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Securities Act File No. 333-122917

ICA No. 811- 21720

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2026

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

  Pre-Effective Amendment No.   [    ]
       
  Post-Effective Amendment No. 1542   [ X ]

 

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

 

  Amendment No. 1543   [ X ]

 

(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)

Northern Lights Fund Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

Attention:  Kevin Wolf

 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(631)490-4300

 (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

The Corporation Trust Company

Corporate Trust Center

251 Little Falls Drive

Wilmington, DE 19808

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

With a copy to:

   

JoAnn M. Strasser, Esq.

Thompson Hine LLP

41 South High Street, Suite 1700

Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-469-3265 (phone)

513-241-4771 (fax)

Timothy Burdick

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, Ohio 45246

(631) 470-2649

 

 Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As Soon As Practical, After Effectiveness of Registration Statement

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

( )       immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b).

(X)       on April 30, 2026 pursuant to paragraph (b).

( )        60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).

( )        on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).

( )        75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2).

( )        on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

( ) this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

Title of Securities Being Registered: Shares of Beneficial Interest

 
 

 

 

 

 

Institutional Short Duration
Government Bond Fund

 

SYMBOL: TWSGX

 

PROSPECTUS

 

April 30, 2026

 

 

 

 

Advised by:

TransWestern Capital Advisors

37 Bellevue Avenue

Newport, RI 02840

(800) 997-0718

 

Subadvised by:

Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.

One Financial Center

Boston, MA 02111

 

 

www.TransWesternFunds.com Tel. (855) 881-2380

 

This Prospectus provides important information about the Fund that you should know before investing. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference. Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not guaranteed by any bank, and are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency. These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FUND SUMMARY 1
Investment Objective 1
Fees and Expenses of the Fund 1
Principal Investment Strategies 2
Principal Investment Risks 2
Performance 3
Investment Adviser 4
Subadviser 4
Subadviser Portfolio Managers 4
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares 4
Tax Information 4
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries 4
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS 5
Investment Objective 5
Principal Investment Strategies 5
Principal Investment Risks 6
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure 7
Cybersecurity 7
MANAGEMENT 8
Investment Adviser 8
Subadviser 8
Portfolio Managers 8
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED 9
CREDIT UNIONS 9
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES 10
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES 11
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES 13
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 14
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES 15
Distribution Fees 15
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries 15
Householding 15
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 16

 

 
 

FUND SUMMARY

 

Investment Objective:

The Fund seeks to provide income consistent with liquidity, and limited credit and interest rate risk.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund:

The following table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.

 

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
 
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a % of offering price)
None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a % of original purchase price)
None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Reinvested Dividends and other Distributions
None
Redemption Fee
(as a % of amount redeemed on shares held less than 30 days)
0.25%
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Management Fees 0.45%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.10%
Other Expenses 0.41%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 0.96%
Fee Waiver and Reimbursement(1) (0.31)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement 0.65%
(1)The Fund’s adviser has contractually agreed to reduce fees and absorb expenses of the Fund until at least April 30, 2027, if necessary to ensure that the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after fee waiver and/or reimbursement (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads; brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses; fees and expenses associated with instruments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example options and swap fees and expenses); borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); taxes; and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Trust officers and Trustees and contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the adviser)) do not exceed 0.65%. This agreement may be terminated only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the adviser.

 

Example:

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:

 

  1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
  $66 $275 $501 $1,150

 

Portfolio Turnover:

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 205% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

1 
 

Principal Investment Strategies:

The Fund limits its investments and strategy so as to qualify for investment by state and nationally chartered banks, federal savings institutions, and federal credit unions under current applicable federal regulations.

 

The Fund invests 100% of its assets in liquid, high-quality fixed and variable rate U.S. Government bonds, cash and cash equivalents. Under current federal banking regulations, these U.S. Government bonds would receive a risk weighting of 0% to 20% for the purpose of calculating risk-based capital requirements. The Fund intends that a bank’s investment in the Fund would receive a 20% risk weighting for the purpose of this calculation.

 

The Fund defines U.S. Government bonds as (i) United States Treasury bills, notes, and bonds, (ii) obligations of Government Sponsored Entities (“GSEs”) such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), and the Federal Home Loan Bank System (“FHLB”) and (iii) mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) that are issued by and backed by mortgage collateral guaranteed by one or more of the aforementioned GSEs.

 

The Fund seeks to maintain limited credit risk by restricting its investments to those rated Aaa by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) or AAA by Standard and Poor’s Rating Group (“S&P”). In no event will the Fund purchase “whole loans,” “whole loan CMOs,” or non-GSE guaranteed corporate bonds or instruments.

 

The Fund seeks to maintain limited interest rate risk by typically maintaining average portfolio-level average effective duration within 12 months less than, or 6 months greater than, the Fund’s benchmark. Since inception, the benchmark index has maintained an effective duration of 1.42 and 2.98, and the Fund has stayed within a range of 1.27 to 2.82 years, Duration is a measure of sensitivity of a security’s (or fund’s) price to changes in interest rates. However, individual securities are purchased without restriction as to maturity or duration. The benchmark is comprised of a 50/50 combination of the Barclays Capital Short Treasury Index (which is composed of United States Treasury securities with a remaining maturity of 1 to 12 months) and the Barclays Capital MBS Index (which is composed of adjustable and fixed-rate MBS issued by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC).

 

The Fund’s adviser delegates day-to-day execution of the Fund’s strategy to a subadviser. The adviser retains the ability to override the subadviser’s allocation of assets and its selection of specific securities if it believes an investment or allocation is not consistent with the Fund’s investment guidelines. The adviser is responsible for ongoing performance evaluation and monitoring of the subadviser. The subadviser buys securities to meet the Fund’s income goal and sells securities to adjust duration or to purchase other securities that the subadviser believes may perform better. The sub-adviser may engage in frequent trading of securities in managing the Fund’s portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Risks:

As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance. Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not guaranteed by any bank, and are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.

·Credit Risk: U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities may not make interest and principal payments on securities held by the Fund, resulting in losses to the Fund. In addition, the credit quality of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes. Lower credit quality may lead to greater volatility in the price of a security and lower liquidity making it difficult for the Fund to sell the security.
·Fixed Income and Interest Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates will affect the value of investments in fixed income securities. Typically, the value of fixed income securities decline when interest rates rise.
·Management Risk: The subadviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular security in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results. Additionally, the adviser’s judgments about the potential performance of the subadviser may also prove incorrect and may not produce the desired results.

 

2 
 
·Market and Geopolitical Risk: The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, international conflicts, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as a worldwide pandemic, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund. For example, the COVID-19 global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long any future impacts of the significant events described above, will last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your investment. Therefore, the Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments. In times of severe market disruptions, you could incur significant losses.
·Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: Mortgage-backed securities are susceptible to maturity and yield risk because borrowers in pools of securities held by the Fund are able to prepay principal due on these mortgages, particularly during periods of declining interest rates.
·Turnover Risk: A higher portfolio turnover will result in higher transactional and brokerage costs. A high portfolio turnover rate can potentially increase taxes, which can negatively impact Fund performance.

 

Performance

 

The following bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns compare with those of a broad-based securities market index and supplemental indexes. Past performance does not necessarily indicate how a Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information will be available at no cost by visiting www.TransWesternFunds.com or by calling (855) 881-2380.

 

Performance Bar Chart for Calendar Years Ended December 31

 

Best Quarter: 4th Quarter 2023 3.70%
Worst Quarter: 1st Quarter 2022 (2.42)%
3 
 

Performance Table

Average Annual Total Returns

(For period ended December 31, 2025)

  One
Year
Five
Year
Ten
Years
Since
Inception
Return before taxes 5.82% 1.51% 1.70% 1.61%
Return after taxes on distributions 4.28% 0.43% 0.75% 0.74%
Return after taxes on distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 3.43% 0.68% 0.88% 0.85%
Bloomberg Short Treasury Index(1)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
4.31% 3.11% 2.21% 1.52%
Bloomberg Mortgage Backed Securities Index(2)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
8.58% 0.15% 1.59% 2.05%
Blended Benchmark Index(3) 6.44% 1.68% 1.93% 1.81%
(1)The Bloomberg Short Treasury Index measures the performance of United States Treasury Securities with a remaining maturity between 1 to 12 months. The index is unmanaged and its results do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or taxes. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. Unlike the Fund’s returns, however, it does not reflect any fees or expenses.
(2)The Bloomberg Mortgage Backed Securities Index is an unmanaged market capitalization index which measures the performance of investment grade fixed-rate mortgage-backed pass through securities of Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (“FHLMC”). Investors may not invest in the Index directly. Unlike the Fund’s returns, however, it does not reflect any fees or expenses.
(3)The Blended Benchmark Index represents a blend of the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index and the Bloomberg Mortgage Backed Securities Index. The components of the blended benchmark return are weighted monthly and annualized for periods greater than one year. The index is unmanaged and its results do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or taxes. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

After-tax returns were calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold shares of the Fund through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).

 

Investment Adviser: TransWestern Capital Advisors, LLC.

 

Subadviser: Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.

 

Subadviser Portfolio Managers: Clifton V. Rowe, CFA, Christopher T. Harms and Daniel Conklin, CFA are each a Vice President of the subadviser. Mr. Rowe has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since it commenced operations in 2011. Mr. Harms has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since 2012. Mr. Conklin has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since June 2020. Each portfolio manager is primarily and jointly responsible for the day-to day management of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The minimum initial investment in the Fund is $2,000,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $500,000. You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. Redemptions requests may be made by telephone and will be paid by wire transfer.

 

Tax Information: Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund, whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash, are taxable to you at either ordinary income or capital gains tax rates unless you are investing through a tax-free plan.

 

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

4 
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

 

Investment Objective

 

The Fund seeks to provide income consistent with liquidity, and limited credit and interest rate risk. The Fund’s investment objective and its 100% investment policy with respect to U.S. Government bonds and cash are each a fundamental policy and each may not be changed without shareholder approval. Fundamental policies may only be changed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (shares) of the Fund. For the purposes of this Prospectus, “majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund” means the vote, at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, duly called, (a) of 67% or more of the shares present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy; or (b) of more than 50% of the outstanding shares, whichever is less.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund limits its investments and strategy so as to qualify for investment by state and nationally chartered banks, federal savings institutions, and federal credit unions under current applicable federal regulations.

 

The Fund invests 100% of its assets in liquid, high-quality fixed and variable rate U.S. Government bonds, cash and cash equivalents. Under current federal banking regulations, these U.S. Government bonds would receive a risk weighting of 0% to 20% for the purpose of calculating risk-based capital requirements. The Fund intends that a bank’s investment in the Fund would receive a 20% risk weighting for the purposes of this calculation under current and announced FDIC rules.

 

The Fund defines U.S. Government bonds as (i) United States Treasury bills, notes, and bonds, (ii) obligations of Government Sponsored Entities (“GSEs”) such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), and the Federal Home Loan Bank System (“FHLB”) and (iii) mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) that are issued by and backed by mortgage collateral guaranteed by one or more of the aforementioned GSEs.

 

In no event will the Fund purchase “whole loans,” “whole loan CMOs,” or non-GSE guaranteed corporate bonds or instruments.

 

The Fund seeks to maintain limited interest rate risk by typically maintaining average portfolio-level average effective duration within 12 months less than, or 6 months greater than, the Fund’s benchmark. Since inception, the benchmark index has maintained an effective duration within a range of 1.42 and 2.98, and the Fund has stayed within a range of 1.27 to 2.82 years (see chart below). Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of a security’s (or a fund’s) price to changes in interest rates. However, individual securities are purchased without restriction as to maturity or duration. The benchmark is comprised of a 50/50 combination of the Barclays Capital Short Treasury Index (which is composed of United States Treasury securities with a remaining maturity of 1 to 12 months) and the Barclays Capital MBS Index (which is composed of adjustable and fixed-rate MBS issued by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC).

 

5 
 


The Fund’s adviser delegates day-to-day execution of the Fund’s strategy to a subadviser. The adviser retains the ability to override the subadviser’s allocation of assets and its selection of specific securities if it believes an investment or allocation is not consistent with the Fund’s investment guidelines. The adviser is responsible for ongoing performance evaluation and monitoring of the subadviser. The subadviser may engage in frequent trading of securities in managing the Fund’s portfolio.

 

Subadviser’s Security Selection Process

 

The subadviser focuses on meeting the Fund’s interest income goal while maintaining liquidity and limiting credit and interest rate risk by considering the influence of overall economic conditions on interest rates and by selecting individual bonds that it believes will enhance the Fund’s income. In selecting investments for the Fund, the subadviser’s research analysts work closely with the Fund’s portfolio managers to develop an outlook on the economy from research generated internally, and from that produced by various other financial firms and specific forecasting services, and from economic data released by the U.S. and foreign governments as well as the Federal Reserve Bank. The analysts also conduct a thorough review of individual securities to identify what they consider attractive values in the U.S. government security marketplace through the use of quantitative tools such as internal and external systems and software. The subadviser seeks to balance opportunities for yield and price performance by combining macroeconomic analysis with individual security selection. The subadviser seeks to increase the opportunity for higher income while maintaining the greater price stability that shorter duration portfolios exhibit relative to long duration fixed income securities and portfolios.

 

The subadviser buys securities to meet the Fund’s income goal and sells securities to adjust duration or to purchase other securities that the subadviser believes may perform better.

 

Principal Investment Risks

 

Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not guaranteed by any bank, and are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.

·Credit Risk: There is a risk that issuers will not make payments on securities held by the Fund, resulting in losses to the Fund. In addition, the credit quality of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes. Lower credit quality may lead to greater volatility in the price of a security and in shares of the Fund. Lower credit quality also may affect liquidity and make it difficult for the Fund to sell the security. Default, or the market’s perception that an issuer is likely to default, could reduce the value and liquidity of securities held by the Fund, thereby reducing the value of your investment in Fund shares. In addition, default may cause the Fund to incur expenses in seeking recovery of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings.
·Fixed Income and Interest Rate Risk: When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of the fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of debt securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Any U.S. Federal Reserve System revisions to its current policy of maintaining the federal funds rate at a low level and purchasing large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities on the open market to support U.S. economic recovery will have uncertain impacts on U.S. interest rates and fixed income market volatility.
oChanging Fixed Income Market Conditions Risk: When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline if interest rates rise. During periods of sustained rising rates, fixed income risks will be amplified. If the U.S. Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) continues to reduce its purchases of large quantities of U.S. government and agency securities on the open market to support the economic recovery, or if the FOMC raises the federal funds interest rate target, interest rates across the U.S. financial system may rise. However, the magnitude of rate changes across maturities and borrower sectors is uncertain.

Rising rates tend to decrease liquidity, increase trading costs, and increase volatility, all of which make portfolio management more difficult and costly to the Fund and its shareholders. Additionally, default risk increases when issuers borrow at higher rates.

·Management Risk: The subadviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular asset classes and securities in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results. Additionally, the adviser’s judgments about the potential performance of the subadviser may also prove incorrect and may not produce the desired results. Mutual funds and their advisers are subject to restrictions and limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940Act”) and the Internal Revenue Code that do not apply to the adviser’s or subadviser’s management of individual and institutional accounts.
6 
 
·Market and Geopolitical Risk: The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, international conflicts, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks, a worldwide pandemic, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund. For example, the COVID-19 global pandemic had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long any future impacts of the significant events described above, will last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your investment. Therefore, the Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments. In times of severe market disruptions, you could incur significant losses.
·Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: Mortgage-backed securities are subject to maturity risk because the individual mortgage loan borrowers are able to prepay principal, which is passed through to MBS investors. Consequently, MBS are subject to both “prepayment risk” and “extension risk.” Prepayment risk is the risk that, when interest rates fall, certain types of obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated and the Fund may have to invest the prepaid proceeds in securities with lower yields. Extension risk is the risk that, when interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated causing the value of these securities to fall. Even small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. Securities subject to prepayment risk generally offer less potential for gains when interest rates decline, and may offer a greater potential for loss when interest rates rise. Prepayment risk as well as the risk that the structure of certain MBS may make their reaction to interest rates and other factors difficult to predict, make their prices volatile.
·Turnover Risk: A higher portfolio turnover will result in higher transactional and brokerage costs. A high portfolio turnover rate can potentially increase taxes, which can negatively impact Fund performance.

 

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure: A description of the Fund’s policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. Shareholders may request portfolio holdings schedules at no charge by calling (855) 881-2380.

 

Cybersecurity: The computer systems, networks and devices used by the Fund and its service providers to carry out routine business operations employ a variety of protections designed to prevent damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches. Despite the various protections utilized by the Fund and its service providers, systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of a cybersecurity breach.

 

Cybersecurity breaches can include unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices; infection from computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut down, disable, slow, or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, or website access or functionality. Cybersecurity breaches may cause disruptions and impact the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate their net asset value (“NAV”); impediments to trading; the inability of the Fund, the adviser, and other service providers to transact business; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs; as well as the inadvertent release of confidential information.

 

Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issuers of securities in which the Fund invests; counterparties with which the Fund engages in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities; exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and service providers for the Fund’s shareholders); and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the future.

7 
 

MANAGEMENT

 

Investment Adviser: The Fund’s investment adviser is de Koning and Company, LLC, doing business as TransWestern Capital Advisors, LLC. The adviser is located at 37 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840. The adviser serves institutional investors such as banks and investment companies. Subject to the oversight of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, (the “Board”) the adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s investments, including through the subadviser. The adviser is responsible for selecting and supervising the Fund’s subadviser and assuring that investments are made according to the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions, and providing related administrative services and facilities under an investment advisory agreement between the Trust, with respect to the Fund, and the adviser.

 

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement, the Fund pays the adviser, on a monthly basis, an annual advisory fee equivalent to 0.45% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. In addition to investment advisory fees, the Fund pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of its securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Fund paid investment advisory fees to the adviser at an annual rate of 0.14% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and to reimburse expenses, if necessary, at least until April 30, 2027, to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or reimbursement (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads; brokerage fees and commissions; acquired fund fees and expenses; fees and expenses associated with instruments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example options and swap fees and expenses); borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); taxes; and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees and contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the adviser)) will not exceed 0.65% of average daily net assets (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”). Fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three year basis (within the three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s renewal of the investment advisory agreement is available in the Fund’s semi-annual shareholder report dated June 30, 2025.

 

Subadviser: Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. (“Loomis Sayles”), located at One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111, serves as the subadviser to the Fund. Subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees and the adviser, the subadviser is responsible for day-to-day execution of the Fund’s strategy and management of the Fund’s investment portfolio according to the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. The subadviser is paid by the adviser, not the Fund. The subadviser advises institutional investors, such as investment companies and pension plans. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s renewal of the subadvisory agreement is available in the Fund’s semi-annual shareholder report dated June 30, 2025.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Christopher T. Harms. Mr. Harms, Portfolio Manager of Loomis Sayles, joined Loomis Sayles in 2010. Mr. Harms received a BSBA from Villanova University and an MBA from Drexel University. He has 45 years of investment industry experience.

 

Clifton V. Rowe, CFA. Mr. Rowe, Portfolio Manager of Loomis Sayles, joined Loomis Sayles in 1992. Mr. Rowe received a BBA from James Madison University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He has 33 years of investment industry experience.

 

Daniel Conklin, CFA. Mr. Conklin, Portfolio Manager of Loomis Sayles, joined Loomis Sayles in 2012. Mr. Conklin received a BS from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and an MS in Finance from Northeastern University. He has 15 years of investment industry experience.

 

The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.

8 
 

HOW SHARES ARE PRICED

 

The NAV and offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charges) of each class of shares is determined as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), generally 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), on each day the NYSE is open for business. NAV is computed by determining the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund less its liabilities divided by the total number of the Fund’s shares outstanding ((assets-liabilities)/number of shares=NAV). The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account the expenses and fees of the Fund, including investment advisory, administration, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV of the Fund for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by the Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the NYSE on that day.

 

Generally, securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s principal exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the- counter market. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. It is possible that the valuation determined by matrix pricing for a debt security may differ materially from the value that would be realized if the security were sold. During times of market volatility, it may be necessary for the Fund to utilize its fair value procedures to value (as described below) certain debt securities.

 

If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available. The Board has designated the adviser as its “Valuation Designee” to execute these procedures. The adviser may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

 

The Fund may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the value of the Fund’s securities. If events materially affecting the value of a security in the Fund’s portfolio occur before the Fund prices its shares, the security will be valued at fair value. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV, the adviser or sub-adviser may need to price the security using the Fund’s fair value pricing guidelines. Without a fair value price, short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short-term traders.

 

 

CREDIT UNIONS

 

The Fund is primarily offered to state and federally chartered banks and credit unions. Fund shares are designed to qualify as eligible investments for federally chartered credit unions pursuant to Sections 107(7), 107(8) and 107(15) of the Federal Credit Union Act, Part 703 of the NCUA Rules and Regulations and NCUA Letter Number 155. Shares of the Fund, however, may or may not qualify as eligible investments for particular state chartered credit unions. The Fund encourages each state chartered credit union to consult qualified legal counsel concerning whether the Fund is a permissible investment under applicable laws. The Fund intends to review changes in the applicable laws, rules and regulations governing eligible investments for federally chartered credit unions, and to take such action, if in the best interests of the Fund and shareholders, as may be necessary so that an investment in the Fund qualifies as an eligible investment under the Federal Credit Union Act and the regulations thereunder.

9 
 

HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

 

Rights Reserved by the Funds: Each Fund and its agents reserve the right at any time to: (i) reject or cancel all or any part of any purchase or exchange order; (ii) modify any terms or conditions related to the purchase, redemption or exchange of shares of any Fund; (iii) reject or cancel any request to establish a Systematic Purchase Plan or Systematic Redemption Plan; (iv) modify or terminate any sales charge waivers or exceptions; and (v) suspend, change or withdraw all or any part of the offering made by this prospectus.

 

Initial Purchase Methods: To open an account, you must submit a completed New Account Application in good order. Initial investments may be funded via federal funds wire transfer, Automated Clearing House (ACH), or check drawn on a U.S. financial institution. The Fund offers its shares at the NAV next determined after an order is received in good order on a Business Day. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order or payment method at its sole discretion.

 

Purchasing Shares: You may purchase shares as described below.

 

Purchase by written request: You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form to the following address:

 

via Regular Mail:

TransWestern Institutional
Short Duration Government Bond Fund

c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

P.O. Box 46707

Cincinnati, OH 45246

or Overnight Mail:

TransWestern Institutional
Short Duration Government Bond Fund

c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

Please call (855) 881-2380, or visit www.TransWesternCapital.com to obtain facsimile information. The Fund may not be available for purchase in all states.

 

Purchase through Brokers: You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. Such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the fund’s behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or its designee receives the order. The broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums. You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund. Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund. You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent.

 

Purchase by Wire: If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at (855) 881-2380 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.

 

The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions, including the Fund, to adopt certain policies and programs to prevent money-laundering activities, including procedures to verify the identity of customers opening new accounts. As requested on the Application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing a P.O. Box will not be accepted. This information will assist the Fund in verifying your identity. Until such verification is made, the Fund may temporarily limit additional share purchases. In addition, the Fund may limit additional share purchases or close an account if it is unable to verify a shareholder’s identity. As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.

 

The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares. Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institution, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased. After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address. Make all checks payable to the Fund. The Funds generally do not accept cash equivalents for the purchase of shares, including, but not limited to: cash, cashier’s checks, bank official checks, certified checks, bank money orders, third-party checks (except for properly endorsed IRA transfer and rollover checks), counter checks, starter checks, traveler’s checks, money orders, credit card checks, cryptocurrency, or payments drawn on non-U.S. financial institutions.

 

Redemptions of shares of the Fund purchased by check may be subject to a hold period until the check has been cleared by the issuing bank. To avoid such holding periods, shares may be purchased through a broker or by wire, as described in this section.

 

 

 

10 
 

Redemptions of Shares of the Fund purchased by check may be subject to a hold period until the check has been cleared by the issuing bank. To avoid such holding periods, Shares may be purchased through a broker or by wire, as described in this section.

 

Note: If your check or electronic payment does not clear, you will be responsible for any loss or expense incurred by the Fund or its Transfer Agent, as well as any applicable fees. A $25 fee will be charged to defray bank charges and processing costs associated with the returned payment. The Fund reserves the right to redeem shares from your account to cover any unpaid amounts.

 

Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts: You can open an account with a minimum initial investment of $2,000,000 in the Fund and make additional investments to the account at any time with at least $500,000. There is no minimum investment requirement when you are buying shares by reinvesting dividends and distributions from the Fund. The Fund and the adviser reserve the right to waive any investment minimum.

11 
 

 

When Order is Processed: All shares will be purchased at the NAV per share (plus applicable sales charges, if any) next determined after the Fund receives your application or request in good order. All requests received in good order by the Fund before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be processed on that same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed on the next business day.

 

Good Order: A purchase request will be considered to be in “good order” only if it includes all of the following:

·         A completed and signed account application (for new accounts).

·         The exact dollar amount of the investment.

·         For existing accounts, the account number and the name(s) exactly as registered on the account.

Payment in U.S. dollars, payable to the

·         “TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund.”

·         Any documentation reasonably required by the Fund or its transfer agent to verify the identity or authority of the purchaser, if applicable.

Requests that are incomplete, unclear, or submitted without the required documentation may be delayed or rejected. The Fund and its transfer agent are not responsible for delays or losses due to requests that are not received in good order.

 

Inactive Accounts: If shareholder-initiated contact does not occur on your account within the timeframe specified by the law in your state of record, or if Fund mailings are returned as undeliverable during that timeframe, the assets of your account (shares and/or any uncashed checks) may be transferred to your last known recorded state of residence as unclaimed property, in accordance with specific state law. Investors who are residents of the state of Texas may designate a representative to receive legislatively required unclaimed property due diligence notifications. A Texas Designation of Representative Form is available for making such an election.

 

NOTE: If you fail to initiate such contact, your property will be escheated to your last known state of residency after which you will need to claim the property from that state.

 

 

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

 

Redeeming Shares: All redemption requests received in good order by the Fund before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be processed at that day’s NAV. The Fund typically expects that it will take up to three business days following the receipt of your request to pay out redemption proceeds by check or electronic transfer. As permitted by federal law, the Fund may delay payment for up to seven calendar days.

 

The Fund also reserves the right to delay payment for shares recently purchased by check or via Automated Clearing House (ACH) until the payment has cleared, which may take up to 10 business days (or longer, if necessary). The Fund typically expects to pay redemptions from cash, cash equivalents, proceeds from the sale of Fund shares, any lines of credit, and then from the sale of Fund securities. These redemption payment methods will be used in regular and stressed market conditions. You may redeem all or any portion of the shares credited to your account by submitting a written request for redemption to:

12 
 

 

Redemptions through written request: You may redeem all or any portion of the shares credited to your account by submitting a written request for redemption to:

 

via Regular Mail:

TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund

c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

P.O. Box 46707

Cincinnati, OH 45246

or Overnight Mail:

TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund

c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

Please call (855) 881-2380 or visit www.TransWesternCapital.com to obtain facsimile information.

 

Redemptions by Telephone: The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts. If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account.

 

During periods of high market activity, you may encounter higher than usual wait times. Please allow sufficient time to ensure that you will be able to complete your telephone transaction prior to market close. Neither the Fund nor its transfer agent will be held liable if you are unable to place your trade due to high call volume.

 

The proceeds will be wired directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. To redeem by telephone, call (855) 881-2380.

 

The Fund reserves the right to suspend the telephone redemption privileges with respect to your account if the name(s) or the address on the account has been changed within the previous 30 days. Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor their respective affiliates will be liable for complying with telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine or for any loss, damage, cost or expenses in acting on such telephone instructions and you will be required to bear the risk of any such loss. The Fund or the transfer agent, or both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that telephone instructions are genuine. If the Fund and/or the transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable to you for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. These procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or recording telephone instructions.

 

Redemptions through Broker: If shares of the Fund are held by a broker-dealer, financial institution or other servicing agent, you must contact that servicing agent to redeem shares of the Fund. The servicing agent may charge a fee for this service.

 

Redemptions by Wire: A fee of $15 will be charged for each wire transfer of redemption proceeds. This fee will be deducted directly from your account and is subject to change without notice. Your bank or any intermediary institution may also charge a separate fee for receiving the wire. The Fund and its transfer agent are not responsible for any delays or additional fees imposed by the receiving bank or any intermediary institution.

 

Automated Clearing House (ACH) Purchase: Shareholders may purchase shares of the Fund through the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) network from a U.S. domestic bank or other U.S. domestic financial institution. All payments must be made in U.S. dollars.

 

Initial and Subsequent Purchases by ACH: ACH may be used for both initial and subsequent investments. To establish ACH instructions, shareholders must provide the required banking information on the Account Application (or other documentation acceptable to the Fund or its transfer agent).

 

Bank Account Requirements: The designated bank account must be maintained at a U.S. domestic financial institution. The name(s) and registration on the bank account must exactly match the name(s) and registration on the Fund account. The bank account must be owned and controlled by the shareholder(s). ACH transfers initiated from a third-party bank account will not be accepted.

 

Right to Reject / Good Order: The Fund and its transfer agent reserve the right to reject any ACH purchase request that is not received in “good order.” A request is in “good order” when all required information, authorizations, and documentation have been received in proper form and are acceptable to the Fund or its transfer agent.

 

 

 

13 
 

The Fund accepts payment for shares by check, Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) transfer, or wire transfer. All purchase orders are subject to acceptance by the Fund and will be executed at the next net asset value (“NAV”) calculated after the order is received in good order. Payments made by check or ACH may be subject to a collection period to ensure that funds have cleared and are received in “good funds.” The Fund and its Transfer Agent reserve the right to delay the disbursement of redemption or exchange proceeds from shares purchased by check or ACH for up to 10 business days (or longer, if necessary) to allow the payment to clear.

 

During this period, the proceeds of newly purchased shares are not available for redemption or exchange. This policy does not apply to purchases made by wire transfer, which are generally considered good funds upon receipt. If a check or ACH payment does not clear, the purchase order will be cancelled, and the investor will be responsible for any resulting loss incurred by the Fund or its Transfer Agent, as well as any applicable fees.

 

When Redemptions are Sent: Once the Fund receives your redemption request in “good order” as described below, it will make payment by wire transfer on the next determined NAV following your redemption request. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in “good order.” If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds, which are payable at the next determined NAV following the receipt your redemption request in “good order”, as described below, will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank.

 

Good Order: A redemption request will be considered to be in “good order” only if it includes all of the following:

·         The name of the Fund and the account number

·         The exact dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed

·         The name(s) of the registered account owner(s), exactly as they appear on the account

·         Signature(s) of all registered owner(s)

·         Any required signature guarantee or medallion signature guarantee, if applicable

·         Any documentation reasonably required by the Fund or its transfer agent to verify the identity or authority of the person(s) requesting the redemption

Redemption requests that are incomplete, unclear, unsigned, or submitted without the required documentation or signature guarantees may be delayed or rejected. The Fund and its transfer agent are not responsible for processing delays or losses resulting from requests not received in good order.

 

When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees: If you wish to change the bank or brokerage account that you have designated on your account, you may do so at any time by writing to the Fund with your signature guaranteed. A medallion signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine and protects you from unauthorized account transfers. You will need your signature guaranteed if:

·you request a redemption to be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund,
·you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Fund,
·the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000 for any investor that is not a regulated, U.S. based depository institution,
·any redemption is transmitted to a bank other than the bank of record, or
·your address was changed within 30 days of your redemption request.

 

Signatures may be guaranteed by any eligible guarantor institution (including banks, brokers and dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations). Further documentation will be required to change the designated account if shares are held by a corporation, fiduciary or other organization. The Fund reserves the right to waive any medallion signature guarantee requirement. A notary public cannot guarantee signatures.

 

14 
 

Low Balances: If at any time your account balance in the Fund falls below $2,000,000, the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to at least $2,000,000 within 60 days of the notice; your account could be closed. After the notice period, the Fund may redeem all of your shares and close your account by sending you a wire to the bank of record. Your account will not be closed if the account balance drops below $2,000,000 due to a decline in NAV. The Fund will not charge any redemption fee on involuntary redemptions.

 

Suspension of Redemptions : The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (a) when trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is restricted, as determined by applicable rules and regulations of the SEC; (b) when the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings; (c) when the SEC has by order permitted such suspension; or (d) during an emergency, as determined by the SEC, as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities or to determine the value of its net assets.

 

 

 

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

 

The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of the Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Fund’s investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Board has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change. The Fund may assess a redemption fee of 0.25% of the total redemption amount if shareholders sell their shares after holding them for less than 30 days. Additionally, the Fund currently uses several other methods to reduce the risk of market timing. These methods include:

·Committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Fund’s “Market Timing Trading Policy,”
·Rejecting or limiting specific purchase requests,
·Rejecting purchase requests from certain investors, and
·Assessing a redemption fee for short-term trading.

 

Though these methods involve judgments that are inherently subjective and involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to make judgments and applications that are consistent with the interests of the Fund’s shareholders.

 

Based on the frequency of redemptions in your account, the adviser or transfer agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases or exchanges into the Fund.

 

The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase requests for any reason, particularly when the shareholder’s trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund, nor the adviser, or subadviser will, be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase orders. The adviser may also bar an investor who has violated these policies (and the investor’s financial adviser) from opening new accounts with the Fund.

 

Although the Fund attempts to limit disruptive trading activities, some investors may use a variety of strategies to hide their identities and their trading practices. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify or limit these activities.

 

Lost Shareholders, Inactive Accounts and Unclaimed Property: Unclaimed property laws may require the Fund or its transfer agent to transfer the assets of accounts that are considered abandoned, inactive, or lost (due to returned mail) to the appropriate state authority. An account may be deemed unclaimed if the shareholder has not initiated any contact or transaction within a time period specified by applicable state law.

 

Before any transfer to the state is made, the Fund or its transfer agent will send a due diligence notice to the shareholder, if legislatively required.

 

In some cases, this process is referred to as escheatment, and shareholders may be required to reclaim the assets from the applicable state’s unclaimed property office. Some states may also require the liquidation of shares prior to escheatment, and shareholders may only be entitled to receive the cash value at the time of sale.

15 
 

 

For retirement accounts, such escheatment may be treated as a taxable distribution, and federal and/or state income tax withholding may apply.

 

To help avoid escheatment, shareholders should maintain current contact information and periodically initiate contact with the Fund or its transfer agent. Examples of shareholder-initiated contact include written correspondence, telephone inquiries, or initiating a transaction in the account.

 

In accordance with Texas law, residents of the state of Texas may designate a representative to receive legislatively required unclaimed property due diligence notifications. A Texas Designation of Representative Form is available for making such an election.

 

Account Statements and Transaction Confirmations: You will receive periodic account statements summarizing all account activity, including purchases, redemptions, exchanges, and any reinvested dividends or capital gains. Additionally, a transaction confirmation will be sent for each financial transaction that occurs in your account, except for those taking place on a recurring basis, such as through an automatic investment plan or for dividend and capital gain distributions. For recurring transactions, the details will appear on your periodic account statement, serving as confirmation for such activity.

It is your responsibility to carefully review all transaction confirmations and account statements for accuracy immediately upon receipt. You must contact the Fund or its Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone promptly within 60 days of the date of the statement or confirmation that first reflects the disputed item. If you fail to provide timely notification within this 60-day period, you will be deemed to have ratified all account activity set forth therein, and the Fund and its agents will not be liable for any losses that may result from your failure to report the issue.

Uncashed Checks and Automatic Dividend and Capital Gain Reinvestment: If you elect to receive your dividend and capital gain distributions via check, ACH, or wire, and the distribution amount is $50 or less, then the amount will be automatically reinvested as additional shares into your account.

For non-retirement and non-educational accounts, any dividend and capital gain distributions sent by check which are not cashed within 180 days will be reinvested into your account at the current day's NAV. When reinvested, those amounts are subject to market risk like any other investment.

Your distribution option will automatically be converted to having all dividends and capital gain distributions reinvested into your account as additional shares if any of the following occur:

1. Postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver mail or checks to the address of record thereby designating your account as "lost";

2. Dividends and capital gain distributions checks are not cashed within 180 days; or

3. Bank account of record is no longer valid.

 

For non-retirement and non-educational accounts, redemption proceeds sent by check which are not cashed within 180 days will be reinvested into your account at the current day's NAV. When reinvested, redemption proceeds are subject to market risk like any other investment.

 

 

 

 

16 
 

TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Any sale or exchange of the Fund’s shares may generate tax liability (unless you are a tax-exempt investor). When you redeem your shares you may realize a taxable gain or loss. This is measured by the difference between the proceeds of the sale and the tax basis for the shares you sold. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you generally should retain your account statements for the period that you hold shares in the Fund.)

 

The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income monthly and net capital gains annually in December. Both distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive cash. Dividends from net investment income (including any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) are taxable to investors as ordinary income, while distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of your holding period for the shares. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash. Certain dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December will be taxed to shareholders as if received in December if they are paid during the following January. Each year the Fund will inform you of the amount and type of your distributions.

 

Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them. The Fund is required to report cost basis information to the IRS and to shareholders on Form 1099-B for redemptions of "covered shares," which are generally shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012.

The Fund's default cost basis calculation method is Average Cost. This method will be applied to your account unless you affirmatively elect a different IRS-accepted method, such as First-In, First-Out (FIFO) or Specific Share Identification. You may make this election for future transactions by providing written instructions, contacting Shareholder Services at (855) 881-2380, or through your online account portal, where available.

 

Please note that, in accordance with IRS regulations, the cost basis method elected for the first redemption of covered shares cannot be changed after the settlement of the redemption. The cost basis method you select may have significant tax implications. The Fund is not authorized to provide tax advice. We strongly recommend you consult your tax advisor to determine which method is most suitable for your individual circumstances.

 

 

On the account application, you will be asked to certify that your social security number or taxpayer identification number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS. If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number. If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending. The Fund is required to withhold taxes if a number is not delivered to the Fund within seven days.

 

This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund’s shares.

 

 

17 
 

DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

 

Distribution Fees: The Trust, with respect to the Fund, has adopted the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan (“Plan”), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act which allows the Fund to pay the Fund’s adviser an annual fee for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses of up to 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

The adviser and other entities are paid pursuant to the Plan for services provided and the expenses borne by the adviser and others in the distribution of Fund shares, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of dealers and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the offering of the Fund’s shares to other than current shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials. In addition, the adviser or other entities may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to compensate dealers or other entities for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any un-reimbursed expenses.

 

You should be aware that if you hold your shares for a substantial period of time, you may indirectly pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge allowed by FINRA due to the recurring nature of distribution (12b-1) fees.

 

Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries: The adviser and its affiliates may each, at its own expense and out of its own legitimate profits, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support. Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs. These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders. The Fund’s adviser may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives, including reallowance and/or payment of up to the entire sales charge, to certain investment firms. Such incentives may, at the adviser’s discretion, be limited to investment firms who allow their individual selling representatives to participate in such additional commissions.

 

Householding: To reduce expenses, the Fund mails only one copy of the Prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at (855) 881-2380 on days when the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.

18 
 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past 5 years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 has been audited by Cohen & Company, Ltd., independent registered public accounting firm to the Fund, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Fund’s December 31, 2025 annual report, which is available upon request. The Fund’s financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2022, and prior, were audited by other auditors.

 

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

  Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended  
  December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,  
  2025   2024   2023   2022   2021  
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year $ 9.09   $ 9.16   $ 9.10   $ 9.72   $ 9.82  
Income/(loss) from investment operations:                              
Net investment income(1)   0.32     0.33     0.29     0.10     0.01  
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   0.20     (0.04 )   0.10     (0.57 )   (0.08 )
Total from investment operations   0.52     0.29     0.39     (0.47 )   (0.07 )
Less distributions from:                              
Net investment income   (0.33 )   (0.36 )   (0.33 )   (0.15 )   (0.03 )
Total from distributions   (0.33 )   (0.36 )   (0.33 )   (0.15 )   (0.03 )
Net Asset Value, End of Year $ 9.28   $ 9.09   $ 9.16   $ 9.10   $ 9.72  
Total return(2)   5.82 %   3.24 %   4.40 %   (4.82 )%   (0.72 )%
Net assets, end of year (000s) $ 73,877   $ 74,336   $ 83,780   $ 88,994   $ 325,544  
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets   0.96 %   0.85 %   0.85 %   0.74 %   0.70 %
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets   0.65 %   0.65 %   0.65 %   0.65 %   0.64 %(4)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   3.45 %   3.66 %   3.24 %   1.05 %   0.11 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate   205 %   208 %   222 %   218 %(3)   317 %(3)
                               

 

(1)Per share amounts calculated using the average share method, which appropriately presents the per share data for the year.
(2)Total returns shown are historical in nature and assume changes in share price, reinvestment of dividends, and capital gain distributions, if any, and exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. Had the Advisor not waived a portion of its fees, total returns would have been lower.
(3)The portfolio turnover rate excludes dollar roll transactions for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. If these were included in the calculation the turnover percentage would be 237%, and 320%, respectively. The Fund had no dollar rolls for the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025.
(4)During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Advisor voluntarily waived a portion of the advisory fee. Without this waiver, the net expense ratio would have been 0.65%.

 

 

19 
 

TRANSWESTERN INSTITUTIONAL SHORT DURATION GOVERNMENT BOND FUND

 

Adviser

TransWestern Capital Advisors, LLC

37 Bellevue Avenue

Newport, RI 02840

Custodian

U.S. Bank, N.A.

60 Livingston Ave.

St. Paul, MN 55107

Subadviser

Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.

One Financial Center

Boston, MA 02111

Legal
Counsel

Thompson Hine LLP

41 South High Street, Suite 1700

Columbus, OH 43215

Independent
Registered Public
Accounting Firm

Cohen & Company, Ltd.
1350 Euclid Ave., Suite 800

Cleveland, OH 44115

 

Transfer
Agent

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

 

Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information dated April 30, 2026 (the “SAI”). The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (i.e., legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Fund’s policies and management. Additional information about the Fund’s investments is also available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Financial Statements to Shareholders. In the Fund’s Annual Financial Statements, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

To obtain a free copy of the SAI and the Annual and Semi-Annual Financial Statements to Shareholders, or other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call (855) 881-2380 or visit www.TransWesternCapital.com. You may also write to:

 

TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund

c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

Regular/Express Mail

P.O. Box 46707

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

or overnight to

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

 

Investment Company Act File #811-21720

 
 

TransWestern

Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund

 

A Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust

 

SYMBOL: TWSGX

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

April 30, 2026

 

This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund (the "Fund") dated April 30, 2026.  The Fund's prospectus is hereby incorporated by reference, which means it is legally part of this document.  You can obtain copies of the Fund's prospectus, annual or semi-annual financial statements without charge by contacting the Fund's Transfer Agent, Ultimus Fund Services, LLC, 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 or by calling 1-855-881-2380. You may also obtain a prospectus by visiting the Fund’s website at www.TransWesternCapital.com.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  

THE FUND 1
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS 2
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 7
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 9
MANAGEMENT 11
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS 19
INVESTMENT ADVISER 20
SUB-ADVISER 22
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 24
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE 27
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 27
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 28
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES 30
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM 33
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES 33
TAX STATUS 39
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 43
LEGAL COUNSEL 43
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 43
APPENDIX A –SUB-ADVISER'S PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 44

 

1 
 

THE FUND

 

The Fund is a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust, a Delaware statutory trust organized on January 19, 2005 (the “Trust”).  The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company.  The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”).  

 

The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares, in classes, of beneficial interest.  All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges within their respective class.  Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote by class or without distinction as to class.  In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally, by class, with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities.  Shares of the Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights.  Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.

 

The Fund is a diversified series of the Trust offering one class of shares. TransWestern Capital Advisors (the “Adviser”) is the Fund’s investment adviser and Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. (“Sub-adviser”) is the Fund's Sub-adviser.  The Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the Prospectus.  The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.  The Board may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes at a future date.

 

Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal.  Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders.  As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.

 

1 
 

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS

 

The investment objective of the Fund and a description of its principal investment strategies are set forth under “Risk/Return Summary” in the Prospectus.  The Fund’s investment objective is “fundamental” and may not be changed without the approval of a majority of its outstanding voting securities.

 

The following information describes securities in which the Fund may invest.

 

Fixed Income Debt Securities

 

Yields on fixed income securities (also commonly referred to as bills, notes and/or bonds) are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. An investment in the Fund will be subjected to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Fund's portfolio are paid in full at maturity. All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates or the issuer's actual or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.

 

There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In other words, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market’s perception of an issuer's creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. Obligations of issuers of fixed income securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978.  Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market's perception of an issuer's creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. The possibility exists, therefore, that, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities may become impaired.

 

The following describes some of the risks associated with fixed income debt securities:

 

Interest Rate Risk. Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and mortgage securities can be more sensitive to interest rate changes although they usually offer higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risks. The longer the maturity of the security, the greater the impact a change in interest rates could have on the security's price. In addition, short-term and long-term interest rates do not necessarily move in the same amount or the same direction. Short-term securities tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates and long-term securities tend to react to changes in long-term interest rates.

 

2 
 

Credit Risk. Fixed income securities may have speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of issuers to make principal or interest payments, as compared to issuers of more highly rated securities.

 

Extension Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as mortgage-backed securities) later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise in interest rates. These events may lengthen the duration (i.e. interest rate sensitivity) and potentially reduce the value of these securities.

 

Prepayment Risk. Certain types of debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity when the entire principal amount comes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed securities may include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, payments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans.

 

Securities subject to prepayment are less effective than other types of securities as a means of "locking in" attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.

 

At times, some of the mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest will have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at a premium above their par value. Prepayments may cause losses in securities purchased at a premium, as unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, will cause the Fund to experience a loss equal to any unamortized premium.

 

United States Government Obligations

 

These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis. The Fund may also invest in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”).  TIPS are special types of treasury bonds that were created in order to offer bond investors protection from inflation.  The values of the TIPS are automatically adjusted to the

3 
 

inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”).  If the CPI goes up by half a percent, the value of the bond (the TIPS) would also go up by half a percent.  If the CPI falls, the value of the bond does not fall because the government guarantees that the original investment will stay the same. TIPS decline in value when real interest rates rise.  However, in certain interest rate environments, such as when real interest rates are rising faster than nominal interest rates, TIPS may experience greater losses than other fixed income securities with similar duration.

 

United States Government Agency

 

These consist of debt securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), Farmer's Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC" or "Freddie Mac"), the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA" or "Fannie Mae"), and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Authority).

 

On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Authority (the “FHFA”) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had been placed into conservatorship, a statutory process designed to stabilize a troubled institution with the objective of returning the entity to normal business operations.  The U.S. Treasury Department and the FHFA at the same time established a secured lending facility and a Secured Stock Purchase Agreement with both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ensure that each entity had the ability to fulfill its financial obligations.  The FHFA announced that it does not anticipate any disruption in pattern of payments or ongoing business operations of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

 

Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

 

FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private

4 
 

stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates (“PCs”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC’s national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.

 

Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

 

Interests in pools of mortgage pass-through securities differ from other forms of debt securities (which normally provide periodic payments of interest in fixed amounts and the payment of principal in a lump sum at maturity or on specified call dates). Instead, mortgage pass-through securities provide monthly payments consisting of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the underlying residential mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Unscheduled payments of principal may be made if the underlying mortgage loans are repaid or refinanced or the underlying properties are foreclosed, thereby shortening the securities’ weighted average life. Some mortgage pass-through securities (such as securities guaranteed by GNMA) are described as “modified pass-through securities.” These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, on the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether the mortgagor actually makes the payment.

 

The principal governmental guarantor of mortgage pass-through securities is GNMA. GNMA is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by lending institutions approved by GNMA (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by pools of mortgage loans. These mortgage loans are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. A “pool” or group of such mortgage loans is assembled and after being approved by GNMA, is offered to investors through securities dealers.

 

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

5 
 

bankers. Mortgage pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.

 

Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage pass-through securities. The Fund does not purchase interests in pools created by such non-governmental issuers.

 

Resets. The interest rates paid on the Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities (“ARMs”) in which the Fund may invest generally are readjusted or reset at intervals of one year or less to an increment over some predetermined interest rate index. There are two main categories of indices: those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated measure, such as a cost of funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include the one-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury Note rates, the three-month Treasury Bill rate, the 180-day Treasury Bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the National Median Cost of Funds, the one-month or three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), the prime rate of a specific bank, or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury Note rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others tend to lag changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile.

 

Caps and Floors. The underlying mortgages which collateralize the ARMs in which the Fund invests will frequently have caps and floors which limit the maximum amount by which the loan rate to the residential borrower may change up or down: (1) per reset or adjustment interval, and (2) over the life of the loan. Some residential mortgage loans restrict periodic adjustments by limiting changes in the borrower’s monthly principal and interest payments rather than limiting interest rate changes. These payment caps may result in negative amortization. The value of mortgage securities in which the Fund invests may be affected if market interest rates rise or fall faster and farther than the allowable caps or floors on the underlying residential mortgage loans. Additionally, even though the interest rates on the underlying residential mortgages are adjustable, amortization and prepayments may occur, thereby causing the effective maturities of the mortgage securities in which the Fund invests to be shorter than the maturities stated in the underlying mortgages.

 

When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements

 

The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis. In this event, the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) will segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment in a separate account. Normally, the Custodian will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment. In such a case, the Fund may be required subsequently to segregate additional assets in order to assure that the value of the account remains equal to the amount of the Fund’s commitment. It may be expected that the Fund's net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.

 

6 
 

The Fund does not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objectives. Because the Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy its purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund’s liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage them may be affected in the event the Fund’s forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.

 

The Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases the Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When the Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in the Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.

 

The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determining the market value of the Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

The Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.  

 

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

 

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

 

3. Underwriting.  The Fund will not act as underwriter of securities issued by other persons.  This limitation is not applicable to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of

7 
 

portfolio securities (including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal securities laws.

 

4. Real Estate.  The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate.  This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate.  

 

5. Commodities.  The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments.

 

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

 

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

 

8. Investment Objective.  The Fund seeks to provide income consistent with liquidity, and limited credit and interest rate risk.

 

9. Government Bond Investment Policy.  The Fund invests 100% of its assets in liquid, high-quality fixed and variable rate U.S. government bonds, as defined in the Fund's prospectus and cash and cash equivalents.

 

THE FOLLOWING ARE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS OF THE FUND. THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS ARE DESIGNATED AS NON-FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE CHANGED BY THE BOARD OF THE TRUST WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS.

 

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

 

2. Borrowing.  The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings representing more than one third of its total assets are outstanding.  

 

3. Margin Purchases.  The Fund will not purchase securities or evidences of interest thereon on “margin.”  This limitation is not applicable to short-term credit obtained by the Fund for the clearance of purchases and sales or redemption of securities, or to arrangements with respect to transactions involving other permitted investment techniques.

 

8 
 

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

 

If a restriction on the Fund’s investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Fund's portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of Fund shareholders.

 

The Fund may disclose its portfolio holdings by mailing a quarterly report to its shareholders.  In addition, the Fund will disclose its portfolio holdings reports on Forms N-CSR and Form N-PORT by two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.  

 

The Fund may choose to make available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg earlier and more frequently on a confidential basis.  

 

Under limited circumstances, as described below, the Fund's portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the SEC on Form N-CSR or Form N-PORT.  In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential and not to trade on any material, non-public information.  

· The Adviser and Sub-adviser.  Personnel of the Adviser and Sub-adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Fund's portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings because that information is necessary in order for the Adviser and Sub-adviser to provide management, administrative, and investment services to the Fund.  As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of portfolio manager in the trading of such securities, Adviser and Sub-adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.
· Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC.  Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC is the transfer agent, fund accountant and administrator for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund's portfolio holdings because that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.
9 
 
· U.S. Bank, National Association. U.S. Bank, National Association is the custodian for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.  
· Cohen & Company, Ltd.  Cohen & Company, Ltd. is the Fund’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund’s annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.  
· Thompson Hine LLP.  Thompson Hine LLP is counsel to the Trust; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund's portfolio holdings in connection with the review of the Fund's annual and semi-annual financial statements and SEC filings.  
· Counsel to the Trust’s Independent Trustees. Counsel to the Trust’s Independent Trustees and its personnel have access to the Fund's portfolio holdings in connection with the review of the Fund's annual and semi-annual financial statements and SEC filings.
· Derivatives Risk Consultant: The Trust has engaged a derivatives risk consultant (“Consultant”) to consult with the Board , and the Adviser , regarding the effectiveness of derivatives risk management. The Consultant therefore may have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in order to provide such services to the Trust.

 

Additions to List of Approved Recipients. The Trust's Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above.  In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential. There are no ongoing arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. In no event shall the Fund, the Adviser or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund's portfolio holdings.

 

Compliance with Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures.  The Trust's Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Fund's portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.

 

There is no assurance that the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s By-laws (the “Governing Documents”), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request.  The Board consists of six (6) individuals, all of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Adviser (“Independent Trustees”).  Pursuant to the Governing Documents, the Trustees shall elect officers including a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Principal Executive Officer and a Principal Accounting Officer.  The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust’s purposes.  The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

The Trust is led by Anthony Hertl, an Independent Trustee, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since July 2013. The Board is comprised of Mr. Hertl and five (5) additional Independent Trustees. Additionally, under certain 1940 Act governance guidelines that apply to the Trust, the Independent Trustees will meet in executive session, at least quarterly. Under the Governing Documents, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, (c) execution and administration of Trust policies including (i) setting the agendas for Board meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by its shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership. The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, its Funds and each shareholder.

 

Board Risk Oversight

 

The Board has a standing independent Audit Committee with a separate chair, Mark H. Taylor. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary. The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting risk within its area of responsibilities. Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is primary recipient and communicator of such risk -related information.

 

11 
 

Trustee Qualifications

 

Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.

 

Anthony J. Hertl has over 20 years of business experience in the financial services industry and related fields including serving as chair of the finance committee for the Borough of Interlaken, New Jersey and Vice President-Finance and Administration of Marymount College, holds a Certified Public Accountant designation, serves or has served as a member of other mutual fund boards outside of the group of Funds managed by the Adviser (the “Fund Complex”) and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his years of service to this Board and other fund boards.

 

Gary W. Lanzen has over 20 years of business experience in the financial services industry, holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration, is a Certified Financial Planner, serves as a member of two other mutual fund boards outside of the Fund Complex and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his years of service to this Board and other mutual fund boards.

 

Mark H. Taylor holds PhD, Masters and Bachelors degrees in Accountancy, is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and has over 30 years of academic and professional experience in the accounting and auditing fields, all of which make him particularly qualified to chair the Trust’s Audit Committee. Dr. Taylor is the Director of the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy at the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida and served a three-year term as President of the American Accounting Association (AAA) (President-Elect 2022-2023, President 2023-2024; Past President 2024-2025). Dr. Taylor previously served as AAA Vice President-Finance, and as President of the Auditing Section of the AAA. Dr. Taylor serves as a member of three other mutual fund boards within the Northern Lights Fund Complex. He served a three-year term on the AICPA’s Auditing Standards Board (2010-2012) and previously completed a fellowship in the Professional Practice Group of the Office of the Chief Accountant at the headquarters of the United States Securities Exchange Commission. Dr. Taylor is a member of two research teams that have received grants from the Center for Audit Quality to study how accounting firms’ tone-at-the top messaging impacts audit performance and how auditors manage the process of auditing fair value measurements and other complex estimates in financial statements. Dr. Taylor has published extensively in leading academic accounting journals, has teaching interests in corporate governance and accounting policy as well as auditing and assurance services at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies operate.

 

John V. Palancia has over 30 years of business experience in financial services industry including serving as the Director of Futures Operations for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”). Mr. Palancia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He also possesses a strong understanding of risk management, balance sheet analysis and the regulatory framework under which regulated financial entities must operate based on service to

12 
 

Merrill Lynch. Additionally, he is well versed in the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate and serves as a member of three other fund boards.

 

Mark D. Gersten has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, having served in executive roles at AllianceBernstein LP and holding key industry positions at Prudential-Bache Securities and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He also serves as a member of two other mutual fund boards outside of the Fund Complex. Mr. Gersten is a certified public accountant and holds an MBA in accounting. Like other Trustees, his experience has given him a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which companies operate.

 

Mark S. Garbin has more than 30 years of experience in corporate balance sheet and income statement risk management for large asset managers, serving as Managing Principal of Coherent Capital Management LLC since 2007. Mr. Garbin has extensive derivatives experience and has provided consulting services to alternative asset managers. He is both a Chartered Financial Analyst and Professional Risk Manager charterholder and holds advanced degrees in international business. The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee's qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified.

 

The Trustees and the executive officers of the Trust are listed below with their present positions with the Trust and principal occupations over at least the last five years. The business address of each Trustee and Officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246. All correspondence to the Trustees and Officers should be directed to c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, P.O Box 46707, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

 

Independent Trustees

Name, Address and Year of Birth Position/Term of Office* Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex** Overseen by Trustee Other Directorships held by Trustee During the Past Five Years

Mark Garbin

Born in 1951

Trustee

Since 2013

Managing Principal, Coherent Capital Management LLC

(since 2007).

1

 

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2013); Two Roads Shared Trust (since 2012); Forethought Variable Insurance Trust (since 2013); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013); Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund (since March 2018); Caryle Credit Income Fund (September 2023); Independent Director OHA CLO Enhanced Equity II Genpar LLP (since June 2021); Caryle Credit Income Fund (since July 2023); and iDirect Private Markets Fund (2014-2025).

 

 

           
13 
 

 

Mark D. Gersten
Born in 1950

Trustee

Since 2013

Independent Consultant

(since 2012).

1

Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2013); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013); Two Roads Shared Trust (since 2012); iDirect Private Markets Fund (since 2014); previously, Ramius Archview Credit; TPG Private Markets Fund (since 2025); iDirect Multi-Strategy Fund, LLC (since 2025); Morgan Stanley Private Markets and Alternatives Fund (since 2025) Distressed Fund (2015-2017); and Schroder Global Series Trust (2012 to 2017).

 

Anthony J. Hertl

Born in 1950

Trustee

Since 2005; Chairman of the Board

since 2013

Retired, previously held several positions in a major Wall Street firm including Capital Markets Controller, Director of Global Taxation, and CFO of the Specialty Finance Group.

 

1

Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2005); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2006); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2010); Satuit Capital Management Trust (2007-2019).

 

Gary W. Lanzen

Born in 1954

Trustee

Since 2005

Retired (since 2012). Formerly, Founder, President, and Chief Investment Officer, Orizon Investment Counsel, Inc.

(2000-2012).

1

Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2005) Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2006); AdvisorOne Funds (since 2003); Alternative Strategies Fund (2010-2025); and previously, CLA Strategic Allocation Fund (2014-2015).

 

John V. Palancia

Born in 1954

Trustee

Since 2011

Retired (since 2011). Formerly, Director of Futures Operations, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. (1975-2011). 1

Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2011); Northern Lights Fund Trust III (since February 2012); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2011); and Alternative Strategies Fund (2012-2025).

 

 

14 
 

 

Mark H. Taylor

Born in 1964

Trustee

Since 2007; Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2013

PhD (Accounting), CPA; Professor and Director, Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida (2019 – present); Professor and Department of Accountancy Chair, Case Western Reserve University (2009-2019); President, American Accounting Association (AAA) since August 2022 (President-Elect 2022-2023, President 2023-2024; Past President 2024-2025). AAA Vice President-Finance (2017-2020); President, Auditing Section of the AAA; Member, AICPA Auditing Standards Board (2009-2012); Academic Fellow, Office of the Chief Accountant, United States Securities Exchange Commission (2005-2006); Center for Audit Quality research grants (2014, 2012).

 

1 Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2007); Northern Lights Fund Trust III (since 2012); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2007); and Alternative Strategies Fund (2010-2025).


Officers

Name, Address and Year of Birth Position/Term of Office* Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex** Overseen by Trustee Other Directorships held by Trustee During the Past Five Years

Kevin E. Wolf

Born in 1969

President, Principal Executive Officer

Since June 2017

 

Executive Vice President, Head of Client Strategies (since 2025); Executive Vice President, Head of Fund Administration, and Product; Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2020-April 2025); Vice President of The Ultimus Group, LLC (since 2019); Executive Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2019-2020); President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012-2019); Treasurer of the Trust (2006-June 2017).

 

 

 

 

N/A N/A
15 
 

 

Timothy Burdick

Born in 1986

Vice President

Since November 2023

Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since 2023); Vice President and Managing Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2022-2023); Assistant Vice President and Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2019-2022).

 

N/A N/A

James Colantino

Born in 1969

Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer

Since June 2017

Senior Vice President Fund Administration, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since 2020);

Senior Vice President Fund Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012-2020); Assistant Treasurer of the Trust (2006-June 2017).

 

N/A N/A
Stephanie Shearer
Born in 1979

Secretary

Since February 2017

Assistant Secretary of the Trust (2012-February 2017);

Director, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since 2024); Associate Director, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2022- 2024); Manager of Legal Administration, Ultimus Fund Solutions (2020-2022); Manager of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2018-2020); Senior Paralegal, Gemini Fund Services, LLC

(2013 - 2018).

 

N/A

 

N/A

Michael J. Nanosky

Born in 1966

Chief Compliance Officer

Since January 2021

 

Chief Compliance Officer, of the Trust

(since January 2021);

Vice President-Senior Compliance Officer, NLCS (since 2020); Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer for Williamsburg Investment Trust (2020-current);

Senior Vice President- Chief Compliance Officer, PNC Funds (2014-2019).

 

N/A N/A

*The term of office for each Trustee and officer listed above will continue indefinitely until the individual resigns or is removed.

 

**As of February 28, 2026, the Trust was comprised of 66 active funds managed by unaffiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the Fund in the Trust advised by the Fund’s Adviser. The Fund does not hold itself out as related to any other series within the Trust that is not advised by the Fund’s Adviser.

 

Board Committees

 

Audit Committee

16 
 

 

The Board has an Audit Committee that consists of Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trust’s independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust’s financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust’s independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor’s independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management’s responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls.  The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter.  The Audit Committee is responsible for seeking and reviewing nominee candidates for consideration as Independent Trustees as is from time to time considered necessary or appropriate.  The Audit Committee generally will not consider shareholder nominees.  The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing and setting Independent Trustee compensation from time to time when considered necessary or appropriate.  During the past fiscal year, the Audit Committee held eleven meetings.  

 

Compensation

 

As of January 1, 2025, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust will receive a quarterly fee of $51,250, allocated among each of the various portfolios comprising the Trust and Northern Lights Variable Trust (together, the “Trusts”), a separate registrant that shares a common board with the Trust, for his attendance at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, to be paid in advance of each calendar quarter, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred. In addition to which, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly fee of $13,750 and the Audit Committee Chairman receives a quarterly fee of $10,000.

 

Prior to January 1, 2025, each Trustee who was not affiliated with the Trusts or an investment adviser to any series of the Trusts received a quarterly fee of $50,000, allocated among each of the various portfolios comprising the Trusts. In addition to the quarterly fees and reimbursements, the Chairman of the Board previously received a quarterly fee of $13,750 and the Audit Committee Chairman receives a quarterly fee of $10,000.

 

Additionally, in the event a meeting of the Board other than its regularly scheduled meetings (a “Special Meeting”) is required, each Independent Trustee will receive a fee of $2,500 per Special Meeting, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred, to be paid by the relevant series of the Trust or its investment adviser depending on the circumstances necessitating the Special Meeting.

 

17 
 

The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the Trust during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. Each Independent Trustee attended all quarterly meetings during the period. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.

 

Name and Position TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Funds Expenses Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement Total Compensation from Fund Complex* Paid to Directors
Anthony J. Hertl $2.922.07 None None $2.922.07
Gary Lanzen $2,460.69 None None $2,460.69
Mark H. Taylor $2,614.49 None None $2,614.49
John V. Palancia $2,460.69 None None $2,460.69
Mark D. Gersten $2,460.69 None None $2,460.69
Mark Garbin $2,460.69 None None $2,460.69

*The term “Fund Complex” includes the series of Trusts that are advised by the Adviser.

 

Trustee Ownership

 

The following table indicates the dollar range of equity securities that each Trustee beneficially owned in the Fund as of December 31, 2025.

 

 

Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies
Anthony J. Hertl None None
Gary Lanzen None None
John V. Palancia None None
Mark Taylor None None
Mark D. Gersten None None
Mark Garbin None $50,001-$100,000

 

Management Ownership

 

As of April 2, 2026, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned less than 1.00% of the Fund’s outstanding shares and less than 1.00% of the Fund Complex’s outstanding shares.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

 

A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control.

 

18 
 

As of March 31, 2026, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

Name & Address Shares Percentage of Fund

Crest Forest Realty Corp

71-02 Forest Avenue

Ridgewood, NY 11385

 

6,270,822 78.48%

First National Bank of Hugo

Randy C Younger Auth Agent

Shelly V Lofdahl Auth Agent

PO Box 158

Hugo, CO 80821-0158

 

492,902 6.17%

First Bank and Trust Co

PO Box 147

Minden, NE 68959

 

703,018 8.80%

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

The Adviser of the Fund is de Koning and Company, LLC, doing business as TransWestern Capital Advisors, located at 37 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.  Subject to the oversight and direction of the Trustees, the Adviser (directly or through the Sub-adviser) manages the Fund’s securities and investments in accordance with the Fund’s stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions, makes investment decisions and places orders to purchase and sell securities on behalf of the Fund.  The Adviser provides investment advice to institutional investors such as banks and the Fund.  The fee paid to the Adviser is governed by an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser.  Kendrik de Koning is deemed to control the Adviser by virtue of his ownership of a majority of its interests.

 

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, under the oversight of the Board, agrees (directly or through the Sub-adviser) to invest the assets of the Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the Fund’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser.  The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Fund and, as such shall (directly or through the Sub-adviser) (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities here under, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold or retained  by the Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases or sales are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser (directly or through the Sub-adviser) will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the

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 issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and  to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers.  The Adviser also provides the Fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the Fund’s investments, compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Adviser, and all personnel of the Fund or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.  The Advisory Agreement was initially approved by the Board, including by a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on November 3, 2010 and was most recently renewed at a meeting held on December 17, 2025.

 

In addition, the Adviser, directly subject to the oversight of the Board, provides the management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the Fund. These services include providing facilities for maintaining the Trust’s organization; supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents, accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the Fund; preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting shareholder relations; maintaining the Fund’s records and the registration of the Fund’s shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing management and shareholder services for the Fund; and furnishing reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to the Trustees.  

 

The following table sets forth the annual management fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Fund Total
Management Fee
TransWestern Institutional Short Duration
Government Bond Fund
0.45%

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and to reimburse expenses, if necessary, at least until April 30, 2027, to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or reimbursement (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads; brokerage fees and commissions; acquired fund fees and expenses; fees and expenses associated with instruments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example options and swap fees and expenses); borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); taxes; and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, and contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser))), such that net annual fund operating expenses of the Fund do not exceed the percentages in the table below. Waiver/reimbursement is subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within three years after fees/expenses have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.  No reimbursement amount will be paid to the Adviser in any fiscal quarter unless the Board has determined in

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advance that a reimbursement is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.  Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund’s expenses and increase its performance.

 

Fund Expense Cap Minimum Duration
TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund 0.65% April 30, 2027

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Fund accrued $337,016 in advisory fees, of which $230,247 was waived by the Adviser. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Fund accrued $378,852 in advisory fees, of which $166,086 was waived by the Adviser. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund accrued $394,007 in advisory fees, of which $175,104 was waived by the Adviser. Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement are paid by the Fund.  Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Fund is responsible for the payment of the following expenses among others: (a) the fees payable to the Adviser, (b) the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser (c) the fees and certain expenses of the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent (as defined under the section entitled “Transfer Agent”), including the cost of maintaining certain required records of the Fund and of pricing the Fund’s shares, (d) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the Fund, (e) brokerage commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Fund in connection with its securities transactions, (f) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Fund to governmental agencies, (g) the fees of any trade association of which the Fund may be a member, (h) the cost of share certificates representing shares of the Fund, (i) the cost of fidelity and liability insurance, (j) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Fund and of its shares with the SEC, qualifying its shares under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the Fund’s registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, (k) all expenses of shareholders and Trustees’ meetings (including travel expenses of trustees and officers of the Trust who are directors, officers or employees of the Adviser) and of preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and prospectuses to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders, and (l) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Trust’s business.

 

The Advisory Agreement continued in effect for two (2) years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on 60 days’ written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees or by the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Fund’s outstanding shares. The Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

 

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SUB-ADVISER

 

Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., located at One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111, serves as Sub-adviser to the Fund.  Subject to the authority of the Board and oversight by the Adviser, the Sub-adviser is responsible for day-to-day execution of the Fund's strategy and management of the Fund's investment portfolio according to the Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions.  The Sub-adviser is paid by the Adviser, not the Fund.  The Sub-adviser advises institutional investors, such as investment companies and pension plans. Loomis, Sayles & Company, Incorporated is deemed to control the Sub-adviser by virtue of its status as general partner of the Sub-adviser.  Additionally, the Sub-adviser is a Delaware limited partnership. The Sub-adviser’s sole general partner, Loomis, Sayles & Company, Inc. is directly owned by Natixis Investment Managers, LLC. (“Natixis LLC”). Natixis LLC is an indirect subsidiary of Natixis Investment Managers, an international asset management group based in Paris, France, that is in turn owned by Natixis, a French investment banking and financial services firm. Natixis is wholly-owned by BPCE, France’s second largest banking group. BPCE is owned by banks comprising two autonomous and complementary retail banking networks consisting of the Caisse d’Epargne regional savings banks and the Banque Populaire regional cooperative banks. The registered address of Natixis is 30, avenue Pierre Mendès France, 75013 Paris, France. The registered address of BPCE is 50, avenue Pierre Mendès France, 75013 Paris, France.

 

The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that it will terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).  The Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the Trust, the Adviser, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, upon written notice to the Sub-adviser, or by the Sub-adviser upon at least 60 days’ written notice. The Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from its execution only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board renewal of the Sub-advisory Agreement is available in the Fund's semi-annual shareholder report dated June 30, 2025.

 

Codes of Ethics

 

The Trust, the Adviser and the Sub-adviser each have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust.  Under the Trust’s Code, the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by the Fund.

 

In addition, the Trust has adopted a code of ethics, which applies only to the Trust’s executive officers to ensure that these officers promote professional conduct in the practice of corporate governance and management. The purpose behind these guidelines is to promote i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Fund; iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of this

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Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and v) accountability for adherence to the Code.

 

 

Proxy Voting Policies

 

The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies of securities held by the Fund to the Sub-adviser subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Sub-adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.  The Policies also require the Adviser (or Sub-adviser) to present to the Board, at least annually, the Sub-adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Sub-adviser) on behalf of a Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Sub-adviser as involving a conflict of interest.  A copy of the Sub-adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.

 

More information.  Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 will be available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund 1-855-881-2380; or sending an email to fulfillment@ultimusfundsolutions.com (2) on or through the Funds’ website at www.TransWesternCapital.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.  In addition, a copy of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures are also available by calling 1-855-881-2380 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

The Fund’s portfolio managers are Clifton V. Rowe, Christopher T. Harms and Daniel Conklin. As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers were responsible for the management of the following types of accounts:

 

Total Other Accounts Managed

Portfolio Manager Registered Investment Company Accounts

Assets Managed

($ billions)

 

Pooled
Investment
Vehicle
Accounts

Assets Managed

($ billions)

 

Other
Accounts

Assets Managed

($ billions)

 

Clifton V. Rowe 9* $10.41* 9 $10.69 201 $31.03
Christopher T. Harms 9* $10.41* 9 $10.69 387 $31.70
Daniel Conklin 9* $10.41* 9 $10.69 197 $31.04

*Excludes the Fund’s assets.

 

Other Accounts Managed Subject to Performance-Based Fees

Portfolio Manager Registered Investment Company Accounts Assets
Managed
($ millions)
Pooled
Investment
Vehicle
Accounts
Assets
Managed
($ millions)
Other
Accounts
Assets Managed
($ millions)
Clifton V. Rowe 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0
Christopher T. Harms 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0
Daniel Conklin 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0
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Conflicts of Interest

 

Conflicts of interest may arise in the allocation of investment opportunities and the allocation of aggregated orders among the Funds and other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers. A Portfolio Manager potentially could give favorable treatment to some accounts for a variety of reasons, including favoring larger accounts, accounts that pay higher fees, accounts that pay performance-based fees, accounts of affiliated companies and accounts in which the Portfolio Manager has an interest. In addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions among the Fund(s) and a Portfolio Manager’s other accounts, the Portfolio Manager may take action with respect to another account that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund(s). Although such favorable treatment could lead to more favorable investment opportunities or allocations for some accounts and may appear to create additional conflicts of interest for the Portfolio Manager in the allocation of management time and resources, the Sub-adviser strives to ensure that Portfolio Managers endeavor to exercise their discretion in a manner that is equitable to all interested persons. Furthermore, the Sub-adviser makes investment decisions for all accounts (including institutional accounts, mutual funds, hedge funds and affiliated accounts) based on each account’s investment objective, investment guidelines and restrictions, the availability of other comparable investment opportunities and the Sub-adviser’s desire to treat all accounts fairly and equitably over time. The Sub-adviser maintains Trade Aggregation and Allocation Policies and Procedures to mitigate the effects of these potential conflicts as well as other types of conflicts of interest. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation where a conflict arises or that the Sub-adviser will treat all accounts identically. Conflicts of interest also arise to the extent a Portfolio Manager short sells a stock or otherwise takes a short position in one client account but holds that stock long in other accounts, including the Fund(s), or sells a stock for some accounts while buying the stock for others, and through the use of “soft dollar arrangements,” which are discussed in the Sub-adviser’s Brokerage Allocation Policies and Procedures and the Sub-adviser’s Trade Aggregation and Allocation Policies and Procedures.

 

Compensation

 

The Sub-adviser believes that Portfolio Manager compensation should be driven primarily by the delivery of consistent and superior long-term performance for its clients. Although Portfolio Manager compensation is not directly tied to assets under management, a Portfolio Manager’s base salary and/or bonus potential may reflect the amount of assets for which the manager is responsible relative to other Portfolio Managers. The annual bonus is incentive-based and generally represents a significant multiple of base salary. The bonus is based on three factors: investment performance, profit growth of the firm, and personal conduct. Investment performance is the primary component of the annual bonus and generally represents at least 60% of the total for fixed-income managers. The other factors are used to determine the remainder of the annual incentive bonus, subject to the discretion of the firm’s Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) and senior management. The firm’s CIO and senior management evaluate these other factors annually.

 

The investment performance component of the annual incentive bonus depends primarily on investment performance against benchmark and/or against peers within similar disciplines. The

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score is based upon the product’s institutional composite performance; however, adjustments may be made if there is significant dispersion among the returns of the composite and accounts not included in the composite. For most products, the product investment score compares the product’s rolling three year performance over the past nine quarters (a five year view) against both a benchmark and a peer group established by the CIO. The scoring rewards both the aggregate excess performance of the product against a benchmark and the product’s relative rank within a peer group. In addition, for fixed income products, the performance score rewards for the consistency of that outperformance and is enhanced if over the past five years it has kept its rolling three-year performance ahead of its benchmark. Portfolio Managers working on several product teams receive a final score based on the relative revenue weight of each product.

 

Portfolio Managers may also participate in the three segments of the long-term incentive program. The amount of the awards for each segment are dependent upon role, industry experience, team and firm profitability, and/or investment performance.

 

General

 

The core elements of the Sub-adviser compensation plan include a base salary, an annual incentive bonus, and, for senior investor and leadership roles, a long-term incentive bonus. The base salary is a fixed amount based on a combination of factors, including industry experience, firm experience, job performance and market considerations. The annual incentive bonus and long term incentive bonus is driven by a variety of factors depending upon the specific role. Factors include investment performance, individual performance, team and Firm profitability, role, and industry experience. Both the annual and long term bonus have a deferral component. The Sub-adviser has developed and implemented three long-term incentive plan segments to attract and retain investment talent.

 

For the senior-most investment roles, a Long Term Incentive Plan provides annual grants relative to the role, and includes a post retirement payment feature to incentivize effective succession management. Participation is contingent upon signing an award agreement, which includes a non-compete covenant. The second and third Long Term Incentive Plans are constructed to create mid- term alignment for key positions, including a two year deferral feature. The second plan is role based, and the third is team based which is more specifically dependent upon team profitability and/or investment performance.

 

In addition, the Sub-adviser also offers a profit sharing plan for all employees and a defined benefit plan for employees who joined the firm prior to May 3, 2003. The profit sharing contribution to the retirement plan of each employee is based on a percentage of base salary (up to a maximum amount). The defined benefit plan is based on years of service and base compensation (up to a maximum amount).

 

In addition, portfolio managers may also participate in the Sub-adviser deferred compensation plan which requires all the Sub-adviser employees to defer 50% of their annual bonus if in excess of a certain dollar amount, except for those the Sub-adviser employees who will be age 61 or older on the date the bonus is awarded. These amounts are deferred over a two year period with 50% being paid out one year from the bonus anniversary date and the second

25 
 

50% being paid out two years from the bonus anniversary date. These deferrals are deposited into an investment account on the Sub-adviser employee's behalf, but the employee must be with the Sub-adviser on the vesting dates in order to receive the deferred bonus.

 

Ownership.

 

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the portfolio managers in the Fund as of December 31, 2025.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund
Clifton V. Rowe None
Christopher T. Harms None
Daniel Conklin None

 

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

 

Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the portfolio managers, who are employees of the Sub-adviser.  The Sub-adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Sub-adviser for the Fund's use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Sub-adviser may determine.

 

In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Sub-adviser will take the following into consideration:

· the best net price available;

· the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer;

· the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and

· the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis.

 

Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Sub-adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage, research and other services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Sub-adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Sub-adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than the Fund’s, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Fund.

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund paid brokerage commissions of $0. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Fund paid brokerage commissions of $0. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Fund paid brokerage commissions of $0.

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PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the Fund. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of the Fund’s portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 208%. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 205%.

 

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Fund Administration, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agent Services

  

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“UFS”), which has its principal office at 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, serves as administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Fund pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Trust and subject to the supervision of the Board. UFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. UFS may also provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of UFS or its affiliates.

 

UFS may recommend the engagement of certain service providers, such as trading sub-advisors, securities lending agents and other service providers, to the Trust and advisers and sub-advisers of Funds in the Trust. UFS may receive a referral or revenue sharing fee from such service providers in connection with such engagements. Any agreement between the Trust and such service providers is subject to the approval of the Trustees.

 

Effective February 1, 2019, NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC, the parent company of Gemini Fund Services, LLC and its affiliated companies including Northern Lights Distributors, LLC and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (collectively, the “Gemini Companies”), sold its interest in the Gemini Companies to a third party private equity firm that contemporaneously acquired Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (an independent mutual fund administration firm) and its affiliates (collectively, the “Ultimus Companies”).  As a result of these separate transactions, the Gemini Companies and the Ultimus Companies are now indirectly owned through a common parent entity, The Ultimus Group, LLC.

 

The Agreement became effective on June 22, 2011 and remained in effect for two years from the applicable effective date for the Fund, and continues in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board.  The Agreement is terminable by the Board or UFS on 90 days’ written notice and may be assigned by either party, provided that the Trust may not assign this

27 
 

agreement without the prior written consent of UFS. The Agreement provides that UFS shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the Agreement.

 

Under the Agreement, UFS performs administrative services, including: (1) monitoring the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Trust by others service providers; (2) monitoring Fund holdings and operations for post-trade compliance with the Fund’s registration statement and applicable laws and rules; (3) preparing and coordinating the printing of semi-annual and annual financial statements and tailored shareholder reports; (4) preparing selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses; (5) preparing and disseminating materials for and attending and participating in meetings of the Board; (6) determining income and capital gains available for distribution and calculating distributions required to meet regulatory, income, and excise tax requirements; (7) reviewing the Trust's federal, state, and local tax returns as prepared and signed by the Trust's independent public accountants; (8) preparing and maintaining the Trust's operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to each Fund to calculate its daily net asset value; (9) assisting in and monitoring the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of amendments to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, periodic reports to the Trustees, shareholders and the SEC, notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2, proxy materials and reports to the SEC on Forms N-CEN, N-CSR, N-PORT and N-PX; (10) coordinating the Trust's audits and examinations by assisting each Fund’s independent public accountants; (11) determining, in consultation with others, the jurisdictions in which shares of the Trust shall be registered or qualified for sale and facilitating such registration or qualification; (12) monitoring sales of shares and ensure that the shares are properly and duly registered with the SEC; (13) monitoring the calculation of performance data for the Fund; (14) preparing, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports; (15) preparing authorizations for the payment of Trust expenses and pay, from Trust assets, all bills of the Trust; (16) providing information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment companies; (17) upon request, assisting each Fund in the evaluation and selection of other service providers, such as independent public accountants, printers, EDGAR providers and proxy solicitors (such parties may be affiliates of UFS) and (18) performing other services, recordkeeping and assistance relating to the affairs of the Trust as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request.

 

For the administrative services rendered to the Fund by UFS, the Fund pays UFS the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. The Fund also pays UFS for any out-of-pocket expenses. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund paid $91,191 for administrative fees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Fund paid $98,684 for administrative fees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Fund paid $102,260 for administrative fees.

 

UFS also provides the Fund with accounting services, including: (i) computing Net asset Value (“NAV”); (ii) maintaining security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) producing the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculating yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining of certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and

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reconciliation of account information and balances among the Fund’s custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.   

 

For the fund accounting services rendered to the Fund under the Agreement, the Fund pays UFS the greater of an annual fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. The Fund also pays UFS for any out-of-pocket expenses. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund paid $30,689 for fund accounting fees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Fund paid $18,353 for fund accounting fees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Fund paid $38,393 for fund accounting fees.

 

UFS also acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to the Agreement. Under the Agreement, UFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

 

For the transfer agent services rendered to the Fund under the Agreement, the Fund pays UFS the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. The Fund also pays UFS for any out-of-pocket expenses. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund paid $25,506 for transfer agency fees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Fund paid $25,393 for transfer agency fees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Fund paid $28,792 for transfer agency fees.

 

Custodian

  

U.S Bank, N.A., (the “Custodian”), 60 Livingston Ave. St. Paul, MN 55107-1419 serves as the custodian of the Fund's assets pursuant to a custody agreement by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Custodian Agreement”).  The Custodian’s responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund's investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. The Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.

 

Compliance Services

 

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE  68022, an affiliate of UFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. NLCS’s compliance services consist primarily of reviewing and assessing the policies and procedures of the Trust and its service providers pertaining to compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. For the compliance services rendered to the Fund, the Fund pays NLCS an annual fixed fee and an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon the Fund’s net assets. The Fund also pays NLCS for any out-of-pocket expenses. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund paid $29,931 for compliance service fees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Fund

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paid $28,925 for compliance service fees. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Fund paid $33,694 for compliance service fees.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

 

Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.

 

Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series. Matters such as ratification of the independent public accountants and election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.  

 

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Each share has equal dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any shares of the Fund. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

12b-1 Plan

 

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted the Trust’s Master Distribution Plan and Shareholder Servicing pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan") pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay the Adviser, as compensation for Adviser’s combined account maintenance and distribution fee at the rate of 0.10%, on an annualized basis of the average net assets attributable to shares of the Fund. Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Adviser at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board and the Adviser. The Rule 12b-1 Plan authorizes payments to the Adviser as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others (“Recipients”) to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. The Fund will bear its own costs of distribution with respect to its shares.

 

The services to be provided by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assisting in the offering and sale of Fund shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Fund as the Adviser or the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may reasonably request. The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Adviser with respect to the

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Fund. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund paid $87,557 in distribution related fees pursuant to the Plan. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Fund paid $84,189 in distribution related fees pursuant to the Plan. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the Fund paid $74,892 in distribution related fees pursuant to the Plan.

 

12b-1 Expenditures Paid by Fund

Shares During the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025

  Total Dollars Allocated
Advertising/Marketing $37,930
Printing/Postage $1,821
Payment to distributor None
Payment to dealers $35,141
Compensation to sales personnel None
Other None
Total $74,892

 

12b-1 Expenditures Paid by Fund

Shares During the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024

  Total Dollars Allocated
Advertising/Marketing $27,119
Printing/Postage $3,012
Payment to distributor None
Payment to dealers $54,058
Compensation to sales personnel None
Other None
Total $84,189

 

 

12b-1 Expenditures Paid by Fund

Shares During the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023

  Total Dollars Allocated
Advertising/Marketing $20,305
Printing/Postage $2,062
Payment to distributor None
Payment to dealers $65,190
Compensation to sales personnel None
Other None
Total $87,557

 

The Adviser is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Adviser will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Adviser to Recipients.

 

The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Adviser’s compensation to be paid by the Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a

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majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected class of a Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Trustees of the Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act, and do not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Plan or any agreements related to it (the “Rule 12b-1 Trustees”) by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Rule 12b-1 Plan. During the term of the Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Trust will preserve copies of the Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.

 

Any agreement related to the Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the applicable Fund at any time upon sixty days’ written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the Fund; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement.

 

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM

  

The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by Section 352 the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program is written and has been approved the Board .  The Program provides for the development of policies, procedures and internal controls reasonably designed to prevent money laundering, the designation of an anti-money laundering compliance officer who is responsible for implementing and monitoring the Program, an ongoing anti-money laundering training for appropriate persons and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.

 

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Transfer Agent has established reasonable anti-money laundering procedures, have reported suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and have completed thorough reviews of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.

 

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PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

 

Calculation of Share Price

 

As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading “How Shares are Priced”, the NAV of the Fund's shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund's portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund.  

 

Generally, the Fund’s domestic securities (including underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges) are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Adviser committee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and as further described below. Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the- counter market.

 

Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less may be generally valued at amortized cost. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction. Swap agreements and other derivatives are generally valued daily based upon quotations from market makers or by a pricing service in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.

 

Under certain circumstances, the Fund may use an independent pricing service to calculate the fair market value of foreign equity securities on a daily basis by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above. The fair market values supplied by the independent pricing service will generally reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or the value of other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities. The independent pricing service will also take into account the current relevant currency exchange rate. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. Because foreign securities may trade on

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days when Fund shares are not priced, the value of securities held by the Fund can change on days when Fund shares cannot be redeemed or purchased. In the event that a foreign security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closed before the Fund’s calculation of NAV), the security will be valued at its fair market value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board as discussed below. Without fair valuation, it is possible that short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that it will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short-term traders. In addition, because the Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of these portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.

 

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Fund's shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.

 

Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the "NYSE Close") on each day that the NYSE is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally uses pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.

 

When market quotations are insufficient or not readily available, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or its designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.

 

The Fund may hold temporarily illiquid securities, for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable. These securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. The Board has the designated the Adviser as its “Valuation Designee” to execute these procedures. The Adviser may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to ensure the process produces reliable results.

 

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Valuation Process. Fair value determinations are required for the following securities: (i) securities for which market quotations are insufficient or not readily available on a particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source), (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the Adviser or Sub-adviser, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the Adviser or Sub-adviser to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an asked price is available; the spread between bid and asked prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; (iv) securities with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred (a “significant event”) since the closing prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to the Fund’s calculation of its net asset value. Specifically, interests in commodity pools or managed futures pools are valued on a daily basis by reference to the closing market prices of each futures contract or other asset held by a pool, as adjusted for pool expenses. Restricted or illiquid securities, such as private placements or non-traded securities are valued via inputs from the Adviser or Sub-adviser valuation based upon the current bid for the security from two or more independent dealers or other parties reasonably familiar with the facts and circumstances of the security (who should take into consideration all relevant factors as may be appropriate under the circumstances). If the Adviser or Sub-adviser is unable to obtain a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties, the Adviser shall determine the fair value of such security using the following factors: (i) the type of security; (ii) the cost at date of purchase; (iii) the size and nature of the Fund's holdings; (iv) the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase and subsequent thereto; (v) information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; (vi) the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security and the existence of any registration rights; (vii) how the yield of the security compares to similar securities of companies of similar or equal creditworthiness; (viii) the level of recent trades of similar or comparable securities; (ix) the liquidity characteristics of the security; (x) current market conditions; and (xi) the market value of any securities into which the security is convertible or exchangeable.

 

Standards For Fair Value Determinations. As a general principle, the fair value of a security is the amount that a Fund might reasonably expect to realize upon its current sale. The Trust has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"). In accordance with ASC 820, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including such a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market

35 
 

participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on the best information available under the circumstances.

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund's investments relating to ASC 820. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

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

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The Adviser takes into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances, which may include: (i) the nature and pricing history (if any) of the security; (ii) whether any dealer quotations for the security are available; (iii) possible valuation methodologies that could be used to determine the fair value of the security; (iv) the recommendation of a portfolio manager of the Fund with respect to the valuation of the security; (v) whether the same or similar securities are held by other Funds managed by the Adviser (or Sub-adviser) or other Funds and the method used to price the security in those Funds; (vi) the extent to which the fair value to be determined for the security will result from the use of data or formulae produced by independent third parties and (vii) the liquidity or illiquidity of the market for the security.

 

Board Determination. The Board meets at least quarterly to consider the valuations provided by the Adviser and to ratify the valuations for the applicable securities. The Board considers the reports provided by the Adviser, including follow up studies of subsequent market-provided prices when available, in reviewing and determining in good faith the fair value of the applicable portfolio securities.

 

The Trust expects that the NYSE will be closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, , Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

 

Purchase of Shares

 

Orders for shares received by the Fund in good order prior to the close of business on the NYSE on each day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at NAV per share or offering price (NAV plus a sales charge, if applicable) computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of such NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined NAV or offering price per share.

 

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Notice to Texas Shareholders

 

Under section 72.1021(a) of the Texas Property Code, initial investors in a Fund who are Texas residents may designate a representative to receive notices of abandoned property in connection with Fund shares. Texas shareholders who wish to appoint a representative should

notify the Trust’s Transfer Agent by writing to the address below to obtain a form for providing written notice to the Trust:

 

TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund

c/o Ultimus Fund Services, LLC

Regular/Express Mail

P.O. Box 46707

Cincinnati, OH 45246

 

or overnight to

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

Redemption of Shares

 

The Fund will redeem all or any portion of a shareholder's shares in the Fund when requested in accordance with the procedures set forth in the "Redemptions" section of the Prospectus. Under the 1940 Act, a shareholder’s right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:

 

(a)       when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;

(b)       when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason;

(c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or
(d) when the SEC by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.

 

In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on the NAV next determined after the termination of the suspension.

 

The Fund may purchase shares of Underlying Funds which charge a redemption fee to shareholders (such as the Fund) that redeem shares of the Underlying Fund within a certain period of time (such as one year). The fee is payable to the Underlying Fund. Accordingly, if the Fund were to invest in an Underlying Fund and incur a redemption fee as a result of redeeming shares in such Underlying Fund, the Fund would bear such redemption fee. The Fund will not, however, invest in shares of an Underlying Fund that is sold with a contingent deferred sales load.

 

Supporting documents in addition to those listed under “Redemptions” in the Prospectus will be required from executors, administrators, Trustees, or if redemption is requested by

37 
 

someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are not restricted to, stock powers, Trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor, certificates of corporate authority and waiver of tax required in some states when settling estates.

 

Redemption Fee

 

The Fund will deduct a 0.25% redemption fee on your redemption amount if you sell your shares after holding them for less than 30 days. Shares held the longest amount of time will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held the shortest amount of time as being redeemed last. Shares held for 30 days or more are not subject to the 0.25% fee.  Redemption fees are paid to the Fund directly and are designed to offset costs associated with fluctuations in Fund asset levels and cash flow caused by short-term shareholder trading.        

 

Waivers of Redemption Fees: The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee for:

· redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions;

· certain types of redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares owned through participant-directed retirement plans;

· redemptions or exchanges in discretionary asset allocation, fee based or wrap programs (“wrap programs”) that are initiated by the sponsor/financial adviser as part of a periodic rebalancing;

· redemptions or exchanges in a fee based or wrap program that are made as a result of a full withdrawal from the wrap program or as part of a systematic withdrawal plan;

· involuntary redemptions, such as those resulting from a shareholder’s failure to maintain a minimum investment in the Fund, or to pay shareholder fees; or

· other types of redemptions as the Adviser or the Trust may determine in special situations and approved by the Fund’s or the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer.

 

TAX STATUS

 

The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding their investment in the Fund.

 

The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Tax Code”), which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its net investment income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Net investment income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Tax Code.  

 

Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the

38 
 

Fund. Capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss.  Under previously enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains for only eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital losses, irrespective of the character of the original loss.  Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

 

At December 31, 2025, the Fund had capital loss carry forwards for federal income tax purposes available to offset future capital gains as follows:

 

Non-Expiring     Non-Expiring     Total    CLCF Utilized
Short-Term     Long-Term          
$ 10,125,775     $ 21,372,600     $ 31,498,375   $                       14,901
                       

 

The Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income, any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and any excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of net investment income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.

 

To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Tax Code, the Fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain publicly traded partnerships and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and (b) diversify its holding so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the Fund’s assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) any one issuer, two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.

 

If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund’s net investment income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund’s net investment income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.

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The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Tax Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.

 

The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax.  Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Tax Code.

 

Distributions of taxable net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.  In most cases the Fund will hold shares in Underlying Funds for less than 12 months, such that its sales of such shares from time to time will not qualify as long-term capital gains for those investors who hold shares of the Fund in taxable accounts.

 

Distributions of net capital gain (“capital gain dividends”) generally are taxable to shareholders as short-term capital gain; regardless of the length of time the shares of the Trust have been held by such shareholders.

 

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.

 

Redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.  

 

Distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to reinvest distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.

 

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All distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each taxable shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year. Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.

 

Under the Tax Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Tax Code, distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.

 

Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (“FFI”) or a non-financial foreign entity (“NFFE”) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by a Fund after June 30, 2014 and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by the Fund after December 31, 2016. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. A Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.

 

Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities

 

Current federal tax law requires the holder of a U.S. Treasury or other fixed income zero coupon security to accrue as income each year a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased, even though the holder receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. In addition, pay-in-kind securities will give rise to income, which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

 

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Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount ("OID") is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures.

 

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the "accrued market discount" on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, the Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so).  The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.

 

Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund's shares.

 

A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.

 

Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.

 

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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

  

Cohen & Company, Ltd., located at 1350 Euclid Ave., Suite 800 Cleveland, OH 44115 serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. Its services include auditing of the Fund’s financial statements. Cohen & Co Advisory, LLC, an affiliate of Cohen & Company, Ltd., provides tax services as requested.

 

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, Suite 1700, Columbus, OH 43215 serves as the Trust's legal counsel.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The financial statements and report of the independent registered public accounting firm required to be included in this SAI are hereby incorporated by reference to the Financial Statements the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.  You can obtain a copy of the Financial Statements without charge by calling the Fund at 1-855-881-2380.

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APPENDIX A

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.

 

1. GENERAL

 

A. Introduction.

Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. (“Loomis Sayles”) will vote proxies of the securities held in its clients’ portfolios on behalf of each client that has delegated proxy voting authority to Loomis Sayles as investment adviser. Loomis Sayles has adopted and implemented these policies and procedures (“Proxy Voting Procedures”) to ensure that, where it has voting authority, proxy matters are handled in the best interests of clients, in accordance with Loomis Sayles’ fiduciary duty, and all applicable law and regulations. The Proxy Voting Procedures, as implemented by the Loomis Sayles Proxy Committee (as described below), are intended to support good corporate governance, including those corporate practices that address environmental and social issues (“ESG Matters”), in all cases with the objective of protecting shareholder interests and maximizing shareholder value.

Loomis Sayles uses the services of third parties (each a “Proxy Voting Service” and collectively the “Proxy Voting Services”), to provide research, analysis and voting recommendations and to administer the process of voting proxies for those clients for which Loomis Sayles has voting authority. Any reference in these Proxy Voting Procedures to a “Proxy Voting Service” is a reference either to the Proxy Voting Service that provides research, analysis and voting recommendations to Loomis Sayles or to the Proxy Voting Service that administers the process of voting proxies for Loomis Sayles or to both, as the context may require. Loomis Sayles will generally follow its express policy with input from the Proxy Voting Service that provides research, analysis and voting recommendations to Loomis Sayles unless the Proxy Committee determines that the client’s best interests are served by voting otherwise.

B. General Guidelines.

The following guidelines will apply when voting proxies on behalf of accounts for which Loomis Sayles has voting authority.

1. Client’s Best Interests. The Proxy Voting Procedures are designed and implemented in a way that is reasonably expected to ensure that proxy matters are conducted in the best interests of clients. When considering the best interests of clients, Loomis Sayles has determined that this means the best investment interest of its clients as shareholders of the issuer. To protect its clients’ best interests, Loomis Sayles has integrated the consideration of ESG Matters into its investment process. The Proxy Voting Procedures are intended to reflect the impact of these factors in cases where they are material to the growth and sustainability of an issuer. Loomis Sayles has established its Proxy Voting Procedures to assist it in making its proxy voting decisions with a view toward enhancing the value of its clients’ interests in an issuer over the period during which it expects its

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clients to hold their investments. Loomis Sayles will vote against proposals that it believes could adversely impact the current or future market value of the issuer’s securities during the expected holding period. Loomis Sayles also believes that protecting the best interests of clients requires the consideration of potential material impacts of proxy proposals associated with ESG Matters.

For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding any other provisions of these Proxy Voting Procedures, in all instances in which Loomis Sayles votes proxies on behalf of clients that are employee benefit plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), Loomis Sayles (a) will act solely in accordance with the economic interest of the plan and its participants and beneficiaries, and (b) will not subordinate the interests of the participants and beneficiaries in their retirement income or financial benefits under the plan to any other objective, or promote non-pecuniary benefits or goals unrelated to those financial interests of the plan’s participants and beneficiaries.

2. Client Proxy Voting Policies. Rather than delegating proxy voting authority to Loomis Sayles, a client may (a) retain the authority to vote proxies on securities in its account; (b) delegate voting authority to another party; or (c) instruct Loomis Sayles to vote proxies according to a policy that differs from the Proxy Voting Procedures. Loomis Sayles will honor any of these instructions if the instruction is agreed to in writing by Loomis Sayles in its investment management agreement with the client. If Loomis Sayles incurs additional costs or expenses in following any such instruction, it may request payment for such additional costs or expenses from the client.

3. Stated Policies. In the interest of consistency in voting proxies on behalf of its clients where appropriate, Loomis Sayles has adopted policies that identify issues where Loomis Sayles will (a) generally vote in favor of a proposal; (b) generally vote against a proposal; (c) generally vote as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service; and (d) specifically consider its vote for or against a proposal. However, these policies are guidelines and each vote may be cast differently than the stated policy, taking into consideration all relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote. In certain cases where the recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service and the recommendation of the issuer’s management are the same, the vote will generally be cast as recommended and will not be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Proxy Committee. In cases where the portfolio manager of an account that holds voting securities of an issuer or the analyst covering the issuer or its securities recommends a vote, the proposal(s) will be voted according to these recommendations after a review for any potential conflicts of interest is conducted and will not be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Proxy Committee. There may be situations where Loomis Sayles casts split votes despite the stated policies. For example, Loomis Sayles may cast a split vote when different clients may be invested in strategies with different investment objectives, or when different clients may have different economic interests in the outcome of a particular proposal. Loomis Sayles also may cast a split vote on a particular proposal when its investment teams have differing views regarding the impact of the proposal on their clients’ investment interests.

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4. Abstentions and Other Exceptions. Loomis Sayles’ general policy is to vote rather than abstain from voting on issues presented, unless the Proxy Committee determines, pursuant to its best judgment, that the client’s best interests require abstention.  However, in the following circumstances Loomis Sayles may not vote a client’s proxy:

· The Proxy Committee has concluded that voting would have no meaningful, identifiable economic benefit to the client as a shareholder, such as when the security is no longer held in the client’s portfolio or when the value of the portfolio holding is insignificant.
· The Proxy Committee has concluded that the costs of or disadvantages resulting from voting outweigh the economic benefits of voting. For example, in some non-US jurisdictions, the sale of securities voted may be legally or practically prohibited or subject to some restrictions for some period of time, usually between the record and meeting dates (“share blocking”).  Loomis Sayles believes that the loss of investment flexibility resulting from share blocking generally outweighs the benefit to be gained by voting. Information about share blocking is often incomplete or contradictory. Loomis Sayles relies on the client’s custodian and on its Proxy Voting Service to identify share blocking jurisdictions. To the extent such information is wrong, Loomis Sayles could fail to vote shares that could have been voted without loss of investment flexibility, or could vote shares and then be prevented from engaging in a potentially beneficial portfolio transaction.
· Administrative requirements for voting proxies in certain foreign jurisdictions (which may be imposed a single time or may be periodic), such as providing a power of attorney to the client’s local sub-custodian, cannot be fulfilled due to timing of the requirement, or the costs required to fulfill the administrative requirements appear to outweigh the benefits to the client of voting the proxy.
· The client, as of the record date, has loaned the securities to which the proxy relates and Loomis Sayles has concluded that it is not in the best interest of the client to recall the loan or is unable to recall the loan in order to vote the securities[1].
· The client so directs Loomis Sayles.

The Proxy Committee will generally vote against, rather than abstain from voting on, ballot issues where the issuer does not provide sufficient information to make an informed decision. In addition, there may be instances where Loomis Sayles is not able to vote proxies on a client's behalf, such as when ballot delivery instructions have not been processed by a client's custodian, when the Proxy Voting Service has not received a ballot for a client's account (e.g., in cases where the client’s shares have been loaned to a third party), when proxy materials are not available in English, and under other circumstances beyond Loomis Sayles’ control.


[1] Loomis Sayles does not engage in securities lending. However, some clients do opt to lend securities, availing themselves of their custodians’ services.

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5. Oversight. All issues presented for shareholder vote are subject to the oversight of the Proxy Committee, either directly or by application of this policy. All non-routine issues will generally be considered directly by the Proxy Committee and, when necessary, the investment professionals responsible for an account holding the security, and will be voted in the best investment interests of the client. All routine “for” and “against” issues will be voted according to this policy unless special factors require that they be considered by the Proxy Committee and, when necessary, the investment professionals responsible for an account holding the security.

6. Availability of Procedures. Loomis Sayles publishes these Proxy Voting Procedures, as updated from time to time, on its public website, www.loomissayles.com, and includes a description of its Proxy Voting Procedures in Part 2A of its Form ADV. Upon request, Loomis Sayles also provides clients with a copy of its Proxy Voting Procedures.

7. Disclosure of Vote. Loomis Sayles makes certain disclosures regarding its voting of proxies in the aggregate (not specific as to clients) on its website, www.loomissayles.com. For mutual funds that it manages, Loomis Sayles is required by law to make certain disclosures regarding its voting of proxies annually. This information is also available on the Loomis Sayles website. Additionally, Loomis Sayles will, upon request by a client, provide information about how each proxy was voted with respect to the securities in that client’s account. Loomis Sayles’ policy is not to disclose a client’s proxy voting records to third parties except as required by applicable law and regulations.

C. Proxy Committee.

1.       Proxy Committee. Loomis Sayles has established a Proxy Committee. The Proxy Committee is composed of senior representatives from firm investment teams and the members of Legal and Compliance Department, and other employees of Loomis Sayles as needed. In the event that any member is unable to participate in a meeting of the Proxy Committee, he or she may designate another individual to act on his or her behalf. A vacancy in the Proxy Committee is filled by the prior member’s successor in position at Loomis Sayles or a person of equivalent experience. Each portfolio manager of an account that holds voting securities of an issuer or the analyst covering the issuer or its securities may be an ad hoc member of the Proxy Committee in connection with voting proxies of that issuer. Voting determinations made by the Proxy Committee generally will be memorialized electronically (e.g., by email).

2.        Duties. The Proxy Committee’s specific responsibilities include the following:

a.        developing, authorizing, implementing and updating the Proxy Voting Procedures, including:

(i)        annually reviewing the Proxy Voting Procedures to ensure consistency with internal policies and regulatory agency policies, including determining the continuing adequacy of the Proxy Voting Procedures to confirm that they have been formulated reasonably and implemented effectively, including whether they

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continue to be reasonably designed to ensure that proxy votes are cast in clients’ best interest,

(ii)        annually reviewing existing voting guidelines and developing of additional voting guidelines to assist in the review of proxy proposals, and

(iii)        annually reviewing the proxy voting process and addressing any general issues that relate to proxy voting;

b.        overseeing the proxy voting process, including:

(i)        overseeing the vote on proposals according to the predetermined policies in the voting guidelines,

(ii)        directing the vote on proposals where there is reason not to vote according to the predetermined policies in the voting guidelines or where proposals require special consideration,

(iii)        consulting with the portfolio managers and analysts for the accounts holding the security when necessary or appropriate, and

(iv)        periodically sampling or engaging an outside party to sample proxy votes to ensure they comply with the Proxy Voting Procedures and are cast in accordance with the clients’ best interests;

c.        engaging and overseeing third-party vendors that materially assist Loomis Sayles with respect to proxy voting, such as the Proxy Voting Services, including:

(i)        determining and periodically reassessing whether, as relevant, the Proxy Voting Service has the capacity and competency to adequately analyze proxy issues by considering:

(a)        the adequacy and quality of the Proxy Voting Service’s staffing, personnel and technology,

(b)       whether the Proxy Voting Service has adequately disclosed its methodologies in formulating voting recommendations, such that Loomis Sayles can understand the factors underlying the Proxy Voting Service’s voting recommendations,

(c)        the robustness of the Proxy Voting Service’s policies and procedures regarding its ability to ensure that its recommendations are based on current, materially complete and accurate information, and

(d)       the Proxy Voting Service’s policies and procedures regarding how it identifies and addresses conflicts of interest, including whether the

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Proxy Voting Service’s policies and procedures provide for adequate disclosure of its actual and potential conflicts of interest with respect to the services it provides to Loomis Sayles.

(ii)        providing ongoing oversight of the Proxy Voting Services to ensure that proxies continue to be voted in the best interests of clients and in accordance with these Proxy Voting Procedures and the determinations and directions of the Proxy Committee,

(iii)        receiving and reviewing updates from the Proxy Voting Services regarding relevant business changes or changes to the Proxy Voting Services’ conflict policies and procedures, and

(iv) in the event that the Proxy Committee becomes aware that a recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service was based on a material factual error (including materially inaccurate or incomplete information): investigating the error, considering the nature of the error and the related recommendation, and determining whether the Proxy Voting Service has taken reasonable steps to reduce the likelihood of similar errors in the future; and

d.        further developing and/or modifying these Proxy Voting Procedures as otherwise appropriate or necessary.

3. Standards.

a. When determining the vote of any proposal for which it has responsibility, the Proxy Committee shall vote in the client’s best interests as described in section 1(B)(1) above. In the event a client believes that its other interests require a different vote, Loomis Sayles shall vote as the client instructs if the instructions are provided as required in section 1(B)(2) above.

b. When determining the vote on any proposal, the Proxy Committee shall not consider any benefit to Loomis Sayles, any of its affiliates, any of its or their clients or service providers, other than benefits to the owner of the securities to be voted.

c.       If Loomis Sayles becomes aware of additional information relevant to the voting of a shareholder meeting after a vote has been entered but before the applicable voting deadline has passed, it will consider whether or not such information impacts the vote determination entered, and if necessary, use reasonable efforts to change the vote instruction.

D. Conflicts of Interest.

Loomis Sayles has established policies and procedures to ensure that proxy votes are voted in its clients’ best interests and are not affected by any possible conflicts of interest. First, except in certain limited instances, Loomis Sayles votes in accordance with its pre-determined policies set forth in these Proxy Voting Procedures. Second, where these Proxy

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Voting Procedures allow for discretion, Loomis Sayles will generally consider the recommendations of the Proxy Voting Service in making its voting decisions. However, if the Proxy Committee determines that the Proxy Voting Service’s recommendation is not in the best interests of the firm’s clients, then the Proxy Committee may use its discretion to vote against the Proxy Voting Service’s recommendation, but only after taking the following steps: (1) conducting a review for any material conflict of interest Loomis Sayles may have, and (2) if any material conflict is found to exist, excluding anyone at Loomis Sayles who is subject to that conflict of interest from participating in the voting decision in any way. However, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Proxy Committee after full disclosure of any conflict, that person may provide information, opinions or recommendations on any proposal to the Proxy Committee. In such event, prior to directing any vote, the Proxy Committee will make reasonable efforts to obtain and consider information, opinions and recommendations from or about the opposing position.

E. Recordkeeping.

Loomis Sayles or the Proxy Voting Service will maintain records of proxies voted pursuant to Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act. The records include: (1) a copy of its Proxy Voting Procedures; (2) proxy statements received regarding client securities; (3) a record of each vote cast; (4) a copy of any document created by Loomis Sayles that is material to making a decision how to vote proxies on behalf of a client or that memorializes the basis for that decision; and (5) each written client request for proxy voting records and Loomis Sayles’ written response to any (written or oral) client request for such records.

Proxy voting books and records are maintained in an easily accessible place for a period of five years, the first two in an appropriate office of Loomis Sayles.

2. PROXY VOTING

A. Introduction

Loomis Sayles has established certain specific guidelines intended to achieve the objective of the Proxy Voting Procedures: to support good corporate governance, including ESG Matters, in all cases with the objective of protecting shareholder interests and maximizing shareholder value.

B. Board of Directors

Loomis Sayles believes that an issuer’s independent, qualified board of directors is the foundation of good corporate governance. Loomis Sayles supports proxy proposals that reflect the prudent exercise of the board’s obligation to provide leadership and guidance to management in fulfilling its obligations to its shareholders. As an example, it may be prudent not to disqualify a director from serving on a board if they participated in affiliated transactions if all measures of independence and good corporate governance were met.

 

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Annual Election of Directors: Vote for proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

Chairman and CEO are Separate Positions: Vote for proposals that require the positions of chairman and CEO to be held by different persons.

Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection:

A. Vote against proposals concerning director and officer indemnification and liability protection that limit or eliminate entirely director and officer liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care, or that would expand coverage beyond legal expenses to acts such as gross negligence that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligations than mere carelessness.
B. Vote for only those proposals that provide such expanded coverage in cases when a director's or officer's legal defense was unsuccessful if (i) the director or officer was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that the director or officer reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, and (ii) if the director's or officer’s legal expenses only would be covered.

Director Nominees in Contested Elections: Votes in a contested election of directors or a “vote no” campaign must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the following factors: (1) long-term financial performance of the issuer relative to its industry; management's track record; (2) background to the proxy contest; qualifications of director nominees (both slates); (3) evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders as well as the likelihood that the proposed objectives and goals can be met; and (4) stock ownership positions.

Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections:

A. Vote for proposals involving routine matters such as election of directors, provided that at least two-thirds of the directors would be independent, as determined by the Proxy Voting Service, and affiliated or inside nominees do not serve on any key board committee, defined as the Audit, Compensation, Nominating and/or Governance Committees.
B. Vote against nominees that are CFOs of the subject company. Generally, vote against nominees that the Proxy Voting Service has identified as not acting in the best interests of shareholders (e.g., due to over-boarding, risk management failures, a lack of diversity, etc.). Vote against nominees that have attended less than 75% of board and committee meetings, unless a reasonable cause (e.g., health or family emergency) for the absence is noted and accepted by the Proxy Voting Service and the board. Vote against affiliated or inside nominees who serve on a key board committee (as defined above). Vote against affiliated and inside nominees if less than two-thirds of the board would be independent. Vote against Governance or Nominating Committee members if both the following are true: a) there is no independent lead or presiding director; and b) the position of CEO and
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chairman are not held by separate individuals. Generally, vote against Audit Committee members if auditor ratification is not proposed, except in cases involving: (i) investment company board members, who are not required to submit auditor ratification for shareholder approval pursuant to Investment Company Act of 1940 rules; or (ii) any other issuer that is not required by law or regulation to submit a proposal ratifying the auditor selection. Vote against Compensation Committee members when Loomis Sayles or the Proxy Voting Service recommends a vote against the issuer's "say on pay" advisory vote.

C. Generally, vote against all members of a board committee and not just the chairman or a representative thereof in situations where the Proxy Voting Service finds that the board committee has not acted in the best interests of shareholders.
D. Vote as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service when directors are being elected as a slate and not individually.
E. When electing directors for any foreign-domiciled issuer to which the Proxy Voting Service believes it is reasonable to apply U.S. governance standards, we generally will vote in accordance with our policies set forth in (A) through (D) above. When electing directors for other foreign-domiciled issuers, a recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed in lieu of the above stipulations.

Independent Audit, Compensation and Nominating and/or Governance Committees: Vote for proposals requesting that the board Audit, Compensation and/or Nominating and/or Governance Committees include independent directors exclusively.

Independent Board Chairman:

A. Vote for shareholder proposals that generally request the board to adopt a policy requiring its chairman to be "independent" (based on some reasonable definition of that term) with respect to any issuer whose enterprise value is, according to the Proxy Voting Service, greater than or equal to $10 billion.
B. Vote such proposals on a case-by-case basis when, according to the Proxy Voting Service, the issuer's enterprise value is less than $10 billion.

Multiple Directorships: Generally vote against a director nominee who serves as an executive officer of any public company while serving on more than two total public company boards and any other director nominee who serves on more than five total public company boards, unless a convincing argument to vote for that nominee is made by the Proxy Voting Service, in which case, the recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed.

Staggered Director Elections: Vote against proposals to classify or stagger the board.

 

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Stock Ownership Requirements: Generally vote against shareholder proposals requiring directors to own a minimum amount of company stock in order to qualify as a director, or to remain on the board.

Term of Office: Vote against shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of outside directors.

C. Ratification of Auditor

Loomis Sayles generally supports proposals for the selection or ratification of independent auditors, subject to consideration of various factors such as independence and reasonableness of fees.

A.       Generally vote for proposals to ratify auditors.

B. Vote against ratification of auditors where an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent; or there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company's financial position.
C. In general, if non-audit fees amount to 35% or more of total fees paid to a company's auditor we will vote against ratification and against the members of the Audit Committee unless the Proxy Voting Service states that the fees were disclosed and determined to be reasonable. In such instances, the recommendation of the Proxy Voting service will generally be followed.
D. Vote against ratification of auditors and vote against members of the Audit Committee where it is known that an auditor has negotiated an alternative dispute resolution procedure.
E. Vote against ratification of auditors if the Proxy Voting Service indicates that a vote for the ratification of auditors it is not in the best long term interest of shareholders.

D. Remuneration and Benefits

Loomis Sayles believes that an issuer’s compensation and benefit plans must be designed to ensure the alignment of executives’ and employees’ interests with those of its shareholders.

401(k) Employee Benefit Plans: Vote for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

Compensation Plans: Proposals with respect to compensation plans generally will be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service.

Compensation in the Event of a Change in Control: Votes on proposals regarding executive compensation in the event of a change in control of the issuer will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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Director Related Compensation: Vote proposals relating to director compensation that are required by and comply with applicable laws (domestic or foreign) or listing requirements governing the issuer, as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (“ESOPs”): Vote for proposals that request shareholder approval in order to implement an ESOP or to increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, except in cases when the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is "excessive" (i.e., generally greater than five percent of outstanding shares), in which case the recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed.

Golden Coffins: Review on a case-by-case basis all proposals relating to the obligation of an issuer to provide remuneration or awards to survivors of executives payable upon such executive's death.

Golden and Tin Parachutes:

A. Vote for shareholder proposals to have golden (top management) and tin (all employees) parachutes submitted for shareholder ratification.
B. Review on a case-by-case basis all proposals to ratify or cancel golden or tin parachutes.

OBRA (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)-Related Compensation Proposals:

A. Vote for proposals to amend shareholder-approved plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA.
B. Vote for amendments to add performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA.
C. Vote for cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA.
D. Votes on amendments to existing plans to increase shares reserved and to qualify the plan for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Shareholder Proposals to Limit Executive and Director Pay Including Executive Compensation Advisory Resolutions (“Say on Pay”):

A. Generally, vote for shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information.
B. Review on a case-by-case basis (1) all shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay and (2) all advisory resolutions on executive pay other than shareholder resolutions to permit such advisory resolutions.
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C. Vote against proposals to link all executive or director variable compensation to performance goals.
D. Vote for an annual review of executive compensation.
E. Non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation will be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service.
F. For foreign domiciled issuers where a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation is proposed concurrently with a binding vote on executive compensation, and the recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service is the same for each proposal, a vote will be entered as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service.

Share Retention by Executives: Generally vote against shareholder proposals requiring executives to retain shares of the issuer for fixed periods unless the board and the Proxy Voting Service recommend voting in favor of the proposal.

Stock Option Plans: A recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed using the following as a guide:

A. Vote against stock option plans which expressly permit repricing of underwater options.
B. Vote against proposals to make all stock options performance based.
C. Vote against stock option plans that could result in an earnings dilution above the company specific cap considered by the Proxy Voting Service.
D. Vote for proposals that request expensing of stock options.

E. Capital Structure Management Issues

Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock: Vote for management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.

Authority to Issue Shares: Vote for proposals by boards to authorize the issuance of shares (with or without preemptive rights) to the extent the size of the proposed issuance in proportion to the issuer’s issued ordinary share capital is consistent with industry standards and the recommendations of the issuer’s board and the Proxy Voting Service are in agreement. Proposals that do not meet the above criteria will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Blank Check Preferred Authorization:

A. Vote for proposals to create blank check preferred stock in cases when the company expressly states that the stock will not be used as a takeover defense or carry superior voting rights, and expressly states conversion, dividend, distribution and other rights.
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B. Vote for shareholder proposals to have blank check preferred stock placements, other than those shares issued for the purpose of raising capital or making acquisitions in the normal course of business, submitted for shareholder ratification.
C. Review proposals to increase the number of authorized blank check preferred shares on a case-by-case basis.

Common Stock Authorization: Vote against proposed common stock authorizations that increase the existing authorization by more than 100% unless a clear need for the excess shares is presented by the company. A recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed.

Greenshoe Options (French issuers only): Vote for proposals by boards of French issuers in favor of greenshoe options that grant the issuer the flexibility to increase an over-subscribed securities issuance by up to 15% so long as such increase takes place on the same terms and within thirty days of the initial issuance, provided that the recommendation of the issuer’s board and the Proxy Voting Service are in agreement. Proposals that do not meet the above criteria will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Reverse Stock Splits: Vote for management proposals to reduce the number of outstanding shares available through a reverse stock split.

Share Cancellation Programs: Vote for management proposals to reduce share capital by means of cancelling outstanding shares held in the issuer's treasury.

Share Repurchase Programs: Vote for management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.

Stock Distributions, Splits and Dividends: Generally vote for management proposals to increase common share authorization, provided that the increase in authorized shares following the split or dividend is not greater than 100 percent of existing authorized shares.

F. Mergers, Asset Sales and Other Special Transactions

Proposals for transactions that have the potential to affect the ownership interests and/or voting rights of the issuer’s shareholders, such as mergers, asset sales and corporate or debt restructuring, will be considered on a case-by-case basis, based on (1) whether the best economic result is being created for shareholders, (2) what changes in corporate governance will occur, (3) what impact they will have on shareholder rights, (4) whether the proposed transaction has strategic merit for the issuer, and (5) other factors as noted in each section below, if any.

Asset Sales: Votes on asset sales will be determined on a case-by-case basis after considering the impact on the balance sheet/working capital, value received for the asset, and potential elimination of inefficiencies.

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Conversion of Debt Instruments: Votes on the conversion of debt instruments will be considered on a case-by-case basis after the recommendation of the relevant Loomis Sayles equity or fixed income analyst is obtained.

Corporate Restructuring: Votes on corporate restructuring proposals, including minority squeeze-outs, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, liquidations, and asset sales will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Debt Restructurings: Review on a case-by-case basis proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt-restructuring plan. Consider the following issues:

A. Dilution - How much will ownership interest of existing shareholders be reduced, and how extreme will dilution to any future earnings be?
B. Change in Control - Will the transaction result in a change in control of the company?
C. Bankruptcy – Loomis Sayles’ Corporate Actions Department is responsible for consents related to bankruptcies and debt holder consents related to restructurings.

D. Potential Conflicts of Interest – For example, clients may own securities at different levels of the capital structure; in such cases, Loomis Sayles will exercise voting or consent rights for each such client based on that client’s best interests, which may differ from the interests of other clients.

Delisting a Security: Proposals to delist a security from an exchange will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Fair Price Provisions:

A. Vote for fair price proposals, as long as the shareholder vote requirement embedded in the provision is no more than a majority of disinterested shares.

B. Vote for shareholder proposals to lower the shareholder vote requirement in existing fair price provisions.

Greenmail:

A. Vote for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.
B. Review anti-greenmail proposals on a case-by-case basis when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.
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C. Vote for proposals to eliminate an anti-greenmail bylaw if the recommendations of management and the Proxy Voting Service are in agreement. If they are not in agreement, review and vote such proposals on a case-by-case basis.

Liquidations: Proposals on liquidations will be voted on a case-by-case basis after reviewing relevant factors including but not necessarily limited to management's efforts to pursue other alternatives, the appraisal value of assets, and the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.

Mergers and Acquisitions: Votes on mergers and acquisitions should be considered on a case-by-case basis, generally taking into account relevant factors including but not necessarily limited to: anticipated financial and operating benefits; offer price (cost vs. premium); prospects of the combined companies; how the deal was negotiated; golden parachutes; financial benefits to current management; and changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights.

Poison Pills:

A. Vote for shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification.
B. Review on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals to redeem a company's poison pill.
C. Review on a case-by-case basis management proposals to ratify a poison pill.

Reincorporation Provisions: Proposals to change a company's domicile will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Right to Adjourn: Vote for the right to adjourn in conjunction with a vote for a merger or acquisition or other proposal, and vote against the right to adjourn in conjunction with a vote against a merger or acquisition or other proposal.

Spin-offs: Votes on spin-offs will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on relevant factors including but not necessarily limited to the tax and regulatory advantages, planned use of sale proceeds, market focus, and managerial incentives.

Tender Offer Defenses: Proposals concerning tender offer defenses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

G. Shareholder Rights

Loomis Sayles believes that issuers have a fundamental obligation to protect the rights of their shareholders. Pursuant to its fiduciary duty to vote shares in the best interests of its clients, Loomis Sayles considers proposals relating to shareholder rights based on whether and how they affect and protect those rights.

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Appraisal Rights: Vote for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal.

Bundled Proposals: Review on a case-by-case basis bundled or "conditioned" proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders' best interests, vote against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, support such proposals.

Confidential Voting: Vote for shareholder proposals that request corporations to adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows: in the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived. Vote for management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

Counting Abstentions: Votes on proposals regarding counting abstentions when calculating vote proposal outcomes will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Cumulative Voting: Vote for proposals to permit cumulative voting, except where the issuer already has in place a policy of majority voting.

Equal Access: Vote for shareholder proposals that would allow significant company shareholders equal access to management's proxy material in order to evaluate and propose voting recommendations on proxy proposals and director nominees, and in order to nominate their own candidates to the board.

Exclusive Forum Provisions: Vote against proposals mandating an exclusive forum for any shareholder lawsuits. Vote against the members of the issuer’s Governance Committee in the event of a proposal mandating an exclusive forum without shareholder approval.

Independent Proxy: Vote for proposals to elect an independent proxy to serve as a voting proxy at shareholder meetings.

Majority Voting: Vote for proposals to permit majority rather than plurality or cumulative voting for the election of directors/trustees.

Preemptive Rights: Votes with respect to preemptive rights generally will be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service subject to the Common Stock Authorization requirements above.

Proxy Access: A recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed with regard to proposals intended to grant shareholders the right to place nominees for director on the issuer’s proxy ballot (“Proxy Access”). Vote for such proposals when they require the nominating shareholder(s) to hold, in aggregate, at least 3% of the voting shares

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of the issuer for at least three years, and be allowed to nominate up to 25% of the nominees. All other proposals relating to Proxy Access will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board:

A. Vote for proposals that seek to fix the size of the board.
B. Vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board without shareholder approval.

Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors:

A. Vote against proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause.
B. Vote against proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.

C. Vote for proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause and proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.

Shareholder Advisory Committees: Proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Shareholder Rights Regarding Special Meetings:

A. Vote for proposals that set a threshold of 10% of the outstanding voting stock as a minimum percentage allowable to call a special meeting of shareholders. Vote against proposals that increase or decrease the threshold from 10%.
B. Vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

Supermajority Shareholder Voting Requirements: Vote for all proposals to replace supermajority shareholder voting requirements with simple majority shareholder voting requirements, subject to applicable laws and regulations. Vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve charter and bylaw amendments.

Unequal Voting Rights:

A.       Vote against dual class exchange offers and dual class recapitalizations.

B. Vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to eliminate an existing dual class voting structure.

Written Consent: Vote for proposals regarding the right to act by written consent when the Proxy Voting Service recommends a vote for the proposal. Proposals regarding the right to

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act by written consent where the Proxy Voting Service recommends a vote against will be sent to the Proxy Committee for determination. Generally vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent.

H. Environmental and Social Matters

Loomis Sayles has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of its clients.

Loomis Sayles believes good corporate governance, including those practices that address ESG Matters, is essential to the effective management of a company’s financial, litigation and reputation risk, the maximization of its long-term economic performance and sustainability, and the protection of its shareholders’ best interests, including the maximization of shareholder value.

Proposals on environmental and social matters cover a wide range of issues, including environmental and energy practices and their impacts, labor matters, diversity and human rights. These proposals may be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service or may, in the determination of the Proxy Committee, be reviewed on a case-by-case basis if the Proxy Committee believes that a particular proposal (i) could have a material impact on an industry or the growth and sustainability of an issuer; (ii) is appropriate for the issuer and the cost to implement would not be excessive; (iii) is appropriate for the issuer in light of various factors such as reputational damage or litigation risk; or (iv) is otherwise appropriate for the issuer.

Loomis Sayles will consider whether such proposals are likely to enhance the value of the client’s investments after taking into account the costs involved, pursuant to its fiduciary duty to its clients.

Climate Reporting: Generally vote for proposals requesting the issuer produce a report, at reasonable expense, on the issuer’s climate policies. A recommendation against such proposals by the Proxy Voting Service will be considered by the Proxy Committee.

Workplace Diversity Reporting: Generally vote for proposals requesting the issuer produce a report, at reasonable expense, on the issuer’s workforce diversity or equity policies and/or performance. A recommendation against such proposals by the Proxy Voting Service will be considered by the Proxy Committee.

I. General Corporate Governance

Loomis Sayles has a fiduciary duty to its clients with regard to proxy voting matters, including routine proposals that do not present controversial issues. The impact of proxy proposals on its clients’ rights as shareholders must be evaluated along with their potential economic benefits.

Changing Corporate Name: Vote for management proposals to change the corporate name.

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Charitable and Political Contributions and Lobbying Expenditures: Votes on proposals regarding charitable contributions, political contributions, and lobbying expenditures, should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Proposals of UK issuers concerning political contributions will be voted for if the issuer states that (a) it does not intend to make any political donations or incur any expenditures in respect to any political party in the EU; and (b) the proposal is submitted to ensure that the issuer does not inadvertently breach the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and sections 366 and 367 of the Companies Act 2006.

Delivery of Electronic Proxy Materials: Vote for proposals to allow electronic delivery of proxy materials to shareholders.

Disclosure of Prior Government Service: Review on a case-by-case basis all proposals to disclose a list of employees previously employed in a governmental capacity.

Financial Statements: Generally, proposals to accept and/or approve the delivery of audited financial statements shall be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service. In certain non-US jurisdictions where local regulations and/or market practices do not require the release of audited financial statements in advance of custodian vote deadlines (e.g., Korea), and the Proxy Voting Service has not identified any issues with the company’s past financial statements or the audit procedures used, then Loomis Sayles shall vote for such proposals.

Non-Material Miscellaneous Bookkeeping Proposals: A recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed regarding miscellaneous bookkeeping proposals of a non-material nature.

Ratification of Board and/or Management Acts: Generally, proposals concerning the ratification or approval of the acts of the board of directors and/or management of the issuer for the past fiscal year shall be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service.

Reimbursement of Proxy Contest Defenses: Generally, proposals concerning all proxy contest defense cost reimbursements should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Reimbursement of Proxy Solicitation Expenses: Proposals to provide reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

State Takeover Statutes: Review on a case-by-case basis proposals to opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freeze out provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, anti-greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions).

Technical Amendments to By-Laws: A recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed regarding technical or housekeeping amendments to by-laws or articles designed to bring the by-laws or articles into line with current regulations and/or laws.

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Transaction of Other Business: Vote against proposals asking for authority to transact open-ended other business without any information provided by the issuer at the time of voting.

Transition Manager Ballots: Any ballot received by Loomis Sayles for a security that was held for a client by a Transition Manager prior to Loomis Sayles’ management of the client’s holdings will be considered on a case-by case basis by the Proxy Committee (without the input of any Loomis Sayles analyst or portfolio manager) if such security is no longer held in the client’s account with Loomis Sayles.

J. Investment Company Matters

Election of Investment Company Trustees: Vote for nominees who oversee fewer than 60 investment company portfolios. Vote against nominees who oversee 60 or more investment company portfolios that invest in substantially different asset classes (e.g., if the applicable portfolios include both fixed income funds and equity funds). Vote on a case-by-case basis for or against nominees who oversee 60 or more investment company portfolios that invest in substantially similar asset classes (e.g., if the applicable portfolios include only fixed income funds or only equity funds). These policies will be followed with respect to funds advised by Loomis Sayles and its affiliates, as well as funds for which Loomis Sayles acts as subadviser and other third parties.

Mutual Fund Distribution Agreements: Votes on mutual fund distribution agreements should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Investment Company Fundamental Investment Restrictions: Votes on amendments to an investment company’s fundamental investment restrictions should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Investment Company Investment Advisory Agreements: Votes on investment company investment advisory agreements should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

 

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Northern Lights Fund Trust

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 28.

EXHIBITS.

 

(a)(1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 19, 2005, as amended December 14, 2009, September 26, 2012 and June 25, 2019 previously filed on August 22, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,207, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(a)(2) Certificate of Trust as filed with the State of Delaware on January 19, 2005. Previously filed on February 18, 2005 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(b) By-Laws, effective as of January 19, 2005, as amended December 14, 2009, March 23, 2016, November 9, 2021 and February 9, 2023 previously filed on April 25, 2023 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1425, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders. See Article III, “Shares” and Article V “Shareholders’ Voting Powers and Meetings” of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust. See also, Article II, “Meetings of Shareholders” of the Registrant’s By-Laws.
(d)(1) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Adaptive Allocation Fund (previously known as Critical Math Fund), and Critical Math Advisors LLC, previously filed on January 30, 2006 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 8, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(2)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to The Biondo Growth Fund, and Biondo Investment Advisors, LLC, previously filed on April 24, 2006 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, and hereby incorporated by reference. Amended Investment Advisory Agreement to include The Biondo Focus Fund previously filed on January 14, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in

Post-Effective Amendment No. 121, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(d)(3) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Changing Parameters Fund, and Changing Parameters, LLC, previously filed on January 12, 2007 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 16, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(4) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Pacific Financial Core Equity Fund, the Pacific Financial Explorer Fund, the Pacific Financial International Fund, the Pacific Financial Strategic Conservative Fund and the Pacific Financial Tactical Fund, and The Pacific Financial Group, LLC, previously filed on May 10, 2007 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 21, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(5) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to Sierra Core Retirement Fund and Wright Fund Management, LLC, previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(6) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund and Crow Point Partners, LLC, previously filed on October 27, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 883, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(7) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to KCM Macro Trends Fund and Kerns Capital Management, Inc., previously filed on October 11, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 542, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(8) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Wade Tactical L/S Fund and Wade Financial Group, previously filed on November 28, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 436, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(9) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Toews Hedged Core Frontier Fund and Toews Corporation previously filed on May 14, 2009 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 87, and hereby incorporated by reference. Amended Investment Advisory Agreement to include Toews Hedged Core W Fund, Toews Hedged High Yield Bond Fund, Toews Hedged Core L Fund and Toews Hedged Core S Fund previously filed on June 4, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 156, and hereby incorporated by reference. Amended Investment Advisory to include Toews Hedged Growth Allocation, Toews Unconstrained Income Fund and Toews Hedged Commodities Fund previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(10) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Leader Short Term Bond Fund and Leader Capital Corp., previously filed on October 20, 2008 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 66, and hereby incorporated by reference. Amended Investment Advisory Agreement to include Leader Total Return Fund previously filed on June 30, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 162, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(11) Investment Advisory Agreement between Montebello Partners, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the GMG Defensive Beta Fund previously filed on July 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 728, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(12) Investment Advisory Agreement between BTS Asset Management, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the BTS Bond Asset Allocation Fund previously filed on July 21, 2009 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 94, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(d)(13)

 

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between Astor Investment Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Astor Long/Short ETF Fund, the Astor S.T.A.R. ETF Fund and the Astor Active Income ETF Fund, previously filed on March 9, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Declaration in Post-Effective Amendment No. 694, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(14) Investment Advisory Agreement between Equinox Fund Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Equinox MutualHedge Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on January 22, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 122, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(15) Investment Advisory Agreement between Investment Partners Asset Management, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to Investment Partners Opportunities Fund previously filed on October 30, 2009 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 111, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(16) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Princeton Futures Strategy Fund, filed previously filed on July 28, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 847, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(17) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and 6800 Capital, LLC, with respect to the Princeton Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on May 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 720, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(18) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Congress Asset Management Company, LLP, with respect to the Princeton Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on October 9, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 540, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(19) Investment Advisory Agreement between Chadwick & D’Amato, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Chadwick & D’Amato Fund previously filed on June 10, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 157, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(20) Investment Advisory Agreement between 13D Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to 13D Activist Fund previously filed on December 29, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 345, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(21) Investment Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and the Registrant, with respect to Altegris Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Altegris Macro Strategy Fund, Altegris Futures Evolution Fund, Altegris Equity Long Short Fund, Altegris Fixed Income Long Short Fund, Altegris Multi-Strategy Alternatives Fund and Altegris GSA Trend Strategy Fund previously filed on April 19, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 960, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(22) Investment Advisory Agreement between W.E. Donoghue & Co., Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to Power Income Fund previously filed on August 27, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 170, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(23) Investment Advisory Agreement between Portfolio Strategies, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to PSI Market Neutral Fund, PSI Total Return Fund, PSI Strategic Growth Fund and PSI Tactical Growth Fund previously filed on August 27, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 170, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(24) Investment Advisory Agreement between CWC Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to CWC Small Cap Aggressive Value Fund previously filed on November 30, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 186, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(25) Investment Advisory Agreement between Traub Capital Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to The FX Strategy Fund previously filed on January 20, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 201, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(26) Investment Advisory Agreement between TransWestern Capital Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund previously filed on December 2, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 187, and hereby incorporated by reference. Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between TransWestern Capital Advisors, LLC, and the Registrant, with respect to TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund previously filed on April 25, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 601, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(27) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between TransWestern Capital Advisors, LLC and Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., with respect to TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund previously filed on December 2, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 187, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(28) Investment Advisory Agreement between Logan Circle Partners, L.P., and the Registrant, with respect to Fortress Long/Short Credit Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(29) Investment Advisory Agreement between Beech Hill Advisors, Inc., and the Registrant, with respect to Beech Hill Total Return Fund previously filed on January 5, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 196, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(30) Investment Advisory Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc., and the Registrant, with respect to Navigator Equity Hedged Fund previously filed on November 30, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 186, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(31) Investment Advisory Agreement between Knollwood Investment Advisors, LLC, and the Registrant, with respect to Grant Park Managed Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on March 1, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 226, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(32) Transfer and Assumption Agreement between Knollwood Investment Advisors, LLC, and Dearborn Capital Management, L.L.C., with respect to the Investment Advisory Agreement specific as to the Grant Park Managed Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on May 31, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 491, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(33) Investment Advisory Agreement between Risk Paradigm Group, LLC, and the Registrant, with respect to Diversified Risk Parity Fund previously filed on April 21, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 240, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(34) Investment Advisory Agreement between Genesis Capital LLC, and the Registrant, with respect to Granite Harbor Alternative Fund and Granite Harbor Tactical Fund previously filed on April 21, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 240, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(35) Investment Advisory Agreement between Zeo Capital Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Zeo Short Duration Income Fund previously filed on May 27, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 261, and hereby incorporated by reference. First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between Zeo Capital Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Zeo Short Duration Income Fund previously filed on July 26, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,201 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(36) Investment Advisory Agreement between Giralda Advisors, LLC, and the Registrant, with respect to The Giralda Fund previously filed on May 4, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 245, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(37) Investment Advisory Agreement between Van Hulzen Asset Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Iron Horse Fund previously filed on March 3, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 595, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(38) Investment Advisory Agreement between Makefield Capital Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Makefield Managed Futures Strategy Fund, previously filed on December 23, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 571, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(39) Investment Advisory Agreement between Ascendant Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Ascendant Balanced Fund, Ascendant Natural Resources Fund, Ascendant Deep Values Convertible Fund and Patriot Fund previously filed on January 27, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 580, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(40) Investment Advisory Agreement between Winch Advisory Services, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Ginkgo Multi-Strategy Fund previously filed on July 19, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 282, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(41) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Doubleline Capital LP, with respect to Altegris Futures Evolution Strategy Fund previously filed on October 19, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 318, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(42) Investment Advisory Agreement between Risk Paradigm Group, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to RPG Emerging Market Sector Rotation Fund previously filed on November 28, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 337, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(43) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Risk Paradigm Group, LLC and F-Squared Institutional Advisors, LLC, with respect to RPG Emerging Market Sector Rotation Fund previously filed on October 9, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 540, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(44) Investment Advisory Agreement between CMG Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the CMG Tactical Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on March 12, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 363, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(45) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between CMG Capital Management Group, Inc. and Scotia Partners, LLC, with respect to the CMG Tactical Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on March 12, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 363, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(46) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Harvest Capital Strategies, LLC, with respect to the Altegris Equity Long Short Fund previously filed on October 15, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 543, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(47) Investment Advisory Agreement between Wright Fund Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Sierra Tactical Core Income Fund previously filed on December 21, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 343, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(48) Investment Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC, Eagle Global Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Eagle MLP Strategy Fund previously filed on October 15, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 543, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(49) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Visium Asset Management LP, with respect to the Altegris Equity Long Short Fund previously filed on October 15, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 543, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(50) Investment Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Sandalwood Opportunity Fund previously filed on October 15, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 543, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(51) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Sandalwood Securities, Inc., with respect to the Sandalwood Opportunity Fund previously filed on October 15, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 543, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(52) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Deer Park Road Management, LP, with respect to the Sandalwood Opportunity Fund previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 658, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(53) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Acuity Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Sandalwood Opportunity Fund previously filed on November 20, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 561, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(54) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and MidOcean Credit Fund Management, L.P., with respect to the Sandalwood Opportunity Fund previously filed on April 7, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 598, and hereby incorporated by reference.  
(d)(55) Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Whippoorwill Capital Management LP, with respect to the Sandalwood Opportunity Fund previously filed on July 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 729, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(56) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and RockView Management, LLC, with respect to the Altegris Fixed Income Long Short Fund previously filed on December 17, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 570, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(57) Investment Advisory Agreement between The Pacific Financial Group, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Pacific Financial Alternative Strategies Fund, Pacific Financial Flexible Growth & Income Fund, Pacific Financial Balanced Fund, Pacific Financial Foundational Asset Allocation Fund, Pacific Financial Faith & Values Based Moderate Fund, Pacific Financial Faith & Values Based Conservative Fund and Pacific Financial Faith & Values Based Diversified Growth Fund previously filed on December 17, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 570, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(58) Investment Advisory Agreement between BTS Asset Management, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the BTS Hedged Income Fund previously filed on February 12, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 459, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(59) Investment Advisory Agreement between CMG Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the CMG Global Equity Fund and CMG Managed High Yield Fund previously filed on May 1, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 485, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(60) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between CMG Capital Management Group, Inc. and Alpha Simplex Group, LLC, with respect to the CMG Global Equity Fund previously filed on October 29, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 648, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(61) Investment Advisory Agreement between BTS Asset Management, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund previously filed on December 17, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 570, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(62) Assignment and Consent between the Registrant, Emerald Asset Advisors, LLC and Crow Point Partners, LLC previously filed on March 7, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 469, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(63) Advisory Fee Waiver between Traub Capital Management, LLC. and the Registrant, with respect to The FX Strategy Fund previously filed on April 30, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 480, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(64) Investment Advisory Agreement between Giralda Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to The Giralda Fund previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 488, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(65) Investment Advisory Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to Navigator Duration Neutral Bond Fund previously filed on December 23, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 571, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(66) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and Main Point Advisors, Inc., with respect to the Navigator Duration Neutral Bond Fund previously filed on December 23, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 571, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(67) Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between Probabilities Fund Management, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Probabilities Fund previously filed on December 31, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 789, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(68) Investment Advisory Agreement between W.E. Donoghue & Co., Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Power Dividend Index Fund previously filed on October 11, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 542, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(69) Advisory Fee Waiver Agreement between Van Hulzen Asset Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Iron Horse Fund previously filed on July 25, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 507, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(70) Investment Advisory Agreement between Portfolio Strategies, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the PSI Calendar Effects Fund previously filed on December 23, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 571, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(71) Investment Advisory Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management L.L.C. and the Registrant, with respect to the Grant Park Multi-Alternative Strategy Fund previously filed on December 17, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 570, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(72) Investment Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and the Registrant, with respect to the Altegris/AACA Real Estate Long Short previously filed on December 23, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 571, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(73) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and American Assets Investment Management, LLC, with respect to Altegris/AACA Real Estate Long Short Fund previously filed on March 3, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 595, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(74) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc., with respect to Altegris Macro Strategy Fund and Altegris Managed Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on October 28, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 551, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(75) Investment Advisory Agreement between Genesis Capital, LLC, with respect to Anchor Alternative Income Fund previously filed on January 24, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 578, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(76) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Genesis Capital, LLC and Anchor Capital Management, Group, Inc., with respect to Anchor Alternative Income Fund previously filed on January 24, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 578, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(77) Investment Advisory Agreement between Giralda Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Giralda Risk-Managed Growth Fund previously filed on February 24, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 593, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(78) Investment Advisory Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Navigator Sentry Managed Volatility Fund previously filed on February 3, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 591, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(79) Investment Advisory Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Navigator Tactical Fixed Income Fund previously filed on July 11, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 614, and hereby incorporated by reference. Fifth Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to Navigator Tactical Fixed Income Fund previously filed on August 9, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1205, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(80) Investment Advisory Agreement between Astor Investment Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Astor Macro Alternative Fund previously filed on April 15, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 697, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(81) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management and EMC Capital Management, with respect to Grant Park Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund filed on January 26. 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1450 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(82) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Chilton Investment Company, with respect to the Altegris Equity Long Short Fund previously filed on August 22, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 625, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(83) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Leader Capital Corp., with respect to Leader Global Bond Fund previously filed on July 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 728, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(84) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Genesis Capital LLC, with respect to Anchor Tactical Municipal Fund previously filed on April 15, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 697, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(85) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Genesis Capital LLC and Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc., with respect to the Anchor Tactical Municipal Fund previously filed on May 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 720, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(86) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC with respect to the Athena Behavioral Tactical Fund previously filed on May 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 720, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(87) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and AthenaInvest Advisors LLC, with respect to the Athena Behavioral Tactical Fund previously filed on October 12, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 881, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(88) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between CMG Capital Management Group, Inc., and Registrant with respect to the CMG Tactical Bond Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(89) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between CMG Capital Management Group, Inc., and Registrant with respect to the CMG Global Equity Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(90) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between BTS Asset Management, Inc. and Registrant with respect to the BTS Hedged Income Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(91) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Ascendant Advisors, LLC, and Registrant with respect to the Ascendant Deep Value Convertibles Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(92) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Genesis Capital LLC, and Registrant with respect to the Granite Harbor Alternative Fund and Granite Harbor Tactical Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(93) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between W.E. Donoghue & Co. Inc., and Registrant with respect to the Power Income Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(94) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and Registrant with respect to the Navigator Duration Neutral Bond Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(95) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between BTS Asset Management, Inc. and Registrant with respect to the BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund previously filed on March 9, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 693, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(96) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and MAST Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Altegris Fixed Income Long Short Fund previously filed on April 15, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 697, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(97) Investment Advisory Agreement between Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc. and Registrant with respect to the Ladenburg Aggressive Growth Fund, Ladenburg Growth Fund, Ladenburg Growth & Income Fund, Ladenburg Income & Growth Fund and Ladenburg Income Fund previously filed on September 1, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No, 749, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(98) Investment Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund previously filed on September 8, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 750, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(99) Investment Advisory Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, LLC and Registrant with respect to Grant Park Absolute Return Fund and Grant Park Fixed Income Fund previously filed on April 30, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(100) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, LLC and Revolution Capital Management, LLC previously filed on August 7, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 734, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(101) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Deer Park Road Management Company, LP, with respect to Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund previously filed on October 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 762, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(102) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, LLC and Middleton Dickinson Capital Management, LLC, with respect to Grant Park Fixed Income Fund previously filed on July 31, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 737, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(103) Advisory Fee Waiver Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Grant Park Fixed Income Fund previously filed on January 25, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 923, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(104) Investment Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Registrant with respect to AFES Fund Limited, previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 768, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(105) Investment Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Registrant with respect to AGMS Fund Limited, previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 768, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(106) Investment Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Registrant with respect to AMFS Fund Limited, previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 768, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d) (107) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant with respect to the Grant Park Managed Futures Strategy previously filed on December 31, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 789, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d) (108) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between The Pacific Financial Group, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Pacific Financial Strategic Conservative Fund previously filed on December 31, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 789, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d) (109) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Genesis Capital, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Armor Alternative Fund previously filed on December 31, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 789, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d) (110) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Giralda Advisors, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Giralda Risk Managed Fund previously filed on December 31, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 789, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d) (111) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and Registrant with respect to the Navigator Duration Neutral Bond Fund previously filed on January 28, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 791, and hereby incorporated by reference.   
(d) (112) Investment Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Registrant with respect to Princeton Premium Fund previously filed on November 2, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 887, and hereby incorporated by reference.   
(d)(113) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Horse Cove Partners, LLC, with respect to Princeton Premium Fund previously filed on November 2, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 887, and hereby incorporated by reference.   
(d)(114) Investment Advisory Agreement between W.E Donoghue & Co. Inc., and Power Momentum Index Fund previously filed on May 26, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 833, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(115) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Convector Capital Management, LP with respect to the Altegris Equity Long Short Fund previously filed on April 29, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 821, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(116) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn LLC with respect to the Altegris Equity Long Short Fund previously filed on June 6, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 836, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d) (117) Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Shelton Capital Management, with respect to the Sandalwood Opportunity Fund previously filed on July 28, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 847, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(118) Investment Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C., and Altegris GSA Trend Strategy Fund previously filed on January 25, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 923, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(119) Investment Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC, and Princeton Long/Short Treasury Fund previously filed on March 10, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 953, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(120) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Centurion Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Altegris Managed Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on May 5, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 968, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(121) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and GSA Capital Partners LLP with respect to the Altegris Managed Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on May 5, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 968, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(d)(122)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and QMS Capital Management, LP with respect to the Altegris Managed Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on May 5, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 968, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(123)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Three Rock Capital Management, Limited with respect to the Altegris Managed Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on May 5, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 968, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(124) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Millburn Corporation with respect to the Altegris Managed Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on May 5, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 968, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(d)(125)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and GSA Capital Partners LLP with respect to the Altegris GSA Trend Strategy Fund previously filed on May 5, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 968, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(126) Investment Advisory Agreement between AlphaCore Capital, and the Registrant with respect to the AlphaCore Absolute Fund previously filed on December 30, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 913, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(127) Investment Advisory Agreement between Leader Capital Corporation, and Leader Floating Rate Fund previously filed on January 3, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 915, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(d)(128)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Ascendant Advisors, LLC and AssetOne, LLC with respect to the Ascendant Tactical Yield Fund previously filed on January 25, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 924, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(129) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Crabel Capital Management, LLC with respect to the Altegris Managed Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on May 5, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 965, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(130) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and PhaseCapital LP with respect to the Altegris Managed Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on May 5, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 965, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(131) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between CMG Capital Management Group, Inc. and Mauldin Solutions, LLC with respect to the CMG Mauldin Solutions Core Fund previously filed on May 5, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 965, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(132) Investment Advisory Agreement between AlphaCore Capital, LLC and AlphaCore Statistical Arbitrage Fund previously filed on August 9, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 984, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(133) Investment Advisory Agreement between W.E. Donoghue & Co., LLC, Power Floating Rate Index Fund and Power Dividend Mid-Cap Index Fund previously filed on October 30, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,019, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(134) Investment Advisory Agreement between The Pacific Financial Group, LLC and RiskPro® Alternative 0-15 Fund, RiskPro® Dynamic 20-30 Fund, RiskPro® Tactical 0-30 Fund, RiskPro® Alternative 0-15 Fund, RiskPro® Dynamic 0-10 Fund, RiskPro® Dynamic 15-25 Fund, RiskPro® PFG Balanced 20-30 Fund, RiskPro® PFG Aggressive 30+ Fund, RiskPro® PFG Equity 30+ Fund, RiskPro® PFG Global 30+ Fund, RiskPro® PFG 30+ Fund, RiskPro® 30+ Fund and RiskPro® Aggressive 30+ Fund previously filed on September 15, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,008, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(135) Investment Advisory Agreement between Toews Corporation and Agility Shares Dynamic Tactical Income ETF and Agility Shares Managed Risk Equity ETF previously filed on August 10, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,109, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(136) Investment Advisory Agreement between W.E Donoghue & Co., LLC and Power Global Tactical Allocation/JAFlorines Fund previously filed on June 29, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,099, and hereby incorporated by reference.  Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between W.E Donoghue & Co., LLC and Power Global Tactical Allocation/JAFlorines Fund previously filed on October 28, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,234, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(137) Investment Advisory Agreement between BTS Asset Management, Inc. and BTS Managed Income Fund previously filed on March 5, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,072, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(138) Investment Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, LLC and Altegris/AACA Opportunistic Real Estate Fund and Altegris/AACA Real Estate Income Fund previously filed on July 27, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,106, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(139) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, LLC and American Assets Capital Advisers, LLC with respect to the Altegris/AACA Opportunistic Real Estate Fund previously filed on March 24, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,338, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(140) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, LLC and American Assets Capital Advisers, LLC with respect to the Altegris/AACA Real Estate Fund previously filed on July 27, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,106, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(d)(141)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between Wright Fund Management, LLC and Sierra Tactical Municipal Fund is previously filed on January 28, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,158, and hereby incorporated by reference.

Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between Wright Fund Management, LLC and Sierra Tactical Municipal Fund previously filed on January 26, 2023 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1419, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(d)(142)

 

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, LLC and Navigator Ultra Short Term Bond Fund previously filed on March 12, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,175, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(143) Investment Advisory Agreement between Zeo Capital Advisors, LLC and Zeo Sustainable Credit Fund previously filed on July 26, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,201 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(144) Investment Advisory Agreement between P/E Global LLC and The Global Rates Fund previously filed on August 9, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1203, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(145)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between Wright Fund Management, LLC and Sierra Tactical Bond Fund previously filed on September 3, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,215, and hereby incorporated by reference.

Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Wright Fund Management, LLC and Sierra Tactical Bond Fund previously filed on January 26, 2023 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1419, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(d)(146)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Princeton Adaptive Premium Fund previously filed on August 28, 2023 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1435, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(147) Investment Advisory Agreement between The Pacific Financial Group, LLC and PFG American Funds Growth Strategy Fund, PFG American Funds Conservative Income Strategy Fund, PFG BR Equity ETF Strategy Fund, PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund, PFG Equity Index focused Strategy Fund and PFG Tactical Income Strategy Fund previously filed on May 1, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,279, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(148) Investment Advisory Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Navigator Tactical U.S. Allocation Fund and Navigator Tactical Investment Grade Bond Fund  previously filed on April 27, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration in Post- Effective Amendment No. 1,342, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(149) Investment Advisory Agreement between Wright Fund Management, LLC, Sierra Tactical Risk Spectrum 30 Fund, Sierra Tactical Risk Spectrum 50 Fund and Sierra Tactical Risk Spectrum 70 Fund previously filed on May 14, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration in Post- Effective Amendment No. 1,358, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(150) Investment Advisory Agreement between AthenaInvest Advisors LLC and Athena Behavioral Tactical Fund previously filed on March 24, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,338, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(151) Investment Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and Altegris Futures Evolution Strategy Fund and Altegris/AACA Real Estate Opportunistic Fund previously filed on March 24, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,338, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(152) First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between Pacific Financial Group, LLC and PFG American Funds Growth Strategy Fund, PFG American Funds Conservative Income Strategy Fund, PFG BR Equity Strategy Fund, PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund, PFG Equity Index Focused Strategy Fund, PFG Tactical Income Strategy Fund, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Bond ESG Strategy Fund, PFG Janus Henderson® Balanced Strategy Fund and PFG Invesco® Thematic ESG Strategy Fund  previously filed on January 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No.1386.
(d)(153) Investment Advisory Agreement between Altegris Advisors, LLC and Altegris Crabel Multi-Strategy Fund previously filed on December 27, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1415, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(154) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Osterweis Capital Management, LLC, Zeo Short Duration Income Fund and Zeo Sustainable Credit Fund previously filed on October 24, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1406, and hereby incorporated by reference.  
(d)(155) Seventh Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and CMG Capital Management Group with respect to CMG Mauldin Core Fund previously filed on November 1, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1408, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(156) Second Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Donoghue Forlines LLC and Registrant previously filed on January 26, 2023 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1416, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(d)(157) Investment Advisory Agreement between Wright Fund Management, LLC and Sierra Tactical Core Growth Fund previously filed on September 27, 2023 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1437, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(158) Third Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Pacific Financial Group, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to PFG Global Equity Index Strategy Fund, PFG US Equity Index Strategy Fund, and PFG Growth Strategy Fund previously filed on August 19, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1468, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(159) Investment Advisory Agreement between BTS Asset Management, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to BTS Enhanced Equity Income Fund previously filed on June 26, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1462, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(160) Investment Advisory Agreement between Ocean Park Asset Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Ocean Park Domestic ETF, Ocean Park International ETF, Ocean Park Diversified Income ETF and Ocean Park High Income ETF previously filed on July 1, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1463, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(161) Sub Advisory Agreement between Ocean Park Asset Management, LLC and Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC with respect to Ocean Park Domestic ETF, Ocean Park International ETF, Ocean Park Diversified Income ETF and Ocean Park High Income previously filed on July 1, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1463, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(162) First Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund previously filed on July 29, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1464, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(163) Investment Advisory Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Grant Park Dynamic Allocation Fund previously filed on December 16, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1475, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(164) Sub Advisory Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, LLC and EMC Capital Advisors, LLC with respect to Grant Park Dynamic Allocation Fund previously filed on December 16, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1475, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(165) Sub Advisory Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, LLC and Richmond Quantitative Advisors, LLC with respect to Grant Park Dynamic Allocation Fund previously filed on December 16, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1475, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(166) Investment Advisory Agreement between Toews Asset Management and the Registrant, with respect to Toews Agility Shares Hedged-Qs ETF and Toews Agility Shares Hedged Equal Weight ETF previously filed on January 26, 2026 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1518 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(167) Investment Advisory Agreement between Donoghue Forlines LLC and the Registrant, with respect to DF Tactical 30 ETF previously filed on November 24, 2025 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1509 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(168) Investment Advisory Agreement between Donoghue Forlines LLC and the Registrant, with respect to DF Innovation ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.
 
 

 

(d)(169) Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between Beacon Capital Management, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to Astor Dynamic Allocation Fund and Astor Sector Allocation Fund previously filed on August 5, 2025 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1494 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(d)(170) Investment Advisory Agreement between Winton Capital Management Limited and the Registrant, with respect to Winton Managed Futures Trend Fund previously filed on November 24, 2025 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1509 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(e)(1) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors LLC previously filed on October 24, 2025 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1502, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(e)(2) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Distribution Services, LP with respect to The Leader Short-Term Bond Fund, previously filed on October 20, 2008 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 66, and hereby incorporated by reference. Amendment to Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Distribution Services, LP with respect to Leader Global Bond Fund, Leader Total Return Fund and Princeton Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on June 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 721, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(e)(3) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS Distribution, Inc. with respect to 13D Activist Fund, previously filed on April 7, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 598, and hereby incorporated by reference.  
(e)(4) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. with respect to Ladenburg Income Fund, Ladenburg Income & Growth Fund, Ladenburg Growth & Income Fund, Ladenburg Growth Fund and Ladenburg Aggressive Growth Fund previously filed on January 23, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1446, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts -  NONE
(g)(1) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon, previously filed on October 3, 2007 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 29, and hereby incorporated by reference.   
(g)(2) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and the First National Bank of Omaha is hereby incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 2, 2007 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(g)(3) Amended and Restated Global Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Union Bank, N.A.,  previously filed on November 13, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1312, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(g)(4) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Fifth Third Bank, previously filed on October 20, 2008 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 66, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(g)(5) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. previously filed on August 29, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 302, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(g)(6) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank National Association previously filed on April 17, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1268, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(g)(7) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., dated March 2, 2020,  previously filed on November 21, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1473, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(h)(1)

 

 

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC, dated June 22, 2011, previously filed on September 27, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 535, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(h)(2)

 

Amended Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Adaptive Allocation Fund and Critical Math Advisors LLC previously filed on April 17, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1268, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(3) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to The Biondo Growth Fund, and Biondo Investment Advisors, LLC, previously filed on April 29, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 605, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(4) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Pacific Financial Faith & Values Based Moderate Fund was previously filed on August 26, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 628, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(5) Revised Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to Sierra Core Retirement Fund and Wright Fund Management, LLC previously filed on March 9, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 694, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(6) Custody Administration Agreement between Registrant and the Administrator, with respect to certain Funds of the Trust that use First National Bank of Omaha as Custodian, is hereby incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 2, 2007 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(7) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to KCM Macro Trends Fund and Kerns Capital Management, Inc., previously filed on April 18, 2008 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 41, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(8) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Wade Tactical Long/Short Fund and Wade Financial Group previously filed on August 21, 2008 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 58, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(9) Revised Expense Limitation Agreement between Toews Corporation and Toews Tactical Oceana Fund, Toews Tactical Income Fund, Toews Tactical Monument Fund, Toews Tactical Opportunity Fund, Toews Tactical Growth Allocation Fund, Toews Tactical Defensive Alpha Fund, Toews Unconstrained Income Fund previously filed on October 23, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1309, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(10) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to Leader Short-Term Bond Fund and Leader Capital Corp., previously filed on October 20, 2008 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 66, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(h)(11)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the CMG Absolute Return Strategies Fund and CMG Capital Management Group, Inc. previously filed on March 9, 2009 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 80, and hereby incorporated by reference.  Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the CMG SR Tactical Bond Fund and CMG Capital Management Group, Inc. as last updated on June 17, 2013 previously filed on June 17, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 496, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(h)(12) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the GMG Defensive Beta Fund and Montebello Partners, LLC previously filed on July 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 728, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(13) Revised Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to the Astor Dynamic Allocation Fund and Astor Sector Allocation Fund, and Astor Investment Management, LLC previously filed on March 10, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 953, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(14) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to Equinox MutualHedge Futures Strategy Fund and Equinox Fund Management, LLC previously filed on September 1, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No, 749, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(15) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to Investment Partners Opportunities Fund and Investment Partners Asset Management, Inc. previously filed on April 29, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 606, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(16) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to Princeton Futures Strategy Fund and Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC previously filed on June 6, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 836, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(17) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to Leader Total Return Fund and Leader Capital Corp. previously filed on June 30, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 162, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(18) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Altegris Advisors, L.L.C., with respect to Altegris Managed Futures Strategy Fund and Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. previously filed on March 9, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 811, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(19) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to Power Income Fund,  Power Dividend Index Fund, Power Momentum Index Fund, Power Floating Rate Index Fund, Power Dividend Mid-Cap Index Fund, Power Global Tactical Allocation/JAForlines Fund and W.E. Donoghue & Co., Inc. previously filed on October 28, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,234, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(20) Revised Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to PSI All Asset Fund, PSI Strategic Growth Fund and PSI Tactical Growth Fund  previously filed on October 25, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1233, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(21) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to CWC Small Cap Aggressive Value Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(22) Amended Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund previously filed on April 17, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1268, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(23) Expense Limitation Agreement between Logan Circle Partners, L.P. and the Registrant, with respect to Fortress Long/Short Credit Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(h)(24) Amended Expense Limitation Agreement between Bee previously filed on April 17, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1268, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(25) Expense Limitation Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to Navigator Equity Hedged Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.   Revised Expense Limitation Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to Navigator Equity Hedged Fund previously filed on April 27, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1392, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(26) Amended Expense Limitation Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, L.L.C. and the Registrant, with respect to Grant Park Managed Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on July 11, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 614, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(27) Amended Expense Limitation Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, LLC  and the Registrant with respect to the Grant Park Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund previously filed on January 25, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post- Effective Amendment No. 1382, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(28) Expense Limitation Agreement between Genesis Capital LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Granite Harbor Alternative Fund and Granite Harbor Tactical Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(29) Expense Limitation Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and the Registrant, with respect to Altegris Macro Strategy Fund and Altegris Equity Long Short Fund previously filed on March 9, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 811, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(30) Expense Limitation Agreement between Zeo Capital Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Zeo Short Duration Income Fund previously filed on July 26, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,201 and hereby incorporated by reference.
 (h)(31) Expense Limitation Agreement between Giralda Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to The Giralda Fund previously filed on April 15, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 697, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(32) Expense Limitation Agreement between Van Hulzen Asset Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Iron Horse Fund previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 658, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(33) Expense Limitation Agreement between Makefield Capital Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Makefield Managed Futures Strategy Fund, previously filed on December 23, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 571, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(34) Expense Limitation Agreement between Ascendant Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Ascendant Balanced Fund, Ascendant Natural Resources Fund, Ascendant Deep Value Convertibles Fund and Patriot Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(35) Expense Limitation Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. and the Registrant, with respect to Altegris Futures Evolution Strategy Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(h)(36)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between Risk Paradigm Group, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to RPG Emerging Market Sector Rotation Fund previously filed on November 28, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 337, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(37) Expense Limitation Agreement between CMG Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the CMG Tactical Equity Strategy Fund, CMG Global Equity Fund and CMG Managed High Yield Fund previously filed on April 30, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 607, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(38) Expense Limitation Agreement between Wright Fund Management and the Registrant, with respect to the Tactical Core Income Fund previously filed on March 10, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 954, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(39) Form of Revised Expense Limitation Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC, Eagle Global Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Eagle MLP Strategy previously filed on July 24, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(40) Expense Limitation Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC, and the Registrant with respect to the Sandalwood Opportunity Fund previously filed on January 28, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Amendment No. 586, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(41) Expense Limitation Agreement between Altegris Advisors, L.L.C., and the Registrant with respect to the Altegris Fixed Income Long Short Fund and Altegris Multi-Strategy Alternative Fund previously filed on April 30, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 607, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(42) Expense Limitation Agreement between BTS Asset Management, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to the BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund previously filed on April 22, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Amendment No. 815, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(43) Expense Limitation Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to the Navigator Duration Neutral Bond Fund previously filed on January 28, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 797, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(44) Interim Expense Limitation Agreement between Probabilities Fund Management, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Probabilities Fund previously filed on January 28, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 797, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(45) Expense Limitation Agreement between Altegris Advisors, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Altegris/AACA Real Estate Long Short Fund previously filed on December 23, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 571, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(46) Expense Limitation Agreement between Genesis Capital, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Anchor Alternative Income Fund previously filed on April 15, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 697, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(47) Expense Limitation Agreement between Giralda Advisors, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Giralda Risk-Managed Growth Fund previously filed on April 15, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 697, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(h)(48) Expense Limitation Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to the Navigator Sentry Managed Volatility Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(49)

Expense Limitation Agreement between Astor Investment Management, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Astor Macro Alternative Fund previously filed on October 3, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 876, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

Revised Expense Limitation Agreement between Astor Investment Management, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Astor Macro Alternative Fund previously filed on November 25, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1410, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

Revised Expense Limitation Agreement between Astor Investment Management, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Astor Macro Alternative Fund previously filed on January 26, 2023 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1417, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(h)(50) Expense Limitation Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to the Navigator Tactical Fixed Income Fund previously filed on January 23, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 659, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(51) Expense Limitation Agreement between Leader Capital Corp. and the Registrant with respect to the Leader Global Bond Fund previously filed on October 29, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 648, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(52) Expense Limitation Agreement between Genesis Capital LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Anchor Tactical Municipal Fund previously filed on May 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 720, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(53) Expense Limitation Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Athena Behavioral Tactical Fund previously filed on May 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 720, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(54) Expense Limitation Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Grant Park Absolute Return and Grant Park Fixed Income previously filed on January 25, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 923, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(55) Revised Expense Limitation Agreement between Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc. and Registrant with respect to the Ladenburg Aggressive Growth Fund, Ladenburg Growth Fund, Ladenburg Growth & Income Fund, Ladenburg Income & Growth Fund and Ladenburg Income Fund  previously filed on October 23, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1308, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(56) Expense Limitation Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund previously filed on March 10, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 954, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(h)(57) Consulting Agreement between Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC and Registrant previously filed on August 7, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 734, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(58) Expense Limitation Agreement between Probabilities Fund Management and Registrant with respect to the Probabilities Fund is previously filed on December 31, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 789, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(59) Expense Limitation Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Princeton Premium Fund previously filed on January 25, 2021to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post Effective Amendment No. 1322, and hereby incorporated by reference.  
(h)(60) Expense Limitation Agreement between Altegris Advisors, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Altegris Multi-Strategy Alternative Fund is previously filed on April 29, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 821, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(61) Amended Expense Limitation Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Princeton Futures Strategy Fund previously filed on July 28, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 847, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(62) Amendment to the Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC previously filed on September 27, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 873, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(63) Expense Limitation Agreement between Altegris Advisors, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Altegris GSA Trend Strategy Fund previously filed on April 19, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 960, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(64) Expense Limitation Agreement between Toews Corporation and Registrant with respect to the Toews Tactical Defensive Alpha Fund previously filed on October 12, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 881, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(65) Expense Limitation Agreement between AlphaCore Absolute, LLC, and Registrant with respect to AlphaCore Absolute Return Fund, previously filed on October 27, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 885, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(69) Expense Limitation Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC, and Registrant with respect to Princeton Long/Short Treasury Fund, previously filed on March 10, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 953, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(h)(70)

 

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between Leader Capital Corporation, and Registrant with respect to Leader Floating Rate Fund, previously filed on January 3, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 915, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(71) Expense Limitation Agreement between AlphaCore Capital, LLC, and Registrant with respect to AlphaCore Statistical Arbitrage Fund, previously filed on August 9, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 984, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(72) Expense Limitation Agreement between W.E. Donoghue & CO., LLC, and Registrant with respect to Power Floating Rate Index Fund and Power Dividend Mid-Cap Index Fund, previously filed on October 30, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,019, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(h)(73) Expense Limitation Agreement between Toews Corporation and Agility Shares Dynamic Tactical Income ETF and Agility Shares Managed Risk Equity ETF previously filed on August 10, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,109, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(74) Expense Limitation Agreement between W.E Donoghue & Co., LLC and Power Global Tactical Allocation/JAFlorines Fund previously filed on June 29, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,099, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(75) Expense Limitation Agreement between BTS Asset Management, Inc. and BTS Managed Income Fund previously filed on March 5, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,072, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(76) Expense Limitation Agreement between Altegris Advisors, LLC and Altegris/AACA Real Estate Income Fund previously filed on April 3, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,177, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(77) Form of Expense Limitation Agreement between Wright Fund Management, LLC and Sierra Tactical Municipal Fund previously filed on December 26, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,145, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(h)(78)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, LLC and Navigator Ultra Short Bond Fund previously filed on March 14, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,178, and hereby incorporated by reference.  Revised Expense Limitation Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc and Registrant with respect to the Navigator Ultra Short Bond Fund previously filed on April 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1390, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(79) Expense Limitation Agreement between Zeo Capital Advisors, LLC and Zeo Sustainable Credit Fund previously filed on July 26, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,201 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(80) Expense Limitation Agreement between P/E Global, LLC and The Global Rates Fund previously filed on August 22, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1205, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(h)(81)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, with respect to The Biondo Growth Fund, and Biondo Investment Advisors, LLC previously filed on August 22, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,206, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(82) Expense Limitation Agreement between Wright Fund Management, LLC and Sierra Tactical Bond Fund LLC previously filed on October 21, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,230, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(h)(83)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC and Princeton Adaptive Premium Fund previously filed on April 10, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1453, and hereby incorporated by reference
(h)(84) Second Amendment to the ETF Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services dated January 1, 2020 previously filed on October 26, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,310, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(85) Third Amendment to the Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services dated January 1, 2020 previously filed on October 27, 2020 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,311, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(h)(86) Expense Limitation Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Navigator Tactical U.S. Allocation Fund and Navigator Tactical Investment Grade Bond Fund previously filed on April 28, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,346, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(87) Expense Limitation Agreement between Wright Fund Management, LLC and Registrant with respect to Sierra Tactical All Asset Fund, Sierra Tactical Bond Fund, Sierra Tactical Core Income Fund, Sierra Tactical Municipal Fund, Sierra Tactical Risk Spectrum 30 Fund, Sierra Tactical Risk Spectrum 50 Fund, Sierra Tactical Risk Spectrum 70 Fund and Sierra Tactical Core Growth Fund previously filed on September 27, 2023 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1437, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(88) Expense Limitation Agreement between Wright Fund Management, LLC and Registrant with respect to Sierra Tactical Risk Spectrum 30 Fund, Sierra Tactical Risk Spectrum 50 Fund and Sierra Tactical Risk Spectrum 70 Fund previously filed on May 14, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration in Post- Effective Amendment No. 1,358, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(89) Expense Limitation Agreement between AthenaInvest Advisors LLC and Registrant with respect to Athena Behavioral Tactical Fund previously filed on March 24, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,338, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(90) Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between The RBB Fund, Inc., Wright Fund Management, LLC and the Registrant with respect to Sierra Tactical All Asset Fund and Sierra Tactical Core Income Fund previously filed on June 4, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,360, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(91) Expense Limitation Agreement between CMG Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the CMG Mauldin Core Fund, CMG Tactical All Asset Strategy Fund and CMG Tactical Bond Fund previously filed on July 30, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,364, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(92) Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between Blackrock ETF Trust, Blackrock ETF Trust II and the Registrant previously filed on January 25, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1382, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(93) Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between Direxion Shares ETF Trust and the Registrant previously filed on January 25, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1382, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(94) Form of Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between Fidelity Merrimack Street Trust, Fidelity Covington Trust, Fidelity Commonwealth Trust and the Registrant previously filed on January 25, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1383, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(95) Form of Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between Direxion Funds and the Registrant previously filed on January 25, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1383, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(96)

Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust,

Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II, Invesco India Exchange-Traded Fund Trust,

Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Fund Trust, Invesco Actively Managed Exchange-Traded Commodity Fund Trust, Invesco Exchange-Traded Self-Indexed Fund Trust and the Registrant previously filed on January 25, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1383, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(h)(97) Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between Krane Shares Trust and the Registrant previously filed on January 25, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1384, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(h)(98) Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between ProFunds and the Registrant previously filed on January 25, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1384, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(99) Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between ProShares Trust and the Registrant previously filed on January 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1385, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(100) Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between Schwab Strategic Trust and the Registrant previously filed on January 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1385, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(101) Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between The Select Sector SPDR Trust and the Registrant previously filed on January 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1385, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(102) Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between SPDR Series Trust, SPDR Index Shares Funds, SSGA Active Trust and the Registrant previously filed on January 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1386, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(103) Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust and the Registrant previously filed on January 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1386, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(104) Fund of Funds Investment Agreement between Vanguard Fund and the Registrant previously filed on January 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1386, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(105) Fund Services Agreement between Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC and the Registrant previously filed on April 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1388, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(106) ETF Fund Services Agreement between Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC and Registrant previously filed on April 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1388, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(107) Revised Expense Limitation Agreement between Probabilities Fund Management, LLC and Registrant with respect to the Probabilities Fund previously filed on April 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1389, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(108) Expense Limitation Agreement between Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. and Registrant with respect to Navigator Tactical U.S. Allocation Fund and Navigator Tactical Investment Grade Bond Fund previously filed on April 27, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1393, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(109) Expense Limitation Agreement between Altegris Advisors, LLC and Altegris Crabel Multi-Strategy Fund previously filed on December 27, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1415, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(110) Expense Limitation Agreement between Osterweis Capital Management, LLC and Zeo Short Duration Income Fund and Zeo Sustainable Credit Fund previously filed on October 25 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1407, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(h)(111)

Operating Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant on behalf of PFG American Funds® Conservative Income Strategy Fund, PFG American Funds® Growth Strategy Fund, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Equity Index Strategy Fund, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Equity Sector Strategy Fund, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Bond ESG Strategy Fund, PFG JP Morgan® Tactical Aggressive Strategy Fund, PFG JP Morgan® Tactical Moderate Strategy Fund, PFG BNY Mellon® Diversifier Strategy Fund, PFG MFS® Aggressive Growth Strategy Fund, PFG BR Equity ESG Strategy Fund, PFG Janus Henderson® Balanced Strategy Fund, PFG Invesco® Thematic ESG Strategy Fund, PFG Meeder Tactical Strategy Fund, PFG Tactical Income Strategy Fund and PFG PIMCO Active Core Bond Strategy Fund

and Pacific Financial Group, LLC previously filed on January 26, 2023 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1418, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(h)(112) Expense Limitation Agreement between Pacific Financial Group, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to PFG Global Equity Index Strategy Fund, PFG US Equity Index Strategy Fund, and PFG Growth Strategy Fund previously filed on August 19, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1468, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(113) First Amendment to Administrative Services Agreement between Pacific Financial Group, LLC and the Registrant with respect to all PFG Funds previously filed on February 5, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1451, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(114) Expense Limitation Agreement between BTS Asset Management, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to BTS Enhanced Equity Income Fund previously filed on June 26, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1462, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(115) Expense Limitation Agreement between Ocean Park Asset Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Ocean Park Domestic ETF, Ocean Park International ETF, Ocean Park Diversified Income ETF and Ocean Park High Income ETF previously filed on July 29, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1464, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(116) Administrative Services Agreement between Pacific Financial Group, LLC and the Registrant with respect to all PFG Funds previously filed on June 26, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1462, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(117) Expense Limitation Agreement between Princeton Fund Advisers, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund previously filed on July 29, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1464, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(118) Expense Limitation Agreement between Dearborn Capital Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to Grant Park Dynamic Allocation Fund previously filed on December 16, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1475, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(119) Expense Limitation Agreement between Toews Corporation and the Registrant, with respect to Toews Agility Shares Hedged Equal Weight ETF and Toews Agility Shares Hedged-Qs ETF previously filed on January 26, 2026 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1518 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h)(120) Expense Limitation Agreement between Donoghue Forlines LLC and the Registrant, with respect to DF Innovation ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(h)(121) Expense Limitation Agreement between Winton Capital Management Limited and the Registrant, with respect to Winton Managed Futures Trend Fund previously filed on November 24, 2025 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1509 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(i)(1) Legal Opinion previously filed on January 26, 2026 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1518 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(i)(2) Consent of Counsel is filed herewith.
 
 

 

(j)(1) Consent of Independent Auditor is filed herewith.

(j)(2)

 

Powers of Attorney of Anthony J. Hertl, Gary W. Lanzen, Mark Taylor, John V. Palancia, Mark D. Gersten, Mark Garbin and Kevin Wolf previously filed on August 2, 2025 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1494 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(j)(3) Powers of Attorney of Anthony J. Hertl, Gary W. Lanzen, Mark Taylor, John V. Palancia, Andrew Rogers, Mark Garbin and Mark D. Gersten with respect to AMA Fund Ltd. previously filed on April 17, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 599, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(k) Omitted Financial Statements - Not Applicable.
(l) Initial Capital Agreements - Not Applicable.
(m)(1) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class A Shares previously filed on October 10, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 638, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(2) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class A1 Shares previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(3) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class C Shares previously filed on October 10, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 638, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(4) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class I Shares previously filed on August 26, 2025, to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1499 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(5) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class I1 Shares previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(6) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class N Shares previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(7) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class O Shares previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(8) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class R Shares previously filed on August 26, 2025 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1499 and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(9) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class R-1 Shares previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(10) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class R-2 Shares previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(11) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class W Shares previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(12) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class Y Shares previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(m)(13) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Institutional Class Shares previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(14) Revised Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Investor Class Shares previously filed on October 21, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,231, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(15) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Manager Class Shares previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(16) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Non-designated Class Shares previously filed on May 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 720, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(17) Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Retail Class Shares previously filed on October 4, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 539, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(18) Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to The 13D Activist Fund previously filed on March 3, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 595, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(m)(19)

 

Master Distribution Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class T Shares previously filed on May 5, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 968, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(m)(20) Master ETF Distribution Agreement previously filed on October 24, 2025 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1502, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(n) Rule 18f-3 Plan to add PFG Global Equity Index Strategy Fund, PFG US Equity Index Strategy Fund, and PFG Growth Strategy Fund previously filed on August 19, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1468, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(n)(1) Revised Rule 18f-3 Plan to add Sierra Tactical Municipal Fund previously filed on December 26, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,145, and hereby incorporated by reference.  
(n)(2) Form of Revised Rule 18f-3 Plan to add PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Bond ESG Strategy, PFG Janus Henderson® Balanced Strategy, and PFG Invesco® Thematic Equity ESG Strategy previously filed on October 6, 2021 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,375, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(n)(3) Rule 18f-3 Plan to add BTS Enhanced Equity Income Fund, Ocean Park Domestic ETF, Ocean Park International ETF, Ocean Park Diversified Income ETF and Ocean Park High Income ETF previously filed on July 1, 2024 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1463, and hereby incorporated by reference..
(n)(4) Rule 18f-3 Plan to add Grant Park Dynamic Allocation Fund, previously filed on January 23, 2025 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1477, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(1) Code of Ethics of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, previously filed on August 10, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,109, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(2) Code of Ethics of Critical Math Advisors LLC, previously filed on January 30, 2006 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 8, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(3) Code of Ethics of Biondo Investment Advisors, LLC, previously filed on October 27, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 882, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(p)(5) Code of Ethics of Changing Parameters, LLC previously filed on January 12, 2007 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 16, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(6) Code of Ethics of The Pacific Financial Group, LLC previously filed on May 10, 2007 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 21, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(7) Code of Ethics of Wright Fund Management, LLC, previously filed on December 17, 2007 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 35, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(8) Code of Ethics of Crow Point Partners, LLC, previously filed on January 23, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 576, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(9) Code of Ethics of Kerns Capital Management, Inc. previously filed on October 12, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,128, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(10) Code of Ethics of Equinox Fund Management, LLC previously filed on September 25, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,126, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(11) Code of Ethics of Wade Financial Group, previously filed on August 21, 2008 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 58, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(12) Code of Ethics of Toews Corporation previously filed on August 28, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 631, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(13) Code of Ethics of Leader Capital Corp., previously filed on October 20, 2008 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 66, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(14) Code of Ethics of CMG Capital Management Group, Inc. previously filed on April 30, 2009 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 84, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(p)(15)

 

 

Code of Ethics of Traub Capital Management, LLC previously filed on April 30, 2009 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 84, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(16) Code of Ethics of Bandon Capital Management, LLC previously filed on August 28, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 631, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(17) Code of Ethics of Scotia Partners, Ltd. previously filed on April 30, 2009 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 84, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(p)(18)

 

Code of Ethics of Summit Portfolios Advisors, LLC previously filed on June 24, 2009 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 91, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(p)(19)

 

Code of Ethics of Montebello Partners, LLC previously filed on September 14, 2009 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(p)(20)

 

 

Code of Ethics of BTS Asset Management, LLC previously filed on October 27, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 882, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(p)(21)

 

Code of Ethics of National Asset Management, Inc., previously filed on January 23, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 576, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(22) Code of Ethics of Investment Partners Asset Management, Inc. previously filed on October 2, 2009 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 107, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(23) Code of Ethics of Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC previously filed on April 7, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 598, and hereby incorporated by reference.  
(p)(24) Code of Ethics of 6800 Capital, LLC previously filed on June 30, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 162, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(25) Code of Ethics of Congress Asset Management Company, LLP previously filed on June 30, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 162, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(26) Code of Ethics of Chadwick & D’Amato, LLC previously filed on June 30, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 162, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(27) Code of Ethics of 13D Management, LLC previously filed on July 8, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 164, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(28) Code of Ethics of Altegris Advisors, L.L.C. previously filed on August 31, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 171, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(29) Code of Ethics of W.E. Donoghue & Co., Inc. previously filed on October 24, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,129, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(30) Code of Ethics of Portfolio Strategies, Inc. previously filed on August 31, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 171, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(31) Code of Ethics of CWC Advisors, LLC previously filed on March 14, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 230, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(32) Code of Ethics of TransWestern Capital Advisors, LLC previously filed on October 25, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1130, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(33) Code of Ethics of Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., previously filed on July 2, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,100, and hereby incorporated by reference. Amended Code of Ethics of Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. previously filed on April 26, 2022 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1391, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(34) Code of Ethics of Beech Hill Advisors, Inc. previously filed on November 30, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 186, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(35) Code of Ethics of Clark Capital Management Group, Inc. previously filed on December 2, 2010 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 187, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(36) Code of Ethics of Dearborn Capital Management, L.L.C., previously filed on January 23, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 576, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(p)(37) Code of Ethics of Risk Paradigm Group, LLC previously filed on March 14, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 230, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(p)(38)

 

Code of Ethics of Genesis Capital, LLC previously filed on March 29, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 232, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(39) Code of Ethics of CWM, LLC previously filed on May 6, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 246, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(40) Code of Ethics of Zeo Capital Advisors, LLC previously filed on December 29, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 345, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(p)(41)

 

 

Code of Ethics of Giralda Advisors, LLC previously filed on March 29, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 232, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(42) Code of Ethics of Van Hulzen Asset Management, LLC previously filed on May 6, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 246, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(43) Code of Ethics of Ascendant Advisors, LLC previously filed on August 28, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 631, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(44) Code of Ethics of Winch Advisory Services, LLC previously filed on December 29, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 345, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(45) Code of Ethics of Absolute Private Wealth Management, LLC previously filed on July 1, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 279, and hereby incorporated by reference.  
(p)(46) Code of Ethics of Horizon Cash Management LLC previously filed on July 1, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 279, and hereby incorporated by reference.  
(p)(47) Code of Ethics of DoubleLine Capital LP was previously filed on October 19, 2011 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 318, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(48) Code of Ethics of Eagle Global Advisors, LLC previously filed on June 12, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 386, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(49) Code of Ethics of Sandalwood Securities, Inc. previously filed on January 23, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 576, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(50) Code of Ethics of RockView Management, LLC previously filed on December 18, 2012 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 445, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(51) Code of Ethics of Alpha Simplex Group, LLC previously filed on October 11, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 542, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(52) Code of Ethics of Probabilities Fund Management, LLC previously filed on October 11, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 542, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(53) Code of Ethics of American Assets Investment Management, LLC previously filed on December 23, 2013 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 571, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(p)(54)

 

Code of Ethics of Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. previously filed on January 24, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 578, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(55) Code of Ethics of AthenaInvest Advisors LLC previously filed on April 15, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 697, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(56) Code of Ethics of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc. previously filed on June 26, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 725, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(57) Code of Ethics of Deer Park Road Management, previously filed on July 2, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,100, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(58) Code of Ethics of Whippoorwill Capital Management LP previously filed on July 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 729, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(59) Code of Ethics of Main Point Advisers, Inc. previously filed on January 28, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 797, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(60) Code of Ethics of Asset One, LLC previously filed on February 19, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 807, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(61) Code of Ethics of Coe Capital Management, LLC previously filed on February 19, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 807, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(62) Code of Ethics of Harvest Capital Strategies, LLC previously filed on February 19, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 807, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(63) Code of Ethics of Critical Math Advisors, LLC previously filed on February 19, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 808, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(64) Code of Ethics of Mariner Holdings, LLC previously filed on February 19, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 808, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(65) Code of Ethics of Horse Cove Partners, LLC previously filed on June 6, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 836, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(p)(66)

 

 

Code of Ethics of MAST Capital Management, LLC previously filed on April 29, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 821, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(p)(67)

 

Code of Ethics of Chilton Investment Company, LLC previously filed on April 29, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 821, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(p)(68)

 

Code of Ethics of Convector Capital Management, LP previously filed on April 29, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 821, and hereby incorporated by reference.

(p)(69)

 

Code of Ethics of Visium Asset Management, LP previously filed on April 29, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 821, and hereby incorporated by reference.
 
 

 

(p)(70) Code of Ethics of Middleton Dickinson Capital Management, LLC previously filed on June 6, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 836, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(71) Code of Ethics of Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn LLC previously filed on June 6, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 836, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(72) Code of Ethics of Astor Investment Management, LLC previously filed on September 27, 2016 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 873, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(73) Code of Ethics of AlphaCore, LLC is previously filed on August 21, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,112, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(74) Code of Ethics of Clinton Retail Investment Management LLC previously filed on August 9, 2017 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 984, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(75) Code of Ethics of GSA Capital Partners LLP previously filed on August 17, 2018 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1,111, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(76) Code of Ethics of P/E Global LLC is previously filed on August 9, 2019 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1203, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(p)(77) Code of Ethics of Winton Capital Management Limited is previously filed on March 6th, 2026 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1533, and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

ITEM 29.

PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE REGISTRANT.

 

None.

 

ITEM 30.

INDEMNIFICATION.

 

Article VIII, Section 2(a) of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that to the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of Trustees and officers are permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act of 2002, the officers and Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any act or omission of:  any agent or employee of the Trust; any investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust; or with respect to each Trustee and officer, the act or omission of any other Trustee or officer, respectively.  The Trust, out of the Trust Property, is required to indemnify and hold harmless each and every officer and Trustee from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever arising out of or related to such officer’s or Trustee’s performance of his or her duties as an officer or Trustee of the Trust.  This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a Trustee or officer of the Trust whether or not such person is a Trustee or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.  Nothing contained in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust indemnifies, holds harmless or protects any officer or Trustee from or against any liability to the Trust or any shareholder to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

 

Article VIII, Section 2(b) provides that every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or document whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust, the officers or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in such Person’s capacity as Trustee and/or as officer, and such

 
 

Trustee or officer, as applicable, shall not be personally liable therefore, except as described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 2 of Article VIII.

 

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

 

The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Northern Lights Distributors (NLD), its several officers and directors, and any person who controls NLD within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which NLD, its officers and directors, or any such controlling persons, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon: (i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any Prospectus, (ii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in any of them not misleading, (iii) the Registrant’s  failure to maintain an effective Registration statement and Prospectus with respect to Shares of the Funds that are the subject of the claim or demand, or (iv)  the Registrant’s failure to provide NLD with advertising or sales materials to be filed with the FINRA on a timely basis.

 

The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Foreside Distribution Services, L.P. (Foreside), its several officers and directors, and any person who controls Foreside within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which Foreside, its officers and directors, or any such controlling persons, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon: (i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any Prospectus, (ii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in any of them not misleading, (iii) the Registrant’s  failure to maintain an effective Registration statement and Prospectus with respect to Shares of the Funds that are the subject of the claim or demand, or (iv)  the Registrant’s failure to provide Foreside with advertising or sales materials to be filed with the FINRA on a timely basis.

 

The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold ALPS Distributors, Inc. (ALPS), its several officers and directors, and any person who controls ALPS within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which

 
 

ALPS, its officers and directors, or any such controlling persons, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon: (i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any Prospectus, (ii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in any of them not misleading, (iii) the Registrant’s  failure to maintain an effective Registration statement and Prospectus with respect to Shares of the Funds that are the subject of the claim or demand, or (iv)  the Registrant’s failure to provide ALPS with advertising or sales materials to be filed with the FINRA on a timely basis.

 

The Fund Services Agreement and ETF Fund Services Agreement with Ultimus Fund Services (UFS) provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold UFS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Registrant’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement, or which arise out of the Registrant’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Registrant’s performance under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

The Consulting Agreement with Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (NLCS) provides that the Registrant agree to indemnify and hold NLCS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Trust’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement, or which arise out of the Trust’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Trust’s performance under or in connection with the Agreement.  NLCS shall not be liable for, and shall be entitled to rely upon, and may act upon information, records and reports generated by the Trust, advice of the Trust, or of counsel for the Trust and upon statements of the Trust’s independent accountants, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such records and reports.

 

ITEM 31.

BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER.

  

Certain information pertaining to the business and other connections of each Advisor of each series of the Trust is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the section of the respective Prospectus captioned “Investment Advisor” and to the section of the respective Statement of Additional Information captioned “Investment Advisory and Other Services.”  The information required by this Item 26 with respect to each director, officer or partner of each Advisor is incorporated by reference to the Advisor’s Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Each Advisor’s Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, and may be requested by File No. as follows:

Biondo Investment Advisors, LLC, the Adviser to The Biondo Focus Fund- File No. 801 - 62775

Changing Parameters, LLC, the Adviser to Changing Parameters Fund -- File No. 801-63495

The Pacific Financial Group, LLC, the Adviser to PFG PIMCO Active Core Bond Strategy Fund, PFG American Funds Conservative Income Strategy, PFG American Funds Growth Strategy Fund, PFG BNY Mellon® Diversifier Strategy Fund, PFG BR Target Allocation Equity Strategy Fund, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Equity Index Strategy, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Equity Sector Strategy, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Core Plus Bond Strategy Fund, PFG Invesco® Equity Factor Rotation Strategy Fund PFG Janus Henderson® Balanced Strategy, PFG JP Morgan® Tactical Aggressive Strategy Fund, PFG JP Morgan® Tactical Moderate Strategy Fund, PFG Meeder Tactical Strategy Fund, PFG MFS® Aggressive Growth Strategy Fund, PFG Janus Henderson® Tactical Income Strategy Fund,

 
 

PFG Global Equity Index Strategy Fund, PFG US Equity Index Strategy Fund, and PFG Growth Strategy Fund File No. 801 - 18151

Ocean Park Asset Management, LLC, the Adviser of Ocean Park Tactical All Asset Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Core Income Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Municipal Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Bond Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Risk Spectrum 30 Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Risk Spectrum 50 Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Risk Spectrum 70 Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Core Growth Fund, Ocean Park Domestic ETF, Ocean Park International ETF, Ocean Park Diversified Income ETF and Ocean Park High Income ETF – File No. 801- 68554

Toews Corporation, the Adviser of the Toews Tactical Income Fund, Toews Hedged U.S. Fund, Toews Hedged Opportunity Fund, Toews Unconstrained Income Fund, Toews Managed Risk Equity Fund, Toews Agility Shares Dynamic Tactical Income ETF, Toews Agility Shares Managed Risk ETF, Toews Agility Shares Hedged Risk ETF and Toews Agility Shares Hedged Nasdaq-100 ETF – File No. 801- 47765

 

BTS Asset Management, Inc., the Adviser of the BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund, BTS Managed Income Fund and BTS Enhanced Equity Income Fund – File No.801-14895. 

 

13D Management, LLC, the Adviser of 13D Activist Fund – File No. 801-71577.

 

Donoghue Forlines LLC, the Adviser of DF Tactical Income Fund, DF Tactical Dividend Fund, DF Tactical Momentum Fund, DF Tactical Allocation Fund, DF Tactical Yield Fund, DF Tactical 30 ETF and DF Innovation ETF – File No. 801-27959.

 

Transwestern Capital Advisors, LLC, the Adviser of the TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund – File No. 801-67113.

 

Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., the Sub-Adviser of the TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund – File No. 801-170.

 

Name and Position with Investment Adviser Name and Principal Business Address of Other Company Connection with Other Company

Pramila Agrawal

Portfolio Manager, Head of Custom Income Strategies and Director

 

None. None.
 
 

 

Kevin P. Charleston

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loomis Sayles Funds I

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer

Loomis Sayles Funds II

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA

02199

Trustee

Natixis Funds Trust I

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee

Natixis Funds Trust II

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee

Natixis Funds Trust IV

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee

Natixis ETF Trust

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee

Natixis ETF Trust II

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee

Gateway Trust

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee

Loomis Sayles Distributors, Inc.

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

Director

Loomis Sayles Investments Limited

77 Coleman Street, 6th Floor, London, England EC2R 5BJ

Representative of Loomis Sayles as a corporate Director

Loomis Sayles Trust Company, LLC

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

Manager and President

Loomis Sayles Investments Asia Pte. Ltd.

10 Collyer Quay #05-01/03, Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315

Director
Loomis Sayles Operating Services, LLC, One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111 (dissolved 12/20/22) Director, Chairman and President (2020 - 2022)

Loomis Sayles (Netherlands) B.V.

Stadsplateau 7, Utrecht, Netherlands 3521 AZ

Managing Director

Loomis Sayles Capital Re, SAS

43 avenue Pierre Mendès -France 75013 Paris

Chairman of the Supervisory Board (2022 – 2024)
NIM-os, LLC                                           One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111 Manager

Matthew J. Eagan

Head of and Portfolio Manager, Full Discretion, and Director

None. None.

Daniel J. Fuss

Vice Chairman and Director

None. None.

John R. Gidman

Chief Operating Officer and Director

Loomis Sayles Operating Services, LLC, One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111 (dissolved 12/20/22) Director and Chief Executive Officer (2020 - 2022)

NIM-os Technologies, Inc.

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

 

Director
NIM-os, LLC                                           One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111 Manager
 
 

 

David L. Giunta

Director



Natixis Investment Managers, LLC

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA

02199

President and Chief Executive Officer, US; Member of the Board of Managers

Natixis Advisors, LLC

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

President and Chief Executive Officer; Member of the Board of Managers

Natixis Distribution, LLC

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

President and Chief Executive Officer; Member of the Board of Managers

AEW Capital Management, Inc.

Two Seaport Lane, Boston, MA 02210

Director

Gateway Investment Advisers, LLC

312 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Member of the Board of Managers

Harris Associates, Inc.

111 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4600, Chicago IL 60606

Director

Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, Inc.

600 Travis Street, Suite 3800

Houston, TX 77002

Director

Loomis Sayles Funds I

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee and Executive Vice President

Loomis Sayles Funds II

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer

Natixis Funds Trust I

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer

Natixis Funds Trust II

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer

Natixis Funds Trust IV

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer

Natixis ETF Trust

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer

Natixis ETF Trust II

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer

Gateway Trust

888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199

Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
NIM-os, LLC                                           One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111 Manager

Aziz V. Hamzaogullari

Chief Investment Officer, Growth Equity Strategies, Portfolio Manager and Director

None. None.

Maurice Leger

Head of Global Distribution and Director

Loomis Sayles Trust Company, LLC

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

Manager
 

Loomis Sayles Distributors, L.P.

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

President
 

Loomis Sayles Capital Re, SAS

43 avenue Pierre Mendès -France 75013 Paris

Supervisory Board Member (2022 – 2024)

Richard G. Raczkowski

Co-Head and Portfolio Manager, Relative Return, and Director

None. None.
 
 

 

Rebecca O’Brien Radford

General Counsel, Secretary and Director (1/1/23 to present); Deputy General Counsel (2021 to 2023)

Loomis Sayles Distributors, Inc.

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

Director

Loomis Sayles Investments Limited

77 Coleman Street, 6th Floor, London, England EC2R 5BJ

General Counsel and Secretary

Loomis Sayles Trust Company, LLC

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

Manager and Secretary
Loomis Sayles Operating Services, LLC, One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111 (dissolved 12/20/22) Director and Secretary (2020 - 2022)

Loomis Sayles Capital Re, SAS

43 avenue Pierre Mendès -France 75013 Paris

Supervisory Board Member (2022 – 2024)

NIM-os Technologies, Inc.

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

 

Director
NIM-os, LLC                                           One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111 Manager and General Counsel

Philippe Setbon

Director

Natixis Investment Managers

59, avenue Pierre Mendès-France, CS 41432, 75648 Paris cedex, France

Chief Executive Officer  (Directeur général) (2023 – present)

Natixis

7 Promenade Germaine Sablon, 75013 Paris, France

Member of Senior Management Committee (2023 – present)

Ostrum Asset management

42 avenue Pierre Mendès-France, 75013 Paris, France

Chief Executive Officer  (Directeur général) (2019 –  2023)

Natixis TradEx Solutions

59 avenue Pierre Mendès-France, 75013 Paris, France

Director (2020 – 2024)

Harris Associates L.P.

111 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4600

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Director (2024 – present)

AEW Europe SA

43 avenue Pierre Mendès-France

75013 Paris, France

 

Chair of the Board of Directors (Président du conseil d'administration) (2024 – present)

DNCA Finance

19 place Vendôme

75001 Paris, France

Chair of Supervisory Board (Président du comité de surveillance) (2024 – present)

AEW Capital Management, L.P.

Two Seaport Lane, Boston Massachusetts 02210

Director (Jan. 2024 – present)
 
 

 

Susan L. Sieker

Chief Financial Officer and Director

Loomis Sayles Investments Limited

77 Coleman Street, 6th Floor, London, England EC2R 5BJ

Chief Financial Officer

Loomis Sayles Trust Company, LLC

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

Manager and Chief Financial Officer

Loomis Sayles Capital Re, SAS

43 avenue Pierre Mendès -France 75013 Paris

Supervisory Board Member (2022 – 2024)

Loomis Sayles Investments Asia Pte. Ltd.

10 Collyer Quay #05-01/03, Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315

Director

NIM-os Technologies, Inc.

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

 

Director

NIM-os, LLC

One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111

Manager and Chief Financial Officer

David L. Waldman

Chief Investment Officer and Director

Loomis Sayles Capital Re, SAS

43 avenue Pierre Mendès -France 75013 Paris

Supervisory Board Member (2022 – 2024)

 

Clark Capital Management Group Inc., the Adviser of the Navigator Tactical Fixed Income Fund, Navigator Ultra Short Bond Fund, Navigator Tactical U.S. Allocation Fund and Navigator Tactical Investment Grade Bond – File No. 801-28445.

 

Dearborn Capital Management, LLC, the Adviser of the Grant Park Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund and Grant Park Dynamic Allocation Fund – File No. 801-72068.

 

Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC, the Co-Advisor of Eagle Energy Infrastructure Fund, formerly Eagle MLP Strategy Fund, Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund, Princeton Premium Fund and Princeton Adaptive Premium Fund – File No. 801-72525.

 

Eagle Global Advisors, LLC, the Co-Advisor of Eagle Energy Infrastructure Fund, formerly, Eagle MLP Strategy Fund – File No. 801-53294.

 

Deer Park Road Management, LP, Sub-Adviser of Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund – File No. 801-74577

 

Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc., the Adviser of Ladenburg Aggressive Growth Fund, Ladenburg Growth Fund, Ladenburg Growth & Income Fund, Ladenburg Income & Growth Fund and Ladenburg Income Fund – File No. 801-54909.

 

Winton Capital Management Limited, the Adviser of Winton Managed Futures Trend Fund – File No. 801-73223

 

ITEM 32.

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

(a) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD”), the principal underwriter to the Trust also acts as principal underwriter for the following:

Atlas U.S. Tactical Income Fund, Boyar Value Fund Inc., Capitol Series Trust, Copeland Trust, DGI Investment Trust, Grandeur Peak Global Trust, Humankind Benefit Corporation, Miller Investment Trust, Mutual Fund and Variable Insurance Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, Northern Lights Variable Trust, OCM Mutual Fund, CIM Real Assets & Credit Fund, Princeton Everest Fund, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, Segall Bryant & Hamill Trust, Texas Capital Funds Trust, THOR Financial Technologies Trust, Tributary Funds, Inc., Two Roads Shared Trust, Ultimus Manager’s Trust, Unified Series Trust, Valued Advisers Trust, Zacks Trust.

Foreside Distribution Services, L.P. (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:

 

 
 
1. ABS Long/Short Strategies Fund
2. Absolute Shares Trust
3. Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust
4. AdvisorShares Trust
5. AmericaFirst Quantitative Funds
6. American Century ETF Trust
7. ARK ETF Trust
8. Avenue Mutual Funds Trust
9. BP Capital TwinLine Energy Fund, Series of Professionally Managed Portfolios
10. BP Capital TwinLine MLP Fund, Series of Professionally Managed Portfolios
11. Braddock Multi-Strategy Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
12. Bridgeway Funds, Inc.
13. Brinker Capital Destinations Trust
14. Calvert Ultra-Short Duration Income NextShares, Series of Calvert Management Series
15. Center Coast MLP & Infrastructure Fund
16. Center Coast MLP Focus Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
17. Context Capital Funds
18. CornerCap Group of Funds
19. Davis Fundamental ETF Trust
20. Direxion Shares ETF Trust
21. Eaton Vance NextShares Trust
22. Eaton Vance NextShares Trust II
23. EIP Investment Trust
24. Elkhorn ETF Trust
25. EntrepreneurShares Series Trust
26. Evanston Alternative Opportunities Fund
27. Exchange Listed Funds Trust (f/k/a Exchange Traded Concepts Trust II)
28. FEG Absolute Access Fund I LLC
29. Fiera Capital Series Trust
30. FlexShares Trust
31. Forum Funds
32. Forum Funds II
33. FQF Trust
34. Friess Small Cap Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series
35. GraniteShares ETF Trust
36. Guinness Atkinson Funds
37. Horizons ETF Trust I (f/k/a Recon Capital Series Trust)
38. Infinity Core Alternative Fund
39. Innovator IBD® 50 ETF, Series of Innovator ETFs Trust
40. Innovator IBD® ETF Leaders ETF, Series of Innovator ETFs Trust
41. Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
42. Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC
43. John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust
44. Manor Investment Funds
45. Miller/Howard Funds Trust
46. Miller/Howard High Income Equity Fund
47. Moerus Worldwide Value Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV
48. MProved Systematic Long-Short Fund, Series Portfolios Trust
49. Mproved Systematic Merger Arbitrage Fund, Series Portfolios Trust
50. Mproved Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund, Series Portfolios Trust
51. NYSE® Pickens Oil Response™ ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
 
 
52. OSI ETF Trust
53. Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund
54. Partners Group Private Income Opportunities, LLC
55. PENN Capital Funds Trust
56. Performance Trust Mutual Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
57. Pine Grove Alternative Institutional Fund
58. Plan Investment Fund, Inc.
59. PMC Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
60. Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
61. Quaker Investment Trust
62. Ranger Funds Investment Trust
63. Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds
64. RMB Investors Trust (f/k/a Burnham Investors Trust)
65. Robinson Opportunistic Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
66. Robinson Tax Advantaged Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
67. Salient MF Trust
68. SharesPost 100 Fund
69. Sound Shore Fund, Inc.
70. Steben Alternative Investment Funds
71. Steben Select Multi-Strategy Fund
72. Strategy Shares
73. The 504 Fund (f/k/a The Pennant 504 Fund)
74. The Chartwell Funds
75. The Community Development Fund
76. The Relative Value Fund
77. Third Avenue Trust
78. Third Avenue Variable Series Trust
79. TIFF Investment Program
80. Transamerica ETF Trust
81. U.S. Global Investors Funds
82. VictoryShares Developed Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
83. VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
84. VictoryShares Emerging Market High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
85. VictoryShares Emerging Market Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
86. VictoryShares International High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
87. VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
88. VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
89. VictoryShares US 500 Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
90. VictoryShares US Discovery Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
91. VictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
92. VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
93. VictoryShares US Multi-Factor Minimum Volatility ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
94. VictoryShares US Small Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
95. VictoryShares US Small Cap Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
96. Vivaldi Opportunities Fund
97. West Loop Realty Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust (f/k/a Chilton Realty Income & Growth Fund)
98. Wintergreen Fund, Inc.
99. WisdomTree Trust
100. WST Investment Trust

 

 
 

ALPS Distributors, Inc. acts as the distributor for the 13D Activist Fund, a series of the Trust and the following investment companies: ALPS Series Trust, Arbitrage Funds, AQR Funds, Babson Capital Funds Trust, BBH Trust, BLDRS Index Funds Trust, BPV Family of Funds, Broadview Funds Trust, Brown Management Funds, Caldwell & Orkin Funds, Inc., Campbell Multi-Strategy Trust, Centaur Mutual Funds Trust, Century Capital Management Trust, Columbia ETF Trust, CornerCap Group of Funds, Cortina Funds, Inc., CRM Mutual Fund Trust, Cullen Funds, DBX ETF TRUST, db-X Exchange-Traded Funds Inc., Centre Funds, EGA Emerging Global Shares Trust, EGA Frontier Diversified Core Fund, Financial Investors Trust, Firsthand Funds, Heartland Group, Inc., Henssler Funds, Inc., Holland Balanced Fund, IndexIQ Trust, Index IQ ETF Trust, James Advantage Funds, Laudus Trust, Laudus Institutional Trust, Mairs & Power Funds Trust, Oak Associates Funds, Pax World Series Trust I, Pax World Funds Trust II, PowerShares QQQ 100 Trust Series 1, RiverNorth Funds, Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust, SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust, Stadion Investment Trust, Stone Harbor Investment Funds, Transparent Value Trust, Wakefield Alternative Series Trust, Wasatch Funds, WesMark Funds, Westcore Trust, Whitebox Mutual Funds, Williams Capital Liquid Assets Fund, Wilmington Funds and WisdomTree Trust.

 

(b) NLD is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The principal business address of NLD is 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474. NLD is an affiliate of Ultimus Fund Services, LLC. To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the following are the members and officers of NLD:

 

Name

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

Positions and Offices

with the Fund

Kevin Guerette President None
David James Board of Managers None
Stephen Preston Chief Compliance Officer, and AML Compliance Officer None
Greg Evans Financial Operations Principal Officer None
William J. Strait Board of Managers, Secretary, and General Counsel None
Melvin Van Cleave Chief Information Securities Officer None

 

(c) Not Applicable. No underwriting commissions are paid in connection with the sale of Registrant’s Shares.

 

Foreside Distribution Services, LP is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The Distributor’s main business address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. The following are the Officers of the Distributor:  

 

Name Address Position with Underwriter Position with Registrant
Richard J. Berthy Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101 President, Treasurer and Manager None

Mark A. Fairbanks

 

 

Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101

 

Vice President

 

 

None

 

 

Jennifer K. DiValerio

 

899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, PA 19312 Vice President None
 
 

 

Nanette K. Chern Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101 Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer None
Jennifer E. Hoopes Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101 Secretary None

 

ALPS Distributors, Inc. is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The principal address of ALPS is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The directors and executive officers of ALPS Distributors, Inc., are as follows:

 

Name* Position with Underwriter Positions with Fund
Edmund J. Burke Director None
Jeremy O. May President, Director None
Thomas A. Carter Executive Vice President, Director None
Bradley J. Swenson Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer None
Robert J. Szydlowski Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer None
Eric Parsons Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer None
Steven Price Vice President, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer None
James Stegall Vice President, Institutional Sales Manager None
Gary Ross Vice President, Director of Sales None
Erin D. Nelson Vice President, Assistant General Counsel None
JoEllen Legg Vice President, Assistant General Counsel None
David T. Buhler Vice President, Senior Associate Counsel None
Rhonda A. Mills Vice President, Associate Counsel None
Jennifer T. Welsh Vice President, Associate Counsel None
Paul F. Leone Vice President, Associate Counsel None
Randall D. Young Secretary None
Gregg Wm. Givens Vice President, Treasurer and Asst. Secretary None

 

* The principal business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 
 

 

( c ) Not Applicable.

ITEM 33.

LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.

 

The following entities prepare, maintain and preserve the records required by Section 31 (a) of the 1940 Act for the Registrant.  These services are provided to the Registrant for such periods prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act and such records are the property of the entity required to maintain and preserve such records and will be surrendered promptly on request.

 

Bank of New York Mellon (“BONY”), located at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, provides custodian services to Changing Parameters Fund, Navigator Tactical Fixed Income Fund, Navigator Tactical Investment Grade Bond, Navigator Tactical U.S. Allocation Fund Navigator Ultra Short Bond Fund, PFG PIMCO Active Core Bond Strategy Fund, PFG American Funds Conservative Income Strategy, PFG American Funds Growth Strategy Fund, PFG BNY Mellon® Diversifier Strategy Fund, PFG BR Target Allocation Equity Strategy Fund, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Equity Index Strategy, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Equity Sector Strategy, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Core Plus Bond Strategy Fund, PFG Janus Henderson® Balanced Strategy, PFG Invesco® Equity Factor Rotation Strategy Fund PFG JP Morgan® Tactical Aggressive Strategy Fund, PFG JP Morgan® Tactical Moderate Strategy Fund, PFG Meeder Tactical Strategy Fund, PFG MFS® Aggressive Growth Strategy Fund, PFG Janus Henderson®Tactical Income Strategy Fund, PFG Global Equity Index Strategy Fund, PFG US Equity Index Strategy Fund, and PFG Growth Strategy Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement between BONY and the Trust.  

 

U.S. Bank, National Association, 60 Livingston Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55107 (“USB”), provides custodian services to the Biondo Focus Fund, Princeton Premium Fund, DF Tactical Income Fund, DF Dividend Fund, DF Momentum Fund, DF Tactical Allocation Fund, DF Tactical Yield Fund, DF Tactical 30 ETF, TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund, 13D Activist Fund, Eagle Energy Infrastructure Fund, formerly Eagle MLP Strategy Fund, BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund, Astor Dynamic Allocation Fund, Astor Sector Rotation Fund, Ladenburg Aggressive Growth Fund, Ladenburg Growth Fund, Ladenburg Growth & Income Fund, Ladenburg Income & Growth Fund, Ladenburg Income Fund, BTS Managed Income Fund, Ocean Park Tactical All Asset Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Core Income Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Municipal Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Bond Fund, Princeton Adaptive Premium Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Risk Spectrum 30 Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Risk Spectrum 50 Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Risk Spectrum 70 Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Core Growth Fund, BTS Enhanced Equity Income Fund, Ocean Park Domestic ETF, Ocean Park International ETF, Ocean Park Diversified Income ETF, Ocean Park High Income ETF, Grant Park Dynamic Allocation Fund, DF Innovation ETF and Winton Managed Futures Trend Fund pursuant to a Custody Agreement between USB and the Trust.

 

Fifth Third Bank (“Fifth Third”), 38 Fountain Square Plaza Cincinnati, Ohio 45263, provides custodian services to Toews Tactical Income Fund, Toews Hedged Opportunity Fund, Toews Unconstrained Income Fund, Toews Managed Risk Equity Fund, Toews Agility Shares Dynamic Tactical Income ETF and Toews Agility Shares Managed Risk Equity ETF, Toews Agility Shares Hedged Nasdaq-100 ETF and Toews Agility Shares Hedged Equal Weight ETF pursuant to a Custody Agreement between Fifth Third and the Trust.

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”), 50 Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, provides custodian and transfer agency services to Toews Agility Shares Dynamic Tactical Income ETF,

 
 

Toews Agility Shares Managed Risk Equity ETF, Toews Agility Shares Hedged Equal Weight ETF and Toews Agility Shares Hedged Nasdaq-100 ETF pursuant to a Custody Agreement between BBH and the Trust.

 

Ultimus Fund Services, LLC (“UFS”), located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska  68022-3474, provides transfer agent and dividend disbursing services pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreements between UFS and the Trust.  In such capacities, UFS provides pricing for each Fund’s portfolio securities, keeps records regarding securities and other assets in custody and in transfer, bank statements, canceled checks, financial books and records, and keeps records of each shareholder’s account and all disbursement made to shareholders.  UFS also maintains all records required pursuant to Administrative Service Agreements with the Trust.  

 

NLD, located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474, serves as principal underwriter for all series of Northern Lights Fund Trust, 13D Activist Fund, TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund. NLD maintains all records required to be maintained pursuant to each Fund’s Distribution Plan and Agreement adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.  

ALPS Distribution Services, Inc., located at 1209 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203, serves as principal underwriter for 13D Activist Fund and maintains all records required to be maintained pursuant to the Fund’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan and Agreements adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.  

 

Biondo Investment Advisors, LLC, located at 544 Routes 6 & 209, PO Box 909, Milford, Pennsylvania 18337, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to The Biondo Focus Fund.

 

Changing Parameters, LLC, located at 250 Oak Grove Avenue, Suite A, Menlo Park, California 94025, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Changing Parameters Fund.

 

The Pacific Financial Group, LLC, located at 10900 NE 8th Street, Suite 1523, Bellevue, WA 98004, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to PFG PIMCO Active Core Bond Strategy Fund, PFG American Funds Conservative Income Strategy, PFG American Funds Growth Strategy Fund, PFG BNY Mellon® Diversifier Strategy Fund, PFG BR Target Allocation Equity Strategy Fund, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Equity Index Strategy, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Equity Sector Strategy, PFG Fidelity Institutional AM® Core Plus Bond Strategy Fund, PFG Janus Henderson® Balanced Strategy, PFG JP Morgan® Tactical Aggressive Strategy Fund, PFG Invesco® Equity Factor Rotation Strategy Fund PFG JP Morgan® Tactical Moderate Strategy Fund, PFG Meeder Tactical Strategy Fund, PFG MFS® Aggressive Growth Strategy Fund, PFG Janus Henderson® Tactical Income Strategy Fund, PFG Global Equity Index Strategy Fund, PFG US Equity Index Strategy Fund, and PFG Growth Strategy Fund.


Ocean Park Asset Management, LLC, located at 3420 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA  90405, pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to Ocean Park Tactical All Asset Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Core Growth Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Core Income Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Municipal Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Bond Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Risk Spectrum 30 Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Risk Spectrum 50 Fund, Ocean Park Tactical Risk Spectrum 70 Fund, Ocean Park Domestic ETF, Ocean Park International ETF, Ocean Park Diversified Income ETF and Ocean Park High Income ETF.

 

 
 

Toews Corporation, Cornerstone Commerce Center, 1201 New Road, Suite 111, Linwood, NJ  08221, pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Toews Tactical Income Fund, Toews Hedged Opportunity Fund, Toews Unconstrained Income Fund, Toews Managed Risk Equity Fund, Toews Agility Shares Dynamic Tactical Income ETF, Toews Agility Shares Managed Risk Equity ETF, Toews Agility Shares Hedged Nasdaq-100 ETF and Toews Agility Shares Hedged Equal Weight ETF

 

BTS Asset Management, Inc. located at 420 Bedford Street, Suite 340, Lexington, MA  02420, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund, BTS Managed Income Fund and BTS Enhanced Equity Income Fund.

 

Princeton Fund Advisors, LLC, 1125 17th Street, Suite 1400, Denver, CO 80202, pursuant to certain Investment Advisory Agreements with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Eagle Energy Infrastructure Fund, formerly Eagle MLP Strategy Fund, Athena Behavioral Tactical Fund, Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund, Princeton Premium Fund and Princeton Adaptive Premium Fund.

 

13D Management, LLC, 200 East 61 Street, Suite 17C, New York, NY 10065, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the 13D Activist Fund.

 

Donoghue Forlines LLC, 629 Washington Street, Norwood, MA 02062 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the DF Tactical Income Fund, DF Dividend Fund, DF Momentum Fund, DF Tactical Allocation Fund, DF Tactical Yield Income Fund, DF Tactical 30 ETF and DF Innovation ETF.

 

TransWestern Capital Advisors, LLC, 1743 Wazee Street, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust and as the distributor for such fund, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement and Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Agreement adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund.

 

Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P., One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111, pursuant to a Sub- Advisory Agreement, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the TransWestern Institutional Short Duration Government Bond Fund.

 

Clark Capital Management Group, Inc., 1650 Market Street, 53rd Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Navigator Tactical Fixed Income Fund, Navigator Tactical Investment Grade Bond, Navigator Tactical U.S. Allocation Fund and Navigator Ultra Short Bond Fund.

 

Dearborn Capital Management, LLC, 626 W. Jackson Street, Chicago, IL 60661 pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Grant Park Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund and Grant Park Dynamic Allocation Fund.

 

 
 

Eagle Global Advisors, LLC, 5847 San Felipe, Suite 930, Houston TX 77057, pursuant to a Co-Advisory Agreement, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Eagle Energy Infrastructure Fund, formerly Eagle MLP Strategy Fund.

 

Deer Park Road Management, LP, 1865 Ski Time Square, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 pursuant to certain Sub-Advisory Agreements, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Deer Park Total Return Credit Fund.

 

Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, Inc. 507 Lexington Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10022, pursuant to an Advisory Agreement, will maintain all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Ladenburg Aggressive Growth Fund, Ladenburg Growth Fund, Ladenburg Growth & Income Fund, Ladenburg Income & Growth Fund and Ladenburg Income Fund.

 

Winton Capital Management Limited, One Hooper’s Court, Knightsbridge, London, SW3 1AF, United Kingdom, pursuant to a Advisory Agreement, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Winton Managed Futures Trend Fund.

 

 

ITEM 34.

MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

Not applicable.  

 

ITEM 35.

UNDERTAKINGS.

 

One or more of the Registrant’s series may invest up to 25% of its respective total assets in a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively the “Subsidiaries”).  Each Subsidiary will operate under the supervision of the Registrant.  The Registrant hereby undertakes that the Subsidiaries will submit to inspection by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

 
 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has met all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act, and the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1542 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized in the City of Hauppauge, State of New York on the 21st of April 2026.

 

NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST

                                   (Registrant)

 

By:/s/ Kevin Wolf

Kevin Wolf*

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

 

Pursuant to the Securities Act, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust

John V. Palancia* Trustee April 21, 2026
Gary Lanzen* Trustee April 21, 2026
Anthony Hertl* Trustee & Chairman April 21, 2026
Mark Taylor* Trustee April 21, 2026
Mark D. Gersten* Trustee April 21, 2026
Mark Garbin* Trustee April 21, 2026
Jim Colantino* Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer April 21, 2026
Kevin Wolf President and Principal Executive Officer April 21, 2026

 

By:                                                                    Date:

/s/ Kevin Wolf                                                   April 21, 2026

Kevin Wolf, President

*Attorney-in-Fact – Pursuant to Powers of Attorney previously filed on April 1, 2011, January 9, 2012, September 27, 2013, September 1, 2016, September 1, 2017 and August 5, 2025 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 234, No. 346, No. 535, No. 862, No. 1,001 and No, 1494 respectively, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

 

 

 

 

 
 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Exhibit No.
Consent of Counsel (i)(2)
Consent of Independent Auditor (j)(1)