485BPOS 1 q360-485bpos_110618.htm POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT

 

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2018

Securities Act Registration No. 333-123290

Investment Company Act Reg. No. 811-21726

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  Pre-Effective Amendment No.
  Post-Effective Amendment No. 118
and/or  
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
  Amendment No. 119

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

 

360 FUNDS

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100

Fairway, Kansas 66205

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (877) 244-6235

 

The Corporation Trust Company

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

With Copies To:

John H. Lively
Practus, LLP
11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310
Leawood, KS 66211

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: Immediately following effectiveness of this post-effective amendment.

 

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

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

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

(Graphic)

 

FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund

Class A Shares (Ticker Symbol: HROAX)

Institutional Class Shares (Ticker Symbol: HIOIX)

 

a series of the

360 Funds

 

PROSPECTUS

 

November 6, 2018

 

 

 

This Prospectus relates to FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund classes of shares (Class A shares and Institutional Class Shares). For questions or for Shareholder Services, please call (877) 244-6235.

 

These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

SUMMARY 1
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, STRATEGIES, RISKS AND PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 8
MANAGEMENT 13
ADMINISTRATION 14
INVESTING IN THE FUND 15
PURCHASING SHARES 16
REDEEMING SHARES 20
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS 23
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION 24

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Investment Objective. The investment objective of the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”) is total return comprised of income and capital appreciation.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund. This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your household invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Fund. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the section captioned “Purchasing Shares” on page 16 of this prospectus and the section captioned “Purchases” beginning on page 34 of the Fund’s statement of additional information.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

  

Class A

shares

  

Institutional

Class shares

 
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)   5.50%   None 
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of original purchase price or the amount redeemed, whichever is less)1
   1.00%   None 

 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

  

Class A

shares

  

Institutional

Class shares

 
Management Fees   1.25%   1.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees   0.25%   None 
Other Expenses   2.45%   2.45%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses   0.02%   0.02%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses   3.97%   3.72%
Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement2   (1.75)%   (1.75)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement   2.22%   1.97%

 

1Contingent Deferred Sales Charge applies only when a shareholder purchase in the Fund totals $1 million or more and shares are redeemed within one year from the date of purchase.

 

2FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement with the Fund under which it has agreed to waive or reduce its fees and to assume other expenses of the Fund, if necessary, in an amount that limits the Fund’s annual operating expenses (excluding interest, distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 Plans, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund’s business) to not more than 1.95%. The Expense Limitation Agreement covers the period during which the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement was in place and the period following shareholder approval of the new Investment Advisory Agreement through at least March 31, 2020. Subject to approval by the Fund’s Board, any waiver under the Expense Limitation Agreement is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three fiscal years following the year in which such waiver occurred, if the Fund is able to make the payment without exceeding the 1.95% expense limitation. The current contractual agreement cannot be terminated prior to at least one year after the effective date without the Board of Trustees’ approval.

 

1

 

 

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

 

This expense 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 expense example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your cost would be:

 

Period Invested  1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years 
Class A Shares  $763   $1,542   $2,337   $4,398 
Institutional Class Shares  $200   $976   $1,773   $3,855 

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 94.23% of the average value of the portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategy of the Fund.

 

The Fund’s investment objective is total return. To meet its investment objective, the Fund will invest primarily in domestic equity securities that in the opinion of the manager have above average intellectual property portfolios and other characteristics, like strong earnings and dividend growth that are members of the S&P 1500 Composite, relative to their sector competitors. The S&P 1500 Composite combines the S&P 500, an index of large-capitalization issuers, the S&P Midcap 400, and the S&P Small Cap 600 to cover approximately 90% of the U.S. market capitalization. As of July 31, 2018, the capitalization of companies in the S&P 1500 Composite ranged from $29 million to $935.3 billion with a mean of $12.3 billion and median of $2.54 billion. The Fund will seek to produce income through dividends paid on securities and options (e.g., premium income on the sale of an option), and total return through an options strategy. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval; however, the Fund will provide 60 days’ advance notice to shareholders before implementing a change in the Fund’s investment objective.

 

The Fund will typically invest in issuers that have established markets and operations and generate excess cash flow. The Fund looks for stocks with attributes which suggest they will thrive in good markets and survive potential economic setbacks. The Fund employs detailed quantitative assessments to construct its equity portfolio. Portfolio parameters include, but are not limited to, a quantitative valuation of the strength of the company’s intellectual property portfolio, steady growing earnings, dividend yield with a tendency to raise such yield and availability at reasonable price-earnings ratios. The Fund seeks to invest in stocks that are undervalued by the market, but with strong business models, which may provide for lower levels of market volatility or non-correlated volatility, The Fund also prefers to invest in equity stocks that have options traded on them. The Fund will rebalance and adjust its equity portfolio as the Adviser deems necessary and appropriate.

 

2

 

 

The Fund may also invest in companies that are experiencing a “special situation” that makes them undervalued relative to their long-term potential. Developments creating special situations may include new intellectual property developments, intellectual property licensing deals, mergers, spin-offs, litigation resolutions, new products or management changes. The Fund may also invest in convertible securities.

 

The Fund also seeks to generate income for shareholders by selling options against the risk taken by owning common stocks. For example, the Fund intends to sell covered call options on a portion of its stock holdings. This income is designed to, over time, add to portfolio stability and improve returns. The Fund uses an options strategy to limit market exposure and volatility. The extent of option selling will depend upon market conditions and the Adviser’s judgment of the advantages of selling call options on the Fund’s equity investments.

 

Additionally, the Fund will enter into call spreads. A spread is an options position established by purchasing one option and selling another option of the same class, but of a different series. So, the exercise price of the call options sold will be above the current level of the index when sold, and the exercise price of the call options bought will be above the exercise price of the call options sold.

 

The Fund is non-diversified which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in a small group of issuers or any one issuer than a diversified fund can. The Fund may be appropriate for investors with long-term time horizons who are not sensitive to short-term losses and want to participate in the long-term growth of the financial markets. The Fund seeks to avoid or minimize the effects of inflation on the portfolio.

 

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

 

All investments carry risks, and investment in the Fund is no exception. No investment strategy works all the time, and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. You may lose money on your investment in the Fund. To help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund, the principal risks of an investment in the Fund are generally set forth below:

 

Market risk Stock prices are volatile. Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets generally. The Fund’s performance per share will change daily based on many factors that may generally affect the stock market, including fluctuation in interest rates, national and international economic conditions and general equity market conditions. In a declining stock market, stock prices for all companies (including those in the Fund’s portfolio) may decline, regardless of their long-term prospects.

 

Active management risk The investment adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value or potential appreciation of the Fund’s investments may prove to be incorrect. The Fund could underperform in comparison to other funds with a similar benchmark or similar objectives and investment strategies if the Fund’s overall investment selections or strategies fail to produce the intended results.

 

3

 

 

Interest rate risk Increases in interest rates typically lower the present value of a company’s future earnings stream. Since the market price of a stock changes continuously based upon investors’ collective perceptions of future earnings, stock prices will generally decline when investors anticipate or experience rising interest rates. The level of premiums from call options selling and the amounts available for distribution from the Fund’s options activity may decrease in declining interest rate environments. Any preferred stocks paying fixed dividend rates in which the Fund invests will likely change in value as market interest rates move. When interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally falls. If the Fund invests in preferred stocks, the net asset value and price of the common stock may decline if market interest rates rise. During periods of declining interest rates, an issuer of preferred stock may exercise its option to redeem securities prior to maturity, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities.

 

Issuer risk The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. When the Fund sells shares, they may be worth more or less than what the Fund paid for them, which means that the Fund could lose money and the value of your investment in the Fund could decrease.

 

Equity risk Equity risk is the risk that securities held by the Fund will fall due to general market or economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, and the particular circumstances and performance of particular companies whose securities the Fund holds. Although common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of equity securities of an issuer held by the Fund; the price of common stock of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market; or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks and other equity securities held by the Fund. Also, the common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition. Common equity securities in which the Fund will invest are structurally subordinated to preferred stocks, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation preference, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of such issuers. Additionally, common stock prices may be sensitive to rising interest rates, as the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase.

 

Large company risk – The Fund may invest in larger, more established companies, which may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in consumer tastes or innovative smaller competitors. Also, large companies are sometimes unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansions.

 

Small-cap and Mid-cap stock risks. Investing in issuers within these categories carries the risk that the category may be out of favor due to current market conditions or investor sentiment. Because the Fund invests in securities issued by small-cap and mid-cap companies, it is likely to be more volatile than a fund that focuses on securities issued by larger companies. Small- and mid-cap sized companies have less experienced management, narrower product lines, more limited financial resources, and less publicly available information than larger companies. In addition, small- and mid-cap sized companies are typically more sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions and their securities may be difficult to trade.

 

Special Situations risk Investments in special situations (undervalued equities, merger arbitrage situations, distressed companies, etc.) may involve greater risks when compared to other investments the Fund may make due to a variety of factors. For example, mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, liquidations or recapitalizations may fail or not be completed on the terms originally contemplated, and expected developments may not occur in a timely manner, if at all.

 

4

 

 

Non-diversified fund risk The Fund is a non-diversified fund. In general, a non-diversified fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issue and may own fewer securities than other mutual funds. Accordingly, a non-diversified fund is generally subject to the risk that a large loss in an individual issue will cause a greater loss for the fund than it would if the fund was required to hold a larger number of securities or smaller positions.

 

Options risk Purchasing and writing put and call options are highly specialized activities and entail greater than ordinary investment risks. The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities markets. By writing put options on equity securities, the Fund strike prices of the written put options, but continues to bear the risk of declines in the value of its common stock portfolio. The Fund will receive a premium from writing a covered call option that it retains whether or not the option is exercised. The premium received from the written options may not be sufficient to offset any losses sustained from the volatility of the underlying equity securities over time.

 

Limits on Option Selling risk The number of call options the Fund can sell is limited by the number of shares of common stock the Fund holds, and further limited by the fact that the listed call options on individual common stocks generally trade in units representing 100 shares of the underlying stock. Furthermore, the Fund’s options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded. Such limitations govern the maximum number of options in each class which may be sold or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are sold or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities or are held or sold in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. So, the number of options which the Fund may sell or purchase may be affected by options sold or purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Adviser. An exchange, board of trade or another trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and may impose certain other sanctions.

 

Options Strategy risk The Fund’s option strategy consists of selling and purchasing put and call options on equity indexes and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”). The sale of put options generates income for the Fund but exposes it to the risk of declines in the value of the underlying assets. The risk in purchasing options is limited to the premium paid by the Fund for the options. The sale of call options generates income for the Fund but may limit the Fund’s participation in equity market gains. The Fund’s investment adviser seeks to reduce the overall volatility of returns for the Fund by managing a portfolio of options.

 

Derivatives risk The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the asset, index, rate or instrument underlying a derivative or due to the failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create economic leverage in the Fund, which magnifies the Fund’s exposure to the underlying investment. Derivatives risk may be more significant when derivatives are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a cash investment position, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position held by the Fund. When derivatives are used to gain or limit exposure to a particular market or market segment, their performance may not correlate as expected to the performance of such market, thereby causing the Fund to fail to achieve its original purpose for using such derivatives. The use of derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and a transaction may be unsuccessful in whole or in part because of market behavior or unexpected events. Derivative instruments may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying instrument. If a derivative’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of the Fund shares may decline, and the Fund could experience delays in the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty. The loss on derivative transactions may significantly exceed the initial investment.

 

5

 

 

Convertible Securities Risk. The values of convertible securities in which the Fund may invest may be affected by market interest rates. The values of convertible securities also may be affected by the risk of actual issuer default on interest or principal payments and the value of the underlying stock. Additionally, an issuer may retain the right to buy back its convertible securities at a time and price unfavorable to the Fund.

 

General Fund Investing risk – The Fund is not a complete investment program, and you may lose money by investing in the Fund. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to achieve its investment objective. Annual Fund operating expenses expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets may change as Fund assets increase and decrease, and Annual Fund operating expenses may differ in the future. Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective. Also, the redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the Fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the Fund. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and should be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, entity or individual. Mutual funds, investment advisers, other market participants and many securities markets are subject to rules and regulations and the jurisdiction of one or more regulators. Changes to applicable rules and regulations could have an adverse impact on securities markets and market participants, as well as on the Fund’s ability to execute its investment strategy.

 

New Fund risk The inception date of the Fund was January 21, 2016. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy.

 

Performance. The bar chart below shows how the Fund’s investment results vary from year to year. The table below shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare over time to those of a broad-based securities market index. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. Past performance (before and after taxes) of the Fund is not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future. Updated performance information will be available at no cost by calling (877) 244-6235.

 

Institutional Class:

(Graphic)

 

Year-by-Year Total Return (for periods ended December 31)

 

6

 

 

The Fund’s year to date return for the Institutional Class as of September 30, 2018 was 0.64%. During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 3.21% during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and the lowest return for a quarter was 0.52% during the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

 

Average Annual Total Returns

(for the periods ended December 31, 2017)

 

FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund

One Year

Since Inception

(January 21, 2016)

Institutional Class    
Return Before Taxes 8.69% 10.74%
Return After Taxes on Distributions 5.11% 8.83%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 6.00% 7.92%
Class A    
Return Before Taxes 2.47% 7.29%

S&P 500® Total Return Index1

(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

21.83%

22.83%

     

1 The S&P 500® Total Return Index is a broad unmanaged index of 500 stocks, which is widely recognized as representative of the equity market in general. Please note that indices do not take into account any fees and expenses of investing in the individual securities that they track and individuals cannot invest directly in any index.

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal income tax rates in effect as of December 31, 2017 and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirements accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns are shown for only the Institutional Class shares and after-tax returns for the Class A shares will vary.

 

Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above. Updated performance information may be obtained by calling (877) 244-6235 or accessed on the Adviser’s website at www.fintrustfunds.com.

 

Management. FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC is the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”).

 

Portfolio Managers.

 

Allen R Gillespie, CFA, Managing Partner, Investments, and member of the Adviser’s Investment Committee.

 

J. Mercer Treadwell, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, and member of the Adviser’s Investment Committee.

 

David E. Lewis, CFA, Chief Financial Officer, and member of the Adviser’s Investment Committee.

 

7

 

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares. The minimum initial investment in Class A shares of the Fund is generally $1,000.00, and the minimum subsequent investment for such shares is $100.00 ($25.00 under an automatic investment plan). The minimum initial investment in Institutional Class shares of the Fund is generally $2,000.00 and the minimum subsequent investment for such shares is $100.00 ($25.00 under an automatic investment plan). The Adviser can waive the minimum initial investment requirement for Institutional Class shares of the Fund. You can purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund on any business day the New York Stock Exchange is open directly by calling the Fund at (877) 244-6235, where you may also obtain more information about purchasing or redeeming shares by mail, facsimile or bank wire. The Fund has also authorized certain broker-dealers to accept purchase and redemption orders on its behalf. Investors who wish to purchase or redeem Fund shares through a broker-dealer should contact their broker-dealer directly.

 

Tax Information. The Fund’s distributions will generally be taxed to you as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. Distributions on investments made through tax deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or IRAs may be taxed later upon a withdrawal of assets from those accounts.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries. If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund 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.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, STRATEGIES, RISKS AND PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Fund’s Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategy

 

The Fund’s investment objective is total return. To meet its investment objective, the Fund will invest primarily in domestic equity securities that in the opinion of the manager have above average intellectual property portfolios and other characteristics, like strong earnings and dividend growth that are members of the S&P 1500 Composite, relative to their sector competitors. The S&P 1500 Composite combines the S&P 500, an index of large capitalization issuers, the S&P Midcap 400, and the S&P Small Cap 600 to cover approximately 90% of the U.S. market capitalization. As of July 31, 2018, the capitalization of companies in the S&P 1500 Composite ranged from $29 million to $935.3 billion with a mean of $12.3 billion and median of $2.54 billion. The Fund will seek to produce income through dividends paid on securities and options (e.g., premium income on the sale of an option), and total return through an options strategy. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval; however, the Fund will provide 60 days’ advance notice to shareholders before implementing a change in the Fund’s investment objective.

 

The Fund will typically invest in issuers that have established markets and operations and generate excess cash flow. The Fund looks for stocks with attributes which suggest they will thrive in good markets and survive potential economic setbacks. The Fund employs detailed quantitative assessments to construct its equity portfolio. Portfolio parameters include, but are not limited to, a quantitative valuation of the strength of the company’s intellectual property portfolio, steady growing earnings, dividend yield with a tendency to raise such yield and availability at reasonable price-earnings ratios. The Fund seeks to invest in stocks that are undervalued by the market, but with strong business models, which may provide for lower levels of market volatility or non-correlated volatility, The Fund also prefers to invest in equity stocks that have options traded on them. The Fund will rebalance and adjust its equity portfolio as the Adviser deems necessary and appropriate.

 

8

 

 

The Fund may also invest in companies that are experiencing a “special situation” that makes them undervalued relative to their long-term potential. Developments creating special situations may include new intellectual property developments, intellectual property licensing deals, mergers, spin-offs, litigation resolutions, new products or management changes. The Fund may also invest in convertible securities.

 

The Fund also seeks to generate income for shareholders by selling options against the risk taken by owning common stocks. For example, the Fund intends to sell covered call options on a portion of its stock holdings. This income is designed to, over time, add to portfolio stability and improve returns. The Fund uses an options strategy to limit market exposure and volatility. The extent of option selling will depend upon market conditions and the Adviser’s judgment of the advantages of selling call options on the Fund’s equity investments

 

Additionally, the Fund will enter into call spreads. A spread is an options position established by purchasing one option and selling another option of the same class, but of a different series. So, the exercise price of the call options sold will be above the current level of the index when sold, and the exercise price of the call options bought will be above the exercise price of the call options sold.

 

The Fund is non-diversified which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in a small group of issuers or any one issuer than a diversified fund can. The Fund may be appropriate for investors with long-term time horizons who are not sensitive to short-term losses and want to participate in the long-term growth of the financial markets. The Fund seeks to avoid or minimize the effects of inflation on the portfolio.

 

Temporary Defensive Positions. The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in an attempt to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During such an unusual set of circumstances, the Fund may hold up to 100% of its portfolio in cash or cash equivalent positions. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.

 

Non-Diversified Fund. The Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), which means that the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of its assets that the Adviser may invest in securities of a single issuer.

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund may, from time to time, have a high portfolio turnover when the Adviser’s implementation of the Fund’s investment strategy or a temporary defensive position results in frequent trading. Additionally, the Fund may experience high portfolio turnover due to the Fund’s options strategy. Since the Fund’s trades cost the Fund a brokerage commission, high portfolio turnover may have a significant adverse impact on the Fund’s performance. In addition, because sales of securities in the Fund’s portfolio may result in taxable gain or loss, high portfolio turnover may result in significant tax consequences for shareholders.

 

“Portfolio Turnover” is a ratio that indicates how often the securities in a mutual fund’s portfolio change during a year’s time. In general, higher numbers indicate a greater number of changes, and lower numbers indicate a smaller number of changes.

 

General Information Regarding Investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund should not be considered a complete investment program. Your investment needs will depend largely on your financial resources and individual investment goals and objectives, and you should consult with your financial professional before making an investment in the Fund.

 

9

 

 

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

 

All investments carry risks, and investment in the Fund is no exception. No investment strategy works all the time, and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. You may lose money on your investment in the Fund. To help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund, the principal risks of an investment in the Fund are generally set forth below:

 

Market risk Stock prices are volatile. Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets generally. The Fund’s performance per share will change daily based on many factors that may generally affect the stock market, including fluctuation in interest rates, national and international economic conditions and general equity market conditions. In a declining stock market, stock prices for all companies (including those in the Fund’s portfolio) may decline, regardless of their long-term prospects.

 

Active management risk The investment adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value, or potential appreciation of the Fund’s investments may prove to be incorrect. The Fund could underperform in comparison to other funds with a similar benchmark or similar objectives and investment strategies if the Fund’s overall investment selections or strategies fail to produce the intended results.

 

Interest rate risk Increases in interest rates typically lower the present value of a company’s future earnings stream. Since the market price of a stock changes continuously based upon investors’ collective perceptions of future earnings, stock prices will generally decline when investors anticipate or experience rising interest rates. The level of premiums from call options selling and the amounts available for distribution from the Fund’s options activity may decrease in declining interest rate environments. Any preferred stocks paying fixed dividend rates in which the Fund invests will likely change in value as market interest rates move. When interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally falls. If the Fund invests in preferred stocks, the net asset value and price of the common stock may decline if market interest rates rise. During periods of declining interest rates, an issuer of preferred stock may exercise its option to redeem securities before maturity, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities.

 

Issuer risk The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. When the Fund sells shares, they may be worth more or less than what the Fund paid for them, which means that the Fund could lose money and the value of your investment in the Fund could decrease.

 

Equity risk Equity risk is the risk that securities held by the Fund will fall due to general market or economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, and the particular circumstances and performance of particular companies whose securities the Fund holds. Although common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of equity securities of an issuer held by the Fund; the price of common stock of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market; or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks and other equity securities held by the Fund. Also, the common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition. Common equity securities in which the Fund will invest are structurally subordinated to preferred stocks, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation preference, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of such issuers. Additionally, common stock prices may be sensitive to rising interest rates, as the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase.

 

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Large company risk – The Fund may invest in larger, more established companies, which may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in consumer tastes or innovative smaller competitors. Also, large companies are sometimes unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansions.

 

Small-cap and Mid-cap stock risks. Investing in issuers within these categories carries the risk that the category may be out of favor due to current market conditions or investor sentiment. Because the Fund invests in securities issued by small-cap and mid-cap companies, it is likely to be more volatile than a fund that focuses on securities issued by larger companies. Small- and mid-cap sized companies have less experienced management, narrower product lines, more limited financial resources, and less publicly available information than larger companies. In addition, small- and mid-cap sized companies are typically more sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions and their securities may be difficult to trade.

 

Special situations risk Investments in special situations (undervalued equities, merger arbitrage situations, distressed companies, etc.) may involve greater risks when compared to other investments the Fund may make due to a variety of factors. For example, mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, liquidations or recapitalizations may fail or not be completed on the terms originally contemplated, and expected developments may not occur in a timely manner, if at all.

 

Non-diversified fund risk The Fund is a non-diversified fund. In general, a non-diversified fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issue and may own fewer securities than other mutual funds. Accordingly, a non-diversified fund is generally subject to the risk that a large loss in an individual issue will cause a greater loss for the fund than it would if the fund was required to hold a larger number of securities or smaller positions.

 

Options risk Purchasing and writing put and call options are highly specialized activities and entail greater than ordinary investment risks. The successful use of options depends in part on the ability of the Adviser to manage future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities markets. By writing put options on equity securities, the Fund strike prices of the written put options, but continues to bear the risk of declines in the value of its common stock portfolio. The Fund will receive a premium from writing a covered call option that it retains whether or not the option is exercised. The premium received from the written options may not be sufficient to offset any losses sustained from the volatility of the underlying equity securities over time.

 

Limits on Option Selling risk The number of call options the Fund can sell is limited by the number of shares of common stock the Fund holds, and further limited by the fact that the listed call options on individual common stocks generally trade in units representing 100 shares of the underlying stock. Furthermore, the Fund’s options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded. Such limitations govern the maximum number of options in each class which may be sold or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are sold or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities or are held or sold in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. So, the number of options which the Fund may sell or purchase may be affected by options sold or purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Adviser. An exchange, board of trade or another trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and may impose certain other sanctions.

 

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Options Strategy risk The Fund’s option strategy consists of selling and purchasing put and call options on equity indexes and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”). The sale of put options generates income for the Fund but exposes it to the risk of declines in the value of the underlying assets. The risk in purchasing options is limited to the premium paid by the Fund for the options. The sale of call options generates income for the Fund but may limit the Fund’s participation in equity market gains. The Fund’s investment adviser seeks to reduce the overall volatility of returns for the Fund by managing a portfolio of options.

 

Derivatives risk The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the asset, index, rate or instrument underlying a derivative or due to the failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create economic leverage in the Fund, which magnifies the Fund’s exposure to the underlying investment. Derivatives risk may be more significant when derivatives are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a cash investment position, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position held by the Fund. When derivatives are used to gain or limit exposure to a particular market or market segment, their performance may not correlate as expected to the performance of such market, thereby causing the Fund to fail to achieve its original purpose for using such derivatives. The use of derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and a transaction may be unsuccessful in whole or in part because of market behavior or unexpected events. Derivative instruments may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying instrument. If a derivative’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of the Fund shares may decline, and the Fund could experience delays in the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty. The loss on derivative transactions may significantly exceed the initial investment.

 

Convertible Securities Risk. The values of convertible securities in which the Fund may invest may be affected by market interest rates. The values of convertible securities also may be affected by the risk of actual issuer default on interest or principal payments and the value of the underlying stock. Additionally, an issuer may retain the right to buy back its convertible securities at a time and price unfavorable to the Fund.

 

General Fund Investing risk – The Fund is not a complete investment program, and you may lose money by investing in the Fund. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to achieve its investment objective. Annual Fund operating expenses expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets may change as Fund assets increase and decrease, and Annual Fund operating expenses may differ in the future. Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective. Also, the redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the Fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the Fund. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and should be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency, entity or individual. Mutual funds, investment advisers, other market participants and many securities markets are subject to rules and regulations and the jurisdiction of one or more regulators. Changes to applicable rules and regulations could have an adverse impact on securities markets and market participants, as well as on the Fund’s ability to execute its investment strategy.

 

New Fund risk The inception date of the Fund was January 21, 2016. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy.

 

Additional Information. To the extent the Fund makes investments regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, it intends to do so in accordance with Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”). The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Rule 4.5 and therefore, the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Investment Adviser. FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC, located at 124 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 504, Greenville, SC 29607, manages the investments of the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser is a limited liability company and became a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 15, 2007. As of June 30, 2018, the Adviser had approximately $1.369 billion in assets under management.

 

The Adviser assumed responsibility for managing the Fund pursuant to an interim investment advisory agreement on August 29, 2018. Under the terms of the interim investment advisory agreement, the Adviser was entitled to receive compensation at the rate of 1.25%, which was the annualized fee rate in place for the previous investment adviser to the Fund; however, the Adviser voluntarily waived fees such that the compensation during the interim period accrued at the rate of 1.95%, and all compensation during the interim period was held in an escrow account. On October 29, 2018, shareholders of the Fund approved the Advisory Agreement and that agreement became effective on October 30, 2018.

 

Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser manages the investment portfolio of the Fund, subject to the policies adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Trust, furnishes office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and executive personnel necessary for managing the assets of the Fund. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser assumes and pays all ordinary expenses of the Fund, except that the Fund pays all management fees, brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, interest expense, Underlying Fund fees and expenses, all expenses which it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and extraordinary or non-recurring expenses. The Adviser is authorized, subject to approval by the Board and if applicable shareholders of the Fund. For its services with respect to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual management fee calculated daily and payable monthly, as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets at the rate of 1.25%.

 

For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the previous investment adviser received an aggregate fee of 0% for investment advisory services performance, expressed as a percentage of average net assets of the Fund. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board to approve the Advisory Agreement of the Fund will be available in the Fund’s annual shareholder report for the reporting period ended November 30, 2018.

 

In addition to the advisory fees described above, the Adviser may also receive certain benefits from its management of the Fund in the form of brokerage or research services received from brokers under arrangements under Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act and the terms of the Advisory Agreement. For a description of these potential benefits, see the description under “Portfolio Transactions And Brokerage Allocation -- Brokerage Selection” in the SAI.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Allen R. Gillespie, CFA, Managing Partner, Investments of the Adviser, has over 20 years of investment management experience. Mr. Gillespie holds a B.A. in Economics from Washington & Lee University, cum laude, and earned his chartered financial analyst charter in 1999.

 

J. Mercer Treadwell, CFA, Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser, has over 17 years of investment management experience. Mr. Treadwell holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Georgia and holds a chartered financial analyst charter.

 

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David E. Lewis, CFA, Chief Financial Officer of the Adviser, has over 25 years of investment management experience. Mr. Lewis holds a B.S. in Accounting from the State University of New York at Oswego and an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance from the University of New Orleans; he also holds a chartered financial analyst charter.

 

The SAI provides additional information about the compensation of the portfolio manager, other accounts he manages and his ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

Board of Trustees. The Fund is a series of the 360 Funds, an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 24, 2005. The Board supervises the operations of the Fund according to applicable state and federal law and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

Custodian. Fifth Third Bank (the “Custodian”) serves as the custodian of the Fund’s securities.

 

Fund Administration and Distribution. M3Sixty Administration, LLC (“M3Sixty”) serves as the Fund’s administrator providing the Fund with administrative, accounting and compliance services. In addition, M3Sixty serves as the transfer agent and dividend-disbursing agent of the Fund. As indicated below under the caption “Investing in the Fund,” M3Sixty will handle your orders to purchase and redeem Shares of the Fund and will disburse dividends paid by the Fund. M3Sixty is owned by the same holding company as owns the Distributor (defined below).

 

Distribution of Shares. Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as the Fund’s principal underwriter. The Distributor may sell the Fund’s Shares to or through qualified securities dealers or other approved entities. The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 (“Distribution Plan”) under the 1940 Act. The Distribution Plan provides that the Fund may compensate or reimburse the Distributor for services rendered and expenses borne in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Fund’s Shares (this compensation is commonly referred to as “12b-1 fees”). Sales charges (including without limitation, sales loads, CDSCs and 12b-1 fees) may be paid to broker-dealers, banks and any other financial intermediary eligible to receive such fees for sales of Fund shares and for services provided to shareholders. The Distributor may also retain a portion of these fees as the Fund’s distributor. Pursuant to the Distribution Plan, the Fund may annually pay the Distributor up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Class A shares. The 0.25% fee for the Class A shares is a service fee. Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

 

The Fund offers two classes of shares (Class A shares and Institutional Class shares). Class A shares are available for purchase by all investors. Institutional Class shares are available for purchase by investing institutions. Each class represents interests in the same portfolio of investments and has the same rights, but the classes differ with respect to sales loads and expenses to which they are subject. The decision as to which class of shares are more beneficial to you generally depends on the amount and intended length of time of your investment.

 

Certain Expenses. In addition to the 12b-1 fees and the investment advisory fees, the Fund pays all expenses not assumed by the Adviser, including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of its independent accountants and of its legal counsel; the costs of printing and mailing to shareholders annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information and supplements thereto; the costs of printing registration statements; bank transaction charges and custodian’s fees; any proxy solicitors’ fees and expenses; filing fees; any federal, state or local income or other taxes; any interest; any membership fees of the Investment Company Institute and similar organizations; fidelity bond and Board’s liability insurance premiums; and any extraordinary expenses, such as indemnification payments or damages awarded in litigation or settlements made.

 

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INVESTING IN THE FUND

 

Minimum Initial Investment. The Fund’s Shares are sold and redeemed at net asset value. Shares may be purchased by any account managed by the Adviser and any other institutional investor or any broker-dealer authorized to sell Shares in the Fund. The minimum initial investment for the Class A shares of the Fund is generally $1,000.00. The minimum investment for Institutional Class shares is $2,000.00. The Fund may, at the Adviser’s sole discretion, accept accounts with less than the minimum investment.

 

Determining the Fund’s Net Asset Value. The price at which you purchase or redeem Shares is based on the next calculation of net asset value after an order is accepted in good form. An order is considered to be in good form if it includes a complete application and payment in full of the purchase amount. The Fund’s net asset value per share is calculated by dividing the value of the Fund’s total assets, less liabilities (including Fund expenses, which are accrued daily), by the total number of outstanding Shares of the Fund. The net asset value per Share of the Fund is normally determined at the time regular trading closes on the NYSE, currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except when the NYSE closes earlier. The Fund does not calculate net asset value on business holidays when the NYSE is closed.

 

The valuation of portfolio securities is determined in accordance with procedures established by, and under the direction of, the Board. In determining the value of the Fund’s total assets, portfolio securities are generally calculated at market value by quotations from the primary market in which they are traded. Instruments with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value. The Fund normally uses pricing services to obtain market quotations. Securities and assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or that cannot be accurately valued using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under policies approved by the Board. Fair value pricing may be used, for example, in situations where (i) a portfolio security, such as a small-cap stock, is so thinly traded that there have been no transactions for that stock over an extended period of time or the validity of a market quotation received is questionable; (ii) the exchange on which the portfolio security is principally traded closes early; (iii) trading of the particular portfolio security is halted; (iv) the security is a restricted security not registered under federal securities laws purchased through a private placement not eligible for resale; or (v) the security is purchased on a foreign exchange.

 

Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board, the Adviser is responsible for notifying the Board (or the Trust’s Fair Value Committee (“Fair Value Committee”)) when it believes that fair value pricing is required for a particular security. The Fund’s policies regarding fair value pricing are intended to result in a calculation of the Fund’s net asset value that fairly reflects portfolio security values as of the time of pricing. A portfolio security’s fair value price may differ from the price next available for that portfolio security using the Fund’s normal pricing procedure and may differ substantially from the price at which the portfolio security may ultimately be traded or sold. If such fair value price differs from the price that would have been determined using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures, a shareholder may receive more or less proceeds or shares from redemptions or purchases of Fund shares, respectively, than a shareholder would have otherwise received if the portfolio security was priced using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures. The performance of the Fund may also be affected if a portfolio security’s fair value price were to differ from the security’s price using the Fund’s normal pricing procedures. The Board monitors and evaluates the Fund’s use of fair value pricing.

 

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Other Matters. Purchases and redemptions of shares by the same shareholder on the same day will be netted for the Fund. All redemption requests will be processed and payment with respect thereto will normally be made within seven days after tender. The Fund may suspend redemption, if permitted by the 1940 Act, for any period during which the NYSE is closed or during which trading is restricted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or if the SEC declares that an emergency exists. Redemptions may also be suspended during other periods permitted by the SEC for the protection of the Fund’s shareholders. Additionally, during drastic economic and market changes, telephone redemption privileges may be difficult to execute. Also, if the Board determine that it would be detrimental to the best interest of the Fund’s remaining shareholders to make payment in cash, the Fund may pay redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution-in-kind of readily marketable securities.

 

PURCHASING SHARES

 

Opening a New Account. To open an account with the Fund, take the following steps:

 

1.          Complete an Account Application. Be sure to indicate the type of account you wish to open, the amount of money you wish to invest, and which class of shares you wish to purchase. If you do not indicate which class you wish to purchase, your purchase will be invested in Class A shares. The application must contain your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security Number (“SSN”) or Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”). If you have applied for a SSN or TIN prior to completing your account application but you have not received your number, please indicate this on the application and include a copy of the form applying for the SSN or TIN. Taxes are not withheld from distributions to U.S. investors if certain IRS requirements regarding the SSN or TIN are met.

 

2.          Write a check or prepare a money order from a U.S. financial institution and payable in U.S. dollars. For regular mail orders, mail your completed application along with your check or money order made payable to the “FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund” to:

 

FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund

c/o M3Sixty Administration, LLC

4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway

Suite 100

Fairway, KS 66205

 

If checks are returned due to insufficient funds or other reasons, the purchase order will not be accepted. The Fund will charge the prospective investor a $20 fee for cancelled checks and may redeem Shares of the Fund already owned by the prospective investor or another identically registered account for such fee. The prospective investor will also be responsible for any losses or expenses incurred by the Fund or the Administrator in connection with any cancelled check.

 

Bank Wire Purchases. Purchases may also be made through bank wire orders. To establish a new account or add to an existing account by wire, please call (877) 244-6235 for instructions.

 

Additional Investments. You may add to your account by mail or wire at any time by purchasing Shares at the then current public offering price. The minimum additional investment for any account of Class A or Institutional Class shares in the Fund is $100.00, except under the automatic investment plan discussed below. Before adding funds by bank wire, please call the Fund at (877) 244-6235 and follow the above directions for bank wire purchases. Please note that in most circumstances, there will be a bank charge for wire purchases. Mail orders should include, if possible, the “Invest by Mail” stub that is attached to your confirmation statement. Otherwise, please identify your account in a letter accompanying your purchase payment. The Fund may, at the Adviser’s sole discretion, accept additional investments for less than the minimum additional investment.

 

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Automatic Investment Plan. Shareholders who have met the Fund’s minimum investment criteria may participate in the Fund’s automatic investment plan. The automatic investment plan enables shareholders to make regular monthly or quarterly investments in Class A shares or Institutional Class shares through automatic charges to shareholders’ checking account. With shareholder authorization and bank approval, the Fund will automatically charge the shareholder’s checking account for the amount specified ($25.00 minimum for each of Class A shares or Institutional Class shares of the Fund), which will automatically be invested in the type of shares that the shareholder holds in his or her account (Class A shares or Institutional Class shares), at the public offering price on or about the 21st day of the month. The shareholder may change the amount of the investment or discontinue the plan at any time by notifying the Fund in writing.

 

Important Information about Procedures for Opening a New Account. Under the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA Patriot Act of 2001), the Fund is required to obtain, verify, and record information to enable the Fund to form a reasonable belief as to the identity of each customer who opens an account. Consequently, when an investor opens an account, the Fund will ask for, among other things, the investor’s name, street address, date of birth (for an individual), social security or other tax identification number (or proof that the investor has filed for such a number), and other information that will allow the Fund to identify the investor. The Fund may also ask to see the investor’s driver’s license or other identifying documents. An investor’s account application will not be considered “complete” and, therefore, an account will not be opened and the investor’s money will not be invested until the Fund receives this required information. In addition, if after opening the investor’s account, the Fund is unable to verify the investor’s identity after reasonable efforts, as determined by the Fund in its sole discretion, the Fund may (i) restrict redemptions and further investments until the investor’s identity is verified; and (ii) close the investor’s account without notice and return the investor’s redemption proceeds to the investor. If the Fund closes an investor’s account because the Fund was unable to verify the investor’s identity, the Fund will value the account in accordance with the Fund’s next net asset value calculated after the investor’s account is closed. In that case, the investor’s redemption proceeds may be worth more or less than the investor’s original investment. The Fund will not be responsible for any losses incurred due to the Fund’s inability to verify the identity of any investor opening an account.

 

Other Information. In connection with all purchases of Fund Shares, we observe the following policies and procedures:

 

We price direct purchases based on the next public offering price (net asset value) computed after your order is received. Direct purchase orders received by M3Sixty as the Fund’s transfer agent by the close of the regular session of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) are confirmed at that day’s public offering price. Purchase orders received by dealers prior to the close of the regular session of the NYSE on any business day and transmitted to M3Sixty on that day are confirmed at the public offering price determined as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE on that day.

We do not accept third party checks for any investments.

We may open accounts for less than the minimum investment or change minimum investment requirements at any time.

We may refuse to accept any purchase request for any reason or no reason.

We mail you confirmations of all your purchases or redemptions of Fund Shares.

Certificates representing Shares are not issued.

 

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Choosing a Share Class. The Fund offers two classes of shares (Class A shares and Institutional Class shares). Class A shares are available for purchase by all investors. Institutional Class shares are available only to institutional investors and certain broker dealers and financial institutions that have entered into appropriate arrangements with the Fund. Each class represents interests in the same portfolio of investments and has the same rights, but the classes differ with respect to sales loads and ongoing expenses. The decision as to which class of shares are more beneficial to you generally depends on your purchase amount, the length of time you expect to hold your investment, and the sales charges and total operating expenses associated with each class.

 

Class A shares generally have an initial sales load. In addition, you should consider the effect of the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (the “CDSC”) applicable to certain redemptions of Class A shares, depending on the length of time you expect to hold your investment in the Fund.

 

Each investor’s considerations are different. You should speak with your financial representative or broker-dealer to help you decide which class of shares is best for you. Set forth below is a brief description of each class of shares offered by the Fund.

 

Class A Shares. Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an initial sales load. The sales load is deducted from the amount you invest. The sales load for Class A shares is reduced for purchases of $50,000 or more, as shown in the chart below.

                
   Sales load as a % of:   Dealer
Reallowance
 
Amount of Investment in Class A Shares  Public Offering
Price*
   Net Amount
Invested
   as % of
Public Offering Price*
 
Less than $50,000   5.50%   4.71%   4.50%
$50,000 but less than $100,000   4.50%   3.63%   3.50%
$100,000 but less than $250,000   3.50%   3.09%   3.00%
$250,000 but less than $500,000   2.50%   2.04%   2.00%
$500,000 but less than $1 million   2.00%   1.01%   1.00%
$ 1 million or more   0.00%**   0.00%**   0.00%

 

*“Public Offering Price” is the net asset value at the time of purchase plus the front-end sales load. In general, the broker-dealer reallowance on sales of Class A shares will equal the amount of the Sales Load as a % of Public Offering Price described in this table.

 

**No sales load is paid at the time of purchase for investments of $1 million or more. A CDSC of 1.00% may be imposed on such investments in the event of redemption within 12 months of purchase.

 

Class A shares are also subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets allocable to Class A shares.

 

Broker-Dealer Reallowances and Commissions. The broker-dealer reallowance for purchases of Class A shares under $1 million is described in the chart above. For initial purchases of Class A shares of the Fund of $1 million or more, a broker-dealer’s commission (equal to 1.00% of such purchases over $1 million) may be paid by the Adviser to participating unaffiliated broker-dealers through whom such purchases are effected. No commission will be paid if the purchase represents the reinvestment of a redemption from the Fund made during the previous twelve months. Redemptions of Class A shares may result in the imposition of a CDSC if the broker-dealer’s commission described in this paragraph was paid in connection with the purchase of such shares. See “CDSC for Certain Purchases of Class A shares” below.

 

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Under certain circumstances, the Distributor may increase or decrease the reallowance to broker-dealers. The Distributor receives that portion of the initial sales load which is not reallowed to the brokers who sell shares of the Fund. The Distributor retains the entire sales load on all direct initial investments in the Fund and on all investments in accounts with no designated dealer of record.

 

Reduced Sales Loads. Front-end sales loads on purchases of Class A shares may be reduced under the “Right of Accumulation” or under a “Letter of Intent.” To receive a reduced sales load, you must inform your broker-dealer or the Fund at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction. If you do not let your broker-dealer or the Fund know you are eligible for a reduced sales charge, you may not receive the discount to which you are otherwise entitled.

 

You may use the “Right of Accumulation” to reduce your sales load. Under the “Right of Accumulation,” you may combine the current net asset value of your existing Class A shares of the Fund with the amount of any current purchases in order to take advantage of the reduced sales loads in the table above.

 

Purchases made pursuant to a “Letter of Intent” may also be eligible for the reduced sales loads. In a Letter of Intent, the investor expresses his or her intention, in writing, to invest a certain amount over a specified period of time. The Fund will then apply to each of the investor’s periodic investments the reduced sales load that would apply to the total amount stated in the Letter of Intent. The minimum initial investment under a Letter of Intent is $50,000. If not stated otherwise in the Letter of Intent, the amount of shares you purchase in the Fund during the thirteen (13) months following the signing of the Letter of Intent qualify for the reduced sales load. The reduced sales load will not apply to purchases in the Fund made more than 90 days prior to the signing of the Letter of Intent. During the term of your Letter of Intent, the Transfer Agent will hold in escrow shares representing the highest applicable sales load for the Fund each time you make a purchase. Any shares you redeem during that period will count against your total amount stated in your Letter of Intent. If, by the end of the term of the Letter of Intent, you have purchased all the shares you committed to purchase in the Letter of Intent, the escrowed shares will be released to you. If you have not purchased all the shares you committed to purchase in the Letter of Intent, your escrowed shares will be redeemed in an amount equal to the sales load that would apply if you had purchased the actual amount in your account all at once. Any escrowed shares not needed to satisfy that sales load would be released to you.

 

Shareholders may include the value of certain related accounts, including accounts held by their spouse and children under the age of 21, family trust accounts of the investor and other accounts held by the investor to determine the applicable sales load and for purposes of the Right of Accumulation and Letter of Intent privileges. These privileges apply even if your related accounts are opened at different brokerage firms, so it is important to let your broker-dealer(s) or the Transfer Agent know about all your accounts that may be combined. To verify eligibility for a reduced sales load, your broker-dealer or the Fund may require that you submit copies of account statements to substantiate requests for Right of Accumulation and Letter of Intent privileges.

 

In addition to the Right of Accumulation and Letters of Intent, Class A shares are offered at net asset value without a sales load to the following types of investors: trustees and officers of the Fund, clients of the Adviser, employees of the Adviser (and members of their immediate families) and the Adviser and certain service providers of the Fund. As explained above, there also is no sales load at the time of purchase on investments of $1 million or more in the Fund, but such purchases may be subject to a CDSC of 1.00% in the event of redemption within 12 months of purchase. See “CDSC for Certain Purchases of Class A Shares” below.

 

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CDSC for Certain Purchases of Class A Shares. A CDSC is imposed upon certain redemptions of Class A shares purchased at net asset value in amounts totaling $1 million or more if the dealer’s commission described above was paid by the underwriter and the shares are redeemed within one year from the date of purchase. The CDSC will be paid to the Distributor and will be equal to 1.00% of the lesser of (1) the net asset value at the time of purchase of the Class A shares being redeemed; or (2) the net asset value of such shares at the time of redemption. If your purchase of Class A shares is subject to the CDSC, you will be so notified on the confirmation you receive for such purchase. A CDSC will not be imposed upon redemptions of Class A shares held for more than one year.

 

Institutional Class shares. Institutional Class shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge so that the full amount of your purchase payment may be immediately invested in the Fund. Institutional Class shares are available for investment only to institutional investors and certain broker-dealers and financial institutions that have entered into appropriate arrangements with the Fund. These arrangements are generally limited to discretionary managed, asset allocation, eligible retirement plan or wrap products offered by broker-dealers and financial institutions. Shareholders participating in these programs may be charged fees by their broker-dealer or financial institution.

 

Additional Information about Sales Charges. Information regarding the Fund’s sales charges, as well as information regarding reduced sales charges and waived sales charges, and the terms and conditions for the purchase, pricing, and redemption of Fund shares is not available on the Fund’s website since the Fund’s website contains limited information. Further information is available by calling the Fund at (877) 244-6235.

 

REDEEMING SHARES

 

Regular Mail Redemptions. Regular mail redemption requests should be addressed to:

 

FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund

c/o M3Sixty Administration, LLC

4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway

Suite 100

Fairway, KS 66205

 

Regular mail redemption requests should include the following:

 

(1)Your letter of instruction specifying the Fund, account number and number of Shares (or the dollar amount) to be redeemed. This request must be signed by all registered shareholders in the exact names in which they are registered;

 

(2)Any required signature guarantees (see “Signature Guarantees” below); and

 

(3)Other supporting legal documents, if required in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships, corporations, pension or profit sharing plans, and other entities.

 

Except as provided below, your redemption proceeds normally will be sent to you within seven days after receipt of your redemption request. However, the Fund may delay forwarding a redemption check for recently purchased Shares while it determines whether the purchase payment will be honored. Such delay (which may take up to 15 calendar days from the date of purchase) may be reduced or avoided if the purchase is made by certified check or wire transfer. In all cases, the net asset value next determined after receipt of the request for redemption will be used in processing the redemption request.

 

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Except as provided below, your redemption proceeds normally will be sent to you within seven days after receipt of your redemption request. However, a Fund may delay forwarding a redemption check for recently purchased Shares while it determines whether the purchase payment will be honored. Such delay (which may take up to 15 calendar days from the date of purchase) may be reduced or avoided if the purchase is made by certified check or wire transfer. In all cases, the net asset value next determined after receipt of the request for redemption will be used in processing the redemption request. Each Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests through cash holdings or cash equivalents and anticipates using these types of holdings on a regular basis. A Fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds for shares redeemed within the following days after receipt by the transfer agent of a redemption request in proper form: (i) for payment by check, the Fund typically expects to mail the check within two business days; and (ii) for payment by wire or automated clearing house (“ACH”), the Fund typically expects to process the payment within two business days. Payment of redemption proceeds may take up to seven days as permitted under the 1940 Act. Under unusual circumstances as permitted by the SEC, a Fund may suspend the right of redemption or delay payment of redemption proceeds for more than seven days. When shares are purchased by check or through ACH, the proceeds from the redemption of those shares will not be paid until the purchase check or ACH transfer has been converted to federal funds, which could take up to 15 calendar days.

 

To the extent cash holdings or cash equivalents are not available to meet redemption requests, the Fund will meet redemption requests by either (i) rebalancing its overweight securities or (ii) selling portfolio assets. In addition, if the Fund determines that it would be detrimental to the best interest of the Fund’s remaining shareholders to make payment in cash, the Fund may pay redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution-in-kind of readily marketable securities.

 

Telephone and Bank Wire Redemptions. Unless you specifically decline the telephone transaction privileges on your account application, you may redeem Shares of the Fund by calling (877) 244-6235. The Fund may rely upon confirmation of redemption requests transmitted via facsimile (Fax# (816) 817-3267. The confirmation instructions must include the following:

 

(1)Name of Fund;

(2)Shareholder name(s) and account number;

(3)Number of Shares or dollar amount to be redeemed;

(4)Instructions for transmittal of redemption funds to the shareholder; and

(5)Shareholder(s) signature(s) as it/they appear(s) on the application then on file with the Fund.

 

You can choose to have redemption proceeds mailed to you at your address of record, your financial institution, or to any other authorized person, or you can have the proceeds sent by wire transfer to your financial institution ($5,000.00 minimum). The Fund in its discretion may choose to pass through to redeeming shareholders any charges imposed by the Fund’s custodian for wire redemptions. If this cost is passed through to redeeming shareholders by the Fund, the charge will be deducted automatically from your account by redemption of Shares in your account. Your bank or brokerage firm may also impose a charge for processing the wire. If wire transfer of funds is impossible or impractical, the redemption proceeds will be sent by mail to the designated account.

 

Redemption proceeds will only be sent to the financial institution account or person named in your Fund Shares Application currently on file with the Fund. Telephone redemption privileges authorize the Fund to act on telephone instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be the investor and reasonably believed by the Fund to be genuine. The Fund will not be liable for any losses due to fraudulent or unauthorized instructions nor for following telephone instructions provided that the Fund follows reasonable procedures to ensure instructions are genuine.

 

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Minimum Account Size. Due to the relatively high cost of maintaining small accounts, the Fund reserves the right to liquidate a shareholder’s account if, as a result of redemptions or transfers (but not required IRA distributions), the account’s balance falls below the minimum initial investment required for your type of account (see “Minimum Initial Investment” above). The Fund will notify you if your account falls below the required minimum. If your account is not increased to the required level after a thirty (30) day cure period then the Fund may, at its discretion, liquidate the account.

 

Redemptions In Kind. The Fund does not intend, under normal circumstances, to redeem shares by payment in kind. It is possible, however, that conditions may arise in the future that would, in the opinion of the Trustees, make it undesirable for the Fund to pay for all redemptions in cash. In such cases, the Trustees may authorize payment to be made in readily marketable portfolio securities of the Fund. Securities delivered in payment of redemptions would be valued at the same value assigned to them in computing the net asset value per share. Shareholders receiving them may incur brokerage costs when these securities are sold and will be subject to market risk until such securities are sold. An irrevocable election has been filed under Rule 18f-1 of the 1940 Act, wherein the Fund must pay redemptions in cash, rather than in kind, to any shareholder of record of the Fund who redeems during any 90-day period, the lesser of (a) $250,000 or (b) 1% of the Fund’s net asset value at the beginning of such period. Redemption requests in excess of this limit may be satisfied in cash or in kind at the Fund’s election.

 

Signature Guarantees. To protect your account and the Fund from fraud, signature guarantees may be required to be sure that you are the person who has authorized a change in registration or standing instructions for your account. Signature guarantees are generally required for (i) change of registration requests; (ii) requests to establish or to change exchange privileges or telephone and bank wire redemption service other than through your initial account application; (iii) transactions where proceeds from redemptions, dividends, or distributions are sent to an address or financial institution differing from the address or financial institution of record; and (iv) redemption requests in excess of $50,000. Signature guarantees are acceptable from a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, a savings and loan institution, credit union (if authorized under state law), registered broker-dealer, securities exchange, or association clearing agency and must appear on the written request for change of registration, establishment or change in exchange privileges, or redemption request.

 

Other Information about Contingent Deferred Sales Charges. If, within the first year of purchase, you redeem Class A share purchases of more than $1 million you may be subject to a CDSC as described above under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” and “Purchasing Shares – Choosing a Share Class”. Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions of capital gains will not be subject to a CDSC. To determine if the CDSC applies to a redemption, the Fund redeems Shares in the following order: (i) Shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions; and then (ii) Shares held for the longest period.

 

The Fund will waive the CDSC if requested in the following circumstances:

 

Redemption upon the death or permanent disability of the shareholder if made within one year of the death or the initial determination of permanent disability. The waiver is available only for Shares held at the time of death or initial determination of permanent disability.

 

Mandatory distributions from a tax-deferred retirement plan or IRA.

 

If you wish to request that the CDSC be waived for one of the reasons stated above, contact your financial representative, broker-dealer or the Fund. Such waiver requests must be made at the time of redemption.

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

 

Purchases and Redemptions through Securities Firms. The Fund has authorized one or more brokers to accept purchase and redemption orders on its behalf and such brokers are authorized to designate intermediaries to accept orders on behalf of the Fund. In addition, orders will be deemed to have been received by the Fund when an authorized broker, or broker-authorized designee, accepts the purchase order or receives the redemption order. Orders will be priced at the next calculation of the Fund’s net asset value after the authorized broker or broker-authorized designee receives the orders. Investors may also be charged a fee by a broker or agent if Shares are purchased through a broker or agent. The Fund is not responsible for ensuring that a broker carries out its obligations. You should look to the broker through whom you wish to invest for specific instructions on how to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund.

 

Telephone Purchases by Securities Firms. Brokerage firms that are Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) members may telephone M3Sixty at (877) 244-6235 and buy Shares for investors who have investments in the Fund through the brokerage firm’s account with the Fund. By electing telephone purchase privileges, FINRA member firms, on behalf of themselves and their clients, agree that neither the Fund nor M3Sixty shall be liable for following telephone instructions reasonably believed to be genuine. To be sure telephone instructions are genuine, the Fund and its agents send written confirmations of transactions to the broker that initiated the telephone purchase. As a result of these and other policies, the FINRA member firms may bear the risk of any loss in the event of such a transaction. However, if M3Sixty fails to follow these established procedures, it may be liable. The Fund may modify or terminate these telephone privileges at any time.

 

Disruptive Trading and Market Timing. The Fund is not intended for or suitable for market timers, and market timers are discouraged from becoming investors. The ability of new shareholders to establish an account, or for existing shareholders to add to their accounts is subject to modification or limitation if the Fund determines, in its sole opinion, that the shareholder or potential shareholder has engaged in frequent purchases or redemptions that may be indicative of market timing or otherwise disruptive trading (“Disruptive Trading”) which can have harmful effects for other shareholders. These risks and harmful effects include:

 

an adverse effect on portfolio management, as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion, such as causing the Fund to maintain a higher level of cash than would otherwise be the case, or causing the Fund to liquidate investments prematurely; and

 

reducing returns to long-term shareholders through increased brokerage and administrative expenses.

 

In an effort to protect shareholders from Disruptive Trading, the Board has approved certain market timing policies and procedures. Under these market timing policies and procedures, the Fund may monitor trading activity by shareholders and take specific steps to prevent Disruptive Trading. In general, the Fund considers frequent roundtrip transactions in a shareholder account to constitute Disruptive Trading. A “roundtrip transaction” is one where a shareholder buys and then sells, or sells and then buys, Shares within 30 days. While there is no specific limit on roundtrip transactions, the Fund reserves the right to (i) refuse any purchase order; and/or (ii) restrict or terminate purchase privileges for shareholders or former shareholders, particularly in cases where the Fund determines that the shareholder or potential shareholder has engaged in more than one roundtrip transaction in the Fund within any rolling 30-day period.

 

In determining the frequency of roundtrip transactions, the Fund does not include purchases pursuant to dollar cost averaging or other similar programs, and the Fund will not count systematic withdrawals and/or automatic purchases, mandatory retirement distributions, and transactions initiated by a plan sponsor. The Fund will calculate roundtrip transactions at the shareholder level, and may contact a shareholder to request an explanation of any activity that the Fund suspects as Disruptive Trading.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may also take action if a shareholder’s trading activity (evaluated based on roundtrip trading or otherwise) is deemed Disruptive Trading by the Fund, even if applicable Shares are held longer than 30 days. In addition, the Fund may, without prior notice, take whatever action it deems appropriate to comply with or take advantage of any state or federal regulatory requirement. The Fund also imposes an initial sales load and a CDSC on certain Shares, each of which has the effect of discouraging Disruptive Trading in Fund Shares.

 

The Fund cannot guarantee that its policies and procedures regarding market timing will be effective in detecting and deterring all Disruptive Trading.

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s SAI.

 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

Distributions, Dividends and Taxes

 

The following information is meant as a general summary for U.S. taxpayers. Additional tax information appears in the SAI. Shareholders should rely on their own tax advisors for advice about the particular federal, state, and local tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

 

The Fund will distribute all or substantially all of its income and gains to its shareholders every year. Dividends paid by the Fund derived from net investment income, if any, will generally be paid annually and capital gain distributions, if any, will be made at least annually. Absent instructions to pay distributions in cash, distributions will be reinvested automatically in additional Shares (or fractions thereof) of the Fund. Although the Fund will not be taxed on amounts it distributes, shareholders will generally be taxed on distributions, regardless of whether distributions are paid by the Fund in cash or are reinvested in additional Fund shares.

 

A particular dividend distribution generally will be taxable as qualified dividend income, long-term capital gain, or ordinary income. Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends paid by U.S. corporations and certain qualifying foreign corporations, provided the foreign corporation is not a passive foreign investment company. Any distribution resulting from such qualified dividend income received by the Fund will be designated as qualified dividend income. If the Fund designates a dividend distribution as qualified dividend income, it generally will be taxable to individual shareholders at the long-term capital gains tax rate provided certain holding period requirements are met. If the Fund designates a dividend distribution as a capital gains distribution, it generally will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long the shareholders have held their Fund shares. Short-term capital gains may be realized and any distribution resulting from such gains will be considered ordinary income for federal tax purposes. All taxable dividends paid by the Fund other than those designated as qualified dividend income or capital gain distributions will be taxable as ordinary income to shareholders.

 

Taxable distributions paid by the Fund to corporate shareholders will be taxed at corporate tax rates. Corporate shareholders may be entitled to a dividends received deduction (“DRD”) for a portion of the dividends paid and designated by the Fund as qualifying for the DRD.

 

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If the Fund declares a dividend in October, November or December but pays it in January, it will be taxable to shareholders as if the dividend had been received in the year it was declared. Every year, each shareholder will receive a statement detailing the tax status of any Fund distributions for that year. Distributions may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as federal taxes.

 

In general, a shareholder who sells or redeems shares will realize a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the Fund shares. An exchange of shares may be treated as a sale and may be subject to tax.

 

As with all mutual funds, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the fourth lowest rate for taxpayers filing as unmarried individuals (presently 24%) for all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, it is a way in which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

 

Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors to ensure that distributions and sale of Fund shares are treated appropriately on their income tax returns.

 

Cost Basis Reporting. Federal law requires that mutual fund companies report their shareholders’ cost basis, gain/loss and holding period to the Internal Revenue Service on the Fund’s shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s when “covered” securities are sold. Covered securities are any regulated investment company and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012. The Fund has chosen Average Cost as its default tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the Fund will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund’s standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than the Fund’s standing method and will be able to do so at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service regulations or consult your tax adviser with regard to your personal circumstances.

 

For those securities defined as “covered” under current Internal Revenue Service cost basis tax reporting regulations, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. The Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not “covered.” The Fund and its service providers do not provide tax advice. You should consult independent sources, which may include a tax professional, with respect to any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.

 

Financial Highlights

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund, assuming the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. This information has been audited by Sanville & Company, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose reporting, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, which may be obtained at no charge by calling the Fund.

 

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The following tables set forth the per share operating performance data for a share of capital stock outstanding, total return ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the period indicated.

 

   Class A 
   For the   For the 
   Year Ended   Period Ended 
   November 30, 2017   November 30, 2016(a) 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period  $11.03   $10.00 
           
Investment Operations:          
Net investment loss(b)   (0.08)   (0.11)
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and options   1.03    1.14 
Total from investment operations   0.95    1.03 
           
Distributions:          
From net realized capital gains   (0.01)    
Total distributions   (0.01)    
           
Net Asset Value, End of Period  $11.97   $11.03 
           
Total Return(c)   8.61%   10.30%(d)
           
Ratios/Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $398   $370 
           
Ratios of expenses to average net assets:          
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed   4.52%(f)   7.31%(e)(f)
After fees waived and expenses absorbed   2.26%(f)   2.30%(e)(f)
           
Ratios of net investment loss:          
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed   (2.99)%(f)   (6.26)%(e)(f)
After fees waived and expenses absorbed   (0.73)%(f)   (1.24)%(e)(f)
           
Portfolio turnover rate   94.23%   29.55%(d)

 

(a)The HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund commenced operations on January 21, 2016.

(b)Net investment loss per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(c)Total Return represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends.

(d)Not annualized.

(e)Annualized.

(f)The ratios include 0.06% of interest expense during the year ended November 30, 2017 and 0.10% of interest expense during the period ended November 30, 2016.

 

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   Institutional Class 
   For the
Year Ended
November 30, 2017
   For the
Period Ended
November 30, 2016(a)
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period  $11.05   $10.00 
           
Investment Operations:          
Net investment loss(b)   (0.05)   (0.09)
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and options   1.03    1.14 
Total from investment operations   0.98    1.05 
           
Distributions:          
From net realized capital gains   (0.01)    
Total distributions   (0.01)    
           
Net Asset Value, End of Period  $12.02   $11.05 
           
Total Return(c)   8.86%   10.50%(d)
           
Ratios/Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)  $5,578   $3,741 
           
Ratios of expenses to average net assets:          
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed   4.27%(f)   7.06%(e)(f)
After fees waived and expenses absorbed   2.01%(f)   2.05%(e)(f)
           
Ratios of net investment loss:          
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed   (2.74)%(f)   (6.01)%(e)(f)
After fees waived and expenses absorbed   (0.48)%(f)   (0.99)%(e)(f)
           
Portfolio turnover rate   94.23%   29.55%(d)

 

(a)The HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund commenced operations on January 21, 2016.

(b)Net investment loss per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(c)Total Return represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends.

(d)Not annualized.

(e)Annualized.

(f)The ratios include 0.06% of interest expense during the year ended November 30, 2017 and 0.10% of interest expense during the period ended November 30, 2016.

 

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Privacy Notice

 

FACTS WHAT DOES 360 FUNDS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
 
Why? Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
 
What?

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

■     Social Security number

■     Assets

■     Retirement Assets

■     Transaction History

■     Checking Account Information

■     Purchase History

■     Account Balances

■     Account Transactions

■     Wire Transfer Instructions

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

 
How? All financial companies need to share your personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons 360 Funds chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
   
Reasons we can share your personal information Does 360 Funds share? Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

Such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s),

respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

Yes No

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

No We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies No We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

No We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

No We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you No We don’t share
 
Questions? Call (877) 244-6235
       

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Who we are
Who is providing this notice?

360 Funds

M3Sixty Administration, LLC (Administrator)

Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC (Distributor)

What we do

How does 360 Funds

protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How does 360 Funds

collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

■     Open an account

■     Provide account information

■     Give us your contact information

■     Make deposits or withdrawals from your account

■     Make a wire transfer

■     Tell us where to send the money

■     Tell us who receives the money

■     Show your government-issued ID

■     Show your driver’s license

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

■     Sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

■     Affiliates from using your information to market to you

■     Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

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

        
Definitions
Affiliates

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

    M3Sixty Administration, LLC and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC could each be deemed to be an affiliate.

Nonaffiliates

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

    360 Funds does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

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

     360 Funds does not jointly market.

     

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FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund

 

 

 

A statement of additional information (“SAI”) about the Fund has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SAI (which is incorporated in its entirety by reference in this Prospectus) contains additional information about the Fund.

 

To request a free copy of the SAI, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports and other information about the Fund, or to make inquiries about the Fund, write the Fund at FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund c/o M3Sixty Administration, LLC, 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, KS 66205 or call the Fund at (877) 244-6235.

 

Information about the Fund (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. Information about the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.

 

360 Funds Investment Company Act File Number: 811-21726

 

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FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund

Class A Shares (Ticker Symbol: HROAX)

Institutional Class Shares (Ticker Symbol: HIOIX)

 

4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100

Fairway, KS 66205

 

a series of the

360 Funds

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

November 6, 2018

 

The FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund is a series of 360 Funds, an open-end management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus, and it should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s prospectus dated November 6, 2018, as the same may be amended from time to time. Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained, without charge, by calling the Fund at (877) 244-6235 or writing to the Fund at the following address:

 

FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund

c/o M3Sixty Administration, LLC

4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway

Suite 100

Fairway, KS 66205 

 

 

 

FINTRUST INCOME AND OPPORTUNITY FUND

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND RISKS 1
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 18
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION 19
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE 21
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST 22
BOARD OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS 23
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION 29
CODE OF ETHICS 33
PROXY VOTING POLICIES 33
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES 34
PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 34
NET ASSET VALUE 38
ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION 39
APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES 50
APPENDIX A – NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER 57

 

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND RISKS

 

360 Funds (the “Trust”) was organized on February 24, 2005 as a Delaware statutory trust. The FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”) is an open-end management investment company and a separate non-diversified series of the Trust. Prior to July 11, 2011, the Trust was known as the Parr Family of Funds and prior to August 27, 2007, the Trust was known as the Pope Family of Funds. The Prospectus describes the Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategy, as well as the principal investment risks of the Fund.

 

The Fund’s investment adviser is FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”).

 

The following descriptions and policies supplement these descriptions, and also include descriptions of certain types of investments that may be made by the Fund but are not principal investment strategies of the Fund.

 

General Investment Risks. All investments in securities and other financial instruments involve a risk of financial loss. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment program will be successful. Investors should carefully review the descriptions of the Fund’s investments and their risks described in the Prospectus and this SAI.

 

Common Stocks. The Fund may invest in common stocks, which include the common stock of any class or series of domestic or foreign corporations or any similar equity interest, such as a trust or partnership interest. These investments may or may not pay dividends and may or may not carry voting rights. Common stock occupies the most junior position in a company’s capital structure. The Fund may also invest in warrants and rights related to common stocks.

 

Special Situations. Investments in special situations (undervalued equities, merger arbitrage situations, distressed companies, etc.) may involve greater risks when compared to other investments the Fund may make due to a variety of factors. For example, mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, liquidations or recapitalizations may fail or not be completed on the terms originally contemplated and expected developments may not occur in a timely manner, if at all.

 

Derivative Instruments. The Fund may (but is not required to) use a variety of derivative instruments (including both long and short positions) in an attempt to enhance the Fund’s investment returns, to hedge against market and other risks in the portfolio, to add leverage to the portfolio and/or to obtain market exposure with reduced transaction costs.

 

Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index and may relate to, among other things, stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related indices and other assets. Examples of derivatives and information about some types of derivatives and risks associated therewith follows. The derivatives market is continually evolving and the Fund may invest in derivatives other than those described below.

 

The value of some derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of the Fund, the ability of the Fund to utilize these instruments successfully may depend in part upon their ability to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. If the Fund incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, the Fund could suffer losses.

 

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The Fund might not employ any of the strategies described herein, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. If the Fund incorrectly forecasts interest rates, market values or other economic factors in utilizing a derivatives strategy, the Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The use of derivative strategies involves certain special risks, including a possible imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between price movements of derivative instruments and price movements of related investments. While some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they also can reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in related investments or otherwise, due to the possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that otherwise would be favorable or the possible need to sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time because the Fund is required to maintain asset coverage or offsetting positions in connection with transactions in derivative instruments, and the possible inability of the Fund to close out or to liquidate its derivatives positions. The Fund’s use of derivatives may increase or accelerate the amount of ordinary income recognized by shareholders.

 

Federal legislation has been recently enacted in the U.S. that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. While the ultimate impact is not yet clear, these changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions.

 

Options on Securities and Indices. As described in the Prospectus, the Fund may, among other things, purchase and sell put and call options on equity, debt or other securities or indices in standardized contracts traded on foreign or domestic securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities, or quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (“NASDAQ”) System or on a regulated foreign over-the-counter market, and agreements, sometimes called cash puts, which may accompany the purchase of a new issue from a dealer. Among other reasons, the Fund may purchase put options to protect holdings in an underlying or related security against a decline in market value, and may purchase call options to protect against increases in the prices of securities it intends to purchase pending its ability to invest in such securities in an orderly manner.

 

An option on a security (or index) is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the writer of the option the security underlying the option (or the cash value of the index) at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of an option on a security has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security. Upon exercise, the writer of an option on an index is obligated to pay the difference between the cash value of the index and the exercise price multiplied by the specified multiplier for the index option. (An index is designed to reflect features of a particular financial or securities market, a specific group of financial instruments or securities, or certain economic indicators.)

 

When the Fund sells a call (put) option on an underlying security it owns (is short), the option is sometimes referred to as a “covered option.” The Fund may sell such options. When the Fund sells a call or put option on underlying securities it does not own (is not short), the option is sometimes referred to as a “naked option.”

 

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The Fund may sell “naked” call options on individual securities or instruments in which it may invest but that are not currently held by the Fund. When selling “naked” call options, the Fund must deposit and maintain sufficient margin with the broker-dealer through which it sold the “naked” call option as collateral to ensure that it meets its obligations as the seller of the option. The Fund is further subject to the segregation requirements described below when it sells “naked” call options. Such segregation will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction, but will not limit the Fund’s exposure to loss. During periods of declining securities prices or when prices are stable, selling “naked” call options can be a profitable strategy to increase the Fund’s income with minimal capital risk. However, when the price of the security underlying the written option increases, the Fund is exposed to an increased risk of loss, because if the price of the security underlying the option exceeds the option’s exercise price, the Fund will lose the difference. “Naked” sold call options are riskier than covered call options because there is no underlying security held by the Fund that can act as a partial hedge. “Naked” sold call options have speculative characteristics, and the potential for loss is theoretically unlimited. When a “naked” sold call option is exercised, the Fund must purchase the underlying security to meet its delivery obligation or make a payment equal to the value of its obligation in order to close out the option. There is also a risk, especially with less liquid preferred and debt securities or small capitalization securities, that the securities may not be available for purchase.

 

A naked put option is a position in which a buyer sells a put option and has no position in the underlying stock. A naked put option may be used when the Fund expects the underlying stock to be trading above the strike price at the time of expiration. The Fund will benefit from a naked put option if the underlying stock is trading above the strike price at the time of the expiration of the put option and expires worthless because the Fund will keep the entire premium. The Fund could lose money if the price of the underlying stock is below the strike price because the put may be exercised against the Fund, causing the fund to buy the stock at the strike price.

 

If an option sold by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a capital gain equal to the premium received at the time the option was written. If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a capital loss equal to the premium paid. Prior to the earlier of exercise or expiration, an option may be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option of the same series (type, exchange, underlying security or index, exercise price, and expiration). In addition, the Fund may sell put or call options it has previously purchased, which could result in a net gain or loss depending on whether the amount realized on the sale is more or less than the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put or call option that is sold. There can be no assurance, however, that a closing purchase or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund desires.

 

The Fund will realize a capital gain from a closing purchase transaction if the cost of the closing option is less than the premium received from writing the option, or, if it is more, the Fund will realize a capital loss. If the premium received from a closing sale transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, the Fund will realize a capital gain or, if it is less, the Fund will realize a capital loss. The principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price of the underlying security or index in relation to the exercise price of the option, the volatility of the underlying security or index, and the time remaining until the expiration date.

 

While, as mentioned above, the Fund may sell naked call or put options, such options will nonetheless be deemed to be “covered” as such term is used in the context of Section 18 of the 1940 Act. In the case of a call option on a security, a call option is covered for these purposes if the Fund segregates assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) in an amount equal to the contract value of the position (minus any collateral deposited with a broker-dealer), on a mark-to-market basis. The option is also covered if the Fund owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, cash or other assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees in such amount are segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by the Fund. For a call option on an index, the option is covered if the Fund segregates assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser. A call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same index or security as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call sold, provided the difference is segregated by the Fund in assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser. A put option on a security or an index is “covered” if the Fund segregates assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees equal to the exercise price. A put option is also covered if the Fund holds a put on the same security or index as the put sold where the exercise price of the put held is (i) equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put sold, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the put sold, provided the difference is segregated by the Fund in assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser.

 

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OTC Options. The Fund may also purchase and sell over-the-counter (“OTC”) options. OTC options differ from traded options in that they are two-party contracts, with price and other terms negotiated between buyer and seller, and generally do not have as much market liquidity as exchange-traded options. The Fund may be required to treat as illiquid OTC options purchased and securities being used to cover certain written OTC options, and they will treat the amount by which such formula price exceeds the intrinsic value of the option (i.e., the amount, if any, by which the market price of the underlying security exceeds the exercise price of the option) as an illiquid investment. The Fund may also purchase and write dealer options.

 

Risks Associated with Options on Securities and Indices. There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities, including ETFs, and on indices. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve the intended result. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events.

 

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position. If the Fund were unable to close out an option that it had purchased on a security or index, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless. If the Fund were unable to close out a call option that it had written on a security held in its portfolio, it would not be able to sell the underlying security unless the option expired without exercise. As the writer of a call option on an individual security held in the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund foregoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security or index position covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the exercise price of the call but has retained the risk of loss (net of premiums received) should the price of the underlying security or index position decline. Similarly, as the seller of a call option on a securities index or ETF, the Fund forgoes the opportunity to profit from increases in the index or ETF over the strike price of the option, though it retains the risk of loss (net of premiums received) should the price of the Fund’s portfolio securities decline.

 

The value of call options sold by the Fund will be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of underlying securities (including those comprising an index), changes in the dividend rates of underlying securities (including those comprising an index), changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the stock market and underlying securities and the remaining time to an option’s expiration. The value of an option also may be adversely affected if the market for the option is reduced or becomes less liquid. The seller of an option generally has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a seller of the option. Once an option seller has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price.

 

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the securities held by the Fund are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that may not be reflected in the options markets. In addition, the Fund’s options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which the options are traded. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose other sanctions that could adversely affect the Fund engaging in options transactions.

 

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 If a put or call option purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security or index remains equal to or greater than the exercise price (in the case of a put), or remains less than or equal to the exercise price (in the case of a call), the Fund will lose its entire investment in the option. Also, where a put or call option on a particular security or index is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related security or index, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the price of the related security or index. Furthermore, if trading restrictions or suspensions are imposed on the options markets, the Fund may be unable to close out a position. Similarly, if restrictions on exercise were imposed, the Fund might be unable to exercise an option it has purchased. Except to the extent that a call option on an index or ETF sold by the Fund is covered by an option on the same index or ETF purchased by the Fund, movements in the index or ETF may result in a loss to the Fund; however, such losses may be mitigated by changes in the value of the Fund’s securities during the period the option was outstanding (based, in part, on the extent of correlation (if any) between the performance of the index or ETF and the performance of the Fund’s portfolio securities).

 

Foreign Currency Options. The Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies in various circumstances, including, but not limited to, as a hedge against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar (or another currency) in relation to a foreign currency in which the Fund’s securities may be denominated or to cross-hedge or in an attempt to increase the total return when the Adviser anticipates that the currency will appreciate or depreciate in value. In addition, the Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies either on exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. A put option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell a foreign currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A call option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to purchase the currency at the exercise price until the option expires. Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits, which may limit the ability of the Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options.

 

Option Combinations. The Fund may combine options transactions, which combinations may be in the form of option spreads or option collars. Put spreads and collars are designed to protect against a decline in value of a security the Fund owns. A collar involves the purchase of a put and the simultaneous selling of a call on the same security at a higher strike price. The put protects the investor from a decline in the price of the security below the put’s strike price. The call means that the investor will not benefit from increases in the price of the security beyond the call’s strike price. In a put spread, an investor purchases a put and simultaneously sells a put on the same security at a lower strike price. This combination protects the investor against a decline in the price down to the lower strike price. The premium received for selling the call (in the case of a collar) or selling the put (in the case of a put spread) offsets, in whole or in part, the premium paid to purchase the put.

 

In a call spread, an investor purchases a call and simultaneously sells a call on the same security, with the call sold having a higher strike price than the call purchased. The purchased call is designed to provide exposure to a potential increase in the value of a security an investor owns. The premium received for writing the call offsets, in part, the premium paid to purchase the corresponding call, but it also means that the investor will not benefit from increases in the price of the security beyond the sold call’s strike price.

 

The Fund may sell straddles (covered or uncovered) consisting of a combination of a call and a put sold on the same underlying security. A straddle will be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet the Fund’s immediate obligations. The Fund may use the same liquid assets to cover both the call and put options where the exercise price of the call and put are the same, or the exercise price of the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases, the Fund will also segregate liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is “in the money.”

 

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Futures Contracts. A futures contract is a bilateral agreement to buy or sell a security (or deliver a cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contracts) for a set price in the future. Futures contracts are designated by boards of trade that have been designated “contracts markets” by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). No purchase price is paid or received when the contract is entered into. Instead, the Fund, upon entering into a futures contract (and to maintain the Fund’s open positions in futures contracts), would be required to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, suitable money market instruments, or liquid, high-grade debt securities, known as “initial margin.” The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded. By using futures contracts as a risk management technique, given the greater liquidity in the futures market than in the cash market, it may be possible to accomplish certain results more quickly and with lower transaction costs.

 

If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund. These subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” The Fund expects to earn interest income on their initial and variation margin deposits.

 

The Fund will incur brokerage fees when they purchase and sell futures contracts. Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held until delivery or cash settlement is required, but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions that may result in a gain or a loss. While futures positions taken by the Fund will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Fund may instead make or take delivery of underlying securities whenever it appears economically advantageous for the Fund to do so. A clearing organization associated with the exchange on which futures are traded assumes responsibility for closing out transactions and guarantees that as between the clearing members of an exchange, the sale and purchase obligations will be performed with regard to all positions that remain open at the termination of the contract.

 

Securities Index Futures Contracts. Purchases or sales of securities index futures contracts may be used in an attempt to protect the Fund’s current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in securities prices. A securities index futures contract does not require the physical delivery of securities, but merely provides for profits and losses resulting from changes in the market value of the contract to be credited or debited at the close of each trading day to the respective accounts of the parties to the contract. On the contract’s expiration date a final cash settlement occurs and the futures positions are simply closed out. Changes in the market value of a particular index futures contract reflect changes in the specified index of securities on which the future is based.

 

By establishing an appropriate “short” position in index futures, the Fund may also seek to protect the value of its portfolio against an overall decline in the market for such securities. Alternatively, in anticipation of a generally rising market, the Fund can seek to avoid losing the benefit of apparently low current prices by establishing a “long” position in securities index futures and later liquidating that position as particular securities are acquired. To the extent that these hedging strategies are successful, the Fund will be affected to a lesser degree by adverse overall market price movements than would otherwise be the case.

 

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Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase exchange-traded call and put options on futures contracts and sell exchange-traded call options on futures contracts. These options are traded on exchanges that are licensed and regulated by the CFTC for the purpose of options trading. A call option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to purchase a futures contract (assume a “long” position) at a specified exercise price at any time before the option expires. A put option gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to sell a futures contract (assume a “short” position), for a specified exercise price at any time before the option expires.

 

The Fund may sell options on futures contracts that are “covered.” The Fund will be considered “covered” with respect to a put option it has sold if, so long as it is obligated as seller of the put, the Fund segregates with its custodian cash, U.S. government securities or liquid securities at all times equal to or greater than the aggregate exercise price of the puts it has sold (less any related margin deposited with the futures broker). The Fund will be considered “covered” with respect to a call option it has sold on a debt security future if, so long as it is obligated as a seller of the call, the Fund owns a security deliverable under the futures contract. The Fund will be considered “covered” with respect to a call option it has sold on a securities index future if the Fund owns securities the price changes of which are, in the opinion of the Adviser, expected to replicate substantially the movement of the index upon which the futures contract is based.

 

Upon the exercise of a call option, the seller of the option is obligated to sell the futures contract (to deliver a “long” position to the option holder) at the option exercise price, which will presumably be lower than the current market price of the contract in the futures market. Upon exercise of a put, the seller of the option is obligated to purchase the futures contract (deliver a “short” position to the option holder) at the option exercise price, which will presumably be higher than the current market price of the contract in the futures market. When the holder of an option exercises it and assumes a long futures position, in the case of a call, or a short futures position, in the case of a put, its gain will be credited to its futures margin account, while the loss suffered by the seller of the option will be debited to its account and must be immediately paid by the seller. However, as with the trading of futures, most participants in the options markets do not seek to realize their gains or losses by exercise of their option rights. Instead, the holder of an option will usually realize a gain or loss by buying or selling an offsetting option at a market price that will reflect an increase or a decrease from the premium originally paid.

 

If the Fund sells options on futures contracts, the Fund will receive a premium but will assume a risk of adverse movement in the price of the underlying futures contract comparable to that involved in holding a futures position. If the option is not exercised, the Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium, which may partially offset unfavorable changes in the value of securities held in or to be acquired for the Fund. If the option is exercised, the Fund will incur a loss in the option transaction, which will be reduced by the amount of the premium it has received, but that will offset any favorable changes in the value of its portfolio securities or, in the case of a put, lower prices of securities it intends to acquire.

 

Options on futures contracts can be used by the Fund to hedge substantially the same risks as might be addressed by the direct purchase or sale of the underlying futures contracts. If the Fund purchases an option on a futures contract, it may obtain benefits similar to those that would result if it held the futures position itself. Purchases of options on futures contracts may present less risk in hedging than the purchase and sale of the underlying futures contracts since the potential loss is limited to the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.

 

The purchase of put options on futures contracts may be used as a means of hedging the Fund’s portfolio against a general decline in market prices. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract may represent a means of hedging the Fund’s portfolio against a market advance when the Fund is fully invested.

 

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The selling of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the underlying securities. If the futures price at expiration is below the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the value of the Fund’s holdings of securities. The selling of a put option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a futures contract in that it hedges against an increase in the price of securities the Fund intends to acquire. However, the hedge is limited to the amount of premium received for selling the put.

 

Hedging. The Fund may engage in an ongoing hedging strategy. Hedging is a means of transferring risk that an investor does not wish to assume during an uncertain market environment. The Fund may enter into these transactions: (a) to hedge against changes in the market value of portfolio securities and against changes in the market value of securities intended to be purchased, (b) to close out or offset existing positions, (c) to manage the duration of a portfolio’s fixed income investments, or (d) to enhance returns.

 

Hedging activity in the Fund may involve the use of derivatives including, but not limited to, buying or selling (writing) put or call options on stocks, shares of exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) or stock indexes, buying ETFs or other investment companies that engage in hedging strategies, entering into stock index futures contracts or buying or selling options on stock index futures contracts or financial futures contracts, such as futures contracts on U.S. Treasury securities and interest related indices, and options on financial futures, or purchasing foreign currency forward contracts or options on foreign currency. The Fund will buy or sell options on stock index futures traded on a national exchange or board of trade and options on securities and on stock indexes traded on national securities exchanges or through private transactions directly with a broker-dealer. The Fund may hedge a portion of its portfolio by selling stock index futures contracts or purchasing puts on these contracts to limit exposure to an actual or anticipated market decline. The Fund may also hedge against fluctuations in currency exchange rates, in connection with its investments in foreign securities by purchasing foreign forward currency exchange contracts and/or options on foreign currency.

 

A notice on behalf of the Trust has been filed with the National Futures Association claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to the Trust's operation. Accordingly, the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator.

 

Foreign Securities. Foreign securities include U.S. dollar-denominated and non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers. The Fund may invest directly in foreign equity securities traded directly on U.S. exchanges, foreign exchanges, over-the-counter or in the form of American Depositary Receipts. The Fund may also invest in foreign currency-denominated fixed-income securities. Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. Many of the risks are more pronounced for investments in developing or emerging market countries, or countries whose markets are becoming open, or have only recently opened, to private investment, foreign investment or both.

 

American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). ADRs provide a method whereby the Fund may invest in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities, and may be issued as sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made arrangements to have its securities trade in the form of ADRs. In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation of the program. Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and unsponsored programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to obtain financial information from an issuer that has participated in the creation of a sponsored program. ADRs are subject to many of the risks affecting foreign investments generally, except for those specific to trading securities on foreign exchanges.

 

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Political and Economic Factors. Foreign investments involve risks unique to the local political, economic, and regulatory structures in place, as well as the potential for social instability, military unrest, or diplomatic developments that could prove adverse to the interests of U.S. investors. Individual foreign economies can differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. In addition, significant external political and economic risks currently affect some foreign countries. War and terrorism affect many countries. Many countries throughout the world are dependent on a healthy U.S. economy or economies elsewhere around the world (e.g., Europe), and are adversely affected when the U.S. or other world economies weaken or their markets decline.

 

Government Action. Governments in certain foreign countries continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could have a significant effect on market prices of securities and payment of dividends. The economies of many foreign countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and economic conditions of their trading partners. The enactment by these trading partners of protectionist trade legislation could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of such countries.

 

Foreign Currencies; Currency Fluctuations. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. For securities valued in foreign currencies, a change in the value of any such currency against the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding change in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated in that currency. Such changes will also affect the Fund’s income and may affect the income of companies in which the Fund invests. Generally, when a given currency appreciates against the U.S. dollar (the U.S. dollar weakens), the value of the Fund’s securities denominated in that currency will rise. When a given currency depreciates against the U.S. dollar (the U.S. dollar strengthens), the value of the Fund’s securities denominated in that currency will decline. Countries with managed currencies that are maintained at artificial levels to the U.S. dollar rather than at levels determined by the market may experience sudden and large adjustments in the currency which, in turn, can have a disruptive and negative effect on foreign investors. Similarly, the Fund may be adversely affected by holding securities in foreign currencies that are not readily convertible into U.S. dollars.

 

Potential Adverse Changes. With respect to certain foreign countries, especially developing and emerging ones, there is the possibility of adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect investments by U.S. persons in those countries.

 

Information and Supervision. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies comparable to reports and ratings that are published about companies in the United States. Foreign companies are also generally not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices, and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. It also is often more difficult to keep currently informed of corporate actions that affect the prices of portfolio securities.

 

Market Characteristics. Foreign securities markets are generally not as developed or efficient as, and may be more volatile and have less volume and liquidity than, those in the United States. Securities may trade at price/earnings multiples higher than comparable U.S. securities and such levels may not be sustainable. Commissions on foreign securities trades are generally higher than commissions on U.S. exchanges, and while there are an increasing number of overseas securities markets that have adopted a system of negotiated rates, a number are still subject to an established schedule of minimum commission rates. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the U.S. Moreover, settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in U.S. markets. Such differences include delays beyond periods customary in the U.S. and practices, such as delivery of securities prior to receipt of payment, which increase the likelihood of a "failed settlement." Failed settlements can result in losses to the Fund.

 

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Investment and Repatriation Restrictions. Foreign investment in the securities markets of certain foreign countries is restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions limit and, at times, preclude investment in such countries and increase the cost and expenses of the Fund. Investments by foreign investors are subject to a variety of restrictions in many developing countries. These restrictions may take the form of prior governmental approval, limits on the amount or type of securities held by foreigners, and limits on the types of companies in which foreigners may invest. Additional or different restrictions may be imposed at any time by these or other countries in which the Fund invests. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from several foreign countries is restricted and controlled under certain regulations, including in some cases the need for certain government consents.

 

Taxes. The dividends and interest payable on foreign portfolio securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thus reducing the net amount of income available for distribution to the Fund’s shareholders. In addition, some governments may impose a tax on purchases by foreign investors of certain securities that trade in their country.

 

Depositary Receipts. The Fund’s investments may include securities of foreign issuers in the form of sponsored or unsponsored ADRs, Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and European Depositary Receipts (EDRs). ADRs are depositary receipts typically issued by a United State bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs and GDRs are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they also may be issued by United States banks or trust companies, and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by either a foreign or a United States corporation. Generally, depositary receipts in registered form are designed for use in the United States securities market and depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the United States Depositary receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. Ownership of unsponsored depositary receipts may not entitle the Fund to financial or other reports from the issuer of the underlying security, to which it would be entitled as the owner of sponsored depositary receipts.

 

Investments in Small-Cap Companies. The Fund may invest in securities of companies with small market capitalizations. Certain small-cap companies may offer greater potential for capital appreciation than larger companies. However, investors should note that this potential for greater capital appreciation is accompanied by a substantial risk of loss and that, by their very nature, investments in small-cap companies tend to be very volatile and speculative. Small-cap companies may have a small share of the market for their products or services, their businesses may be limited to regional markets, or they may provide goods and services for a limited market. For example, they may be developing or marketing new products or services for markets that are not yet established or may never become established. In addition, small companies may have or will develop only a regional market for products or services and thus be affected by local or regional market conditions. In addition, small-cap companies may lack depth of management or they may be unable to generate funds necessary for growth or potential development, either internally or through external financing on favorable terms. Such companies may also be insignificant in their industries and be subject to or become subject to intense competition from larger companies. Due to these and other factors, the Fund’s investments in small-cap companies may suffer significant losses. Further, there is typically a smaller market for the securities of a small-cap company than for securities of a large company. Therefore, investments in small-cap companies may be less liquid and subject to significant price declines that result in losses for the Fund.

 

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Convertible Securities. Although the equity investments of the Fund consist primarily of common stocks, the Fund may buy securities convertible into common stock if, for example, the Adviser believes that a company’s convertible securities are undervalued in the market. Convertible securities eligible for purchase by the Fund include convertible bonds, convertible preferred stocks, and warrants. A warrant is an instrument issued by a corporation that gives the holder the right to subscribe to a specific amount of the corporation’s capital stock at a set price for a specified period of time. Warrants do not represent ownership of the underlying securities, but only the right to buy the securities. The prices of warrants do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of underlying securities. Warrants may be considered speculative in that they have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of a corporation issuing them. Warrant positions will not be used to increase the leverage of the Fund; consequently, warrant positions are generally accompanied by cash positions equivalent to the required exercise amount. The Fund’s ability to invest in warrants may be limited by the Fund’s investment restrictions.

 

Real Estate Securities. The Fund will not invest in real estate (including mortgage loans and limited partnership interests), but may invest in readily marketable securities issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein. The Fund may also invest in readily marketable interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs are generally publicly traded on the national stock exchanges and in the over-the-counter market and have varying degrees of liquidity. Investments in real estate securities are subject to risks inherent in the real estate market, including risk related to changes interest rates.

 

Government Securities. The Fund may invest a portion of the portfolio in U.S. government securities, defined to be U.S. government obligations such as U.S. Treasury notes, U.S. Treasury bonds, and U.S. Treasury bills, obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government such as Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) as well as obligations of U.S. government authorities, agencies and instrumentalities such as Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), Federal Farm Credit Bank (“FFCB”), Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Student Loan Marketing Association (“SLMA”), and The Tennessee Valley Authority. U.S. government securities may be acquired subject to repurchase agreements. While obligations of some U.S. government sponsored entities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (e.g. GNMA), several are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. government (e.g. FNMA, FHLMC), and still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer itself (e.g. SLMA, FFCB). No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities in the future, other than as set forth above, since it is not obligated to do so by law. The guarantee of the U.S. government does not extend to the yield or value of the Fund’s shares.

 

Foreign Government Obligations. The Fund may invest in short-term obligations of foreign sovereign governments or of their agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political subdivisions. These securities may be denominated in United States dollars or in another currency.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities, such as those issued by GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC or certain foreign issuers. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect participations in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. The mortgages backing these securities include, among other mortgage instruments, conventional 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, graduated payment mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages. The government or the issuing agency typically guarantees the payment of interest and principal of these securities. However, the guarantees do not extend to the securities’ yield or value, which are likely to vary inversely with fluctuations in interest rates, nor do the guarantees extend to the yield or value of the Fund’s shares. These securities generally are “pass-through” instruments, through which the holders receive a share of all interest and principal payments from the mortgages underlying the securities, net of certain fees.

 

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Yields on pass-through securities are typically quoted by investment dealers and vendors based on the maturity of the underlying instruments and the associated average life assumption. The average life of pass-through pools varies with the maturities of the underlying mortgage loans. A pool’s term may be shortened by unscheduled or early payments of principal on the underlying mortgages. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by various factors, including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location, scheduled maturity and age of the mortgage and other social and demographic conditions. Because prepayment rates of individual pools vary widely, it is not possible to predict accurately the average life of a particular pool. For pools of fixed-rate 30-year mortgages in a stable interest rate environment, a common industry practice in the U.S. has been to assume that prepayments will result in a 12-year average life, although it may vary depending on various factors. At present, pools, particularly those with loans with other maturities or different characteristics, are priced on an assumption of average life determined for each pool. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayment tends to increase, thereby shortening the actual average life of a pool of mortgage-related securities. Conversely, in periods of rising rates the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby lengthening the actual average life of the pool. However, these effects may not be present, or may differ in degree, if the mortgage loans in the pools have adjustable interest rates or other special payment terms, such as a prepayment charge. Actual prepayment experience may cause the yield of mortgage-backed securities to differ from the assumed average life yield. Reinvestment of prepayments may occur at higher or lower interest rates than the original investment, thus affecting the Fund’s yield.

 

The rate of interest on mortgage-backed securities is lower than the interest rates paid on the mortgages included in the underlying pool due to the annual fees paid to the servicer of the mortgage pool for passing through monthly payments to certificate holders and to any guarantor, such as GNMA, and due to any yield retained by the issuer. Actual yield to the holder may vary from the coupon rate, even if adjustable, if the mortgage-backed securities are purchased or traded in the secondary market at a premium or discount. In addition, there is normally some delay between the time the issuer receives mortgage payments from the servicer and the time the issuer makes the payments on the mortgage-backed securities, and this delay reduces the effective yield to the holder of such securities.

 

Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities, which represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, assets such as motor vehicle installment sales, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property and receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements. Such assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations. Payments or distributions of principal and interest may be guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain time period by a letter of credit or a pool insurance policy issued by a financial institution unaffiliated with the trust or corporation.

 

Asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented by other securities in which the Fund may invest. Automobile receivables generally are secured by automobiles. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the loan servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. In addition, because of the large number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have a proper security interest in the underlying automobiles. Therefore, there is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured, and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. In addition, there is no assurance that the security interest in the collateral can be realized.

 

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Structured Notes, Bonds and Debentures. The Fund may invest in structured notes, bonds and debentures. Typically, the value of the principal and/or interest on these instruments is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indexes or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relevant change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in the loss of the Fund’s entire investment. The value of structured securities may move in the same or the opposite direction as the value of the Reference, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, the change in interest rate or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of the change in the value of the Reference so that the security may be more or less volatile than the Reference, depending on the multiple. Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk and volatility than other types of debt obligations.

 

Assignments and Participations. The Fund may invest in assignments of and participations in loans issued by banks and other financial institutions.

 

When the Fund purchases assignments from lending financial institutions, the Fund will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan. However, since assignments are generally arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, the rights and obligations acquired by the Fund as the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

 

Participations in loans will typically result in the Fund having a contractual relationship with the lending financial institution, not the borrower. The Fund would have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing a participation, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased a participation. As a result, the Fund purchasing a participation will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the lender and the borrower.

 

The Fund may have difficulty disposing of assignments and participations because there is no liquid market for such securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market will have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and on the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular assignments or participations when necessary to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid market for assignments and participations also may make it more difficult for the Fund to assign a value to these securities for purposes of valuing the Fund’s portfolio and calculating its net asset value.

 

The Fund may invest in fixed and floating rate loans (“Loans”) arranged through private negotiations between a foreign government (a “Borrower”) and one or more financial institutions (“Lenders”). The majority of the Fund’s investments in Loans are expected to be in the form of participations in Loans (“Participations”) and assignments of portions of Loans from third parties (“Assignments”). Participations typically will result in the Fund having a contractual relationship only with the Lender, not with the Borrower. The Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the Borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the Borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the Loan, nor any rights of set-off against the Borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, the Fund will assume the credit risk of both the Borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. In the event of the insolvency of the Lender selling a Participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the Lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the Lender and the Borrower.

 

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When the Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders, the Fund will acquire direct rights against the Borrower on the Loan. However, since Assignments are generally arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, the rights and obligations acquired by the Fund as the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender.

 

There are risks involved in investing in Participations and Assignments. The Fund may have difficulty disposing of them because there is no liquid market for such securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market will have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and on the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular Participations or Assignments when necessary to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the Borrower. The lack of a liquid market for Participations and Assignments also may make it more difficult for the Fund to assign a value to these securities for purposes of valuing the Fund’s portfolio and calculating its net asset value.

 

Corporate Debt Securities. The Fund’s fixed income investments may include corporate, municipal or other government debt securities. Corporate and municipal debt obligations purchased by the Fund may be any credit quality, maturity or yield. Accordingly, the Fund’s debt securities may include “investment grade” securities (those rated at least Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), BBB by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) or Fitch Investors Service, Inc. (“Fitch”) or, if not rated, of equivalent quality in the Adviser’s opinion. In addition, the Fund’s debt securities may include lower-rated debt securities including, without limitation, junk bonds. Debt obligations rated Baa by Moody’s or BBB by S&P, or Fitch may be considered speculative and are subject to risks of non-payment of interest and principal. Debt obligations rated lower than Baa by Moody’s or lower than BBB by S&P or Fitch are generally considered speculative and subject to significant risks of non-payment of interest and principal. Descriptions of the quality ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch are contained in this SAI. While the Adviser utilizes the ratings of various credit rating services as one factor in establishing creditworthiness, it relies primarily upon its own analysis of factors establishing creditworthiness.

 

Money Market Instruments. The Fund may invest in money market instruments including U.S. government obligations or corporate debt obligations (including those subject to repurchase agreements), provided that they are eligible for purchase by the Fund. Money market instruments also may include Banker’s Acceptances and Certificates of Deposit of domestic branches of U.S. banks, Commercial Paper, and Variable Amount Demand Master Notes (“Master Notes”). Banker’s Acceptances are time drafts drawn on and “accepted” by a bank. When a bank “accepts” such a time draft, it assumes liability for its payment. When the Fund acquires a Banker’s Acceptance, the bank that “accepted” the time draft is liable for payment of interest and principal when due. The Banker’s Acceptance carries the full faith and credit of such bank. A Certificate of Deposit (“CD”) is an unsecured, interest bearing debt obligation of a bank. Commercial Paper is an unsecured, short-term debt obligation of a bank, corporation, or other borrower. Maturities of Commercial Paper generally range from 2 to 270 days and are usually sold on a discounted basis rather than as an interest-bearing instrument. The Fund will invest in Commercial Paper only if it is rated in one of the top two rating categories by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, or if not rated, of equivalent quality in the Adviser’s opinion. Commercial Paper may include Master Notes of the same quality. Master Notes are unsecured obligations which are redeemable upon demand of the holder and which permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest. Master Notes are acquired by the Fund only through the Master Note program of the Fund’s custodian bank, acting as administrator thereof. The Adviser will monitor, on a continuous basis, the earnings power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuer of a Master Note held by the Fund.

 

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ETFs. The Fund may invest in Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”). An ETF is a fund that holds a portfolio of common stocks or bonds designed to track the performance of a securities index or sector of an index. ETFs are traded on a securities exchange based on their market value. An ETF portfolio holds the same stocks or bonds as the index it tracks, so its market price reflects the value of the index at any given time. ETFs are registered investment companies and incur fees and expenses such as operating expenses, licensing fees, registration fees, trustees’ fees, and marketing expenses, and ETF shareholders, such as the Fund, pay their proportionate share of these expenses. Your cost of investing in the Fund will generally be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs. By investing in the Fund, you will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying ETFs in which the Fund invests in addition to the Fund's direct fees and expenses.

 

Unit Investment Trusts. A unit investment trust, commonly referred to as a UIT, is one of three basic types of investment companies. The other two types are mutual funds and closed-end funds. A unit investment trust is a registered investment company that buys and holds a generally fixed portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. "Units" in the trust are sold to investors (unitholders) who receive a share of principal and dividends (or interest). A UIT has a stated date for termination that varies according to the investments held in its portfolio. A UIT investing in long-term bonds may remain outstanding for 20 to 30 years. UITs that invest in stocks may seek to capture capital appreciation over a period of a year or a few years. When these trusts are dissolved, proceeds from the securities are either paid to unitholders or reinvested in another trust. A UIT does not actively trade its investment portfolio. That is, a UIT buys a relatively fixed portfolio of securities (for example, five, ten, or twenty specific stocks or bonds), and holds them with little or no change for the life of the UIT. Because the investment portfolio of a UIT generally is fixed, investors know more or less what they are investing in for the duration of their investment. Investors will find the portfolio securities held by the UIT listed in its prospectus.

 

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is a short-term investment in which the purchaser acquires ownership of a U.S. government security and the seller agrees to repurchase the security at a future time at a set price, thereby determining the yield during the purchaser’s holding period. Any repurchase transaction in which the Fund engages will require full collateralization of the seller’s obligation during the entire term of the repurchase agreement. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default of the seller, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses in value.

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may also be involved with reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements are repurchase agreements in which the Fund is the seller (rather than the buyer) of the securities, and agrees to repurchase them at an agreed upon time and price. A reverse repurchase agreement may be viewed as a type of borrowing by the Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements create leverage risks because the Fund must repurchase the underlying security at a higher price, regardless of the market value of the security at the time of repurchase. 

 

Illiquid Investments. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which are investments that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (“Trustees”), the Adviser determines the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, and through reports from the Adviser, the Trustees monitor investments in illiquid instruments. In determining the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, the Adviser may consider various factors including (1) the frequency of trades and quotations; (2) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market; (4) the nature of the security (including any demand or tender features); and (5) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including the ability to assign or offset the Fund’s rights and obligations relating to the investment). If through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the Fund were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid securities, the Fund may take appropriate steps to protect the Fund’s liquidity as deemed necessary or advisable by the Fund. The Fund, through its Fair Value Committee, values illiquid securities using its fair value procedures (described below) but there can be no assurance that (i) the Fund will determine fair value for a private investment accurately; (ii) that the Fund will be able to sell private securities for the fair value determined by the Fund; or (iii) that the Fund will be able to sell such securities at all. Investment in illiquid securities poses risks of potential delays in resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Fund may be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices.

 

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Private Securities Transactions. In general, securities purchased in private transactions are legally restricted as to resale. The Fund’s investments in private placements will be subject to a number of risks because the securities will be illiquid securities for which there is no public market. Illiquid securities are subject to risks of potential delays in resale and uncertainty in valuation. In addition, as noted under “Illiquid Securities” above, if at any time more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets are invested in illiquid securities, the Fund may take appropriate steps to protect the Fund’s liquidity as deemed necessary or advisable by the Fund. In such a case, the Fund may seek to sell private securities in its portfolio prematurely at prices below what the Adviser believes to be the securities’ fair value.

 

Restricted Securities. Within its limitation on investment in illiquid securities and the Fund’s private investments, the Fund may purchase restricted securities that generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the federal securities laws, or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If during such a period adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security. The Fund values restricted securities under fair value procedures described above under “Illiquid Securities” and as described in the section entitled “Investing in the Fund – Determining the Fund’s Net Asset Value” of the Prospectus.

 

Forward Commitment & When-Issued Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or for settlement at a future date if the Fund holds sufficient assets to meet the purchase price. In such purchase transactions, the Fund will not accrue interest on the purchased security until the actual settlement. Similarly, if a security is sold for a forward date, the Fund will accrue the interest until the settlement of the sale. When-issued security purchases and forward commitments have a higher degree of risk of price movement before settlement due to the extended time period between the execution and settlement of the purchase or sale. As a result, the exposure to the counterparty of the purchase or sale is increased. Although the Fund would generally purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis with the intention of taking delivery, the Fund may sell such a security prior to the settlement date if the Adviser felt such action was appropriate. In such a case, the Fund could incur a short-term gain or loss.

 

Short Sales of Securities. The Fund may make short sales, which are transactions in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security. To complete a short sale transaction, the Fund will borrow the security from a broker-dealer, which generally involves the payment of a premium and transaction costs. The Fund then sells the borrowed security to a buyer in the market. The Fund will then cover the short position by buying shares in the market either (i) at its discretion; or (ii) when called by the broker-dealer lender. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay the broker-dealer lender any dividends or interest that accrues during the period of the loan. In addition, the net proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker to the extent necessary to meet regulatory or other requirements, until the short position is closed out.

 

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The Fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. The Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of the premium, dividends, interest or expenses the Fund may be required to pay in connection with a short sale. When the Fund makes a short sale, the Fund will segregate liquid assets (such as cash, U.S. government securities, or equity securities) on the Fund’s books and/or in a segregated account at the Fund’s custodian in an amount sufficient to cover the current value of the securities to be replaced as well as any dividends, interest and/or transaction costs due to the broker-dealer lender. In determining the amount to be segregated, any securities that have been sold short by the Fund will be marked to market daily. To the extent the market price of the security sold short increases and more assets are required to meet the Fund’s short sale obligations, additional assets will be segregated to ensure adequate coverage of the Fund’s short position obligations.

 

In addition, the Fund may make short sales “against the box” i.e., when the Fund sells a security short when the Fund has segregated securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (or securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities) and will hold such securities while the short sale is outstanding. The Fund will incur transaction costs, including interest, in connection with opening, maintaining, and closing short sales against the box.

 

Lending of Portfolio Securities. In order to generate additional income, the Fund may lend portfolio securities in an amount up to 33 1/3% of total Fund assets to broker-dealers, major banks, or other recognized domestic institutional borrowers of securities that the Adviser has determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Trustees. In determining whether the Fund will lend securities, the Adviser will consider all relevant facts and circumstances. The Fund may not lend securities to any company affiliated with the Adviser. Each loan of securities will be collateralized by cash, securities or letters of credit. The Fund might experience a loss if the borrower defaults on the loan.

 

The borrower at all times during the loan must maintain with the Fund cash or cash equivalent collateral, or provide to the Fund an irrevocable letter of credit equal in value to at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned. While the loan is outstanding, the borrower will pay the Fund any interest paid on the loaned securities, and the Fund may invest the cash collateral to earn additional income. Alternatively, the Fund may receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income from the borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral or a letter of credit. It is anticipated that the Fund may share with the borrower some of the income received on the collateral for the loan or the Fund will be paid a premium for the loan. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower at any time. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan, and may pay a negotiated portion of the income earned on the cash to the borrower or placing broker. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.

 

Temporary Defensive Positions. The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in an attempt to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During such an unusual set of circumstances, the Fund may hold up to 100% of its portfolio in cash or cash equivalent positions. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.

 

Lack of Diversification. The Fund is a non-diversified Fund, which means that it has not made an election to be a “diversified” investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Many mutual funds elect to be “diversified” funds that, as to 75% of their assets, cannot invest more than 5% of their assets in any one security at any given time. A non-diversified fund is not subject to this limitation, and so it can hold a relatively small number of securities in its portfolio. Even a non-diversified fund has to have some diversification for tax purposes, though. Under the tax code, all mutual funds are required, at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, to have (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets be invested in cash, U.S. government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, limited with respect to any one issuer limited for the purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than (A) 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets or (B) 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies).

 

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Subject to the requirements of the tax code and the Fund’s investment restrictions (see description below under “Investment Restrictions”), the Fund may make significant investments in the securities of a particular issuer, select companies in a particular industry, or select companies in a sector within a particular industry. Such a concentration of Fund investments exposes the Fund to additional risks, and greater potential for significant share price fluctuation. The Fund may or may not have a diversified portfolio of investments at any given time, and may have large amounts of assets invested in a very small number of companies, industries or securities. Such lack of diversification substantially increases market risks and the risk of loss associated with an investment in the Fund, because the value of each security will have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance and the value of each shareholder’s investment. When the value of a security in a non-diversified fund falls, it may have a greater impact on the Fund than it would have in a diversified fund.

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

Fundamental Restrictions. The Fund has adopted the following “fundamental restrictions,” which cannot be changed without approval by holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund. A “majority” for this purpose means the lesser of (i) 67% of the Fund’s outstanding shares represented in person or by proxy at a meeting at which more than 50% of its outstanding shares are represented, or (ii) more than 50% of its outstanding shares.

 

FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not:

 

(1)Issue senior securities, except as permitted by Section 18(f)(1) of the 1940 Act;

 

(2)Borrow money, except to the extent permitted under Section 18(f)(1) the 1940 Act (including, but not limited to, reverse repurchase agreements and borrowing to meet redemptions). For purposes of this investment restriction, the entry into options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices shall not constitute borrowing;

 

(3)Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the extent related to the deposit of assets in escrow in connection with selling covered put and call options and the purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and collateral and initial or variation margin arrangements with respect to options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices;

 

(4)Act as underwriter except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain federal securities laws;

 

(5)Make loans, provided that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount up to 33% of total Fund assets, and provided further that, for purposes of this restriction, investment in U.S. Government obligations, short-term commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and repurchase agreements shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan;

 

(6)Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate directly; provided, however, that the Fund may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate (including, without limitation, investments in REITs and mortgage-backed securities);

 

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(7)Purchase or sell commodities, except that the Fund may purchase and sell options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices and may purchase interests in equity securities issued by companies (including, without limitation, investment companies) that hold or invest in one or more commodities as their sole or principal business activity; or

 

(8)Invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers in any particular industry. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. Government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions and investments in other registered investment companies are not considered to be issued by members of any industry. The Fund will consider the concentration of underlying investments in determining compliance with this policy.

 

NON-FUNDAMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. The following investment limitations are not fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval. As a matter of non-fundamental policy, the Fund may not:

 

(1)Purchase securities on margin; provided, however, that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions, may make short sales to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and may enter into options, forward contracts, futures contracts or indices options on futures contracts or indices;

 

(2)Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management over a portfolio company;

 

(3)Invest in securities of other registered investment companies, except as permitted under the 1940 Act;

 

(4)Invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs, although the Fund may invest in the common stock of companies which invest in or sponsor such programs;

 

(5)Invest 15% or more of its total net assets in illiquid securities; or

 

(6)Purchase warrants if as a result the Fund would then have more than 5% of its total net assets (taken at the lower of cost or current value) invested in warrants.

 

With respect to the “fundamental” and “non-fundamental” investment restrictions above, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction (i.e., percentage limitations are determined at the time of purchase); provided, however, that the percentage limitations on borrowing under the Fund’s second fundamental investment restriction apply at all times.

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION

 

Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for, make decisions with respect to, and places orders for all purchases and sales of portfolio securities for the Fund. The Adviser shall manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement by and between the Adviser and the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser selects the securities and manages the investments for the Fund, and also selects broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions, all subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees. The Advisory Agreement is described in detail under “Management and Administration”. The Adviser serves as investment adviser for a number of client accounts, including the Fund. Investment decisions for the Fund will be made independently from those for any other series of the Trust, if any, and for any other investment companies and accounts advised or managed by the Adviser.

 

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Brokerage Selection. In selecting brokers to be used in portfolio transactions, the Adviser’s general guiding principal is to obtain the best overall execution for each trade, which is a combination of price and execution. With respect to execution, the Adviser considers a number of judgmental factors, including, without limitation, the actual handling of the order, the ability of the broker to settle the trade promptly and accurately, the financial standing of the broker, the ability of the broker to position stock to facilitate execution, the Adviser’s past experience with similar trades and other factors that may be unique to a particular order. Recognizing the value of these judgmental factors, the Adviser may select brokers who charge a brokerage commission that is higher than the lowest commission that might otherwise be available for any given trade. The Adviser may not give consideration to sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in selecting brokers to execute portfolio transactions. The Adviser may, however, place portfolio transactions with brokers that promote or sell the Fund’s shares so long as such transactions are done in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Trustees that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of the broker’s execution and not on the broker’s sales efforts.

 

Under Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as provided in the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is authorized to cause the Fund to pay a brokerage commission in excess of that which another broker might have charged for effecting the same transaction, in recognition of the value of brokerage and/or research services provided by the broker. The research received may include, without limitation: information on the United States and other world economies; information on specific industries, groups of securities, individual companies, political and other relevant news developments affecting markets and specific securities; technical and quantitative information about markets; analysis of proxy proposals affecting specific companies; accounting and performance systems that allow the Adviser to determine and track investment results; and trading systems that allow the Adviser to interface electronically with brokerage firms, custodians and other providers. Where a product or service has a mixed use among research, brokerage and other purposes, the Adviser will make a reasonable allocation according to the uses and will pay for the non-research and non-brokerage functions in cash using its own funds.

 

The research and investment information services described above make available to the Adviser for its analysis and consideration the views and information of individuals and research staffs of other securities firms. These services may be useful to the Adviser in connection with advisory clients other than the Fund and not all such services may be useful to the Adviser in connection with the Fund. Although such information may be a useful supplement to the Adviser’s own investment information in rendering services to the Fund, the value of such research and services is not expected to reduce materially the expenses of the Adviser in the performance of its services under the Advisory Agreement and will not reduce the management fees payable to the Adviser by the Fund.

 

The Fund may invest in securities traded in the over-the-counter market. Transactions in the over-the-counter market are generally principal transactions with dealers and the costs of such transactions involve dealer spreads rather than brokerage commissions. The Fund, where possible, deals directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in those circumstances where better prices and/or execution are available elsewhere. When a transaction involves exchange listed securities, the Adviser considers the advisability of effecting the transaction with a broker which is not a member of the securities exchange on which the security to be purchased is listed or effecting the transaction in the institutional market.

 

For the period since inception from January 21, 2016 through November 30, 2016, the Fund paid brokerage commissions of $3,146, of which $0 was paid to the Distributor. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the Fund paid brokerage commissions of $2,115, of which $0 was paid to the Distributor. For the period since inception from January 21, 2016 through November 30, 2016, transactions in which the Fund used the Distributor as broker involved 0% of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of commissions and 0% of the aggregate brokerage commission paid by the Fund. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, transactions in which the Fund used the Distributor as broker involved 0% of the aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of commissions and 0% of the aggregate brokerage commission paid by the Fund.

 

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Aggregated Trades. While investment decisions for the Fund are made independently of the Adviser’s other client accounts, the Adviser’s other client accounts may invest in the same securities as the Fund. To the extent permitted by law, the Adviser may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other investment companies or accounts in executing transactions. When a purchase or sale of the same security is made at substantially the same time on behalf of the Fund and another investment company or account, the transaction will be averaged as to price and available investments allocated as to amount in a manner which the Adviser believes to be equitable to the Fund and such other investment company or account. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position obtained or sold by the Fund.

 

Portfolio Turnover. The annualized portfolio turnover rate for the Fund is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the reporting period by the monthly average value of the portfolio securities owned during the reporting period. The calculation excludes all securities whose maturities or expiration dates at the time of acquisition are one year or less. Portfolio turnover of the Fund may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year, and may be affected by cash requirements for redemption of shares and by requirements that enable the Fund to receive favorable tax treatment. Portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor in making Fund decisions, and the Fund may engage in short-term trading to achieve its investment objectives.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

 

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted policies to govern the circumstances under which disclosure regarding securities held by the Fund and disclosure of purchases and sales of such securities, may be made to shareholders of the Trust or other persons. These policies include the following:

 

Public disclosure regarding the securities held by the Fund (“Portfolio Securities”) is made quarterly through the Fund’s Form N-Q and Semi-Annual and Annual Reports (“Official Reports”). Other than the Official Reports, shareholders and other persons generally will not be provided with information regarding Portfolio Securities held, purchased or sold by the Fund.

 

Information regarding Portfolio Securities, and other information regarding the investment activities of the Portfolios, may be disclosed to rating and ranking organizations for use in connection with their rating or ranking of the Trust or the Fund, but only if such disclosure has been publicly disclosed or approved in writing by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust (the “CCO”). The CCO will not approve arrangements prior to public disclosure unless persons receiving the information provide assurances that the information will not be used for inappropriate trading in Fund shares.

 

The Trust’s policy relating to disclosure of the Trust's holdings of Portfolio Securities does not prohibit: (i) disclosure of information to the Trust's investment adviser or to other Trust service providers, including but not limited to the Trust's administrator, distributor, custodian, legal counsel and auditors as identified in the Prospectus and this SAI, financial printers such as FilePoint EDGAR Services or to brokers and dealers through which the Trust purchases and sells Portfolio Securities; and (ii) disclosure of holdings of or transactions in Portfolio Securities by the Fund that is made on the same basis to all Fund shareholders. This information is disclosed to third parties under conditions of confidentiality. “Conditions of confidentiality” include (i) confidentiality clauses in written agreements, (ii) confidentiality implied by the nature of the relationship (e.g., attorney-client relationship), (iii) confidentiality required by fiduciary or regulatory principles (e.g., custody relationships), and (iv) understandings or expectations between the parties that the information will be kept confidential.

 

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The CCO is required to approve any arrangements other than disclosure to service providers under which information relating to Portfolio Securities held by the Portfolios, or purchased or sold by the Fund is disclosed to a shareholder or other person before disclosure in the Official Reports. In making such a determination, the CCO may consider, among other things, the information to be disclosed, the timing of the disclosure, the intended use of the information, whether the arrangement is reasonably necessary to aid in conducting the ongoing business of the Fund, and whether the arrangement will adversely affect the Trust, the Fund or its shareholders. The CCO will not approve such arrangements unless persons receiving the information provide assurances that the information will not be used for inappropriate trading in Fund shares.

 

The CCO shall inform the Board of Trustees of any special portfolio holdings disclosure arrangements that are approved by the CCO, and the rationale supporting approval.

 

Neither the Trust's investment adviser nor the Trust (or any affiliated person, employee, officer, trustee or director of the investment adviser or the Trust) may receive any direct or indirect compensation in consideration of the disclosure of information relating to Portfolio Securities held, purchased or sold by the Fund.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST

 

The Trust, which is a statutory trust organized under Delaware law on February 24, 2005, is an open-end management investment company. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust (“Trust Instrument”) authorizes the Trustees to divide shares into series, each series relating to a separate portfolio of investments, and to classify and reclassify any unissued shares into one or more classes of shares of each such series. The Fund offers two classes of shares (Class A shares and Institutional Class shares), of which Class A is available for purchase by all investors. Each class represents interests in the same portfolio of investments and has the same rights, but the classes differ with respect to sales loads and ongoing expenses. The number of shares in the Trust shall be unlimited. The Trustees may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of shares at a future date. When issued for payment as described in the Prospectus and this SAI, shares of the Fund will be fully paid and non-assessable and shall have no preemptive or conversion rights.

 

In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or an individual series, such as the Fund, shareholders of a particular series would be entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to such series. Shareholders of a series are entitled to participate equally in the net distributable assets of the particular series involved on liquidation, based on the number of shares of the series that are held by each shareholder. If there are any assets, income, earnings, proceeds, funds or payments that are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular series, the Trustees shall allocate them among any one or more of the series as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable.

 

Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share and a fractional vote for each fractional share held. Shares have non-cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees, and in this event, the holders of the remaining shares voting will not be able to elect any Trustees. Rights of shareholders cannot be modified by less than a majority vote.

 

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The Trustees will hold office indefinitely, except that: (1) any Trustee may resign or retire and (2) any Trustee may be removed: (a) any time by action of a majority of the then Trustees at a duly constituted meeting; (b) at any meeting of shareholders of the Trust by a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust; or (c) by a written declaration signed by shareholders holding not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust. In case a vacancy or an anticipated vacancy on the Board of Trustees shall for any reason exist, the vacancy shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Trustees, subject to certain restrictions under the 1940 Act.

 

The Trust Instrument provides that the Trustees will not be liable in any event in connection with the affairs of the Trust, except as such liability may arise from a Trustee’s bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties. With the exceptions stated, the Trust Instrument provides that a Trustee or officer is entitled to be indemnified against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Trust.

 

The Trust will not hold an annual shareholders’ meeting unless required by law. There will normally be no annual meeting of shareholders in any year in which the election of Trustees by shareholders is not required by the 1940 Act. As set forth in the Trust’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, shareholders of the Trust have the right, under certain conditions, to call a special meeting of shareholders, including a meeting to consider removing a Trustee.

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

 

The Trustees are responsible for the management and supervision of the Fund. The Trustees approve all significant agreements between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and those companies that furnish services to the Fund; review performance of the Fund; and oversee activities of the Fund. This section of the SAI provides information about the persons who serve as Trustees and Officers to the Trust and Fund, respectively, as well as the entities that provide services to the Fund.

 

Trustees and Officers. Following are the Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their year of birth and address, their present position with the Trust or the Fund, and their principal occupation during the past five years. As described above under “Description of the Trust”, each of the Trustees of the Trust will generally hold office indefinitely. The Officers of the Trust will hold office indefinitely, except that: (1) any Officer may resign or retire and (2) any Officer may be removed any time by written instrument signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal. In case a vacancy or an anticipated vacancy on the Board of Trustees shall for any reason exist, the vacancy shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Trustees, subject to certain restrictions under the 1940 Act. Those Trustees who are “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) by virtue of their affiliation with either the Trust or the Adviser, are indicated in the table. The address of each trustee and officer is 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205.

 

Name and Year of Birth Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Service Principal Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years
Number of Series Overseen Other Directorships During Past 5 Years
Independent Trustees
Arthur Q. Falk:  1937 Trustee and Independent Chairman Since 2011 Retired. President, Murray Hill Financial Marketing (financial marketing consultant) (1990-2012) 12 None
Tom M. Wirtshafter:  1954 Trustee  Since 2011 Senior Vice President, American Portfolios Financial Services, (broker-dealer), American Portfolios Advisors (investment adviser) (2009-present). 12 None

 

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Name and Year of Birth Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Service Principal Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years
Number of Series Overseen Other Directorships During Past 5 Years
Gary W. DiCenzo:  1962 Trustee Since 2014 Chief Executive Officer, Cognios Capital (investment management firm) (2015-present); President and CEO, IMC Group, LLC (asset management firm consultant) (2010-2015). 12 None

Steven D. Poppen 1968

 

Trustee Since 2018

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Vikings (professional sports organization) (1998-present).

 

12 M3Sixty Funds Trust
(3 portfolios)

Thomas J. Schmidt 1963

 

Trustee Since 2018

Principal, Tom Schmidt & Associates Consulting, LLC (2015-Present); Vice President of the Mutual Fund and Alternative Investment Full Service Transfer Agent (1986-2014).

 

12 None

 

Interested Trustee*

 

Randall K. Linscott:  1971 President Since 2013 Chief Executive Officer, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2013-present); Chief Operating Officer, M3Sixty Administration LLC (2011–2013); Division Vice President, Boston Financial Data Services, (2005–2011). 12 N/A

 

Officers

 

András P. Teleki: 1971 Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary Since 2015 Chief Legal Officer, M3Sixty Administration, LLC, M3Sixty Holdings, LLC, Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC and M3Sixty Advisors, LLC (2015–present); Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary, M3Sixty Funds Trust (2016– present); Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary, WP Trust (2016- present); Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, Capital Management Investment Trust (2015–present); Partner, K&L Gates, (2009–2015). N/A N/A

 

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Name and Year of Birth Position(s) Held with Trust Length of Service Principal Occupation(s) During
Past 5 Years
Number of Series Overseen Other Directorships During Past 5 Years
Brandon J. Byrd:  1981

Assistant Secretary and AML Officer

 

Vice President

 

Since 2013

 

 

2018

 

Chief Operating Officer, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2013-present); Anti-Money  Laundering Compliance Officer, Monteagle Funds (2015-2016); Division Manager - Client Service Officer, Boston Financial Data Services (mutual find service provider) (2010-2012). N/A N/A
Justin J. Thompson: 1983 Treasurer Since 2017 Director of Fund Accounting & Administration, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2017-present); Treasurer, WP Trust (2017-present); Treasurer, Capital Management Investment Trust (2017-present); Treasurer, 360 Funds (2017-present); Officer of Fund Accounting – State Street Bank & Trust (2009-2016). N/A N/A
Larry E. Beaver, Jr.:  1969 Assistant Treasurer Since July 2017 Fund Accounting, Administration and Tax Officer, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2017- present); Director of Fund Accounting & Administration, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2005-2017). Chief Accounting Officer, Amidex Funds, Inc. (2003-present); Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, Capital Management Investment Trust (2008-2017). Treasurer, 360 Funds (2007-2017); Treasurer, M3Sixty Funds Trust (2015-2017); Treasurer, WP Trust (2015-2017); Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Monteagle Funds (2008-2016). N/A N/A
John H. Lively: 1969 Assistant Secretary Since 2017 Attorney, Practus, LLP (law firm) (May 2018-present); Attorney, The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. (law firm) (2010-May 2018). N/A N/A
Ted L. Akins: 1974 Assistant Secretary Since 2018 Vice President of Operations, M3Sixty Administration, LLC (2012-present).   N/A N/A

* Basis of Interestedness: Mr. Linscott is an Interested Trustee because he is Chief Executive Officer and principal owner of M3Sixty Administration, LLC, the Fund’s administrator and transfer agent.

 

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Board Structure

 

The Trust’s Board of Trustees includes three independent Trustees and one interested Trustee, Mr. Randall K. Linscott. Mr. Arthur Q. Falk, one of the Trust’s independent trustees, serves as the Chairman of the Board. The Trustees have determined that the Trust’s current leadership structure is appropriate, as it allows Trust management to communicate with each independent Trustee as and when needed and permits each independent Trustee to be involved in each committee of the Board (each a “Committee”) as well as each Board function. With respect to risk oversight, the Board holds four regular meetings each year to consider and address matters involving the Trust and the Fund. During these meetings, the Board receives reports from the Fund’s administrator, transfer agent and distributor and Trust management, including the Trust’s President, Mr. Linscott, and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, Mr. András P. Teleki, on regular quarterly items and, where appropriate and as needed, on specific issues. As part of its oversight function, the Board also may hold special meetings or communicate directly with the Trust’s officers to address matters arising between regular meetings. The Board has established a committee structure that includes an Audit Committee, a Nominating Committee and Corporate Governance Committee and a Proxy Voting Committee (discussed in more detail below). Each of these Committees is comprised entirely of independent Trustees.

 

Qualification of Trustees

 

The Board has considered each Trustee's experience, qualifications, attributes and skills in light of the Board’s function and the Trust’s business and structure, and has determined that each Trustee possesses experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that enable the Trustee to be an effective member of the Board. In this regard, the Board has considered the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills for each Trustee:

 

Arthur Q. Falk For over 20 years, Mr. Falk was the President of Murray Hill Financial Marketing, a financial marketing consulting firm, and now is retired.  Murray Hill provides consulting services on the development of mutual funds and similar investment products.
   
Tom M. Wirtshafter Mr. Wirtshafter has more than 30 years’ experience managing and operating a wide range of financial services companies, and is currently a Senior Vice President at American Portfolios Financial Services, a broker-dealer, and American Portfolios Advisors, an investment adviser.
   
Gary W. DiCenzo Mr. DiCenzo is responsible for the overall operation and strategic direction of Cognios Capital. Prior to joining Cognios in 2015, Mr. DiCenzo was President & CEO of Chicago based strategic consulting firm IMC Group. Mr. DiCenzo also led Scout Investment Advisors as President of the Scout Mutual Fund complex, the President & CEO of Scout Distributors and as a board director to the adviser from 2003-2010. Over the past 25 years, he has focused on the strategic planning and growth for both institutional and mutual fund investment managers. Mr. DiCenzo received an MBA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Rhode Island College.
   
Steven D. Poppen Mr. Poppen is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Minnesota Vikings professional football team. In his role, Mr. Poppen is responsible for all financial aspects of the team, including business planning, budgeting, day-to-day financial and administrative operations, human resources, facilities, and U.S. Bank Stadium project financing. Prior to joining the Vikings’ organization, Mr. Poppen was a Certified Public Accountant in the business assurance group of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Poppen currently is a member of the Minnesota State Fair Foundation board of directors and previously held board of director positions with a number of nonprofit organizations.

 

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Thomas J. Schmidt Mr. Schmidt has more than 30 years’ experience managing and operating financial services companies and is currently Principal of Tom Schmidt & Associates Consulting, LLC. Prior to this, he served as Vice President of the Mutual Fund an Alternative Investment Full Service Transfer Agent.
   
Randall K. Linscott Mr. Linscott has over 20 years’ experience with a wide range of financial services companies, including service at PricewaterhouseCoopers, an international public accounting firm, as well as Boston Financial Data Services, a transfer agency, prior to his role at M3Sixty Administration, LLC and with the Trust.

 

The Board has determined that each of the Trustees’ careers and background, combined with their interpersonal skills and general understanding of financial and other matters, enable the Trustees to effectively participate in and contribute to the Board’s functions and oversight of the Trust. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

 

Trustee Standing Committees. The Trustees have established the following standing committees:

 

Audit Committee: All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee oversees the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, reviews the results of the annual audits of the Fund’s financial statements, and interacts with the Fund’s independent auditors on behalf of all the Trustees. The Audit Committee also serves as the Trust’s qualified legal compliance committee. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter and meets periodically as necessary. The Audit Committee met four times during the Fund’s last fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s purposes, duties and powers are set forth in its written charter included as Appendix B hereto. This charter also describes the process by which shareholders of the Trust may make nominations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets only as necessary and did not meet during the Fund’s last fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.

 

Proxy Voting Committee: All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Proxy Voting Committee. The Proxy Voting Committee will determine how the Fund should cast its vote, if called upon by the Board or the Adviser, when a matter with respect to which the Fund is entitled to vote presents a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Fund’s Adviser, principal underwriter or an affiliated person of the Fund, its investment adviser, or principal underwriter, on the other hand. The Proxy Voting Committee will also review the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policy and recommend any changes to the Board as it deems necessary or advisable. The Proxy Voting Committee meets only as necessary and did not meeting during the Fund’s last fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.

 

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Fair Value Committee. In addition to the foregoing Committees established by the Board, the Trust has also established a Fair Value Committee. A representative of the adviser/sub-adviser (as applicable) and Messrs. Falk, DiCenzo, Schmidt, Thompson, Beaver, Byrd and Teleki are members of the Fair Value Committee. Messrs. Byrd and Teleki (or his designee) serve in an advisory role and are non-voting members of the Fair Value Committee. The Fair Value Committee oversees the valuation of restricted securities and any other security that may be purchased for the Trust’s portfolio for which a readily available market quotation is not available and implements guidelines and instructions adopted by the Board regarding the valuation of restricted securities held by the Fund focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity and availability of relevant information. The Fair Value Committee reviews relevant market conditions for any restricted security held by the Fund on a daily basis to determine the appropriate value for such restricted security. The Fair Value Committee did not meet with respect to the Fund during the Fund’s last fiscal year ended November 30, 2017.

 

Beneficial Equity Ownership Information. The table below shows for each Trustee the amount of Fund equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities of the Fund complex, as of a valuation date of December 31, 2017 and stated as one of the following ranges: A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = 10,001-$50,000; D - $50,001-100,000; and E = over $100,000.

 

Name of Director

 

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund 

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Director in Family of Investment Companies
Independent Trustees
Arthur Q. Falk FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund A A
       
Tom M. Wirtshafter FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund A A
       
Gary W. DiCenzo FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund A A
       
       
Steven D. Poppen FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund A A
       
Thomas J. Schmidt FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund A A
Interested Trustee
Randall K. Linscott FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund A A

 

Ownership of Securities of Adviser, Distributor or Related Entities. As of December 31, 2017, none of the Independent Trustees and/or their immediate family members owned securities of the Adviser, Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC (the Fund’s principal underwriter) or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor.

 

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Compensation. Officers of the Trust and Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Trust or the Adviser will receive no salary or fees from the Trust. Officers of the Trust and interested Trustees do receive compensation directly from certain service providers to the Trust, including the Distributor and M3Sixty Administration LLC. Each Trustee who is not an “interested person” receives a fee of $1,500 each year plus $200 per Board or committee meeting attended. The Trust reimburses each Trustee and officer for his or her travel and other expenses relating to attendance at such meetings. The table below reflects the amount of compensation received by each Trustee for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017:

 

Name of Trustee*

Aggregate Compensation

from the Fund 

Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Fund Expenses Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement Total Compensation From Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees**
Independent Trustees
Arthur Q. Falk $2,300 None None $2,300
Tom M. Wirtshafter $2,300 None None $2,300
Gary W. DiCenzo $2,300 None None $2,300
Steven D. Poppen*** $0 None None $0
Thomas J. Schmidt*** $0 None None $0
Interested Trustee
Randall K. Linscott None None None None
*Figures are for the period ended November 30, 2017.
**Each of the Trustees serves as a Trustee to the 12 series of the Trust.
***Messrs. Poppen and Schmidt became Trustees on September 21, 2018.

 

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

 

Investment Adviser. FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC, located at 124 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 504, Greenville, SC 29607, manages the investments of the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser is a limited liability company and became a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 15, 2007. As of June 30, 2018, the Adviser had approximately $1.369 billion in assets under management.

 

The Adviser assumed responsibility for managing the Fund pursuant to an interim investment advisory agreement on August 29, 2018. Under the terms of the interim investment advisory agreement, the Adviser was entitled to receive compensation at the rate of 1.25%, which was the annualized fee rate in place for the previous investment adviser to the Fund; however, the Adviser voluntarily waived fees such that the compensation during the interim period accrued at the rate of 1.95%; all compensation during the interim period was held in an escrow account. On October 29, 2018, shareholders of the Fund approved the Advisory Agreement and that agreement became effective on October 30, 2018.

 

Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser manages the investment portfolio of the Fund, subject to the policies adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Trust, furnishes office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and executive personnel necessary for managing the assets of the Fund. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser assumes and pays all ordinary expenses of the Fund, except that the Fund pays all management fees, brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, interest expense, Underlying Fund fees and expenses, all expenses which it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and extraordinary or non-recurring expenses. The Adviser is authorized, subject to approval by the Board and if applicable shareholders of the Fund. For its services with respect to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual management fee calculated daily and payable monthly, as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets at the rate of 1.25%.

 

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Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of such Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services; or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties; or from its reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under the Advisory Agreement.

 

Effective August 29, 2018, FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement with the Fund under which the Adviser has agreed to waive or reduce its fees and to assume other expenses of the Fund, if necessary, in an amount that limits the Fund’s annual operating expenses (exclusive of interest, distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 Plans, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund’s business) to not more than 1.95%. The Expense Limitation Agreement covers the period during which the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement was in place and the period following shareholder approval of the new Investment Advisory Agreement through at least March 31, 2020. Subject to approval by the Fund’s Board, any waiver under the Expense Limitation Agreement is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three fiscal years following the year in which such waiver occurred, if the Fund is able to make the payment without exceeding the 1.95% expense limitation.   The current contractual agreement cannot be terminated prior to at least one year after the effective date without the Board of Trustees’ approval.

 

As compensation for its services to the Fund, the Adviser receives a monthly management fee equal to an annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund’s net assets. For the period since inception from January 21, 2016 through November 30, 2016, the Adviser received $0 of its fee after waiving $24,597 of its fee and reimbursing $74,114 of Fund expenses. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the Adviser received $0 of its fee after waiving $63,370 for its fee and reimbursing $51,446 of Fund expenses. In addition to the management fee described above, the Adviser may also receive certain benefits from its management of the Fund in the form of brokerage or research services received from brokers under arrangements under Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act and the terms of the Advisory Agreement. For a description of these potential benefits, see the description under “Portfolio Transactions And Brokerage Allocation—Brokerage Selection.”

 

Portfolio Managers.

 

Compensation. Messrs. Allen R. Gillespie, J. Mercer Treadwell, and David E. Lewis are the portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Mr. Gillespie is compensated through salary and equity ownership of the Adviser. Messrs. Treadwell and Lewis are compensated through salary, bonus and the Adviser’s phantom equity unit plan. This compensation is not determined by assets under management or performance of the Fund.

 

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Ownership of Fund Shares. The table below shows the amount of Fund equity securities beneficially owned by each portfolio manager as of the end of August 22, 2018 stated as one of the following ranges: A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001-$50,000; D = $50,001-$100,000; E = $100,001-$500,000; F = $500,001-$1,000,000; and G = over $1,000,000.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager 

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund
Allen R. Gillespie A
J. Mercer Treadwell A
David E. Lewis A

 

Other Accounts. As of August 22, 2018, the Fund’s portfolio managers were responsible for managing the following types of accounts (other than the Fund):

 

Name of Portfolio Manager Registered Investment
Companies
Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
Managed
Other Accounts Managed
Number Total Assets Number Total Assets Number Total Assets
Allen R. Gillespie 0 0 0 0 1,447 $554, 911,623
J. Mercer Treadwell 0 0 0 0 1,447 $554,911,623
David E. Lewis 0 0 0 0 1,447 $554,911,623

 

Conflicts of Interest. The Adviser’s management of accounts other than the Fund may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with its management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts (the “Other Accounts”), on the other. The Other Accounts might have similar investment objectives as the Fund, track the same indices the Fund tracks or otherwise hold, purchase, or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased, or sold by the Fund. While a portfolio manager’s management of other accounts may give rise to the following potential conflicts of interest, the Adviser does not believe that the conflicts, if any, are material or, to the extent any such conflicts are material, the Adviser believes that it has designed policies and procedures that are designed to manage those conflicts in an appropriate way.

 

Knowledge of the Timing and Size of Fund Trades: A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of a portfolio manager’s day-to-day management of the Fund. The portfolio manager knows the size and timing of trades for the Fund and the Other Accounts, and may be able to predict the market impact of Fund trades. It is theoretically possible that the portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of Other Accounts it manages and to the possible detriment of the Fund, or vice versa.

 

Investment Opportunities: The Adviser may provide investment supervisory services for a number of investment accounts that have varying investment guidelines. Differences in the compensation structures of the Adviser’s various accounts may give rise to a conflict of interest by creating an incentive for the Adviser to allocate the investment opportunities it believes might be the most profitable to the client accounts that may benefit the most from the investment gains.

 

Administrator. M3Sixty Administration, LLC (“M3Sixty”), with principal offices at 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, KS 66205, provides accounting, administrative, transfer agency, dividend disbursing agency and shareholder servicing agency services for the Trust pursuant to an Investment Company Services Agreement (the “Services Agreement”). Under the Services Agreement, M3Sixty is responsible for a wide variety of functions, including but not limited to: (a) Fund accounting services; (b) financial statement preparation; (c) valuation of the Fund's portfolio securities; (d) pricing the Fund's shares; (e) assistance in preparing tax returns; (f) preparation and filing of required regulatory reports; (g) communications with shareholders; (h) coordination of Board and shareholder meetings; (i) monitoring the Fund's legal compliance; (j) maintaining shareholder account records. M3Sixty is not affiliated with the Adviser.

 

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For the period since inception from January 21, 2016 through November 30, 2016, the Fund paid M3Sixty $43,311 under the Services Agreement for fund administration, fund accounting and transfer agent services. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the Fund paid M3Sixty $56,387 under the Servicing Agreement for fund administration, fund accounting and transfer agent services.

 

Distributor. Matrix 360 Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) acts as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s shares for the purpose of facilitating the registration of shares of the Fund under state securities laws and to assist in sales of Fund shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) approved by the Trustees. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and maintains, at its own expense, its qualification as a broker-dealer under all applicable federal or state laws in those states which the Fund shall from time to time identify to the Distributor as states in which it wishes to offer its shares for sale, in order that state registrations may be maintained for the Fund. Shares of the Fund are sold on a continuous basis. The distribution agreement between the Fund and the Distributor requires the Distributor to use all reasonable efforts in connection with the distribution of the Fund's shares. However, the Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific number of shares and will only sell shares for orders it receives. The Distribution Agreement may be terminated by either party upon 60-days’ prior written notice to the other party. The Distributor is not affiliated with the Adviser.

 

For the period since inception from January 21, 2016 through November 30, 2016, the aggregate amount of sales charges paid on the sale of Class A shares of the Fund was $0, from which the Distributor retained sales charges of $0. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the aggregate amount of sales charges paid on the sale of Class A shares of the Fund was $192, from which the Distributor retained sales charges of $35.

 

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act (see “Administration – Distribution of Shares” in the Prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions and Special Shareholder Services – Additional Information” below). As required by Rule 12b-1, the Plan (together with the Distribution Agreement) was approved by the Trustees and separately by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan and the Distribution Agreement. The Plan provides that the Trust’s Treasurer shall provide to the Trustees, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the purposes of such expenditures. The continuation of the Plan must be considered by the Trustees annually.

 

Potential benefits of the Plan to the Fund include improved shareholder services and savings to the Fund in certain operating expenses. It is anticipated that the Plan will benefit shareholders because an effective sales program typically is necessary in order for the Fund to reach and maintain a sufficient size to achieve efficiently investment objectives and to realize economies of scale.

 

Under the Plan, the Fund may use 12b-1 fees to compensate broker-dealers (including, without limitation, the Distributor) for sales of Fund shares, or for other expenses associated with distributing Fund shares. The Fund may expend up to 0.25% for Class A shares of the Fund’s average daily net assets annually to pay for any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Fund and the servicing of shareholder accounts, provided that the Trustees have approved the category of expenses for which payment is being made. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects sales of Fund shares to involve a payment to broker-dealers; however, certain sales of Fund shares (e.g., sales to: (1) to current and retired officers and Trustees of the Trust; to clients (including custodial, agency, advisory and trust accounts) and current and retired officers and employees of the Adviser; to officers and employees of M3Sixty and the Distributor; to persons associated with law firms, consulting firms and others providing services to the Trust; and to such persons’ spouses, parents, siblings and lineal descendants and their beneficial accounts; or (2) to investors purchasing amounts of Class A shares greater than $3 million) may be made with or without remitting compensation to any broker-dealer. For the period since inception from January 21, 2016 through November 30, 2016, the Fund incurred distribution and service fees under the Plan in the amount of $534 (with no fees waived by the Fund’s distributor). For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2017, the Fund incurred distribution and service fees under the Plan in the amount of $995 (with no fees waived by the Fund’s distributor). These amounts were primarily used for expenses related to distributing and marketing the Fund.

 

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Custodian. Fifth Third Bank, 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263, serves as custodian for the Fund’s assets. The Custodian acts as the depository for the Fund, safekeeps its portfolio securities, collects all income and other payments with respect to portfolio securities, disburses monies at the Fund’s request and maintains records in connection with its duties as Custodian. For its services as Custodian, the Custodian is entitled to receive from the Fund an annual fee of 0.75 basis points based on the average net assets of the Fund held by the Custodian plus additional out of pocket and transaction expenses incurred by the Fund.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Trustees have selected the firm of Sanville & Company, located at 1514 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001, to serve as independent registered public accountants for the Fund for the current fiscal year and to audit the annual financial statements of the Fund, prepare the Fund’s tax returns, including but not limited to federal, state and excise taxes, and consult with the Fund on matters of accounting and federal and state income taxation.

 

Independent registered public accountants will audit the financial statements of the Fund at least once each year. Shareholders will receive annual audited and semi-annual (unaudited) reports when published and written confirmation of all transactions in their account. A copy of the most recent Annual Report will accompany the SAI whenever a shareholder or a prospective investor requests it.

 

Legal Counsel. Practus, LLP, located at 11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310, Leawood, KS 66211, serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Independent Trustees.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor each have adopted a code of ethics, as required by applicable law, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor from engaging in deceptive, manipulative, or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Fund (which may also be held by persons subject to a code). Each code permits the applicable entity’s employees and officers to invest in securities, subject to certain restrictions and pre-approval requirements. In addition, the Trust’s, Distributor’s and Adviser’s codes require that portfolio managers and other investment personnel of the Adviser report their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for compliance with the code of ethics.

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES

 

The Trust has adopted a proxy voting and disclosure policy that delegates to the Adviser the authority to vote proxies for the Fund, subject to oversight of the Trustees. Copies of the Trust’s Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy and the Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures are included as Appendix A to this SAI.

 

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Each year the Fund is required to file Form N-PX stating how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, within 60 days after the end of such period. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies as set forth in its most recent filing of Form N-PX will be available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at (877) 244-6235; and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

As of October 25, 2018, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group owned beneficially (i.e., directly or indirectly had voting and/or investment power) less than 1% of the then outstanding shares of the Class A and Institutional Class shares of the Fund. Except as provided below, no person is known by the Trust to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of the Fund as of October 25, 2018.

 

Class A Shares

 

Name and Address of Principal Holder 

Percentage Owned of Record
   

Charles Schwab & Co/ 

Special Custody FBO Customers 

ATTN Mutual Funds 

211 Main Street 

San Francisco, CA 94105

 

National Financial Services, LLC 

499 Washington Blvd. 

Jersey City, NJ 07310

 

Charles Schwab & Co Inc./ 

Special Custody A/C FBO Customers 

211 Main Street 

San Francisco, CA 94105

 

1.35%

 

 

 

 

 

9.99%

 

 

 

88.66%

 

Institutional Shares

 

Name and Address of Principal Holder

 

Percentage Owned of Record
   

Charles Schwab & Co Inc./ 

Special Custody A/C FBO Customers 

211 Main Street 

San Francisco, CA 94105 

99.92%

 

PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND SPECIAL SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

 

Purchases. Reference is made to “Purchasing Shares” in the Prospectus for more information concerning how to purchase shares. Specifically, potential investors should refer to the Prospectus for information regarding purchasing shares by mail or bank wire, and for information regarding telephone orders. Potential investors should also refer to the Prospectus for information regarding the Fund’s two classes of shares, Class A and Institutional Class shares, and their respective fees and expenses. The Prospectus also describes the Fund’s automatic investment plan and certain rights reserved by the Fund with respect to orders for Fund shares. The following information supplements the information regarding share purchases in the Prospectus:

 

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Pricing of Orders. Shares of the Fund will be offered and sold on a continuous basis. The purchase price of shares of the Fund is based on the net asset value next determined after the order is received, subject to the order being accepted by the Fund in good form. Net asset value is normally determined at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, as described under “Net Asset Value” below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Class A shares are generally subject to an initial sales load as described in the Prospectus.

 

Regular Accounts. The regular account allows for voluntary investments to be made at any time. Available to individuals, custodians, corporations, trusts, estates, corporate retirement plans, and others, investors are free to make additions and withdrawals to or from their account as often as they wish. When an investor makes an initial investment in the Fund, a shareholder account is opened in accordance with the investor’s registration instructions. Each time there is a transaction in a shareholder account, such as an additional investment or the reinvestment of a dividend or distribution, the shareholder will receive a confirmation statement showing the current transaction and all prior transactions in the shareholder account during the calendar year to date, along with a summary of the status of the account as of the transaction date.

 

Purchases in Kind. The Fund may accept securities in lieu of cash in payment for the purchase of shares in the Fund. The acceptance of such securities is at the sole discretion of the Adviser based upon the suitability of the securities accepted for inclusion as a long-term investment of the Fund, the marketability of such securities, and other factors that the Adviser may deem appropriate. If accepted, the securities will be valued using the same criteria and methods as described in “Investing in the Fund - Determining the Fund’s Net Asset Value” in the Prospectus.

 

Share Certificates. The Fund normally does not issue stock certificates. Evidence of ownership of shares is provided through entry in the Fund’s share registry. Investors will receive periodic account statements (and, where applicable, purchase confirmations) that will show the number of shares owned.

 

Redemptions. Reference is made to “Redeeming Shares” in the Prospectus for more information concerning how to redeem shares. Specifically, investors wishing to redeem shares in the Fund should refer to the Prospectus for information regarding redeeming shares by mail, telephone/fax or bank wire. The Prospectus also describes contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSCs”) that apply to purchases of Class A shares of the Fund. The Prospectus also describes the Fund’s policy regarding accounts that fall below the Fund’s required minimums, redemptions in kind, signature guarantees and other information about the Fund’s redemption policies. The following information supplements the information regarding share redemptions in the Prospectus:

 

Suspension of Redemption Privileges and Postponement of Payment. The Fund may suspend redemption privileges or postpone the date of payment (i) during any period that the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or that trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC; (ii) during any period when an emergency exists as defined by the rules of the SEC as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities owned by it, or to determine fairly the value of its assets; and (iii) for such other periods as the SEC may permit. The Fund may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions. Any redemption may be more or less than the shareholder’s cost depending on the market value of the securities held by the Fund. No charge is made by the Fund for redemptions other than the possible charge for wiring redemption proceeds, and the assessment of a CDSC on certain redemptions of Fund shares occurring within one year following the issuance of such shares. For information on the CDSC that applies to certain purchases of Class A shares, see “Redeeming Shares – Contingent Deferred Sales Charges” in the Prospectus.

 

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Involuntary Redemptions. In addition to the situations described in the Prospectus under “Redeeming Shares,” the Fund may redeem shares involuntarily to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for the benefit of a shareholder which is applicable to Fund shares as provided in the Prospectus from time to time.

 

Additional Information. Following is additional information regarding certain services and features related to purchases, redemptions and distribution of Fund shares. Investors who have questions about any of this information should call the Fund at (877) 244-6235.

 

Reduced Sales Loads. Front-end sales loads on purchases of Class A shares may be reduced under the “Right of Accumulation” or under a “Letter of Intent.” To receive a reduced sales load, you must inform your broker-dealer or the Fund at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction. If you do not let your broker-dealer or the Fund know you are eligible for a reduced sales charge, you may not receive the discount to which you are otherwise entitled.

 

You may use the “Right of Accumulation” to reduce your sales load. Under the “Right of Accumulation,” you may combine the current net asset value of your existing Class A shares of the Fund with the amount of any current purchases in order to take advantage of the reduced sales loads with higher amounts of investment in the Fund.

 

Purchases made pursuant to a “Letter of Intent” may also be eligible for the reduced sales loads. In a Letter of Intent, the investor expresses his or her intention, in writing, to invest a certain amount over a specified period of time. The Fund will then apply to each of the investor’s periodic investments the reduced sales load that would apply to the total amount stated in the Letter of Intent. The minimum initial investment under a Letter of Intent is $100,000. If not stated otherwise in the Letter of Intent, the amount of shares you purchase in the Fund during the thirteen (13) months following the signing of the Letter of Intent qualify for the reduced sales load. The reduced sales load will not apply to purchases in the Fund made more than 90 days prior to the signing of the Letter of Intent. During the term of your Letter of Intent, the Transfer Agent will hold in escrow shares representing the highest applicable sales load for the Fund each time you make a purchase. Any shares you redeem during that period will count against your total amount stated in your Letter of Intent. If, by the end of the term of the Letter of Intent, you have purchased all the shares you committed to purchase in the Letter of Intent, the escrowed shares will be released to you. If you have not purchased all the shares you committed to purchase in the Letter of Intent, your escrowed shares will be redeemed in an amount equal to the sales load that would apply if you had purchased the actual amount in your account all at once. Any escrowed shares not needed to satisfy that sales load would be released to you.

 

Shareholders may include the value of certain related accounts, including accounts held by their spouse and children under the age of 21, family trust accounts of the investor and other accounts held by the investor to determine the applicable sales load and for purposes of the Right of Accumulation and Letter of Intent privileges. These privileges apply even if your related accounts are opened at different brokerage firms, so it is important to let your broker-dealer(s) or the Transfer Agent know about all your accounts that may be combined. To verify eligibility for a reduced sales load, your broker-dealer or the Fund may require that you submit copies of account statements to substantiate requests for Right of Accumulation and Letter of Intent privileges.

 

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Class A shares may be sold at net asset value, without a sales charge, to current and retired officers and Trustees of the Trust; to clients (including custodial, agency, advisory and trust accounts) and current and retired officers and employees of the Adviser; to officers and employees of M3Sixty and the Distributor; to persons associated with law firms, consulting firms and others providing services to the Trust; and to such persons’ spouses, parents, siblings and lineal descendants and their beneficial accounts. Such shares may also be issued at net asset value (1) in connection with the merger (or similar transaction) of an investment company (or series or class thereof) or personal holding company with the Fund (or class thereof), and (2) to investment advisers, financial planners or other intermediaries who place trades for their own accounts or the accounts of their clients and who charge a management, consulting or other fee for their services; and to clients of such investment advisers, financial planners or other intermediaries who place trades for their own accounts if the accounts are linked to the master account of such investment adviser, financial planner or other intermediary on the books and records of the broker or agent. Sales charges generally are waived in the foregoing cases because either (i) there is no sales effort involved in the sale of shares; or (ii) the investor is paying a fee (other than the sales charge) to the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary or adviser involved in the sale.

 

Transfer of Registration. To transfer shares to another owner, send a written request to the Fund at 360 Funds, 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, KS 66205. Your request should include the following: (1) the Fund name and existing account registration; (2) signature(s) of the registered owner(s) exactly as the signature(s) appear(s) on the account registration; (3) the new account registration, address, social security or taxpayer identification number, and how dividends and capital gains are to be distributed; (4) signature guarantees (See the Prospectus under the heading “Redeeming Shares—Signature Guarantees”); and (5) any additional documents which are required for transfer by corporations, administrators, executors, trustees, guardians, etc. If you have any questions about transferring shares, call or write the Fund.

 

Mailing Shareholder Communications. Accounts having the same mailing address may consent in writing to sharing a single mailing of shareholder reports, proxy statements (but each such shareholder would receive his/her own proxy) and other Fund literature.

 

Plan under Rule 12b-1. As discussed in the “Management and Administration—Distributor” section above, the Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act for the Fund. Under the Plan, the Fund may pay for services related to the distribution of shares of the Fund with up to 0.25% of the Fund’s assets on an annual basis for Class A shares. The Trustees will take into account the expenditures for purposes of reviewing operations under the Plan and in connection with their annual consideration of renewal of the Plan. The Distributor has indicated that it expects its expenditures to include, without limitation: (a) the printing and mailing of Fund prospectuses, statements of additional information, any supplements thereto and shareholder reports for prospective shareholders with respect to shares of the Fund; (b) those relating to the development, preparation, printing and mailing of advertisements, sales literature and other promotional materials describing and/or relating to shares of the Fund; (c) obtaining information and providing explanations to wholesale and retail distributors of contracts regarding Fund investment objectives and policies and other information about the Fund, including the performance of the Fund; (d) training sales personnel regarding the shares of the Fund; and (e) financing any activity that the Distributor determines is primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. Under the Plan, the Distributor is compensated regardless of its out-of-pocket expenditures. The Fund does not participate in any joint distribution activities with other investment companies nor is the Fund aware of any interested person of the Fund or any director who is not an interested person of the Fund having any direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan or related agreements.

 

Dealers. The Distributor, at its expense, may provide additional compensation in addition to dealer discounts and brokerage commissions to dealers in connection with sales of shares of the Fund. Compensation may include financial assistance to dealers in connection with conferences, sales or training programs for their employees, seminars for the public, advertising campaigns regarding the Fund, and/or other dealer-sponsored special events, to the extent permitted under applicable law and the rules and regulations of the FINRA. None of the aforementioned compensation is paid directly by the Fund or its shareholders although the Distributor may use a portion of the payment it receives under the Distribution Plan to pay these expenses.

 

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Additional Information About Redemptions. The right to redeem shares of the Fund can be suspended and the payment of the redemption price deferred when the NYSE is closed (other than for customary weekend and holiday closings), during periods when trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC, or during any emergency as determined by the SEC which makes it impracticable for the Fund to dispose of its securities or value its assets, or during any other period permitted by order of the SEC for the protection of investors.

 

Due to the high cost of maintaining small accounts, the Trust reserves the right to redeem accounts with balances of less than $1,000.00. Prior to such a redemption, shareholders will be given 60 days’ written notice to make an additional purchase. However, no such redemption would be required by the Trust if the cause of the low account balance was a reduction in the net asset value of shares. No CDSC will be imposed with respect to such involuntary redemptions.

 

The Fund does not intend, under normal circumstances, to redeem shares by payment in kind. It is possible, however, that conditions may arise in the future that would, in the opinion of the Trustees, make it undesirable for the Fund to pay for all redemptions in cash. In such cases, the Trustees may authorize payment to be made in readily marketable portfolio securities of the Fund. Securities delivered in payment of redemptions would be valued at the same value assigned to them in computing the net asset value per share. Shareholders receiving them may incur brokerage costs when these securities are sold and will be subject to market risk until such securities are sold. An irrevocable election has been filed under Rule 18f-1 of the 1940 Act, wherein the Fund must pay redemptions in cash, rather than in kind, to any shareholder of record of the Fund who redeems during any 90-day period, the lesser of (a) $250,000 or (b) 1% of the Fund’s net asset value at the beginning of such period. Redemption requests in excess of this limit may be satisfied in cash or in kind at the Fund’s election.

 

NET ASSET VALUE

 

The net asset value and net asset value per share of the Fund normally is determined at the time regular trading closes on the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time, Monday through Friday), except on business holidays when the NYSE is closed. The NYSE recognizes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Any other holiday recognized by the NYSE will be considered a business holiday on which the net asset value of shares of the Fund will not be calculated.

 

In computing the Fund’s net asset value, all liabilities incurred or accrued are deducted from its net assets. The resulting net assets are divided by the number of shares of the Fund outstanding at the time of the valuation and the result is the net asset value per share of the Fund.

 

The pricing and valuation of portfolio securities is determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by, and under the direction of, the Trustees. Values are determined according to accepted accounting practices and all laws and regulations that apply. Using methods approved by the Trustees, the assets of the Fund are valued as follows:

 

Securities that are listed on a securities exchange are valued at the last quoted sales price at the time the valuation is made. Price information on listed securities is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded by the Fund.

 

Securities that are listed on an exchange and which are not traded on the valuation date are valued at the bid price. Options held by a fund for which no current quotations are readily available and which are not traded on the valuation date are valued at the mean price.

 

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Unlisted securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest quoted sales price, if available, at the time of valuation, otherwise, at the latest quoted bid price.

 

Temporary cash investments with maturities of 60 days or less will be valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

 

Securities for which no current quotations are readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Trustees. Securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities.

 

Securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of such securities.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Trust Instrument, determinations by the Trustees as to the direct and allocable liabilities of the Fund and the allocable portion of any general assets are conclusive. As described in the Prospectus, the Adviser is responsible for notifying the Trustees or the Trust’s Fair Value Committee when it believes that fair value pricing is required for a particular security. The Trust has adopted Fair Value Pricing procedures and instructions that apply to investments by the Fund in restricted securities and warrants (“Restricted Securities”). A description of these procedures and instructions is included in the Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. As explained in the Prospectus, because the Fund’s fair valuing of Restricted Securities is a determination of the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive for them upon their current sale, the Fund is subject to the risk that the Fund’s fair valued prices are not accurate, and that the fair value price is not reflective of the value the Fund will receive upon a sale of the security.

 

ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION

 

The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and their shareholders.  The discussion reflects applicable federal income tax laws of the U.S. as of the date of this SAI, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect.  No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. income, estate or gift tax, or foreign, state or local tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in the Fund).  The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice.  Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

 

In addition, no attempt is made to address tax concerns applicable to an investor with a special tax status such as a financial institution, real estate investment trust, insurance company, regulated investment company (“RIC”), individual retirement account, other tax-exempt entity, dealer in securities or non-U.S. investor.  Furthermore, this discussion does not reflect possible application of the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”).  Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes shares of the Fund are held by U.S. shareholders and that such shares are held as capital assets.

 

A U.S. shareholder is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

a citizen or individual resident of the United States (including certain former citizens and former long-term residents);

 

a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

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an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

a trust with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. shareholders have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or the trust has made a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

A “Non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is an individual, corporation, trust or estate and is not a U.S. shareholder.  If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of the Fund, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally depends upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.  A prospective shareholder who is a partner of a partnership holding the Fund’s shares should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of its Fund shares.

 

Taxation as a RIC. The Fund intends to qualify and remain qualified as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). The Fund will qualify as a RIC if, among other things, they meet the source-of-income and the asset-diversification requirements. With respect to the source-of-income requirement, the Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest) from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership.” A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is generally defined as a publicly traded partnership under Internal Revenue Code section 7704. However, for these purposes, a qualified publicly traded partnership does not include a publicly traded partnership if 90% or more of its income is described in (i) above. Income derived from a partnership (other than a qualified publicly traded partnership) or trust is qualifying income to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership or trust which would be qualifying income if realized by the Fund in the same manner as realized by the partnership or trust.

 

If a RIC fails this 90% source-of-income test it is no longer subject to a 21% penalty as long as such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. Instead, the amount of the penalty for non-compliance is the amount by which the non-qualifying income exceeds one-ninth of the qualifying gross income.

 

With respect to the asset-diversification requirement, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other RICs of (a) one issuer, (b) two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (c) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

If a RIC fails this asset-diversification test, such RIC, in addition to other cure provisions previously permitted, has a 6-month period to correct any failure without incurring a penalty if such failure is “de minimis,” meaning that the failure does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the RIC’s assets, or $10 million.

 

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Similarly, if a RIC fails this asset-diversification test and the failure is not de minimis, a RIC can cure failure if: (a) the RIC files with the Treasury Department a description of each asset that causes the RIC to fail the diversification tests; (b) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect; and (c) the failure is cured within six months (or such other period specified by the Treasury). In such cases, a tax is imposed on the RIC equal to the greater of: (a) $50,000 or (b) an amount determined by multiplying the highest rate of tax (currently 21%) by the amount of net income generated during the period of diversification test failure by the assets that caused the RIC to fail the diversification test.

 

If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and distributes to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses and certain net foreign exchange gains as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, and (ii) the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain deductions attributable to such interest that are otherwise disallowed, the Fund will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gains, distributed to shareholders. However, any ordinary income or capital gain retained by the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 21%). The Fund intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest, and net capital gain.

 

The Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of their undistributed ordinary income with respect to each calendar year and undistributed capital gains if they fail to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to the one-year period ending on October 31 in that calendar year. To avoid the 4% federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis), (ii) 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) and (iii) any income realized, but not distributed, and on which we paid no federal income tax in preceding years. The Fund generally intend to make distributions in a timely manner in an amount at least equal to the required minimum distribution and therefore, under normal market conditions, do not expect to be subject to this excise tax.

 

The Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which they do not receive cash. For example, if the Fund holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with payment in kind interest or, in certain cases, with increasing interest rates or that are issued with warrants), the Fund must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Fund in the same taxable year. Because any original issue discount accrued will be included in the Fund’s “investment company taxable income” (discussed above) for the year of accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to its shareholders to satisfy the distribution requirement, even though it will not have received an amount of cash that corresponds with the income earned.

 

To the extent that the Fund has capital loss carryforwards from prior tax years, those carryforwards will reduce the net capital gains that can support the Fund’s distribution of Capital Gain Dividends. If the Fund uses net capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (pre-2011 losses), those carryforwards will not reduce the Fund’s current earnings and profits, as losses incurred in later years will. As a result, if the Fund then makes distributions of capital gains recognized during the current year in excess of net capital gains (as reduced by carryforwards), the portion of the excess equal to pre-2011 losses factoring into net capital gain will be taxable as an ordinary dividend distribution, even though that distributed excess amount would not have been subject to tax if retained by the Fund. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether the Fund retains or distributes such gains.

 

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A RIC is generally permitted to carry forward net capital losses indefinitely and may allow losses to retain their original character (as short or as long-term). For net capital losses recognized prior to such date, such losses are permitted to be carried forward up to 8 years and are characterized as short-term. These capital loss carryforwards may be utilized in future years to offset net realized capital gains of the Fund, if any, prior to distributing such gains to shareholders.

 

Gain or loss realized by the Fund from the sale or exchange of warrants acquired by the Fund as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term, depending on how long the Fund held a particular warrant. Upon the exercise of a warrant acquired by the Fund, the Fund’s tax basis in the stock purchased under the warrant will equal the sum of the amount paid for the warrant plus the strike price paid on the exercise of the warrant. Except as set forth in “Failure to Qualify as a RIC,” the remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund will qualify as RICs for each taxable year.

 

Failure to Qualify as a RIC. If the Fund is unable to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement or otherwise fails to qualify as a RIC in any year, it will be subject to corporate level income tax on all of its income and gain, regardless of whether or not such income was distributed. Distributions to the Fund’s shareholders of such income and gain will not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, would constitute ordinary dividends, which would generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders, and non-corporate shareholders would generally be able to treat such distributions as “qualified dividend income” eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation provided in each case that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.

 

Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholders’ tax basis in their Fund shares, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. To qualify as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, the Fund would be required to satisfy the source-of-income, the asset diversification, and the annual distribution requirements for that year and dispose of any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under the Internal Revenue Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that requalify as a RIC no later than the second year following the nonqualifying year, the Fund would be subject to tax on any unrealized built-in gains in the assets held by it during the period in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC that are recognized within the subsequent 10 years, unless the Fund made a special election to pay corporate-level tax on such built-in gain at the time of its requalification as a RIC.

 

Taxation for U.S. Shareholders. Distributions paid to U.S. shareholders by the Fund from their investment company taxable income (which is, generally, the Fund’s ordinary income plus net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses) are generally taxable to U.S. shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Such distributions (if designated by the Fund) may qualify (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders under Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations, excluding distributions from tax-exempt organizations, exempt farmers’ cooperatives or real estate investment trusts or (ii) in the case of individual shareholders as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at reduced rates under Section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code (which provides for a maximum 20% rate) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income, and provided in each case certain holding period and other requirements are met. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualified comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, or the stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified foreign corporation generally excludes any foreign corporation, which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company. Distributions made to a U.S. shareholder from an excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses (“capital gain dividends”), including capital gain dividends credited to such shareholder but retained by the Fund, are taxable to such shareholder as long-term capital gain if they have been properly designated by the Fund, regardless of the length of time such shareholder owned the shares of the Fund. The maximum tax rate on capital gain dividends received by individuals is generally 20%. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will be treated by the U.S. shareholder, first, as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. shareholder’s shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to the U.S. shareholder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). The Fund is not required to provide written notice designating the amount of any qualified dividend income or capital gain dividends and other distributions. The Forms 1099 will instead serve this notice purpose.

 

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As a RIC, the Fund will be subject to the AMT, but any items that are treated differently for AMT purposes must be apportioned between the Fund and the shareholders and this may affect the shareholders’ AMT liabilities. The Fund intends in general to apportion these items in the same proportion that dividends paid to each shareholder bear to the Fund’s taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction.

 

For purpose of determining (i) whether the annual distribution requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If the Fund makes such an election, the U.S. shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by the U.S. shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

 

The Fund intends to distribute all realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If such an event occurs, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally be increased by the difference between the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholders.

 

Sales and other dispositions of the shares of the Fund generally are taxable events. U.S. shareholders should consult their own tax advisor with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in the shares of the Fund is properly treated as a sale or exchange for federal income tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. The sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to the shareholder equal to the difference between the amount realized and his adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or exchanged, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by such shareholder with respect to such shares. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund generally will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares are acquired within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gain of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income of corporations. For non-corporate taxpayers, short-term capital gain will currently be taxed at the rate applicable to ordinary income, currently a maximum of 21%, while long-term capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 20%. Capital losses are subject to certain limitations.

 

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Federal law requires that mutual fund companies report their shareholders' cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the Internal Revenue Service on the Fund’s shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s when “covered” securities are sold. Covered securities are any regulated investment company and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012.

 

The Fund selected the Average Cost method as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the Fund will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund’s standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than the Fund’s standing method and will be able to do so at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service regulations or consult your tax advisor with regard to your personal circumstances.

 

For those securities defined as "covered" under current Internal Revenue Service cost basis tax reporting regulations, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. The Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not "covered." The Fund and its service providers do not provide tax advice. You should consult independent sources, which may include a tax professional, with respect to any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.

 

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 advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.

 

Pay-In-Kind Securities. Payment-in-kind securities will, and commodity-linked notes may, give rise to income that 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.

 

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 than they would in the absence of such transactions.

 

Tax-Exempt Shareholders. A tax-exempt shareholder could recognize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 514(b). Furthermore, a tax-exempt shareholder may recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).

 

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In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in section 664 of the Internal Revenue Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year, must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in the Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in the Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders, at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund. The Fund has not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisers concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Companies. A passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) is any foreign corporation: (i) 75% or more of the gross income of which for the taxable year is passive income, or (ii) the average percentage of the assets of which (generally by value, but by adjusted tax basis in certain cases) that produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. Generally, passive income for this purpose means dividends, interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties, rents, annuities, the excess of gains over losses from certain property transactions and commodities transactions, and foreign currency gains. Passive income for this purpose does not include rents and royalties received by the foreign corporation from active business and certain income received from related persons.

 

Equity investments by the Fund in certain PFICs could potentially subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax or other charge (including interest charges) on the distributions received from the PFIC or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the PFIC. This tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to avoid the imposition of that tax. For example, if the Fund is in a position to and elects to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (i.e., make a “QEF election”), the Fund will be required to include its share of the PFIC s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC. Alternatively, the Fund may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in its PFIC holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income.”

 

Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, the Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.

 

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Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Any such net gains could require a larger dividend toward the end of the calendar year. Any such net losses will generally reduce and potentially require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate Fund distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years.

 

Foreign Taxation. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. The Fund does not expect to be eligible to pass through to shareholders a credit or deduction for such taxes.

 

Foreign Shareholders. Capital Gain Dividends are generally not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid by the Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (such shareholder, a “foreign shareholder”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding.

 

A regulated investment company generally is not required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a foreign person (a) that does not provide a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (b) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign person is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (c) that is within a foreign country that has inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (d) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign person and the foreign person is a controlled foreign corporation) from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign person, to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders (“interest-related dividends”), and (ii) with respect to distributions (other than (a) distributions to an individual foreign person who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (b) distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses to the extent such distributions are properly reported by the regulated investment company (“short-term capital gain dividends”). If the Fund invests in an underlying fund that pays such distributions to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign persons.

 

The Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. These exemptions from withholding will not be available to foreign shareholders of Funds that do not currently report their dividends as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends.

 

In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders. Foreign persons should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.

 

Under U.S. federal tax law, a beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign shareholder generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) apply to the foreign shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund or to the Capital Gain Dividend the foreign shareholder received (as described below).

 

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Special rules would apply if the Fund were either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USPRIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or former USRPHC.

 

If the Fund were a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the exceptions referred to above, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable to gains realized by the Fund on the disposition of USRPIs or to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands generally would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholder’s current and past ownership of the Fund. On and after January 1, 2012, this “look-through” USRPI treatment for distributions by the Fund, if it were either a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of the exceptions referred to above, to foreign shareholders applies only to those distributions that, in turn, are attributable to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier REIT, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise.

 

In addition, if the Fund were a USRPHC or former USRPHC, it could be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.

 

Whether or not the Fund is characterized as a USRPHC will depend upon the nature and mix of the Fund’s assets. The Fund does not expect to be a USRPHC. Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Fund.

 

If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder has a trade or business in the United States, and the dividends are effectively connected with the beneficial holder’s conduct of that trade or business, the dividend will be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates.

 

If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by that beneficial holder in the United States.

 

To qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from backup withholding, a foreign shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-US status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). Foreign shareholders in the Fund should consult their tax advisers in this regard.

 

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A beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the federal tax on income referred to above.

 

Backup Withholding. The Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

 

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect to Foreign Financial Assets. Certain individuals (and, if provided in future guidance, certain domestic entities) must disclose annually their interests in “specified foreign financial assets” on IRS Form 8938, which must be attached to their U.S. federal income tax returns for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010. The IRS has not yet released a copy of the Form 8938 and has suspended the requirement to attach Form 8938 for any taxable year for which an income tax return is filed before the release of Form 8938. Following Form 8938’s release, individuals will be required to attach to their next income tax return required to be filed with the IRS a Form 8938 for each taxable year for which the filing of Form 8938 was suspended. Until the IRS provides more details regarding this reporting requirement, including in Form 8938 itself and related Treasury regulations, it remains unclear under what circumstances, if any, a shareholder’s (indirect) interest in the Fund’s “specified foreign financial assets,” if any, will be required to be reported on this Form 8938.

 

Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements. Rules enacted in March 2010 require the reporting to the IRS of direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts and foreign entities by U.S. persons. Failure to provide this required information can result in a 30% withholding tax on certain payments (“withholdable payments”) made after December 31, 2012. Specifically, withholdable payments subject to this 30% withholding tax include payments of U.S.-source dividends and interest made on or after January 1, 2014, and payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposal of property that can produce U.S.-source dividends or interest made on or after January 1, 2015.

 

The IRS has issued only very preliminary guidance with respect to these new rules; their scope remains unclear and potentially subject to material change. Very generally, it is possible that distributions made by the Fund after the dates noted above (or such later dates as may be provided in future guidance) to a shareholder, including a distribution in redemption of shares and a distribution of income or gains otherwise exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to non-U.S. shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends, Short-Term Capital Gain Dividends and interest-related dividends, as described above) will be subject to the new 30% withholding requirement. Payments to a foreign shareholder that is a “foreign financial institution” will generally be subject to withholding, unless such shareholder enters into a timely agreement with the IRS. Payments to shareholders that are U.S. persons or foreign individuals will generally not be subject to withholding, so long as such shareholders provide the Fund with such certifications or other documentation, including, to the extent required, with regard to such shareholders’ direct and indirect owners, as the Fund requires to comply with the new rules. Persons investing in the Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary regarding the application of the new reporting and withholding regime to their investments in the Fund.

 

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Shareholders are urged to consult a tax advisor regarding this new reporting and withholding regime, in light of their particular circumstances.

 

Shares Purchased through Tax-Qualified Plans. Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans, and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.

 

Securities Lending. While securities are loaned out by the Fund, the Fund generally will receive from the borrower amounts equal to any dividends or interest paid on the borrowed securities. For federal income tax purposes, payments made “in lieu of” dividends are not considered dividend income. These distributions will neither qualify for the reduced rate of taxation for individuals on qualified dividends nor the 70% dividends received deduction for corporations. Also, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits to shareholders.

 

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative and administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal income, estate or gift taxes, or foreign, state, local taxes or other taxes.

 

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. 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 the 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. The 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 the Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.

 

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APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES

 

The following proxy voting policies are provided:

 

(1)the Trust’s Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy and

 

(2)the Adviser’s Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy.

 

(1) PROXY VOTING AND DISCLOSURE POLICY FOR 360 FUNDS

 

I.Introduction

 

Effective April 14, 2003, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments under the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Act of 1934, and the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”) to require registered management investment companies to provide disclosure about how they vote proxies for their portfolio securities (collectively, the rule and form amendments are referred to herein as the “IC Amendments”).

 

The IC Amendments require that the Trust and the Fund disclose the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies for portfolio securities. The IC Amendments also require the Fund to file with the SEC and to make available to their shareholders the specific proxy votes cast for portfolio securities.

 

This Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy (“Policy”) is designed to ensure that the Fund complies with the requirements of the IC Amendments, and otherwise fulfills its obligations with respect to proxy voting, disclosure, and recordkeeping. The overall goal is to ensure that the Fund’s proxy voting is managed in an effort to act in the best interests of its shareholders. While decisions about how to vote must be determined on a case-by-case basis, proxy voting decisions will be made considering these guidelines and following the procedures recited herein.

 

II.Specific Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

A.General

 

The Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Board”) believes that the voting of proxies is an important part of portfolio management as it represents an opportunity for shareholders to make their voices heard and to influence the direction of a company. The Trust and the Fund are committed to voting corporate proxies in the manner that best serves the interests of the Fund’s shareholders.

 

B.Delegation to Fund’s Adviser

 

The Board believes that the Adviser, as the Fund’s investment adviser, is in the best position to make individual voting decisions for the Fund consistent with this Policy. Therefore, subject to the oversight of the Board, the Adviser is hereby delegated the following duties:

 

(1)to make the proxy voting decisions for the Fund; and

 

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(2)to assist the Fund in disclosing the Fund’s proxy voting record as required by Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act, including providing the following information for each matter with respect to which the Fund was entitled to vote: (a) information identifying the matter voted on; (b) whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder; (c) whether and how the Fund cast its vote; and (d) whether the Fund cast its vote for or against management.

 

The Board, including a majority of the independent trustees of the Board, shall approve the Adviser’s Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy (“Adviser’s Voting Policy”) as it relates to the Fund. The Board shall also approve any material changes to the Adviser’s Voting Policy no later than four (4) months after adoption by Adviser.

 

C.Conflicts

 

In cases where a matter with respect to which the Fund is entitled to vote presents a conflict between the interest of the Fund’s shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter, or an affiliated person of the Fund, its investment adviser or principal underwriter, on the other hand, the Fund shall always vote in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders. For purposes of this Policy a vote shall be considered in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders (i) when a vote is cast consistent with a specific voting policy as set forth in the Adviser’s Voting Policy, provided such specific voting policy was approved by the Board or (ii) when a vote is cast consistent with the decision of the Trust’s Proxy Voting Committee (as defined below).

 

III. Fund Disclosure

 

A.Disclosure of Fund Policies and Procedures With Respect to Voting Proxies Relating to Portfolio Securities

 

The Fund shall disclose this Policy, or a description of the policies and procedures of this Policy, to its shareholders in its Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) on Form N-1A. The Fund will notify shareholders in the SAI and the Fund’s shareholder reports that a description of this Policy is available upon request, without charge, by calling a specified toll-free telephone number, by reviewing the Fund’s website, if applicable, and by reviewing filings available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund will send this description of the Fund’s Policy within three business days of receipt of any shareholder request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 

B.Disclosure of the Fund’s Complete Proxy Voting Record

 

In accordance with Rule 30b1-4 of the Investment Company Act, the Fund shall disclose to its shareholders on Form N-PX the Fund’s complete proxy voting record for the twelve month period ended June 30 by no later than August 31 of each year.

 

The Fund shall disclose the following information on Form N-PX for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting held during the period covered by the report and with respect to which to the Fund was entitled to vote:

 

(i)The name of the issuer of the portfolio security;

 

(ii)The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security (if available through reasonably practicable means);

 

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(iii)The Council on Uniform Security Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the portfolio security (if available through reasonably practicable means);

 

(iv)The shareholder meeting date;

 

(v)A brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

(vi)Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;

 

(vii)Whether the Fund cast its vote on the matter;

 

(viii)How the Fund cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors); and

 

(ix)Whether the Fund cast its vote for or against management.

 

The Fund shall make its proxy voting record available to shareholders either upon request or by making available an electronic version on or through the Fund’s website, if applicable. If the Fund discloses its proxy voting record on or through its website, the Fund shall post the information disclosed in the Fund’s most recently filed report on Form N-PX on the website beginning the same day it files such information with the SEC.

 

The Fund shall also include in its annual reports, semi-annual reports and SAI a statement that information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge upon request, by calling a specified toll-free (or collect) telephone number, or (if applicable) on or through the Fund’s website at a specified Internet address; and (2) on the SEC’s website. If the Fund discloses that its proxy voting record is available by calling a toll-free (or collect) telephone number, it shall send the information disclosed in the Fund’s most recently filed report on Form N-PX within three business days of receipt of a request for this information, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 

IV.Recordkeeping

 

The Trust shall keep the following records for a period of at least five years, the first two in an easily accessible place:

 

(i)A copy of this Policy;

 

(ii)Proxy Statements received regarding the Fund’s securities;

 

(iii)Records of votes cast on behalf of the Fund; and

 

(iv)A record of each shareholder request for proxy voting information and the Fund’s response, including the date of the request, the name of the shareholder, and the date of the response.

 

The foregoing records may be kept as part of the Adviser’s records.

 

The Fund may rely on proxy statements filed on the SEC EDGAR system instead of keeping its own copies, and may rely on proxy statements and records of proxy votes cast by the Adviser that are maintained with a third party such as a proxy voting service, provided that an undertaking is obtained from the third party to provide a copy of the documents promptly upon request.

 

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V.Proxy Voting Committee

 

A.General

 

The Proxy Voting Committee of the Trust shall be composed entirely of independent trustees of the Board and may be comprised of one or more such independent trustees as the Board may, from time to time, decide. The purpose of the Proxy Voting Committee shall be to determine how the Fund should cast its vote, if called upon by the Board or the Adviser, when a matter with respect to which the Fund is entitled to vote presents a conflict between the interest of the Fund’s shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter, or an affiliated person of the Fund, its investment adviser or principal underwriter, on the other hand.

 

B.Powers and Methods of Operation

 

The Proxy Voting Committee shall have all the powers necessary to fulfill its purpose as set forth above and such other powers and perform such other duties as the Board may, from time to time, grant and/or assign the Proxy Voting Committee. The Proxy Voting Committee shall meet at such times and places as the Proxy Voting Committee or the Board may, from time to time, determine. The act of a majority of the members of the Proxy Voting Committee in person, by telephone conference or by consent in writing without a meeting shall be the act of the Proxy Voting Committee. The Proxy Voting Committee shall have the authority to utilize Trust counsel at the expense of the Trust if necessary. The Proxy Voting Committee shall prepare minutes of each meeting and keep such minutes with the Trust’s records. The Proxy Voting Committee shall review this Policy and recommend any changes to the Board as it deems necessary or advisable.

 

VI.Other

 

This Policy may be amended, from time to time; provided, however, that material changes are approved by the Board as provided under Section II(B) above.

 

(2) PROXY VOTING AND DISCLOSURE POLICY OF THE ADVISER

 

FINTRUST CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC (“FCA”) may be responsible for voting on shareholder proxies and may do so only in accordance with the following Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, in the best interest of a client and as agreed to by the advisory client.

 

GENERAL GUIDELINES

 

FCA relies on Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), a privately held company, whose ultimate owner is Vestar Associates VI, L.P., an affiliate of Vestar Capital Partners (“Vestar”), to research, vote and record all proxy ballots for accounts over which FCA has proxy voting authority. FCA has adopted the ISS U.S. Proxy Voting Guidelines, as may be amended from time to time. In voting proxies, FCA is guided by general fiduciary principles. FCA’s goal is to act prudently, solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of the accounts it manages. FCA does not necessarily have an obligation to vote every proxy; for example, FCA may forego voting proxies if the account no longer holds the position at the time of the vote, or the cost of voting (such as in the case of a vote regarding a foreign issuer that requires being physically present to vote) outweighs the anticipated benefit to the account. Similarly, in jurisdictions which permit “share blocking” or require additional documentation to vote proxies (such as a power of attorney), or require additional disclosure of ownership, FCA may choose to refrain from voting. FCA only votes the proxies delivered to it from custodians and generally does not vote proxies for shares that are out on loan to third parties, and generally will not seek to recall such shares in order to vote them.

 

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How FCA Votes

 

FCA generally votes proxies in accordance with the ISS recommendations and has informed ISS to vote in accordance with these recommendations unless otherwise specified by FCA. A portfolio manager may request that shares under his or her management be voted differently from the ISS recommendations, if he or she believes that such a vote would be in the best interest of the client. Such vote requests will be subject to the conflict of interest review described below.

 

Conflicts Of Interest

 

In furtherance of FCA’s goal to vote proxies in the best interests of clients, FCA follows procedures designed to identify and address material conflicts that may arise between FCA’s interests and those of its clients before voting proxies on behalf of such clients. Only votes which are not in accordance with the ISS recommendations are subject to these conflicts of interest procedures.

 

Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest

 

FCA relies on the following to seek to identify conflicts of interest:

 

Personnel are under an obligation (i) to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of FCA with respect to voting proxies on behalf of client accounts both as a result of a personal relationship and due to special circumstances that may arise during the conduct of our business, and (ii) to bring conflicts of interest of which they become aware to the attention of FCA’s Chief Compliance Officer.
   
FCA is deemed to have a material conflict of interest in voting proxies relating to issuers that are our clients of and that have historically accounted for or are projected to account for a material percentage of our annual revenues.
   
FCA shall not vote proxies relating to issuers on such list on behalf of accounts until it has been determined that the conflict of interest is not material or a method for resolving such conflict of interest has been agreed upon and implemented.

 

Procedures for Assessing Conflicts of Interest and for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest

 

All conflicts of interest identified pursuant to the procedures outlined above must be brought to the attention of FCA’s Chief Compliance Officer for resolution. The Chief Compliance Officer will work with appropriate FCA personnel to determine whether a conflict of interest is material. A conflict of interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict has the potential to influence FCA’s decision-making in voting the proxy. A conflict of interest shall be deemed material in the event that the issuer that is the subject of the proxy has a client relationship with FCA of the type described above. All other materiality determinations will be based on an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. The Chief Compliance Officer shall maintain a written record of all materiality determinations.

 

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If it is determined that a conflict of interest is not material, FCA may vote proxies notwithstanding the existence of the conflict.

 

If it is determined that a conflict of interest is material, the Chief Compliance Officer will work with appropriate FCA personnel to agree upon a method to resolve such conflict of interest before voting proxies affected by the conflict of interest. Such methods may include:

 

disclosing the conflict to clients and obtaining their consent before voting;

 

suggesting to clients that they engage another party to vote the proxy on their behalf; or

 

such other method as is deemed appropriate under the circumstances given the nature of the conflict.

 

Record Keeping And Oversight

 

FCA shall maintain the following records relating to proxy voting:

 

a copy of these policies and procedures;

 

a copy of each proxy form (as voted);

 

a copy of each proxy solicitation (including proxy statements) and related materials with regard to each vote;

 

documentation relating to the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest;

 

any documents created by FCA that were material to a proxy voting decision or that memorialized the basis for that decision; and

 

a copy of each written client request for information on how FCA voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by FCA to any (written or oral) client request for information on how FCA voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client.

 

Such records shall be maintained and preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in FCA’s office.

 

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In lieu of keeping copies of proxy statements, FCA may rely on proxy statements filed on the EDGAR system as well as on third-party records of proxy statements and votes cast if the third-party provides an undertaking to provide the documents promptly upon request.

 

MONITORING

 

These Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures will be reviewed on a periodic basis. As part of the review, FCA will (i) review the capacity and competency of ISS, including the ability of ISS to make recommendations based upon materially accurate information, and (ii) consider any changes at ISS that may create new conflicts of interest, in each case as deemed necessary by FCA to ensure that FCA, acting through ISS, continues to vote proxies in the best interests of clients. Part of such review may include the periodic sampling of proxy votes made by ISS on behalf of FCA, generally or with respect to particular types of proposals, as deemed necessary by FCA. FCA may arrange with ISS that ISS will update FCA of business changes that FCA considers relevant (i.e., with respect to ISS’s capacity and competency to provide proxy voting advice) and conflicts policies and procedures.

 

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APPENDIX B – NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter

 

360 Funds

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Membership

 

1.The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of 360 Funds (the “Trust”) shall be composed entirely of Independent Trustees.

 

Board Nominations and Functions

 

1.The Committee shall make nominations for Trustee membership on the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees. The Committee shall evaluate candidates’ qualifications for Board membership and their independence from the investment advisers to the Trust’s series portfolios and the Trust’s other principal service providers. Persons selected as Independent Trustees must not be “interested person” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor shall Independent Trustee have any affiliations or associations that shall preclude them from voting as an Independent Trustee on matters involving approvals and continuations of Rule 12b-1 Plans, Investment Advisory Agreements and such other standards as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The Committee shall also consider the effect of any relationships beyond those delineated in the 1940 Act that might impair independence, e.g., business, financial or family relationships with managers or service providers. See Appendix A for Procedures with Respect to Nominees to the Board.

 

2.The Committee shall periodically review Board governance procedures and shall recommend any appropriate changes to the full Board of Trustees.

 

3.The Committee shall periodically review the composition of the Board of Trustees to determine whether it may be appropriate to add individuals with different backgrounds or skill sets from those already on the Board.

 

4.The Committee shall periodically review trustee compensation and shall recommend any appropriate changes to the Independent Trustees as a group.

 

Committee Nominations and Functions

 

1.The Committee shall make nominations for membership on all committees and shall review committee assignments at least annually.

 

2.The Committee shall review, as necessary, the responsibilities of any committees of the Board, whether there is a continuing need for each committee, whether there is a need for additional committees of the Board, and whether committees should be combined or reorganized. The Committee shall make recommendations for any such action to the full Board.

 

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Other Powers and Responsibilities

 

1.The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including authority to retain special counsel and other experts or consultants at the expense of the Trust.

 

2.The Committee shall review this Charter at least annually and recommend any changes to the full Board of Trustees.

 

Adopted:        October 25, 2017

 

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APPENDIX A TO THE NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

360 FUNDS

 

PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO NOMINEES TO THE BOARD

 

I.Identification of Candidates. When a vacancy on the Board of Trustees exists or is anticipated, and such vacancy is to be filled by an Independent Trustee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall identify candidates by obtaining referrals from such sources as it may deem appropriate, which may include current Trustees, management of the Trust, counsel and other advisors to the Trustees, and shareholders of the Trust who submit recommendations in accordance with these procedures. In no event shall the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consider as a candidate to fill any such vacancy an individual recommended by any investment adviser of any series portfolio of the Trust, unless the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has invited management to make such a recommendation.

 

II.Shareholder Candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall, when identifying candidates for the position of Independent Trustee, consider any such candidate recommended by a shareholder if such recommendation contains: (i) sufficient background information concerning the candidate, including evidence the candidate is willing to serve as an Independent Trustee if selected for the position; and (ii) is received in a sufficiently timely manner as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in its discretion. Shareholders shall be directed to address any such recommendations in writing to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o the Secretary of the Trust. The Secretary shall retain copies of any shareholder recommendations which meet the foregoing requirements for a period of not more than 12 months following receipt. The Secretary shall have no obligation to acknowledge receipt of any shareholder recommendations.

 

III.Evaluation of Candidates. In evaluating a candidate for a position on the Board of Trustees, including any candidate recommended by shareholders of the Trust, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider the following: (i) the candidate’s knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) any experience possessed by the candidate as a director or senior officer of public companies; (iii) the candidate’s educational background; (iv) the candidate’s reputation for high ethical standards and professional integrity; (v) any specific financial, technical or other expertise possessed by the candidate, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board’s existing mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications; (vi) the candidate’s perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the candidate’s ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vii) the candidate’s ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee and any other actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the candidate and the Trust; and (viii) such other factors as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board and any anticipated vacancies. Prior to making a final recommendation to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall conduct personal interviews with those candidates it concludes are the most qualified candidates.

 

 

 59 
 

 

 

PART C

 

FORM N-1A

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 28. Exhibits

 

  (a)(1)

Agreement and Declaration of Trust (“Trust Instrument”).1

 

  (a)(2)

Certificate of Amendment to the Trust Instrument.4

 

  (b)

By-Laws.1

 

  (c)

Articles III, V and VI of the Trust Instrument, Exhibit 28(a)(1) hereto, defines the rights of holders of the securities being registered. (Certificates for shares are not issued.)

 

  (d)(1)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Growth Fund and Stringer Moderate Growth Fund (the “Stringer Funds”), as Adviser.10

 

  (d)(2)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the IMS Capital Value Fund, IMS Strategic Income Fund and IMS Dividend Growth Fund (the “IMS Funds”), and IMS Capital Management, Inc., as Adviser.8

 

  (d)(3)

Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund), and FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC, as Adviser.31

 

  (d)(4)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund), and FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC, as Adviser.31

 

  (d)(5)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.23

 

  (d)(6)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.23

 

  (d)(7)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Global Tactical Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund) (together with the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund and the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund, the “Crow Point Funds”), and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.23

 

  (d)(8)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.31

 

  (d)(9)

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Crow Point Partners, LLC and RVX Asset Management LLC, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund.27

 

  (d)(10)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.26

 

 

 

 

  (d)(11)

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Crow Point Partners, LLC and Eagle Rock Institutional, LLC, on behalf of the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund.32

 

  (d)(12)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund, and Powell Capital LLC, as Adviser.27

 

  (e)(1)

Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Funds, and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.14

 

  (e)(2)

Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the IMS Funds, and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.27

 

  (e)(3)

Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund), and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.11

 

  (e)(4)

Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Funds, and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.23

 

  (e)(5)

Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.27

 

  (e)(6)

Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund, and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.31

 

  (e)(7)

Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund, and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.27

 

  (f)

Not Applicable.

 

  (g)(1)

Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Growth Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, as Custodian.5

 

  (g)(2)

First Amendment to Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Moderate Growth Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, as Custodian.10

 

  (g)(3) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the IMS Funds, and Huntington National Bank, as Custodian.8
     
  (g)(4)

Exhibit A to the Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund), and Fifth Third Bank, as Custodian.15

 

  (g)(5)

Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.31

 

  (g)(6)

Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.31

 

  (g)(7)

Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Global Tactical Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund), and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.31

 

 

 

 

  (g)(8)

Global Custody between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and MUFG Union Bank, N.A., as Custodian.27

 

  (g)(9)

Fee Schedule between the Registrant, on behalf of the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.31

 

  (g)(10)

Exhibit A to the Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.31

 

  (h)(1)

Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Funds, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.10

 

  (h)(2)

Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the IMS Funds, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.32

 

  (h)(3)

Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund), and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.14

 

  (h)(4)

Amended Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Funds, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.27

 

  (h)(5)

Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.27

 

  (h)(6)

Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.32

 

  (h)(7)

Investment Company Services Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund, and M3Sixty Administration, LLC, as Administrator.27

 

  (h)(8)

Amended Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Stringer Funds, and Stringer Asset Management, LLC, as Adviser.15

 

  (h)(9)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the IMS Funds, and IMS Capital Management, Inc., as Adviser.9

 

  (h)(10)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund), and FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC, as Adviser.31

 

  (h)(11)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Funds, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser. 27

 

  (h)(12)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.31

 

  (h)(13)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.31

 

  (h)(14)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund, and Powell Capital LLC, as Adviser.27

 

 

 

 

 

(h)(15)

 

Amendment to Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Funds, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.27

 

  (i)(1)

Opinion and Consent of Kilpatrick Stockton LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Stringer Growth Fund.5

 

  (i)(2)

Opinion and Consent of Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the Stringer Moderate Growth Fund.10

 

  (i)(3)

Consent of Practus, LLP with respect to the Stringer Funds.25

 

  (i)(4)

Consent of Practus, LLP with respect to the IMS Funds.30

 

  (i)(5)

Opinion and Consent of Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP regarding the legality of securities registered with respect to the IMS Funds.8

 

  (i)(6)

Consent of Practus, LLP with respect to the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund).31

 

  (i)(7)

Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund.16

 

  (i)(8)

Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. regarding tax matters for the reorganization of the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund from the Northern Lights Funds Trust into the Registrant.20

 

  (i)(9)

Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund.18

 

  (i)(10)

Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc regarding tax matters for the reorganization of the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund from the Northern Lights Funds Trust into the Registrant.20

 

  (i)(11)

Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund.17

 

  (i)(12)

Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. regarding tax matters for the reorganization of the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund from the Northern Lights Funds Trust II into the Registrant.20

 

  (i)(13)

Opinion and Consent of Practus, LLP. with respect to the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund.27

 

  (i)(14)

Opinion and Consent of Practus, LLP with respect to the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund.26

 

  (i)(15)

Opinion and Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund.21

 

  (i)(16)

Consent of The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. with respect to Crow Point Alternative Income Fund.23

 

  (i)(17)

Consent of Practus, LLP with respect to the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund.27

 

 

 

 

 

(i)(18)

 

Consent of Practus, LLP with respect to the Crow Point Global Tactical Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund.29

 

  (j)(1)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the Stringer Funds.25

 

  (j)(2)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund).31

 

  (j)(3)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the IMS Funds.30

 

  (j)(4)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund.23

 

  (j)(5)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund.27

 

  (j)(6)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund.21

 

 

(j)(7)

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the Crow Point Global Tactical Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund).29

 

  (k)

Not applicable.

 

  (l)

Initial Subscription Agreement.2

 

  (m)(1)

Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the Stringer Funds.10

 

  (m)(2) Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as  the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund).11
     
  (m)(3)

Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the Crow Point Funds.23

 

  (m)(4)

Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund.31

 

  (m)(5)

Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund.31

 

  (m)(6)

Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund.21

 

  (m)(7) Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the Crow Point Global Tactical Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund).31
     
  (n)(1)

Rule 18f-3 Plan for the Stringer Funds.10

 

  (n)(2)

Rule 18f-3 Plan for the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund).11

 

  (n)(3)

Rule 18f-3 Plan for the Crow Point Funds.23

 

  (n)(4)

Rule 18f-3 Plan for the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund.27

 

 

 

  

  (n)(5)

Rule 18f-3 Plan for the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund.31

 

  (o)

Reserved.

 

  (p)(1)

Code of Ethics for the Registrant.4

 

  (p)(2)

Code of Ethics for Stringer Asset Management, LLC.12

 

  (p)(3)

Code of Ethics for IMS Capital Management, Inc.19

 

  (p)(4)

Code of Ethics for FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC.31

 

  (p)(5) Code of Ethics for Crow Point Partners, LLC.23
     
  (p)(6) Code of Ethics for RVX Asset Management LLC.32
     
  (p)(7) Code of Ethics for Eagle Rock Institutional, LLC.32
     
  (p)(8) Code of Ethics for Powell Capital LLC.21
     
  (p)(9)

Code of Ethics for the Distributor.14

 

  (q)

Copy of Powers of Attorney.30

 

1. Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 14, 2005. 
2. Incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 13, 2005. 
3. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed August 21, 2008.
4. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed August 26, 2011. 
5. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 27, 2013. 
6. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 10, 2013 
7 Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 14, 2014. 
8. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 20, 2014. 
9. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 31, 2014. 
10. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 26, 2015. 
11. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 21, 2015. 
12. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 28, 2016.
13. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 30, 2016.
14. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 30, 2017.
15. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 16, 2017.
16. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 6, 2017.

 

 

 

 

17. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 6, 2017.
18. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 13, 2017.
19. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 30, 2017.
20. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 4, 2017.
21. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 13, 2017.
22 Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed December 29, 2017.
23. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed January 29, 2018.
24. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed March 30, 2018.
25. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 107 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed June 28, 2018.
26. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed July 3, 2018.
27. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed August 28, 2018.
28. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 113 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed September 7, 2018.
29. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 115 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed September 28, 2018.
30. Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed October 29, 2018.
31. Filed herewith.
32.

To be filed by Amendment.

  

ITEM 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant

 

No person is controlled by or under common control with the Registrant.

 

ITEM 30. Indemnification

 

As permitted by Section 17(h) and (i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, officers, trustees, employees and agents of the Registrant will not be liable to the Registrant, any shareholder, officer, trustee, employee, agent or other person for any action or failure to act, except for bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties, and those individuals may be indemnified against liabilities in connection with the Registrant, subject to the same exceptions.

 

The Registrant’s Trust Instrument (Exhibit 28(a) to the Registrant Statement), investment advisory agreements (Exhibit 28(d) to the Registration Statement), distribution agreements (Exhibit 28(e) to the Registration Statement) and administration agreements (Exhibit 28(h) to the Registrant Statement) provide for indemnification of certain persons acting on behalf of the Registrant. The Registrant may, from time to time, enter other contractual arrangements that provide for indemnification.

 

 

 

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defenses of any action, suite or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

ITEM 31. Business and other Connections of the Investment Advisers

 

The list required by this Item 31 as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each of the investment advisers, and each director, officer or partner of such investment advisers, is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is incorporated herein by reference to Schedules A and D of each investment adviser’s Form ADV listed opposite such investment adviser’s name below, which is currently on file with the SEC as required by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Name of Investment Adviser Form ADV File No.
Stringer Asset Management, LLC 801-77536
IMS Capital Management, Inc. 801-33939
FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC 801-68568
Crow Point Partners, LLC 801-67184
RVX Asset Management LLC 801-107281
Powell Capital LLC 801-111100
Eagle Rock Institutional, LLC 801-113138

 

ITEM 32.

Principal Underwriter

 

  (a) The principal underwriter and distributor for the Registrant is Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC.  To the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC also acts as principal underwriter to Amidex Israel35 and WP Trust.

 

  (b) To the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, the table below provides information for each director, officer or partner of Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, the principal underwriter of the Registrant:  

 

NAME AND PRINCIPAL
BUSINESS ADDRESS*
POSITIONS WITH
UNDERWRITER
POSITIONS
WITH REGISTRANT
Brandon J. Byrd Chief Executive Officer Vice President, Anti-Money Laundering Officer and Assistant Secretary
Stephen R. Roberts Chief Compliance Officer None
     
Ted L. Akins Chief Operating Officer Assistant Secretary

 

  *The address of Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC and each of the above-named persons is 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205.

  

  (c) Not Applicable.

 

 

 

 

ITEM 33. Location of Accounts and Records

 

The accounts, books or other documents of the Registrant required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder are kept in several locations:

 

a) M3Sixty Administration, LLC, 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205 (records relating to its function as Administrator and Transfer Agent).
   
b) Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, 4300 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 100, Fairway, Kansas 66205 (records relating to its function as Principal Underwriter).
   
c) Fifth Third Bank, 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263 (records relating to its function as Custodian for the Stringer Funds, FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund), Crow Point Funds and Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund).
   
d) MUFG Union Bank, N.A., 350 California Street, Suite 2018, San Francisco, California 94104 (records relating to its function as Custodian for the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund).
   
e) Huntington National Bank, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 (records relating to its function as Custodian for the IMS Funds).
   
f) Stringer Asset Management, LLC, 5050 Poplar Ave, Suite 1103, Memphis, Tennessee 38157 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Stringer Funds).
   
g) IMS Capital Management, Inc., 8995 SE Otty Road, Portland, Oregon 97086 (records related to its function as investment adviser to the IMS Funds.)
   
h) FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC, 124 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 504, Greenville, SC 29607 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund).
   
i) Crow Point Partners, LLC, 25 Recreation Park Drive, Suite 110, Hingham, Massachusetts 02043 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Crow Point Funds).
   
j) RVX Asset Management LLC, 20900 NE 30th Street, Suite 402, Aventura, Florida (records relating to its function as investment sub-adviser to RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund).
   
k) Powell Capital LLC, 938 Broadway, Court C, 2nd Floor, Tacoma, Washington 98407 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund).
   
l) Eagle Rock Institutional, LLC, 128 Bridge Street, Suite 101, Box 382, Rancocas, New Jersey 08073(records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund).

 

ITEM 34. Management Services

 

There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Parts A or B of this Form N-1A.

 

ITEM 35. Undertakings

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this amendment to the registration statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Fairway, and State of Kansas, on this 6th day of November, 2018.

 

  360 Funds
     
  By: /s/ Randall K. Linscott
    Randall K. Linscott, President, Trustee and Principal Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

*   November 6, 2018
Arthur Q. Falk, Trustee  

Date

 

*   November 6, 2018
Gary W. DiCenzo, Trustee  

Date

 

*   November 6, 2018
Steven D. Poppen, Trustee   Date
     
*   November 6, 2018
Thomas J. Schmidt, Trustee   Date
     
*   November 6, 2018
Tom M. Wirtshafter, Trustee  

Date

 

/s/ Randall K. Linscott   November 6, 2018

Randall K. Linscott, Trustee, President and

Principal Executive Officer

 

Date

 

/s/ Justin J. Thompson   November 6, 2018
Justin J. Thompson, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer  

Date

 

* By: /s/ Randall K. Linscott   November 6, 2018
Randall K. Linscott, Attorney-in-Fact   Date

 

*Attorney-in-fact pursuant to Powers of Attorney

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

  (d)(3) Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund), and FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC, as Adviser.
     
  (d)(4)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund), and FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC, as Adviser.

     
  (d)(8) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.
     
  (e)(6) Distribution Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund, and Matrix 360 Distributors, LLC, as Distributor.
     
  (g)(5) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Alternative Income Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.
     
  (g)(6) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the EAS Crow Point Alternatives Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.
     
  (g)(7) Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Crow Point Global Tactical Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund), and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.
     
  (g)(9) Fee Schedule between the Registrant, on behalf of the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.
     
  (g)(10) Exhibit A to the Custodian Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Powell Alternative Income Strategies Fund, and Fifth Third Bank, N.A., as Custodian.
     
  (h)(10)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund), and FinTrust Capital Advisors, LLC, as Adviser.

 

  (h)(12) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.
     
  (h)(13) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund, and Crow Point Partners, LLC, as Adviser.
     
  (i)(6) Consent of Practus, LLP with respect to the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund).
     
  (j)(2) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm with respect to the FinTrust Income and Opportunity Fund (formerly known as the HedgeRow Income and Opportunity Fund).
     
  (m)(4) Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the RVX Emerging Markets Equity Fund.

 

 

 

 

  (m)(5) Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund.
     
  (m)(7) Distribution Plan under Rule 12b-1 for the Crow Point Global Tactical Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Crow Point Defined Risk Global Equity Income Fund).
     
  (n)(5) Rule 18f-3 Plan for the Eagle Rock Floating Rate Fund.
     
  (p)(4)

Code of Ethics for FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC.