,630) |
| Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives recognized in income | |
| Risk exposure category | Futures contracts ($) |
| Interest rate risk | (425,927) |
The following table is a summary
of the average outstanding volume by derivative instrument for the six months ended September 30, 2021:
| Derivative instrument | Average notional amounts ($)* |
| Futures contracts — long | 353,365,079 |
| Futures contracts — short | 115,414,551 |
| * | Based on the ending quarterly outstanding amounts for the six months ended September 30, 2021. |
Asset- and mortgage-backed
securities
The Fund may invest in asset-backed
and mortgage-backed securities. The maturity dates shown represent the original maturity of the underlying obligation. Actual maturity may vary based upon prepayment activity on these obligations. All, or a portion,
of the obligation may be prepaid at any time because the underlying asset may be prepaid. As a result, decreasing market interest rates could result in an increased level of prepayment. An increased prepayment rate
will have the effect of shortening the maturity of the security. Unless otherwise noted, the coupon rates presented are fixed rates.
Delayed delivery securities
The Fund may trade securities on
other than normal settlement terms, including securities purchased or sold on a “when-issued” or "forward commitment" basis. This may increase risk to the Fund since the other party to the transaction may
fail to deliver, which could cause the Fund to subsequently invest at less advantageous prices. The Fund designates cash or liquid securities in an amount equal to the delayed delivery commitment.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 37 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Mortgage dollar roll transactions
The Fund may enter into mortgage
“dollar rolls” in which the Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase similar but not identical securities (same type,
coupon and maturity) on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, the Fund may benefit because it receives
negotiated amounts in the form of reductions of the purchase price for the future purchase plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold until the settlement date of the forward purchase. The
Fund records the incremental difference between the forward purchase and sale of each forward roll as a realized gain or loss. Unless any realized gains exceed the income, capital appreciation, and gain or loss due to
mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the mortgage dollar roll, the use of this technique may diminish the investment performance of the Fund compared to what the
performance would have been without the use of mortgage dollar rolls. All cash proceeds will be invested in instruments that are permissible investments for the Fund. The Fund identifies cash or liquid securities in
an amount equal to the forward purchase price.
For financial reporting and tax
purposes, the Fund treats “to be announced” mortgage dollar rolls as two separate transactions, one involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving a sale. These transactions may
increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. The Fund does not currently enter into mortgage dollar rolls that are accounted for as financing transactions.
Mortgage dollar rolls involve the
risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price, or that the counterparty may default on its obligations.
Security transactions
Security transactions are accounted
for on the trade date. Cost is determined and gains (losses) are based upon the specific identification method for both financial statement and federal income tax purposes.
Income recognition
Interest income is recorded on an
accrual basis. Market premiums and discounts, including original issue discounts, are amortized and accreted, respectively, over the expected life of the security on all debt securities, unless otherwise noted. The
Fund classifies gains and losses realized on prepayments received on mortgage-backed securities as adjustments to interest income.
The Fund may place a debt security
on non-accrual status and reduce related interest income when it becomes probable that the interest will not be collected and the amount of uncollectible interest can be reasonably estimated. A defaulted debt security
is removed from non-accrual status when the issuer resumes interest payments or when collectability of interest is reasonably assured.
Dividend income is recorded on the
ex-dividend date.
The value of additional securities
received as an income payment through a payment in kind, if any, is recorded as interest income and increases the cost basis of such securities.
Expenses
General expenses of the Trust are
allocated to the Fund and other funds of the Trust based upon relative net assets or other expense allocation methodologies determined by the nature of the expense. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are
charged to the Fund. Expenses directly attributable to a specific class of shares are charged to that share class.
Determination of class net asset
value
All income, expenses (other than
class-specific expenses, which are charged to that share class, as shown in the Statement of Operations) and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are allocated to each class of the Fund on a daily basis, based on
the relative net assets of each class, for purposes of determining the net asset value of each class.
| 38 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Federal income tax status
The Fund intends to qualify each
year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and will distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, if any, for its
tax year, and as such will not be subject to federal income taxes. In addition, the Fund intends to distribute in each calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income, capital gain net income and certain other
amounts, if any, such that the Fund should not be subject to federal excise tax. Therefore, no federal income or excise tax provision is recorded.
Foreign taxes
The Fund may be subject to foreign
taxes on income, gains on investments or currency repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Fund will accrue such taxes and recoveries, as applicable, based upon its current interpretation of tax rules
and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.
Realized gains in certain countries
may be subject to foreign taxes at the Fund level, based on statutory rates. The Fund accrues for such foreign taxes on realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction, as applicable. The
amount, if any, is disclosed as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Distributions to shareholders
Distributions from net investment
income, if any, are declared daily and paid monthly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually. Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal
income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust’s
organizational documents and, in some cases, by contract, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust or its funds. In addition,
certain of the Fund’s contracts with its service providers contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown since the amount of any future claims
that may be made against the Fund cannot be determined, and the Fund has no historical basis for predicting the likelihood of any such claims.
Note 3. Fees and other
transactions with affiliates
Management services fees
The Fund has entered into a
Management Agreement with Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). Under the Management Agreement, the
Investment Manager provides the Fund with investment research and advice, as well as administrative and accounting services. The management services fee is an annual fee that is equal to a percentage of the
Fund’s daily net assets that declines from 0.43% to 0.28% as the Fund’s net assets increase. The annualized effective management services fee rate for the six months ended September 30, 2021 was 0.43% of
the Fund’s average daily net assets.
Compensation of board members
Members of the Board of Trustees
who are not officers or employees of the Investment Manager or Ameriprise Financial are compensated for their services to the Fund as disclosed in the Statement of Operations. Under a Deferred Compensation Plan (the
Deferred Plan), these members of the Board of Trustees may elect to defer payment of up to 100% of their compensation. Deferred amounts are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of
certain funds managed by the Investment Manager. The Fund’s liability for these amounts is adjusted for market value changes and remains in the Fund until distributed in accordance with the Deferred Plan. All
amounts payable under the Deferred Plan constitute a general unsecured obligation of the Fund. The expense for the Deferred Plan, which includes Trustees’ fees deferred during the current period as well as any
gains or losses on the Trustees’ deferred compensation balances as a result of market fluctuations, is included in "Compensation of board members" on the Statement of Operations.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 39 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Compensation of Chief Compliance
Officer
The Board of Trustees has appointed
a Chief Compliance Officer for the Fund in accordance with federal securities regulations. As disclosed in the Statement of Operations, a portion of the Chief Compliance Officer’s total compensation is allocated
to the Fund, along with other allocations to affiliated registered investment companies managed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates, based on relative net assets.
Transfer agency fees
Under a Transfer and Dividend
Disbursing Agent Agreement, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, is responsible for
providing transfer agency services to the Fund. The Transfer Agent has contracted with DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (DST) to serve as sub-transfer agent. The Transfer Agent pays the fees of DST for services as
sub-transfer agent and DST is not entitled to reimbursement for such fees from the Fund (with the exception of out-of-pocket fees).
The Fund pays the Transfer Agent a
monthly transfer agency fee based on the number or the average value of accounts, depending on the type of account. In addition, the Fund pays the Transfer Agent a fee for shareholder services based on the number of
accounts or on a percentage of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares maintained in omnibus accounts up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a cap established by the
Board of Trustees from time to time.
The Transfer Agent also receives
compensation from the Fund for various shareholder services and reimbursements for certain out-of-pocket fees. Total transfer agency fees for Institutional 2 Class and Institutional 3 Class shares are subject to an
annual limitation of not more than 0.07% and 0.02%, respectively, of the average daily net assets attributable to each share class.
For the six months ended September
30, 2021, the Fund’s annualized effective transfer agency fee rates as a percentage of average daily net assets of each class were as follows:
| Effective rate (%) | |
| Class A | 0.13 |
| Advisor Class | 0.13 |
| Class C | 0.13 |
| Institutional Class | 0.13 |
| Institutional 2 Class | 0.05 |
| Institutional 3 Class | 0.01 |
| Class R | 0.13 |
An annual minimum account balance
fee of $20 may apply to certain accounts with a value below the applicable share class’s initial minimum investment requirements to reduce the impact of small accounts on transfer agency fees. These minimum
account balance fees are remitted to the Fund and recorded as part of expense reductions in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2021, no minimum account balance fees were charged by the
Fund.
Distribution and service fees
The Fund has entered into an
agreement with Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, for distribution and shareholder
services. The Board of Trustees has approved, and the Fund has adopted, distribution and shareholder service plans (the Plans) applicable to certain share classes, which set the distribution and service fees for the
Fund. These fees are calculated daily and are intended to compensate the Distributor and/or eligible selling and/or servicing agents for selling shares of the Fund and providing services to investors.
| 40 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Under the Plans, the Fund pays a
monthly combined distribution and service fee to the Distributor at the maximum annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares of the Fund. Also under the Plans, the Fund pays
a monthly service fee to the Distributor at the maximum annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares of the Fund and a monthly distribution fee to the Distributor at the
maximum annual rates of 0.75% and 0.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C and Class R shares of the Fund, respectively.
Effective August 1, 2021, the
Distributor has reduced the distribution fee for Class C shares to 0.55% annually of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. Prior to August 1, 2021, the Distributor contractually waived a portion
of the distribution fee for Class C shares so that the distribution fee did not exceed 0.55% annually of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. This arrangement could have been modified or
terminated at the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees.
Sales charges
Sales charges, including front-end
charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), received by the Distributor for distributing Fund shares for the six months ended September 30, 2021, if any, are listed below:
| Front End (%) | CDSC (%) | Amount ($) | |
| Class A | 1.00 | 0.50 - 1.00(a) | 183,561 |
| Class C | — | 1.00(b) | 291 |
| (a) | This charge is imposed on certain investments of between $1 million and $50 million redeemed within 18 months after purchase, as follows: 1.00% if redeemed within 12 months after purchase, and 0.50% if redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions. |
| (b) | This charge applies to redemptions within 12 months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions. |
The Fund’s other share
classes are not subject to sales charges.
Expenses waived/reimbursed by the
Investment Manager and its affiliates
The Investment Manager and certain
of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) for the period(s) disclosed below, unless sooner terminated at the sole
discretion of the Board of Trustees, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s
custodian, do not exceed the following annual rate(s) as a percentage of the class’ average daily net assets:
| August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022 | Prior to August 1, 2021 | |
| Class A | 0.74% | 0.77% |
| Advisor Class | 0.49 | 0.52 |
| Class C | 1.29 | 1.52 |
| Institutional Class | 0.49 | 0.52 |
| Institutional 2 Class | 0.42 | 0.44 |
| Institutional 3 Class | 0.37 | 0.39 |
| Class R | 0.99 | 1.02 |
Under the agreement governing
these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes
(including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investments in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and
brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed
money, interest, costs associated with certain shareholder meetings, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Board of Trustees. This agreement
may be modified or amended only with approval from the Investment Manager, certain of its affiliates and the Fund. Prior to August 1, 2021, Class C distribution fees waived by the
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 41 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Distributor, as discussed above, were in addition
to the waiver/reimbursement commitment under the agreement. Any fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed under the expense reimbursement arrangements described above are not recoverable by the Investment Manager or its
affiliates in future periods.
Note 4. Federal tax
information
The timing and character of
income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP because of temporary or permanent book to tax differences.
At September 30, 2021, the
approximate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes and the aggregate gross approximate unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on that cost was:
| Federal tax cost ($) | Gross unrealized appreciation ($) | Gross unrealized (depreciation) ($) | Net unrealized appreciation ($) |
| 1,175,394,000 | 8,779,000 | (2,575,000) | 6,204,000 |
Tax cost of investments and
unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) may also include timing differences that do not constitute adjustments to tax basis.
Management of the Fund has
concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions in the Fund that would require recognition in the financial statements. However, management’s conclusion may be subject to review and adjustment at
a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, new tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations (including relevant court decisions). Generally, the Fund’s federal tax returns for the
prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Note 5. Portfolio
information
The cost of purchases and
proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term investments and derivatives, if any, aggregated to $720,822,407 and $609,525,613, respectively, for the six months ended September 30, 2021, of which
$260,346,453 and $309,351,570, respectively, were U.S. government securities. The amount of purchase and sale activity impacts the portfolio turnover rate reported in the Financial Highlights.
Note 6. Affiliated money
market fund
The Fund invests in Columbia
Short-Term Cash Fund, an affiliated money market fund established for the exclusive use by the Fund and other affiliated funds (the Affiliated MMF). The income earned by the Fund from such investments is included as
Dividends - affiliated issuers in the Statement of Operations. As an investing fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the Affiliated MMF. The Affiliated MMF prices its shares with a
floating net asset value. In addition, the Board of Trustees of the Affiliated MMF may impose a fee on redemptions (sometimes referred to as a liquidity fee) or temporarily suspend redemptions (sometimes referred to
as imposing a redemption gate) in the event its liquidity falls below regulatory limits.
Note 7. Interfund
lending
Pursuant to an exemptive order
granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund participates in a program (the Interfund Program) allowing each participating Columbia Fund (each, a Participating Fund) to lend money directly to and,
except for closed-end funds and money market funds, borrow money directly from other Participating Funds for temporary purposes. The amounts eligible for borrowing and lending under the Interfund Program are subject
to certain restrictions.
Interfund loans are subject to the
risk that the borrowing fund could be unable to repay the loan when due, and a delay in repayment to the lending fund could result in lost opportunities and/or additional lending costs. The exemptive order is subject
to conditions intended to mitigate conflicts of interest arising from the Investment Manager’s relationship with each Participating Fund.
The Fund did not borrow or lend
money under the Interfund Program during the six months ended September 30, 2021.
| 42 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Note 8. Line of credit
The Fund has access to a
revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. whereby the Fund may borrow for the temporary funding of shareholder redemptions or for
other temporary or emergency purposes. Pursuant to an October 28, 2021 amendment and restatement, the credit facility, which is a collective agreement between the Fund and certain other funds managed by the Investment
Manager or an affiliated investment manager, severally and not jointly, permits collective borrowings up to $950 million. Interest is currently charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate
equal to the higher of (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the secured overnight financing rate plus 0.11448% and (iii) the overnight bank funding rate, plus in each case, 1.00%. Each borrowing under the credit
facility matures no later than 60 days after the date of borrowing. The Fund also pays a commitment fee equal to its pro rata share of the unused amount of the credit facility at a rate of 0.15% per annum. The
commitment fee is included in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. This agreement expires annually in October unless extended or renewed. Prior to the October 28, 2021 amendment and restatement, the Fund had
access to a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. which permitted collective borrowings up to $950 million. Interest was
charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate equal to the higher of (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) rate and (iii) the overnight
bank funding rate, plus in each case, 1.25%.
The Fund had no borrowings during
the six months ended September 30, 2021.
Note 9. Significant
risks
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that the
value of debt instruments in the Fund’s portfolio may decline because the issuer defaults or otherwise becomes unable or unwilling, or is perceived to be unable or unwilling, to honor its financial obligations,
such as making payments to the Fund when due. Credit rating agencies assign credit ratings to certain debt instruments to indicate their credit risk. Lower-rated or unrated debt instruments held by the Fund may
present increased credit risk as compared to higher-rated debt instruments.
High-yield investments risk
Securities and other debt
instruments held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade (commonly called "high-yield" or "junk" bonds) and unrated debt instruments of comparable quality expose the Fund to a greater risk of loss of
principal and income than a fund that invests solely or primarily in investment grade debt instruments. In addition, these investments have greater price fluctuations, are less liquid and are more likely to experience
a default than higher-rated debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk of
losses attributable to changes in interest rates. In general, if prevailing interest rates rise, the values of debt instruments tend to fall, and if interest rates fall, the values of debt instruments tend to rise.
Actions by governments and central banking authorities can result in increases or decreases in interest rates. Increasing interest rates may negatively affect the value of debt securities held by the Fund, resulting
in a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and net asset value per share. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt security, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. The
Fund is subject to the risk that the income generated by its investments may not keep pace with inflation.
LIBOR replacement risk
The elimination of London
Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR), among other "inter-bank offered" reference rates, may adversely affect the interest rates on, and value of, certain Fund investments for which the value is tied to LIBOR. The U.K.
Financial Conduct Authority and the ICE Benchmark Administration have announced that most LIBOR settings will no longer be published after December 31, 2021 and a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will cease
publication after June 30, 2023. It is possible that a subset of LIBOR settings will be published after these dates on a “synthetic” basis, but any such
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 43 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
publications would be considered
non-representative of the underlying market. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new reference rates. Uncertainty related to the liquidity impact of the change in rates, and how to appropriately adjust
these rates at the time of transition, poses risks for the Fund. These risks are likely to persist until new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new instruments and contracts are commercially accepted
and market practices become settled. Alternatives to LIBOR have been established or are in development in most major currencies, including the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) that is intended to replace U.S.
dollar LIBOR.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk
associated with a lack of marketability of investments which may make it difficult to sell the investment at a desirable time or price. Changing regulatory, market or other conditions or environments (for example, the
interest rate or credit environments) may adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments. The Fund may have to accept a lower selling price for the holding, sell other investments, or forego another,
more appealing investment opportunity. Generally, the less liquid the market at the time the Fund sells a portfolio investment, the greater the risk of loss or decline of value to the Fund. A less liquid market can
lead to an increase in Fund redemptions, which may negatively impact Fund performance and net asset value per share, including, for example, if the Fund is forced to sell securities in a down market.
Market and environment risk
The Fund may incur losses due to
declines in the value of one or more securities in which it invests. These declines may be due to factors affecting a particular issuer, or the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or
social developments affecting the relevant market(s) more generally. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers,
which could adversely affect the Fund, including causing difficulty in assigning prices to hard-to-value assets in thinly traded and closed markets, significant redemptions and operational challenges. Global economies
and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks
may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global
events such as terrorism, war, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health issues, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could
have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions.
The Fund’s performance may
also be significantly negatively impacted by the economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, and may continue to result in, significant global economic
and societal disruption and market volatility due to disruptions in market access, resource availability, facilities operations, imposition of tariffs, export controls and supply chain disruption, among others. Such
disruptions may be caused, or exacerbated by, quarantines and travel restrictions, workforce displacement and loss in human and other resources. The uncertainty surrounding the magnitude, duration, reach, costs and
effects of the global pandemic, as well as actions that have been or could be taken by governmental authorities or other third parties, present unknowns that are yet to unfold. The impacts, as well as the uncertainty
over impacts to come, of COVID-19 – and any other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future – could negatively affect global economies and markets in ways that
cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious illness outbreaks and epidemics in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems, governments and
financial markets. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The disruptions caused by COVID-19 could
prevent the Fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives. Any such event(s) could have a significant
adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund.
Mortgage- and other asset-backed
securities risk
The value of any mortgage-backed
and other asset-backed securities including collateralized debt obligations, if any, held by the Fund may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in: interest rates; factors concerning the
interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgages or other assets; the creditworthiness of the entities that provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements;
or the market’s assessment of the quality of underlying assets. Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage-backed securities (but not the market value
| 44 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
September 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by
the full faith and credit of a particular U.S. Government agency, authority, enterprise or instrumentality, and some, but not all, are also insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage-backed securities
issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may entail greater risk than
obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Mortgage- and other asset-backed securities are subject to liquidity risk and prepayment risk. A decline or flattening of housing values may cause delinquencies in
mortgages (especially sub-prime or non-prime mortgages) underlying mortgage-backed securities and thereby adversely affect the ability of the mortgage-backed securities issuer to make principal and/or interest
payments to mortgage-backed securities holders, including the Fund. Rising or high interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, making their prices more volatile and more
sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Shareholder concentration risk
At September 30, 2021, one
unaffiliated shareholder of record owned 34.3% of the outstanding shares of the Fund in one or more accounts. The Fund has no knowledge about whether any portion of those shares was owned beneficially. Affiliated
shareholders of record owned 45.1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund in one or more accounts. Subscription and redemption activity by concentrated accounts may have a significant effect on the operations of the
Fund. In the case of a large redemption, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at inopportune times, including its liquid positions, which may result in Fund losses and the Fund holding a higher percentage of
less liquid positions. Large redemptions could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for non-redeeming Fund shareholders.
Note 10. Subsequent
events
Management has evaluated the
events and transactions that have occurred through the date the financial statements were issued and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.
Note 11. Information
regarding pending and settled legal proceedings
Ameriprise Financial and certain
of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions, and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in
connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject
of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with
the Fund. Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on legal and regulatory matters that relate to
Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
There can be no assurance that
these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased Fund redemptions, reduced sale of Fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Fund. Further, although we believe
proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund, these proceedings are subject to
uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines,
penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial or one or more of its affiliates that provides services to
the Fund.
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 45 |
Approval of Management
Agreement
Columbia Management Investment
Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager, and together with its domestic and global affiliates, Columbia Threadneedle Investments), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial), serves
as the investment manager to Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (the Fund). Under a management agreement (the Management Agreement), the Investment Manager provides investment advice and other services to the Fund and
other funds distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (collectively, the Funds).
On an annual basis, the
Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board), including the independent Board members (the Independent Trustees), considers renewal of the Management Agreement. The Investment Manager prepared detailed reports for the
Board and its Contracts Committee in November and December 2020 and March, April and June 2021, including reports providing the results of analyses performed by an independent third-party data provider, Broadridge
Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge), and a comprehensive response to requests for information by independent legal counsels to the Independent Trustees (Independent Legal Counsel) in a letter to the Investment
Manager, to assist the Board in making this determination. In addition, throughout the year, the Board (or its committees) regularly meets with portfolio management teams and senior management personnel and reviews
information prepared by the Investment Manager addressing the services the Investment Manager provides and Fund performance. The Board also accords appropriate weight to the work, deliberations and conclusions of the
various committees, such as the Contracts Committee, the Investment Oversight Committee, the Audit Committee and the Compliance Committee in determining whether to continue the Management Agreement.
The Board, at its June 15, 2021
Board meeting (the June Meeting), considered the renewal of the Management Agreement for an additional one-year term. At the June Meeting, Independent Legal Counsel reviewed with the Independent Trustees various
factors relevant to the Board’s consideration of advisory agreements and the Board’s legal responsibilities related to such consideration. The Independent Trustees considered all information that they,
their legal counsel or the Investment Manager believed reasonably necessary to evaluate and to approve the continuation of the Management Agreement. Among other things, the information and factors considered included
the following:
| • | Information on the investment performance of the Fund relative to the performance of a group of mutual funds determined to be comparable to the Fund by Broadridge, as well as performance relative to benchmarks; |
| • | Information on the Fund’s management fees and total expenses, including information comparing the Fund’s expenses to those of a group of comparable mutual funds, as determined by Broadridge; |
| • | The Investment Manager’s agreement to contractually limit or cap total operating expenses for the Fund so that total operating expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses, such as transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) would not exceed a specified annual rate, as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets; |
| • | Terms of the Management Agreement; |
| • | Descriptions of other agreements and arrangements with affiliates of the Investment Manager relating to the operations of the Fund, including agreements with respect to the provision of transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund; |
| • | Descriptions of various services performed by the Investment Manager under the Management Agreement, including portfolio management and portfolio trading practices; |
| • | Information regarding any recently negotiated management fees of similarly-managed portfolios of other institutional clients of the Investment Manager; |
| • | Information regarding the resources of the Investment Manager, including information regarding senior management, portfolio managers and other personnel; |
| • | Information regarding the capabilities of the Investment Manager with respect to compliance monitoring services; |
| • | The profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund; and |
| • | Report provided by the Board’s independent fee consultant, JDL Consultants, LLC (JDL). |
| 46 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Approval of Management Agreement (continued)
Following an analysis and discussion of the foregoing, and the factors identified below, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the renewal of the Management Agreement.
Following an analysis and discussion of the foregoing, and the factors identified below, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the renewal of the Management Agreement.
Nature, extent and quality of
services provided by the Investment Manager
The Board analyzed various
reports and presentations it had received detailing the services performed by the Investment Manager, as well as its history, expertise, resources and relative capabilities, and the qualifications of its personnel.
The Board specifically considered
the many developments during recent years concerning the services provided by the Investment Manager. Among other things, the Board noted the organization and depth of the equity and credit research departments. The
Board further observed the enhancements to the investment risk management department’s processes, systems and oversight, over the past several years, as well as planned 2021 initiatives in this regard. The Board
also took into account the broad scope of services provided by the Investment Manager to the Fund, including, among other services, investment, risk and compliance oversight. The Board also took into account the
information it received concerning the Investment Manager’s ability to attract and retain key portfolio management personnel and that it has sufficient resources to provide competitive and adequate compensation
to investment personnel. The Board also observed that the Investment Manager has been able to effectively manage, operate and distribute the Funds through the COVID-19 pandemic period with no disruptions in services
provided.
In connection with the
Board’s evaluation of the overall package of services provided by the Investment Manager, the Board also considered the nature, quality and range of administrative services provided to the Fund by the Investment
Manager, as well as the achievements in 2020 in the performance of administrative services, and noted the various enhancements anticipated for 2021. In evaluating the quality of services provided under the Management
Agreement, the Board also took into account the organization and strength of the Fund’s and its service providers’ compliance programs. The Board also reviewed the financial condition of the Investment
Manager and its affiliates and each entity’s ability to carry out its responsibilities under the Management Agreement and the Fund’s other service agreements.
In addition, the Board discussed
the acceptability of the terms of the Management Agreement, noting that no changes are proposed from the form of agreement previously approved. The Board also noted the wide array of legal and compliance services
provided to the Funds under the Fund Management Agreements.
After reviewing these and related
factors (including investment performance as discussed below), the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund under the
Management Agreement supported the continuation of the Management Agreement.
Investment performance
In this connection, the Board
carefully reviewed the investment performance of the Fund, including detailed reports providing the results of analyses performed by each of the Investment Manager, Broadridge and JDL collectively showing, for various
periods (including since manager inception): (i) the performance of the Fund, (ii) the performance of a benchmark index, (iii) the percentage ranking of the Fund among its comparison group, (iv) the Fund’s
performance relative to peers and benchmarks and (v) the net assets of the Fund. The Board observed that Fund performance was well within the range of that of peers. The Board also reviewed a description of the
third-party data provider’s methodology for identifying the Fund’s peer groups for purposes of performance and expense comparisons.
The Board also considered the
Investment Manager’s performance and reputation generally. After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the performance of the Fund and
the Investment Manager, in light of other considerations, supported the continuation of the Management Agreement.
Comparative fees, costs of
services provided and the profits realized by the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund
The Board reviewed comparative
fees and the costs of services provided under the Management Agreement. The Board members considered detailed comparative information set forth in an annual report on fees and expenses, including, among other things,
data (based on analyses conducted by Broadridge and JDL) showing a comparison of the Fund’s expenses with median expenses paid by funds in its comparative peer universe, as well as data showing the Fund’s
contribution to the
| Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 | 47 |
Approval of Management Agreement (continued)
Investment Manager’s profitability. The Board reviewed the fees charged to comparable institutional accounts or other accounts/vehicles managed by the Investment Manager and discussed differences in how the products are managed and operated, thus explaining many of the differences in fees.
Investment Manager’s profitability. The Board reviewed the fees charged to comparable institutional accounts or other accounts/vehicles managed by the Investment Manager and discussed differences in how the products are managed and operated, thus explaining many of the differences in fees.
The Board considered the reports of
JDL, which assisted in the Board’s analysis of the Funds’ performance and expenses and the reasonableness of the Funds’ fee rates. The Board accorded particular weight to the notion that a primary
objective of the level of fees is to achieve a rational pricing model applied consistently across the various product lines in the Fund family, while assuring that the overall fees for each Fund (with certain
exceptions) are generally in line with the current “pricing philosophy” such that Fund total expense ratios, in general, approximate or are lower than the median expense ratios of funds in the same Lipper
comparison universe. The Board took into account that the Fund’s total expense ratio (after considering proposed expense caps/waivers) approximated the peer universe’s median expense ratio.
After reviewing these and related
factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the levels of management fees and expenses of the Fund, in light of other considerations, supported the continuation of the
Management Agreement.
The Board also considered the
profitability of the Investment Manager and its affiliates in connection with the Investment Manager providing management services to the Fund. With respect to the profitability of the Investment Manager and its
affiliates, the Independent Trustees referred to information discussing the profitability to the Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial from managing, operating and distributing the Funds. The Board considered
that in 2020 the Board had considered 2019 profitability and that the 2021 information showed that the profitability generated by the Investment Manager in 2020 increased slightly from 2019 levels. It also took into
account the indirect economic benefits flowing to the Investment Manager or its affiliates in connection with managing or distributing the Funds, such as the enhanced ability to offer various other financial products
to Ameriprise Financial customers, soft dollar benefits and overall reputational advantages. The Board noted that the fees paid by the Fund should permit the Investment Manager to offer competitive compensation to its
personnel, make necessary investments in its business and earn an appropriate profit. After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the costs of
services provided and the profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund supported the continuation of the Management Agreement.
Economies of scale
The Board considered the
potential existence of economies of scale in the provision by the Investment Manager of services to the Fund, to groups of related funds, and to the Investment Manager as a whole, and whether those economies of scale
were shared with the Fund through breakpoints in investment management fees or other means, such as expense limitation arrangements and additional investments by the Investment Manager in investment, trading,
compliance and other resources. The Board considered the economies of scale that might be realized as the Fund’s net asset level grows and took note of the extent to which Fund shareholders might also benefit
from such growth. In this regard, the Board took into account that management fees decline as Fund assets exceed various breakpoints all of which have not been surpassed. The Board observed that the Management
Agreement provided for breakpoints in the management fee rate schedule that allow opportunities for shareholders to realize lower fees as Fund assets grow and that there are additional opportunities through other
means for sharing economies of scale with shareholders.
Conclusion
The Board reviewed all of the
above considerations in reaching its decision to approve the continuation of the Management Agreement. In reaching its conclusions, no single factor was determinative.
On June 15, 2021, the Board,
including all of the Independent Trustees, determined that fees payable under the Management Agreement were fair and reasonable in light of the extent and quality of services provided and approved the renewal of the
Management Agreement.
| 48 | Columbia Short Term Bond Fund | Semiannual Report 2021 |
Please read and consider the
investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses for any fund carefully before investing. For a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other important information about the Fund, go to
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/. The Fund is distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/. The Fund is distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
(Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. All rights reserved.
© 2021 Columbia Management Investment
Advisers, LLC.
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/
SAR222_03_L01_(11/21)