497 1 oracle497201307.htm  ORACLE FAMILY OF FUNDS


 ORACLE FAMILY OF FUNDS


Supplement to the Statement of Additional Information dated December 28, 2012


The following information supplements and supersedes any contrary information contained in the fund's Statement of Information: 


 

Statement of Additional Information



Supplement dated July 29, 2013



Oracle Mutual Fund


Class A Shares (Ticker Symbol: ORGAX)

Class I (Ticker Symbol: N/A)


This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides general information about the Oracle Mutual Fund (the “Fund”), a series of Oracle Family of Funds (the “Trust”).  This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s current prospectus dated December 28, 2012 (the “Prospectus”), as supplemented and amended from time to time, which is incorporated herein by reference.  A free copy of the Prospectus or Annual Report can be obtained by writing the transfer agent at Mutual Shareholder Services LLC, 8000 Town Centre Drive, Suite 400, Broadview Heights, OH 44148, or by calling Mutual Shareholder Services, LLC at 1-800-494-2755

 

Oracle Mutual Fund

c/o Mutual Shareholders Services, LLC

8000 Town Centre Drive, Ste 400

Broadview Heights, OH44147

(800) 494-2755

 




 

---------------------------------

TABLE OF CONTENTS

---------------------------------

 

THE TRUST

3

 

 

INVESTMENT POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND ASSOCIATED RISKS

3

 

 

FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

19

 

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

21

 

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

21

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

21

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

22

TRUSTEE QUALIFICATIONS

24

TRUSTEE OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES

25

BOARD COMMITTEES

25

TRUSTEE COMPENSATION

26

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

26

INVESTMENT ADVISER

27

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

28

 

 

SERVICE PROVIDERS

30

 

 

DISTRIBUTION OF FUND SHARES

30

 

 

12b-1 DISTRIBUTION PLAN

31

 

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

32

 

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

34

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

34

 

 

PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES

34

 

 

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

35

 

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

35

 

 

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

36

 

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

38

 

 

SALES CHARGE REDUCTIONS AND WAIVERS

39

 

 

TAX MATTERS

42

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS

43

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

44

 

 

APPENDIX “A” DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS

45

 

 

APPENDIX “B” PROXY VOTING POLICIES OF THE ADVISER

69

 

 




 

The Trust


The Trust is an Ohio statutory business trust organized on May 21, 2010, and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an open-end management investment company.  The Fund is one series, or mutual fund, formed by the Trust.  The Fund currently offers Class A and Class I shares.  The Fund is a diversified series and has its own investment objective and policies.   The Trust may start additional series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.

 

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of interests (or shares).  Interests in the Fund are represented by shares of beneficial interest each with a par value of $0.001.  Each series of the Trust, as such are established, has equal voting rights and liquidation rights, and are voted in the aggregate and not by the series except in matters where a separate vote is required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), or when the matters affect only the interest of a particular series.  When matters are submitted to shareholders for a vote, each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each full share owned and fractional votes for fractional shares owned.  The Trust does not normally hold annual meetings of shareholders.  The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board of Trustees”) shall promptly call and give notice of a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon removal of any trustee when requested to do so in writing by shareholders holding 10% or more of the Trust’s outstanding shares.

 

Each share of the Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to the Fund and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income belonging to the Fund as are declared by the Board of Trustees.  The Board of Trustees has the authority from time to time to divide or combine the shares of any series into a greater or lesser number of shares of that series so long as the proportionate beneficial interests in the assets belonging to that series and the rights of shares of any other series are in no way affected.  Additionally, in the case of any liquidation of a series, the holders of shares of the series being liquidated are entitled to receive a distribution out of the assets, net of the liabilities, belonging to that series.  Expenses attributable to any series are borne by that series.  Any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular series are allocated by, or under the direction of, the Trustees on the basis of relative net assets, number of shareholders or other equitable method.  No shareholder is liable to further calls or to assessment by the Trust without his or her express consent.


The assets of the Fund received for the issue or sale of its shares, and all income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, shall constitute the underlying assets of the Fund.  In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the Fund, the holders of shares of the Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders.


Oracle Investment Research (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.


Investment Policies, Strategies and Associated Risks


The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation while secondarily striving for income.  The Fund is diversified.  Under applicable federal laws, to qualify as a diversified fund, the Fund, with respect to 75% of its total assets, may not invest greater than 5% of its total assets in any one issuer and may not hold greater than 10% of the securities of one issuer.  The remaining 25% of the Fund’s total assets does not need to be “diversified” and may be invested in securities of a single issuer, subject to other applicable laws. The diversification of a mutual Fund’s holdings is measured at the time the Fund purchases a security.  However, if a Fund purchases a security and holds it for a period of time, the security may become a larger percentage of the Fund’s total assets due to movements in the financial markets.  If the market affects several securities held by Fund, the Fund may have a greater percentage of its assets invested in securities of fewer issuers.  Because the Fund is diversified, the Fund is less subject to the risk that its performance may be hurt disproportionately by the poor performance of relatively few securities despite the Fund qualifying as a diversified Fund under applicable federal laws.

  

There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.  The following discussion supplements the description of the Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies set forth in the Prospectus.  Except for the fundamental investment limitations listed below (see “Fundamental Investment Limitations”), the Fund’s investment strategies and policies are not fundamental and may be changed by sole action of the Board of Trustees, without shareholder approval.  While the Fund is permitted to hold securities and engage in various strategies as described hereafter, it is not obligated to do so.  The investment objective and strategies and policies described in the Prospectus may be changed without the approval of the Fund’s shareholders upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.


Whenever an investment policy or limitation states a maximum percentage of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in any security, or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of the Fund’s acquisition or sale of such security or other asset.  Accordingly, except with respect to borrowing and illiquid securities, any subsequent change in values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether an investment complies with the Fund’s investment policies and limitations.  In addition, if a bankruptcy or other extraordinary event occurs concerning a particular investment by the Fund, the Fund may receive stock, real estate or other investments that the Fund would not, or could not, buy.  If this happens, the Fund will sell such investments as soon as practicable while trying to maximize the return to its shareholders.  Please note, however, that the guidance referenced in the first two sentences of this paragraph does not apply to the Fund’s investments in illiquid securities or the Fund’s borrowing of money.


Recent Market Events


Since 2008, the U.S. and international markets have experienced dramatic volatility.  As a result, the securities markets have experienced substantially lower valuations, reduced liquidity, price volatility, credit downgrades, and increased likelihood of default and valuation difficulties.  Accordingly, the risks of investing in the following securities have increased.


Equity Securities


The Fund may invest in equity securities.  An equity security (such as a stock, partnership interest or other beneficial interest in an issuer) represents a proportionate share of the ownership of a company; its value is based on the success of the company’s business, any income paid to stockholders, the value of its assets and general market conditions.  Common stocks and preferred stocks are examples of equity securities.  Equity securities, such as common stocks, represent shares of ownership of a corporation.  Preferred stocks are equity securities that often pay dividends at a specific rate and have a preference over common stocks in dividend payments and liquidation of assets.  Some preferred stocks may be convertible into common stock.  Convertible securities are securities (such as debt securities or preferred stock) that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common stock of the same or different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula.


The Fund may invest in any size company.  As a non-principal strategy, the Fund may invest in companies small enough to be considered micro-capitalization companies.  The risks of investing in companies in general include business failure and reliance on erroneous reports.  To the extent the Fund is invested in the equity securities of small- or medium-size companies, directly or indirectly, it will be exposed to the risks of smaller sized companies.  Small- and medium-size companies often have narrower markets for their goods and/or services and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies.  Furthermore, those companies often have limited product lines or services, markets, or financial resources, or are dependent on a small management group.  In addition, because these securities are not well-known to the investing public, do not have significant institutional ownership, and are followed by relatively few security analysts, there will normally be less publicly available information concerning these securities compared to what is available for the securities of larger companies.  Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, can decrease the value and liquidity of securities held by the Fund.  As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.


 Other Investment Companies


The Fund may invest its assets in shares of other investment companies, including money market funds .  The Fund’s investments in money market funds may be used for cash management purposes and to maintain liquidity in order to satisfy redemption requests or pay unanticipated expenses.  The Fund limits its investments in securities issued by other investment companies in accordance with the 1940 Act.  Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act precludes the Fund from acquiring: (i) more than 3% of the total outstanding shares of another investment company; (ii) shares of another investment company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; or (iii) shares of another registered investment company and all other investment companies having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.  However, Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act provides that the provisions of paragraph 12(d)(1) shall not apply to securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund if: (i) immediately after such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding shares of such investment company is owned by the Fund and all affiliated persons of the Fund; and (ii) the Fund has not offered or sold, and is not proposing to offer or sell its shares through a principal underwriter or otherwise at a public or offering price that includes a sales load of more than 1 1/2%.


If the Fund invests in investment companies, pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F), it must comply with the following voting restrictions: when the Fund exercises voting rights, by proxy or otherwise, with respect to investment companies owned by the Fund, the Fund will either seek instruction from the Fund’s shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies and vote in accordance with such instructions, or vote the shares held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security.  In addition, an investment company purchased by the Fund pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) shall not be required to redeem its shares in an amount exceeding 1% of such investment company’s total outstanding shares in any period of less than thirty (30) days.  In addition to the advisory and operational fees the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operation, the Fund also bears it’s pro rata portion of the advisory and operational expenses of each other investment company.


Preferred Stock


A preferred stock is a blend of the characteristics of a bond and common stock.  It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership, but does not have the seniority of a bond and, unlike common stock, its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited.  Preferred stock has preference over common stock in the receipt of dividends and in any residual assets after payment to creditors should the issuer be dissolved.  Although the dividend is set at a fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer.


Fixed-Income Securities


The Fund may invest in a wide range of fixed-income securities, which may include obligations of any rating or maturity.


The Fund may invest in investment grade corporate debt securities and below investment grade corporate debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds” or “high yield bonds”).  Below investment grade debt securities include corporate high yield debt securities, zero-coupon securities, payment-in kind securities and strips.  Investment grade corporate bonds are those rated BBB or better by Standard &Poors, Rating Service (“S&P”) or Baa or better by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”).  Securities rated BBB by S&P are considered investment grade, but Moody’s considers securities rated Baa to have speculative characteristics.  The Fund will not invest in securities that are rated below D by S&P or Moody’s.  The Fund may hold a debt security rated below D if a downgrade occurs after the security has been purchased.  See Appendix A for a description of corporate bond ratings.  The Fund may also invest in unrated debt securities.


Junk Bonds.  Junk bonds generally offer a higher current yield than that available for investment grade issues.  However, below investment grade debt securities involve higher risks, in that they are especially subject to adverse changes in general economic conditions and in the industries in which the issuers are engaged, to changes in the financial condition of the issuers and to price fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates.  During periods of economic downturn or rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to make payments of interest and principal and increase the possibility of default.  In addition, the market for below investment grade debt securities has expanded rapidly in recent years, and its growth paralleled a long economic expansion.  At times in recent years, the prices of many below investment grade debt securities declined substantially, reflecting an expectation that many issuers of such securities might experience financial difficulties.  As a result, the yields on below investment grade debt securities rose dramatically, but such higher yields did not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities expected, but rather, the risk that holders of such securities could lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of the issuers’ financial restructuring or default.  There can be no assurance that such declines will not recur.  The market for below investment grade debt issues generally is thinner and less active than that for higher quality securities, which may limit the Fund’s ability to sell such securities at fair value in response to changes in the economy or financial markets.  Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of below investment grade debt securities, especially in a thinly traded market.  Changes by recognized rating services in their rating of a debt security may affect the value of these investments.  The Fund will not necessarily dispose of a security when its rating is reduced below its rating at the time of purchase.  However, the Adviser will monitor the investment to determine whether continued investment in the security will assist in meeting the Fund’s investment objective.

  

Corporate Debt Securities.  Corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses to finance their operations, although corporate debt instruments may also include bank loans to companies. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most common types of corporate debt securities, with the primary difference being their maturities and secured or un-secured status.  Commercial paper has the shortest term and is usually unsecured.


The broad category of corporate debt securities includes debt issued by domestic or foreign companies of all kinds, including those with small-, mid- and large-capitalizations. Corporate debt may be rated investment grade or below investment grade and may carry variable or floating rates of interest.


Because of the wide range of types, and maturities, of corporate debt securities, as well as the range of creditworthiness of its issuers, corporate debt securities have widely varying potentials for return and risk profiles.  For example, commercial paper issued by a large established domestic corporation that is rated investment grade may have a modest return on principal, but carries relatively limited risk.  On the other hand, a long-term corporate note issued by a small foreign corporation from an emerging market country that has not been rated may have the potential for relatively large returns on principal, but carries a relatively high degree of risk.


Corporate debt securities carry both credit risk and interest rate risk.  Credit risk is the risk that the Fund could lose money if the issuer of a corporate debt security is unable to pay interest or repay principal when it is due.  Some corporate debt securities that are rated below investment grade are generally considered speculative because they present a greater risk of loss, including default, than higher quality debt securities.  The credit risk of a particular issuer’s debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment.  For example, higher ranking (senior) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking (subordinated) securities.  This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities.  In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of higher-ranking senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of more junior securities.  Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of certain corporate debt securities will tend to fall when interest rates rise.  In general, corporate debt securities with longer terms tend to fall more in value when interest rates rise than corporate debt securities with shorter terms.


Zero-Coupon Securities.  Zero-coupon securities make no periodic interest payments, but are sold at a deep discount from their face value.  The buyer recognizes a rate of return determined by the gradual appreciation of the security, which is redeemed at face value on a specified maturity date.  The discount varies depending on the time remaining until maturity, as well as market interest rates, liquidity of the security, and the issuer’s perceived credit quality.  If the issuer defaults, the holder may not receive any return on its investment.  Because zero-coupon securities bear no interest and compound semiannually at the rate fixed at the time of issuance, their value generally is more volatile than the value of other fixed-income debt securities.  Since zero-coupon bondholders do not receive interest payments, when interest rates rise, zero-coupon securities fall more dramatically in value than bonds paying interest on a current basis.  When interest rates fall, zero-coupon securities rise more rapidly in value because the bonds reflect a fixed rate of return.  An investment in zero-coupon and delayed interest securities may cause the Fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on its investment.

 

Unrated Debt Securities.  The Fund may also invest in unrated debt securities.  Unrated debt, while not necessarily lower in quality than rated securities, may not have as broad a market.  Because of the size and perceived demand for the issue, among other factors, certain issuers may decide not to pay the cost of getting a rating for their bonds.  The creditworthiness of the issuer, as well as any financial institution or other party responsible for payments on the security, will be analyzed to determine whether to purchase unrated bonds.


Convertible Securities


The Fund may invest in convertible securities.  A convertible security is a fixed-income security (a debt instrument or a preferred stock) which may be converted at a stated price within a specified period of time into a certain quantity of the common stock of the same or a different issuer.  Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities.  While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar non-convertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.


Warrants


The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in warrants.  A warrant gives the holder a right to purchase at any time during a specified period a predetermined number of shares of common stock at a fixed price.  Unlike convertible debt securities or preferred stock, warrants do not pay a fixed coupon or dividend.  Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for resale of the warrants, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors and failure of the price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of reaching a level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised (in which event the warrant may expire without being exercised, resulting in a loss of the Fund’s entire investment therein).


Foreign Investments and Currencies


The Fund will invest in securities of foreign issuers that are not publicly traded in the United States.  The Fund may also invest in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), foreign securities traded on a national securities market, purchase and sell foreign currency on a spot basis and enter into forward currency contracts (see “Forward Currency Contracts,” below).


Depositary Receipts.  The Fund may invest its assets in securities of foreign issuers in the form of depositary receipts, such as ADRs and EDRs, which are securities representing securities of foreign issuers.  A purchaser of unsponsored depositary receipts may not have unlimited voting rights and may not receive as much information about the issuer of the underlying securities as with a sponsored depositary receipt.  Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are denominated in U.S. dollars and are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, while EDRs, in bearer form, may be denominated in other currencies and are designed for use in European securities markets.  ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities.  EDRs are European receipts evidencing similar arrangements.  For purposes of the Fund’s investment policies, ADRs and EDRs are deemed to have the same classification as the underlying securities they represent.  Thus, an ADR or EDR representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock.


Risks of Investing in Foreign Securities.  Investments in foreign securities involve certain inherent risks, including the following:

  

Political and Economic Factors.  Individual foreign economies of certain countries may 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, diversification and balance of payments position.  The internal politics of certain foreign countries may not be as stable as those of the United States.  Governments in certain foreign countries also continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest or regulation, in their respective economies.  Action by these governments could include restrictions on foreign investment, nationalization, expropriation of goods or imposition of taxes, and could have a significant effect on market prices of securities and payment of interest.  The economies of many foreign countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by the trade policies and economic conditions of their trading partners.  Enactment by these trading partners of protectionist trade legislation could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of such countries.


Currency Fluctuations.  The Fund may invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies.  Accordingly, 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.  The value of the Fund’s assets may also be affected significantly by currency restrictions and exchange control regulations enacted from time to time.


Market Characteristics.  The Adviser expects that many foreign securities in which the Fund invests will be purchased in over-the-counter markets or on exchanges located in the countries in which the principal offices of the issuers of the various securities are located, if that is the best available market.  Foreign exchanges and markets may be more volatile than those in the United States.  While growing in volume, they usually have substantially less volume than U.S. markets, and the Fund’s foreign securities may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. securities.  Moreover, settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ from those in United States markets, and may include delays beyond periods customary in the United States.  Foreign security trading practices, including those involving securities settlement where Fund assets may be released prior to receipt of payment or securities, may expose the Fund to increased risk in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a foreign broker-dealer.


Legal and Regulatory Matters.  Certain foreign countries may have less supervision of securities markets, brokers and issuers of securities, and less financial information available from issuers, than is available in the United States.


Taxes.  The interest and dividends payable on certain of the Fund’s foreign portfolio securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thus reducing the net amount of income available for distribution to Fund shareholders.


Costs.  To the extent that the Fund invests in foreign securities, its expense ratio is likely to be higher than those of investment companies investing only in domestic securities, since the cost of maintaining the custody of foreign securities is higher.


Emerging Markets.  Some of the companies in which the Fund may invest may be located in developing or emerging markets, which entail additional risks, including less social, political and economic stability; smaller securities markets and lower trading volume, which may result in less liquidity and greater price volatility; national policies that may restrict the Fund’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investments in issuers or industries, or expropriation or confiscation of assets or property; and less developed legal structures governing private or foreign investment.

  

In considering whether to invest in the securities of a foreign company, the Adviser considers such factors as the characteristics of the particular company, differences between economic trends and the performance of securities markets within the U.S. and those within other countries, and also factors relating to the general economic, governmental and social conditions of the country or countries where the company is located.  The extent to which the Fund will be invested in foreign companies and countries and depositary receipts will fluctuate from time to time within the limitations described in the Prospectus, depending on the Adviser’s assessment of prevailing market, economic and other conditions.


Forward Currency Contracts.  The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts in anticipation of changes in currency exchange rates.  A forward currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract.  For example, the Fund might purchase a particular currency or enter into a forward currency contract to preserve the U.S. dollar price of securities it intends to or has contracted to purchase.  Alternatively, it might sell a particular currency on either a spot or forward basis to hedge against an anticipated decline in the dollar value of securities it intends to or has contracted to sell.  Although this strategy could minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, it could also limit any potential gain from an increase in the value of the currency.


Options and Other Strategies


General.  The Fund may use certain options (both traded on an exchange and over-the-counter (“OTC”)) ( “Derivative Instruments”) as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying security, to attempt to hedge or limit the exposure of the Fund’s position, to create a synthetic money market position, for certain tax-related purposes and to effect closing transactions.


The use of Derivative Instruments is subject to applicable regulations of the SEC and the several exchanges upon which they are traded. In addition, the Fund’s ability to use Derivative Instruments will be limited by tax considerations.   In addition to the instruments, strategies and risks described below and in the Prospectus, the Fund’s Adviser may discover additional opportunities in connection with Derivative Instruments and other similar or related techniques.  These new opportunities may become available as the Adviser develops new techniques, as regulatory authorities broaden the range of permitted transactions and as new Derivative Instruments or other techniques are developed.  The Adviser may utilize these opportunities to the extent that they are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and permitted by the Fund’s investment limitations and applicable regulatory authorities.  The Prospectus or this SAI will be supplemented to the extent that new products or techniques involve materially different risks than those described below or in the Prospectus.


Special Risks.  The use of Derivative Instruments involves special considerations and risks, certain of which are described below.  Risks pertaining to particular Derivative Instruments are described in the sections that follow.


(1)           Successful use of most Derivative Instruments depends upon the Adviser’s ability to predict movements of the overall securities markets, which requires different skills than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities.  .  Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of stock market trends by the Adviser may still not result in a successful transaction.  The Adviser may be incorrect in its expectations as to the extent of market movements or the time span within which the movements take place, which, thus, may result in the strategy being unsuccessful.


 

(2)           Options prices can diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments.  Options prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way.  Imperfect or no correlation also may result from differing levels of demand in the options markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and securities are traded, and from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts.

 

(3)           As described below, the Fund might be required to maintain assets as “cover,” maintain segregated accounts or make margin payments when it takes positions in Derivative Instruments involving obligations to third parties (e.g., Financial Instruments other than purchased options).  If the Fund were unable to close out its positions in such Financial Instruments, it might be required to continue to maintain such assets or accounts or make such payments until the position expired or matured.  These requirements might impair the Fund’s ability to sell a portfolio security or make an investment when it would otherwise be favorable to do so or require that the Fund sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time.  The Fund’s ability to close out a position in a Derivative Instrument prior to expiration or maturity depends on the existence of a liquid secondary market or, in the absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the other party to the transaction (the “counter-party”) to enter into a transaction closing out the position.  Therefore, there is no assurance that any position can be closed out at a time and price that is favorable to the Fund.


(4)   Losses may arise due to unanticipated market price movements, lack of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument at a particular time or due to losses from premiums paid by the Fund on options transactions.


Cover.  Transactions using Derivative Instruments, other than purchased options, expose the Fund to an obligation to another party.  The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either (1) an offsetting (“covered”) position in securities or other options or (2) cash and liquid assets with a value, marked-to-market daily, sufficient to cover its potential obligations to the extent not covered as provided in (1) above.  The Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and will, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid assets in an account with its custodian, Huntington National Bank.(the “Custodian”), or another approved custodian, in the prescribed amount as determined daily.


Assets used as cover or held in an account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding Derivative Instrument is open, unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets.  As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund’s assets to cover accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.


Options.  The value of an option position will reflect, among other things, the current market value of the underlying investment, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the underlying investment and general market conditions.  Options that expire unexercised have no value.  Options currently are traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange (“CBOE”), the American Stock and Options Exchange (“AMEX”) and other exchanges, as well as the OTC markets.


By buying a call option on a security, the Fund has the right, in return for the premium paid, to buy the security underlying the option at the exercise price.  By writing (selling) a call option and receiving a premium, the Fund becomes obligated during the term of the option to deliver securities underlying the option at the exercise price if the option is exercised.  By buying a put option, the Fund has the right, in return for the premium, to sell the security underlying the option at the exercise price.  By writing a put option, the Fund becomes obligated during the term of the option to purchase the securities underlying the option at the exercise price.


Because options premiums paid or received by the Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying and selling put and call options can be more speculative than investing directly in securities.

 

The Fund may effectively terminate its right or obligation under an option by entering into a closing transaction.  For example, the Fund may terminate its obligation under a call or put option that it had written by purchasing an identical call or put option. This is known as a closing purchase transaction.  Conversely, the Fund may terminate a position in a put or call option it had purchased by writing an identical put or call option. This is known as a closing sale transaction.  Closing transactions permit the Fund to realize profits or limit losses on an option position prior to its exercise or expiration.


Risks of Options on Securities.  Exchange-traded options in the United States are issued by a clearing organization affiliated with the exchange on which the option is listed that, in effect, guarantees completion of every exchange-traded option transaction.  In contrast, OTC options are contracts between the Fund and its counter-party (usually a securities dealer or a bank) with no clearing organization guarantee.  Thus, when the Fund purchases an OTC option, it relies on the counter-party from whom it purchased the option to make or take delivery of the underlying investment upon exercise of the option.  Failure by the counter-party to do so would result in the loss of any premium paid by the Fund as well as the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction.


The Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions in exchange-traded options depends on the existence of a liquid market.  However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist at any particular time.  Closing transactions can be made for OTC options only by negotiating directly with the counter-party or by a transaction in the secondary market if any such market exists.  There can be no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration.  In the event of insolvency of the counter-party, the Fund might be unable to close out an OTC option position at any time prior to its expiration.


If the Fund were unable to effect a closing transaction for an option it had purchased, it would have to exercise the option to realize any profit.  The inability to enter into a closing purchase transaction for a covered call option written by the Fund could cause material losses because the Fund would be unable to sell the investment used as cover for the written option until the option expires or is exercised.


Options on Indices.  An index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the securities included in the index.  Options on indices give the holder the right to receive an amount of cash upon exercise of the option.  Receipt of this cash amount will depend upon the closing level of the index upon which the option is based being greater than (in the case of a call) or less than (in the case of put) the exercise price of the option.  Some stock index options are based on a broad market index such as the S&P 500 Index, the NYSE Composite Index or the AMEX Major Market Index or on a narrower index such as the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Over-the-Counter Index.


Each of the exchanges has established limitations governing the maximum number of call or put options on the same index that may be bought or written by a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such options are written on the same or different exchanges or are held or written on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers).  Under these limitations, option positions of all investment companies advised by the Adviser are combined for purposes of these limits.  Pursuant to these limitations, an exchange may order the liquidation of positions and may impose other sanctions or restrictions.  These position limits may restrict the number of listed options that the Fund may buy or sell.


Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and calls on securities futures except that all settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question rather than on price movements in individual securities.  When the Fund writes a call on an index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the expiration date, the purchaser of the call, upon exercise of the call, will receive from the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the call is based is greater than the exercise price of the call.  The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple (“multiplier”), which determines the total value for each point of such difference.  When the Fund buys a call on an index, it pays a premium and has the same rights to such call as are indicated above.  When the Fund buys a put on an index, it pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the seller of the put, upon the Fund’s exercise of the put, to deliver to the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based is less than the exercise price of the put, which amount of cash is determined by the multiplier, as described above for calls.  When the Fund writes a put on an index, it receives a premium and the purchaser of the put has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the Fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to the difference between the closing level of the index and the exercise price times the multiplier if the closing level is less than the exercise price.


Risks of Options on Indices.  If the Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may subsequently change.  If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.


OTC Options.  Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size and strike price, the terms of OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract.  While this type of arrangement allows the Fund great flexibility to tailor the option to its needs, OTC options generally involve greater risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded.


Combined Positions.  The Fund may purchase and write options in combination with each other.  For example, the Fund may purchase a put option and write a call option on the same underlying instrument, in order to construct a combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract.  Another possible combined position would involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a substantial price increase.  Because combined options positions involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.


Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, the Fund will determine whether investments in options s are illiquid.  The Fund is restricted to investing no more than 15% of its total assets in securities that are illiquid; that is, not readily


Investment in Privately Negotiated Options


The Fund may also invest in privately negotiated option contracts (each a “Private Option”). Generally, an option buyer negotiates with a bank or investment bank to buy a Private Option with contract terms that are more flexible than standardized exchange traded options.  Under a Private Option contract, the buyer generally controls the length of the contract, the notional amount, and the asset or basket of securities comprising the reference portfolio that determines the value of the Private Option.


Private Options will generally have a term ranging from 12 to 60 months.  The Fund may buy Private Options that will be based on an asset or a basket of securities (the “Basket”) selected by the Adviser in accord with the Fund’s investment objective and approved by the counter-party.  The Basket may be comprised of securities that include common and preferred stock, government and private issuer debt (including convertible and non-convertible debt), options and futures contracts, limited partnership interests (including so-called “hedge funds”) and shares of registered investment companies.  During the term of a Private Option, the Adviser expects to have a limited right to modify the notional amount of the Private Option and the assets that comprise the Basket.


As with more traditional options, a Private Option will allow for the use of economic leverage without incurring risk beyond the amount of premium and related fees paid for the Private Option.  The Private Option will be structured so that it allows the Fund to benefit from an increase in the value of the Basket without owning the assets that comprise the Basket.  Upon a decline in the value of the Basket, the Fund may lose all or a portion of the premium paid for the Private Option.  The Fund’s gain or loss may be magnified by writing the Private Option with reference to a much larger notional amount of the Basket than the premium being paid by the Fund.  At no time will the Fund or its shareholders be exposed to a risk of loss in excess of the premium.

  

Upon the termination or expiration of a Private Option, the Fund will be entitled to receive from the counter-party a cash payment (the “Settlement Price”), which is based on the change in value of the Basket serving as a benchmark for that Private Option.  In no event will the Fund have the right to acquire the assets that comprise the Basket.  The Settlement Price may reflect deductions for fees and an interest-equivalent amount payable to the counter-party for establishing the Private Option.  The Settlement Price will typically be payable to the Fund within a specified number of business days after termination or expiration of the Private Option.  Any Private Option that does not require payment of the Settlement Price within seven calendar days after termination or expiration or that cannot be terminated by the Fund at any time will be treated as an illiquid asset.


The counter-party will generally have the right to terminate a Private Option at any time prior to maturity.  If the Basket does not sufficiently increase in value prior to termination or expiration, the Fund may still suffer losses even though the Basket increased in value because of fees and interest-equivalent amounts payable to the counter-party or because the increase in value of the Basket has been insufficient to trigger a position settlement value.


The counter-party to each Private Option will be a bank, financial institution, or an entity that is affiliated with either a bank or a financial institution with significant experience in the field of alternative investments.  Each counter-party will be one determined by the Adviser to be creditworthy.  Neither the Adviser nor the Fund will have any control over any hedging or similar techniques used by the counter-party to attempt to ensure the counter-party’s ability to perform under each Private Option.  Likewise, neither the Adviser nor the Fund will have any claim on securities or other property, if any, which may be purchased by the counter-party in connection with the Private Option.  Should the counter-party be unable to perform its obligations under a Private Option, then the Fund could lose all or a portion of the premium and the gain, if any, relating to such Private Option.


The following examples are intended to illustrate the basic structure and the gain or loss that the Fund might realize on Private Options. Certain details of a typical Private Option have been simplified for purposes of these examples.


Example A - Hypothetical Gain


The Adviser decides to acquire an interest in the increase (or decrease) in the value of securities that reflect the Fund’s investment objective (the “Securities”).  On behalf of the Fund, the Adviser purchases a Private Option from a counter-party using a Basket established under the Private Option that is comprised of the Securities.  For example, the Fund may choose a notional amount of $150,000 and pay to the counter-party a $50,000 up-front premium for the Private Option with the Fund entitled to any increase in value of the Basket in excess of $150,000.  The counter-party may or may not decide to purchase the notional value, $150,000, of the Securities that comprise the Basket in order to hedge its obligations under the Private Option.  The Private Option is terminated after one year, at which time the value of the Index has increased to $180,000 and the Fund has paid $5,000 in fees and interest-equivalent payments.  The Settlement Price would be calculated as $180,000 (the current notional amount), less $100,000 in economic leverage, and the Fund would have a net gain of $25,000 ($180,000 less $100,000 less $50,000 less $5,000).


Example B - Hypothetical Loss


The Adviser purchases a Private Option under the terms described above.  However, upon termination of the Private Option the value of the Basket has declined to $120,000.  The Settlement Price would be calculated as $120,000, less $100,000 in economic leverage, and the Fund would have a net loss of $35,000 ($120,000 less $100,000 less $50,000 less $5,000).

  

Under certain circumstances, Private Options may be deemed illiquid.  Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, the Fund will determine whether investments in Private Options are illiquid.  The Fund is restricted to investing no more than 15% of its total assets in securities that are illiquid; that is, not readily marketable.





Temporary and Cash Investments


Under normal market conditions, the Fund will stay fully invested according to its principal investment strategies as noted above.  The Fund, however, may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by making short-term investments in cash, cash equivalents, and high-quality, short-term debt securities and money market instruments for temporary defensive purposes in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions.  This may result in the Fund not achieving its investment objectives during that period.


For longer periods of time, the Fund may hold a substantial cash position.  If the market advances during periods when the Fund is holding a large cash position, the Fund may not participate to the extent it would have if the Fund had been more fully invested.  To the extent that the Fund uses a money market fund for its cash position, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund would bear its pro rata portion of such money market fund’s advisory fees and operational expenses.


The Fund may invest in any of the following securities and instruments:


Money Market Mutual Funds.  The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds in connection with its management of daily cash positions or as a temporary defensive measure.  Generally, money market funds seek to earn income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.  They primarily invest in high quality money market obligations, including securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities, bank obligations and high-grade corporate instruments.  These investments generally mature within 397 days from the date of purchase.  An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any government agency.  The Fund’s investments in money market mutual funds may be used for cash management purposes and to maintain liquidity in order to satisfy redemption requests or pay unanticipated expenses.


If the Fund invests in money market mutual funds pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F), it must comply with the following voting restrictions: when the Fund exercises voting rights, by proxy or otherwise, with respect to money market mutual funds owned by the Fund, the Fund will either seek instruction from the Fund’s shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies and vote in accordance with such instructions, or vote the shares held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security.


Your cost of investing in the Fund will generally be higher than the cost of investing directly in the underlying money market mutual fund shares.  You will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying money market mutual funds in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses.  Furthermore, the use of this strategy could affect the timing, amount and character of distributions to you and therefore may increase the amount of taxes payable by you.


Bank Certificates of Deposit, Bankers’ Acceptances and Time Deposits.  The Fund may acquire certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits.  Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against monies deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return.  Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity.  Certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances acquired by the Fund will be dollar-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign banks or financial institutions which at the time of purchase have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured by the U.S. Government.

  

Domestic banks and foreign banks are subject to different governmental regulations with respect to the amount and types of loans that may be made and interest rates that may be charged.  In addition, the profitability of the banking industry depends largely upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions.  General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operations of the banking industry.


As a result of federal and state laws and regulations, domestic banks are, among other things, required to maintain specified levels of reserves, limited in the amount which they can loan to a single borrower, and subject to other regulations designed to promote financial soundness.  However, such laws and regulations do not necessarily apply to foreign bank obligations that the Fund may acquire.


In addition to purchasing certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, to the extent permitted under its investment objectives and policies stated above and in the Prospectus, the Fund may make interest-bearing time or other interest-bearing deposits in commercial or savings banks.  Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate.


Savings Association Obligations.  The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit (interest-bearing time deposits) issued by savings banks or savings and loan associations that have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million, based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such obligations is fully insured by the U.S. Government.


Commercial Paper, Short-Term Notes and Other Corporate Obligations. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in commercial paper and short-term notes.  Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations.  Issues of commercial paper and short-term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to one year.


Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the time of purchase “A-2” or higher by S&P, “Prime-1” or “Prime-2” by Moody’s, or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, will be determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality.  These rating symbols are described in Appendix A.


Corporate obligations include bonds and notes issued by corporations to finance longer-term credit needs than supported by commercial paper.  While such obligations generally have maturities of ten years or more, the Fund may purchase corporate obligations which have remaining maturities of one year or less from the date of purchase and which are rated “A” or higher by S&P or “A” or higher by Moody’s.

  

U.S. Government Obligations


The Fund may make short-term investments in U.S. Government obligations.  Such obligations include Treasury bills, certificates of indebtedness, notes and bonds, and issuers of such entities as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”).  Of these obligations, only those of the GNMA and Treasury bills, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.


U.S. Agency Obligations


The Fund may make short-term investments in U.S. agency obligations, such as the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Tennessee Valley Authority, Resolution Funding Corporation, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, Federal Housing Administration, Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), and the Student Loan Marketing Association.  Some, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of United States, are supported only by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury.  Others, such as those of the FNMA, are supported by only the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations.  Still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality.  No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities because they are not obligated by law to do so.  As a result, there is a risk that these entities will default on a financial obligation.  For instance, the financial obligations of FNMA and FHLMC have been placed into conservatorship until the entities are restored to a solvent financial condition.


Fundamental Investment Limitations


The Trust (on behalf of the Fund) has adopted the following restrictions as fundamental policies, which may not be changed without the favorable vote of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act.  Under the 1940 Act, the vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund means the vote of the holders of the lesser: of (i) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of its outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.


The Fund may not:


1.

Issue senior securities, borrow money or pledge its assets, except that (i) the Fund may borrow from banks in amounts not exceeding one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed); and (ii) this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from engaging in options transactions or short sales in accordance with its objective and strategies;


2.

Act as underwriter (except to the extent the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the sale of securities in its investment portfolio);


3.

Invest 25% or more of its net assets, calculated at the time of purchase and taken at market value, in securities of issuers in any one industry (other than U.S. Government securities);


4.

Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities (although the Fund may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies that invest or deal in real estate);


5.

Purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving currencies and futures contracts and options thereon or investing in securities or other instruments that are secured by physical commodities;

 

6.

Make loans of money (except for the lending of its portfolio securities, purchases of debt securities consistent with the investment policies of the Fund and except for repurchase agreements); or


7.

With respect to 75% of its total assets, invest 5% or more of its total assets, computed at the time of investment, in securities of a single issuer or hold more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer (does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or other investment companies).



Non-Fundamental Investment Limitations


The following lists the non-fundamental investment restrictions applicable to the Fund.  These restrictions can be changed by the Board of Trustees, but the change will only be effective after notice is given to shareholders of the Fund.


The Fund may not:


1.  

With respect to Fundamental Investment Limitation 1 above, purchase portfolio securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of its assets; or


2.  

Invest 15% or more of the value of its net assets, taken at the time of investment, in illiquid securities.  Illiquid securities are those securities without readily available market quotations, including repurchase agreements having a maturity of more than seven days.  Illiquid securities may include restricted securities not determined by the Board of Trustees to be liquid, non-negotiable time deposits, over-the-counter options, and repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice.


Except with respect to borrowing and illiquid securities, if a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation.





Management of the Fund


Board of Trustees


The management and affairs of the Fund are supervised by the Board of Trustees.  The Board of Trustees consists of four (4) individuals.  The Trustees are fiduciaries for the Fund’s shareholders and are governed by the laws of the State of Ohio in this regard.  The Board of Trustees establishes policies for the operation of the Fund and appoints the officers who conduct the daily business of the Fund.


Board Leadership Structure


The Trust is a series trust comprised of individual series, or mutual funds, managed by unaffiliated investment advisers.  The Board of Trustees is comprised of three Independent Trustees: Mr. Daniel Friedlander, Mr. Zachary Frank and Mr. Paul Kirschner and one Interested Trustee: Mr. Laurence I. Balter.  The Trust’s Chairman, Mr. Friedlander, is an independent person of the Trust.  Mr. Balter serves as the Trust’s President.  


The Board of Trustees has established three standing committees – the Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee and the Fair Value Committee.  All Independent Trustees are members of the Audit Committee, Fair Value Committee and the Nominating Committee.  Inclusion of all Independent Trustees as members of the Audit Committee, the Fair Value Committee and the Nominating Committee allows all such Trustees to participate in the full range of the Board of Trustees’ oversight duties, including oversight of risk management processes.


In accordance with the fund governance standards prescribed by the SEC under the 1940 Act, the Independent Trustees on the Nominating Committee select and nominate all candidates for Independent Trustee positions.  Each Trustee was appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees because of his experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills as set forth in the subsection “Trustee Qualifications” below.  The Board of Trustees reviews its leadership structure regularly.  The Board of Trustees believes that its leadership structure is appropriate given the characteristics and circumstances of the Trust, including:  the unaffiliated nature of the investment adviser and the fund managed by such adviser; the number of funds that comprise the Trust; the variety of asset classes that those funds reflect; the net assets of the Trust; the committee structure of the Trust; and the independent distribution arrangements of the Trust’s underlying fund.


The Board of Trustees’ role is one of oversight rather than day-to-day management of any of the Trust’s underlying funds.  The Trust’s Audit Committee assists with this oversight function.  The Board of Trustees’ oversight extends to the Trust’s risk management processes.  Those processes are overseen by Trust officers, including the President, the Treasurer, the Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), who regularly report to the Board of Trustees on a variety of matters at Board meetings.


The Investment adviser managing the Trust’s underlying fund report to the Board of Trustees, on a regular and as-needed basis, on actual and possible risks affecting the Trust’s underlying fund.  The investment adviser reports to the Board of Trustees on various elements of risk, including investment, credit, liquidity, valuation, operational and compliance risks, as well as any overall business risks that could impact the Trust’s underlying funds.

  

The Board of Trustees has appointed the CCO, who reports directly to the Board of Trustees and who participates in its regular meetings.  In addition, the CCO presents an annual report to the Board of Trustees in accordance with the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures.  The CCO, together with the Trust’s Treasurer and Secretary, regularly discusses risk issues affecting the Trust and its underlying fund during Board of Trustee meetings.  The CCO also provides updates to the Board of Trustees on the operation of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures and on how these procedures are designed to mitigate risk.  Finally, the CCO and/or other officers of the Trust report to the Board of Trustees in the event that any material risk issues arise in between Board meetings.


Trustees and Officers


The Trustees and the officers of the Trust are listed below with their addresses, present positions with the Trust and principal occupations over at least the last five years.


Name, Address and Age

Position(s) Held

with

the Trust

Term of Office and Length of Time Served

Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex

Overseen by Trustee*

Principal Occupation(s) During

the Past Five Years

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee

Independent Trustees

  

  

  

Paul Kirschner

P.O. Box 1879

Gig Harbor, WA 98335


DOB: 12-2-55

Trustee

Indefinite Term; Since September, 2010

One

President - Fresh Start Loan Corporation- Since 1999

          None

Daniel Friedlander *

2815 Townsgate Road Ste.200

Westlake Village, CA  91361


DOB  10-10-74

Trustee

Indefinite Term; Since September, 2010

One

Attorney at Law – Since 2005

          None

Zackary Franks

875 Kumulani Drive

Kibei, HI   96753


DOB: 10-22-48

Trustee

Indefinite Term; Since March, 2012 until March 2013 (retired)

One

Managing Member - – Piiolo South, LLC – Since 2006 – Real Estate Management

          None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Mr. Friedlander is the nephew of Mr. Balter.  


 

Name, Address and Age

Position(s) Held

with

the Trust

Term of Office and Length of Time Served

Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex

Overseen by Trustee*

Principal Occupation(s) During

the Past Five Years

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee


Interested Trustee and Officers

  

  

  

Laurence  I. Balter **

182 Island Blvd., FI,

Fox Island, WA 98333


DOB:721/69

President and Trustee

Indefinite Term; Since September, 2010

One

Oracle Investment Research, Oracle Investment Research

          None

 

 

Charles R. Ropka, Esq.

215 Fries Mill Road, Turnersville,  NJ  080212


DOB: 10/21/1963

Secretary

Indefinite Term;

Since September, 2010

N/A

Attorney-at-law- Law Office of C. Richard Ropka, LLC, Rabil, Ropka, Kingett& Stewart, LLC

N/A

Gregory Getts

8000 Town Centre Drive, Ste. 400, Broadview Heights, OH 44147


DOB:7/24/1957

 

Treasurer

Indefinite Term;

Since September, 2010

N/A

President - Mutual Shareholders Services, LLC (2001-present).

N/A


** Mr. Balter is an “interested person” of the Trust as defined by the 1940 Act.  Mr. Balter is an interested person of the Trust by virtue of the fact that he is an interested person of Oracle Investment Research, the Fund’s investment advisor.


Trustee Qualifications


The following is a brief discussion of the experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills that led to the Board of Trustees’ conclusion that each individual identified above is qualified to serve as a Trustee of the Trust.


Mr. Kirschner and Mr. Friedlander are each attorneys at law.  Each has an advanced educational background and professional experience which provide tremendous insight into the corporate governance and financial aspects of the securities industry.  


Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares


The following table reflects the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee as of December 31, 2011, which is the end of the Trust’s most recently completed calendar year,  


Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity Securities

In the Fund

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in All Registered Investment

Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies  

Paul Kirschner

$0

$0

Daniel Friedlander

$0

$0

Laurence I. Balter

Over $100,000

Over $100,000


Furthermore, no trustee who is an independent person of the Fund, or members of his immediate family, owns securities beneficially or of record, in the Adviser, the Fund’s principal underwriter, or any of their affiliates.  Accordingly, no Trustee who is an independent person of the Fund, or members of their immediate family, has a direct or indirect interest, the value of which exceeds $120,000, in the Adviser, the Fund’s principal underwriter or any of their affiliates.


Board Committees


Audit Committee.  The Trust has an Audit Committee, which is comprised of the independent members of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Daniel Friedlander and Mr. Paul Kirschner.  The Audit Committee reviews financial statements and other audit-related matters for the Fund.  The Audit Committee also holds discussions with management and with the Fund’s independent auditor concerning the scope of the audit and the auditor’s independence. During the Trust’s fiscal year ended August 31, 20112, the Audit Committee met four (4) times.   


Nominating Committee.  The Trust has a Nominating Committee, which is comprised of the independent members of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Daniel Friedlander and Mr. Paul Kirschner.  The Nominating Committee is responsible for seeking and reviewing candidates for consideration as nominees for the position of trustees and meets only as necessary.  During the Trust’s fiscal year ended August 31, 20112, the Nominating Committee met one (1) times.     


The Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders for vacancies on the Board of Trustees.  Recommendations for consideration by the Nominating Committee should be sent to the President of the Trust in writing together with the appropriate biographical information concerning each such proposed nominee, and such recommendation must comply with the notice provisions set forth in the Trust’s By-Laws.  In general, to comply with such procedures, such nominations, together with all required information, must be delivered to and received by the Secretary of the Trust at the principal executive office of the Trust not later than 60 days prior to the shareholder meeting at which any such nominee would be voted on. Shareholder recommendations for nominations to the Board of Trustees will be accepted on an ongoing basis and such recommendations will be kept on file for consideration when there is a vacancy on the Board of Trustees.  The Nominating Committee’s procedures with respect to reviewing shareholder nominations will be disclosed as required by applicable securities laws.


Fair Value Committee.  The Trust has a Fair Value Committee.  The Fair Value Committee is responsible for the following: (1) monitoring the valuation of Fund securities and other investments; and (2) as required, when the Board of Trustees is not in session, determining the fair value of illiquid securities and other holdings after consideration of all relevant factors, which determinations are reported to the Board.  The Fair Value Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Daniel Friedlander and Mr. Paul Kirschner, who each serve as an officer of the Trust.  The Fair Value Committee meets as necessary when a price for a portfolio security is not readily available.  During the Trust’s fiscal year ended August 31, 20112, the Fair Value Committee did not meet.     


  Trustee Compensation


The Independent Trustees will not receive any compensation; however, each will be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in connection with attendance at board meetings.  Interested Trustees do not receive any compensation for their service as Trustees.



Name of

Person/Position

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**

Mr. Paul Kirschner,

Independent Trustee

 

None

None

None

None

Mr. Daniel Friedlander,

Independent Trustee

 

None

None

None

None

Laurence I. Balter,

Interested Trustee

None

None

None

None

* Trustees fees and expenses are allocated among the Fund and any other series comprising the Trust.


Control Persons and Principal Shareholders


A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund.  A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges the existence of control.  As of December 5, 2012, the following shareholders were considered to be principal shareholders of the Fund:


Name and Address

% Ownership

Type of Ownership

Holly Dudley Wright


Linda Nakagawa

5.97%


15%

Direct


Direct

 

 

 


Investment Adviser


As stated in the Prospectus, investment advisory services are provided to the Fund by the Adviser, Oracle Investment Research, pursuant to a Management Services Agreement (the “Management Agreement”).  As of the date of this SAI, Mr. Laurence Balter is a control person of the Adviser by virtue of his 100% ownership interest in the voting stock of the Adviser.


After the initial two years, the Advisory Agreement will continue in effect from year to year only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and by a majority of the trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Advisory Agreement.  The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of the Fund upon 60 days’ written notice when authorized either by a majority vote of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities or by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees, or by the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).  The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser under such agreement shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of portfolio transactions for the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder.


In consideration of the services provided by the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive from each of Class A and Class I of the Fund an investment advisory fee computed daily and paid monthly, based on a rate equal to 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets as specified in the Prospectus.  


The Advisor contractually has agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse certain Fund operating expenses, but only to the extent necessary so that the Fund’s total operating expenses, excluding brokerage fees and commissions, any 12b-1 fees, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expenses on securities sold short), taxes, extraordinary expenses and any indirect expenses (such as Fees and Expenses of Acquired Funds), do not exceed, 1.50% of the average daily net assets as to Class A and .75% of the average daily net assets as to Class I.  The contractual agreement is in effect through December 31, 2013.  The waiver or reimbursement by the advisor is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which the particular waiver or expense was incurred; provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the 1.50% as to Class A and .0.75% as to Class I expense limitation.

  

Fund Expenses.  The Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses.  However, pursuant to an operating expense limitation agreement between the Adviser and the Fund, the Adviser has agreed to reduce its management fees payable to it by the Fund and/or to pay Fund operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit the Fund’s aggregate annual operating expenses (excluding dividends on short positions, brokerage commission expenses, interest and tax expenses, distribution fees and extraordinary, non-recurring expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses) to the limit set forth in the Fees and Expenses Table of the Prospectus.  Any such reductions made by the Adviser in its management fees or payment of expenses which are the Fund’s obligation are subject to reimbursement by the Fund to the Adviser, if so requested by the Adviser, in subsequent fiscal years if the aggregate amount actually paid by the Fund toward the operating expenses for such fiscal year (taking into account the reimbursement) does not exceed the applicable limitation on Fund expenses.  The Adviser is permitted to be reimbursed only for management fee reductions and expense payments made in the previous three fiscal years from the date the expense was incurred.  Any such reimbursement is also contingent upon the Board of Trustees’ subsequent review and ratification of the reimbursed amounts.  Such reimbursement may not be paid prior to the Fund’s payment of current ordinary operating expenses.


The following table describes the advisory fees paid to the Advisor by the Oracle Mutual Fund during the fiscal periods indicated:


Fiscal Year Ended

Advisory Fees

Accrued

Total Fees

Waived and/or

Expenses Reimbursed

Net Advisory

Fees Paid

(Reimbursed)

August 31, 2011*

$46,280

$(48,912)

$(2,632)

August 31, 2012

$72,419

$(96,701)

$(24,282)         

* For the period January 3, 2011 (commencement of operations) though August 31, 2011


Portfolio Managers


As stated in the Prospectus, Mr. Laurence I. Balter is the Portfolio Manager for the Fund and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio (the “Portfolio Managers”).  Mr. Balter founded Oracle Investment Research in 2010, where he serves as principal, managing private family assets.  Mr. Balter is a registered investment representative.


The following provides information regarding other accounts managed by Mr. Balter as of August 31, 2012



Category of Account

Total Number of

Accounts Managed

Total Assets in

Accounts Managed

Number of Accounts for which Advisory Fee is

Based on Performance

Assets in Accounts for which Advisory Fee is Based on Performance

Other Registered

Investment Companies

$0.00

$0.00

None

None

Other Pooled

Investment Vehicles

None

None

None

None

Other Accounts

25

$20,000,000

25

20,000,000


The Adviser also serves as the investment adviser to various privately managed accounts, some of which may have a similar investment strategy to that of the Fund, which could create certain conflicts of interest with respect to timing and allocation of transactions.  All portfolio transactions will be implemented according to the Adviser’s trade allocation policies.  These policies, among other things, ensure that trades are allocated in a manner that fulfills the Adviser’s fiduciary duty to each advisory client, and is fair and nondiscriminatory.


The Portfolio Manager receives compensation as the Fund’s portfolio managers in the form of a fixed salary.  The Portfolio Managers are also eligible for a bonus, which is based on the overall profitability of the Adviser.  Additionally, the Portfolio Managers may receive equity dividends from their ownership in the Adviser.  The Portfolio Managers are eligible to participate in the Adviser’s retirement plan under the same guidelines and criteria established for all employees of the Adviser.


As of August 31, 2012 the Portfolio Managers beneficially owned shares of the Fund as follows:


 

Name of Portfolio Manager

 

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

(None, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000,

$100,001-$500,000, $500,001-$1,000,000, Over $1,000,000)

 

Laurence I. Balter

 $50,001 - $1,000,000

 

 


MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT APPROVAL


The approval of the Fund’s Management Agreement (“Agreement”) between the Trust and Advisor was considered by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or interested parties to the Agreement (collectively, the “Independent Trustees” and each an “Independent Trustee”) at an in person held on August 20, 2012 (the "Meeting"), the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust nor parties to the investment advisory agreement nor interested persons of any party to the investment advisory agreement (the "Independent Trustees"), discussed the renewal of the investment advisory management agreement (the "Management Services Agreement") between the Trust and Oracle Investment Research (the “Adviser”), on behalf of the Oracle Mutual Fund.  In considering the renewal of the Management Services Agreement, the Board interviewed the Adviser and received materials specifically relating to the Management Services Agreement.  


The Board was advised by independent legal counsel of their duties and obligations under the federal securities laws with respect to approval of investment advisory agreements and the fact that in fulfilling their responsibilities to the Fund and its shareholders, the Trustees must apply their business judgment to the question of whether the overall arrangements provided under the terms of the investment advisory agreement are reasonable business arrangements for the Fund. The Board was also advised by counsel that they must make a reasonable and good faith attempt to ascertain all facts relevant to their deliberations. They also discussed the specific factors Trustees should consider in evaluating an investment advisory agreement which include, but are not limited to, the following: the investment performance of the Fund and the investment adviser; the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the investment adviser to the Fund; the costs of the services to be provided and the profits to be realized by the adviser from the relationship with the Fund; the extent to which economies of scale will be realized as the Fund grows; and whether the fee levels reflect these economies of scale to the benefit of shareholders. In considering the Agreement, the Board interviewed the Adviser and received materials specifically relating to the Agreement. These materials included: (a) performance and expense data for a peer group of funds and appropriate indices with respect to the Fund; (b) arrangements with respect to the distribution of the Fund's shares; and (c) the resources available with respect to compliance with the Fund's investment policies and restrictions and with policies on personal securities transactions.  Additional information was furnished by the Adviser including (a) the Adviser’s ADV; (b) information on the overall organization of the Adviser; (c) investment management staffing; (d) the Advisor’s marketing effects toward the Funds’ growth and (d) the overall financial condition of the Adviser and, in particular, the Adviser’s financial condition as it relates to the management of the Fund.


In its consideration of the Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, did not identify any single factor as all-important or controlling, and the following summary does not detail all the matters considered. Matters considered by the Board, including the Independent Trustees, in connection with its approval of the Agreement include the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. At the Meeting, the Board examined the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser to the Fund. A presentation was given by the Adviser regarding the Fund’s investment strategy and the Adviser’s experience in the securities industry it's investment philosophy and strategy.  In addition, the Trustees reviewed the Adviser's Form ADV which described the operations and policies of the Adviser.  The Trustees also reviewed a description of the organizational structure of the Adviser, noting that the Adviser is owned 100% Laurence I. Balter. The Trustees concluded that the Adviser is adequately staffed relative to its responsibilities and obligations to the Fund.  They also observed that the Adviser's operational and compliance processes are well designed and give the Trustees confidence that the Fund will be managed in conformity with its investment objective and restrictions. The Trustees also considered the administrative services that the Adviser and its employees have provided and would continue to provide to the Fund.  The Adviser certified to the Board that it had complied with the Trust's Code of Ethics.  The Trustees concluded that the Adviser has provided high quality advisory services to the Fund, and that the nature and extent of services provided by the Adviser were reasonable and consistent with the Board's expectations and those set forth in the current and proposed Management Services Agreement.

Performance of the Adviser. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered the Fund’s performance relative to the Fund's benchmark, and its peer group within its Morningstar category.  The returns of the Fund continue to lag its benchmark.  While the Trustees noted concern over the Fund’s sub-Index performances, they recognized that some portion of any Fund’s sub-Index performance could be attributed to the fees and expenses paid by a Fund when compared to the Index along with the Advisor’s confidence that the Fund’s portfolio has an optimistic outlook as a long-term investment which is consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. Overall, the Trustees concluded that the Advisor must continue to strive to increase the Fund’s performance it is acceptable in consideration of the Advisor’s long-term goals. The Trustees will continue to monitor the Fund’s performance against its benchmark and peer group.

Fees and Expenses. The Trustees then reviewed and reviewed information in the peer group studies comparing the expense ratio of the Fund to those funds in its peer group.  The Trustees noted that the Fund's expense reimbursement is slightly below the peer group average.  Further, the Trustees considered that, giving effect to the Expense Limitation Agreement, the Fund’s expense ratio is lower than the expense ratio of comparable funds in its category which were determined to be comparable to the Fund based on the type of fund, the style of investment management and/or the nature of the markets invested in, among other factors. The Trustees noted that the total fees and expenses of the Fund were within a range of reasonable expenses when compared to its peer group.  The Trustees concluded that the Fund's management fee is fair and reasonable, particularly when considering the size of the Fund.

Profitability. The Trustees discussed with the Adviser the profits to be realized by the Adviser based on the current and expected asset levels. The Trustees noted that the Adviser is currently remitting its Advisor’s fees and Administration fees back to the Fund pursuant to its expense reimbursement obligation.  Notwithstanding the current situation, the Advisor is optimistic as to the success of the Fund relative to its long term goals.  Although not currently earning a profit from the management services agreement, the Trustees were satisfied that the Advisor has the financial ability to continue to satisfy its expense limitation reimbursement obligation.  

Economies of Scale. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, also considered whether there would be potential benefits for the Adviser in managing multiple series under the Trust, including promotion of the Adviser’s name, the ability for the Adviser to place small accounts into other Funds under the Trust, and the potential for the Adviser to generate soft dollars from Fund trades that may benefit the Adviser’s clients other than those of the Fund. After comparing the fees under the Management Services Agreement with those paid by comparable funds and considering all of the foregoing, the Board concluded that the management fees to be paid to the Adviser by the Fund were fair and reasonable.


Conclusion. Having requested and received such information from the Adviser which the Board believed to be reasonably necessary in order to evaluate renewing the Management Services Agreement, and as assisted by the advice of independent legal counsel, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the overall arrangement provided under the terms of the Management Services Agreement was a reasonable business arrangement and that renewal of the Management Services Agreement was in the best interests of the Trust and the Fund’s shareholders.  The Board, including all of the Independent Trustees who are not “interested” persons of the Trust or of the Advisor to the Funds, within the meaning of the 1940 Act, unanimously determined that the Agreement was reasonable and should be renewed.


Service Providers


Mutual Shareholder Services, LLC (“MSS”), 8000 Town Centre Drive, Suite 400, Broadview Heights, OH44148, acts as the Fund’s transfer agent, fund accountant and dividend disbursing agent.  Certain officers of the Trust are officers, employees, and/or members of management of MSS.  


MSS maintains the records of each shareholder’s account, answers shareholders’ inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of the Fund’s shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent and performs other transfer agent and shareholder service functions.


The Fund has an investment company services agreement with Mutual Shareholder Services, LLC (“MSS”).  As stated in the agreements MSS will act as the Fund’s transfer agent, fund accountant and dividend disbursing agent.  MSS will maintain the records of each shareholder’s account, answers shareholders’ inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of the Fund’s shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent and performs other transfer agent and shareholder service functions.  For its services as fund accountant and fund transfer agent, MSS will receive a monthly fee from the Fund calculated on the total net assets and the total number of shareholders. Initial monthly fees to be paid to MSS will be $800 for its transfer agent and fund accounting services.  The initial fee structure includes discounts that will fade out as the Fund’s assets grow.  MSS will also receive reimbursement from the fund for all reasonably incurred out-of-pocket expenses it incurs in conjunction with the performance of these services.


Pursuant to an Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), Oracle Investment Research (“OIR”) Oracle Investment Research, 182 Island Blvd., FI, Fox Island, Washington, 98333 (the “Administrator”), acts as administrator for the Fund.  The Administrator provides certain administrative services to the Fund, including, among other responsibilities, coordinating the negotiation of contracts and fees with, and the monitoring of performance and billing of, the Fund’s independent contractors and agents; preparation for signature by an officer of the Trust of all documents required to be filed for compliance by the Trust and the Fund with applicable laws and regulations excluding those of the securities laws of various states; arranging for the computation of performance data, including net asset value and yield; responding to shareholder inquiries; and arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Fund, and providing, at its own expense, office facilities, equipment and personnel necessary to carry out its duties.  In this capacity, the Administrator does not have any responsibility or authority for the management of the Fund, the determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the distribution of Fund shares.  Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, for its services, the Administrator receives from the Fund 0.20% of average net assets on the first $50 million of Fund assets, 0.07% of the average net assets over $50 million but less than $100 million, 0.05% of the average net assets over $100 million but less than $150 million and 0.03% of the average net assets over $150 Million all are subject to a minimum monthly fee of $2,500.  For the period ended August 31, 2012, the Adviser earned $30,082 in administrative fees.  

 

The Fund has paid administration fees to the Advisor and accounting or transfer agency fees to Mutual Shareholder Services, LLC. pursuant to the following table.


  

2012

Transfer Agency Fees Paid

$10,613

 

  

2012

Accounting Services Fees Paid

$24,136


  

2012

Administrator Fees Received

$30,082


Huntington Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”), is the custodian of the assets of the Fund pursuant to a custody agreement between the Custodian and the Trust, whereby the Custodian charges fees on a transactional basis plus out-of-pocket expenses.  The Custodian’s address is 41 South Street, Columbus, OH 43125.  The Custodian does not participate in decisions relating to the purchase and sale of securities by the Fund.  The Custodian and its affiliates may participate in revenue sharing arrangements with service providers of mutual funds in which the Fund may invest.

 

Legal Counsel


The Law Office of C. Richard Ropka, LLC, 215 Fries Mill Road, Turnersville, New Jersey 08012, acts as legal counsel to the Fund.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The firm Sanville & Company having a business address of 1514 Old York Road, Abington, PA  19001-2607 has been selected as independent registered public accountants for the Fund for the fiscal years ending August 31, 2011 and August 31, 2012.  Sanville & Company performs an annual audit of the Fund’s financial statements and provides financial, tax and accounting consulting services as requested. The firm of Patke & Associates, LTD. having a business address of 300 Village Green Drive, Suite 210, Lincolnshire, Illinois, 60069 performed the seed audit for the Fund.


Distribution of Fund Shares


Arbor Court Capital, LLC (the “Distributor”), located at One Chagrin Highlands, 2000 Auburn Drive Suite 120, Cleveland, OH 44122 serves as the principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares. The Distributor is a broker-dealer and acts as the Fund’s principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund’s shares.


12b-1 Distribution Plan


As noted in the Prospectus, the Fund has adopted a distribution plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Distribution Plan”) on behalf of the Fund.  Under the Distribution Plan, the Fund pays a fee to the Fund’s distributor for distribution services (the “Distribution Fee”) for Class A shares at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net asset value.  The Distribution Plan provides that the Fund’s distributor may use all or any portion of such Distribution Fee to finance any activity that is principally intended to result in the sale of Fund shares, subject to the terms of the Distribution Plan, or to provide certain shareholder services.


The Distribution Fee is payable to the Fund’s distributor regardless of the distribution-related expenses actually incurred.  Because the Distribution Fee is not directly tied to expenses, the amount of distribution fees paid by the Fund during any year may be more or less than actual expenses incurred pursuant to the Distribution Plan.  For this reason, this type of distribution fee arrangement is characterized by the staff of the SEC as a “compensation” plan.


The Fund’s distributor may use the Distribution Fee to pay for services covered by the Distribution Plan including, but not limited to, advertising, compensating underwriters, dealers and selling personnel engaged in the distribution of Fund shares, the printing and mailing of prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports to other than current Fund shareholders, the printing and mailing of sales literature pertaining to the Fund, and obtaining whatever information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities that the Fund may, from time to time, deem advisable.


The Distribution Plan provides that it will continue from year to year upon approval by the majority vote of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Distribution Plan or in any agreement related to such plan (the “Qualified Trustees”), as required by the 1940 Act, currently cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose.  It is also required that the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, select and nominate all other trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund.  The Distribution Plan and any related agreements may not be amended to materially increase the amounts to be spent for distribution expenses without approval of shareholders holding a majority of the Fund shares outstanding.  All material amendments to the Distribution Plan or any related agreements must be approved by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees and the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such amendment.

 

The Distribution Plan requires that the Fund’s distributor provide to the Board of Trustees, at least quarterly, a written report on the amounts and purpose of any payment made under the Distribution Plan.  The Fund’s distributor is also required to furnish the Board of Trustees with such other information as may reasonably be requested in order to enable the Board of Trustees to make an informed determination of whether the Distribution Plan should be continued.  With the exception of the Adviser, no “interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, and no Qualified Trustee of the Fund has or had a direct or indirect financial interest in the Distribution Plan or any related agreement.


As noted above, the Distribution Plan provides for the ability to use Fund assets to pay financial intermediaries (including those that sponsor mutual fund supermarkets), plan administrators and other service providers to finance any activity that is principally intended to result in the sale of Fund shares (distribution services).  The payments made by the Fund to these financial intermediaries are based primarily on the dollar amount of assets invested in the Fund through the financial intermediaries.  These financial intermediaries may pay a portion of the payments that they receive from the Fund to their investment professionals.  In addition to the ongoing asset-based fees paid to these financial intermediaries under the  Distribution Plan, the Fund may, from time to time, make payments under the Distribution Plan that help defray the expenses incurred by these intermediaries for conducting training and educational meetings about various aspects of the Fund for their employees.  In addition, the Fund may make payments under the Distribution Plan for exhibition space and otherwise help defray the expenses these financial intermediaries incur in hosting client seminars where the Fund is discussed.


To the extent these asset-based fees and other payments made under the Distribution Plan to these financial intermediaries for the distribution services they provide to the Fund’s shareholders exceed the Distribution Fees available, these payments are made by the Adviser from its own resources, which may include its profits from the advisory fee it receives from the Fund.  In addition, the Fund may participate in various “fund supermarkets” in which a mutual fund supermarket sponsor (usually a broker-dealer) offers many mutual funds to the sponsor’s customers without charging the customers a sales charge.  In connection with its participation in such platforms, the Adviser may use all or a portion of the Distribution Fee to pay one or more supermarket sponsors a negotiated fee for distributing the Fund’s shares.  In addition, in its discretion, the Adviser may pay additional fees to such intermediaries from its own assets.


The Fund has not yet begun operations and has not paid any administration, accounting or transfer agency fees to the Adviser under the Administration Agreement.


Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage


Pursuant to the Management Services Agreement, the Adviser determines which securities are to be purchased and sold by the Fund and which broker-dealers are eligible to execute the Fund’s portfolio transactions.  Purchases and sales of securities in the over-the-counter market will generally be executed directly with a “market-maker” unless, in the opinion of the Adviser, a better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the transaction.


Purchases of portfolio securities for the Fund will be effected through broker-dealers (including banks) that specialize in the types of securities that the Fund will be holding, unless better executions are available elsewhere.  Dealers usually act as principal for their own accounts.  Purchases from dealers will include a spread between the bid and the asked price.  If the execution and price offered by more than one dealer are comparable, the order may be allocated to a dealer that has provided research or other services as discussed below.

  

In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser will use reasonable efforts to choose broker-dealers capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable price and execution available.  The full range and quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations, such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities of the firm involved, the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities and other factors.  In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more than one broker-dealer can offer the services needed to obtain the most favorable price and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers that furnish or supply research and statistical information to the Adviser that it may lawfully and appropriately use in its investment advisory capacities, as well as provide other brokerage services in addition to execution services.  The Adviser considers such information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by it under its Advisory Agreement with the Fund, to be useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value.


While it is the Fund’s general policy to first seek to obtain the most favorable price and execution available in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund, weight is also given to the ability of a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services to the Fund or to the Adviser, even if the specific services are not directly useful to the Fund and may be useful to the Adviser in advising other clients.  In negotiating commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith by the Adviser to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer.  The standard of reasonableness is to be measured in light of the Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Fund.


Investment decisions for the Fund may or may not be made independently from those of other client accounts.  In certain instances, investment decisions will be made similar to other accounts managed.  In the case where the Fund uses similar strategies, applicable procedures will be taken to ensure trading allocations will be handled fairly and abide by all appropriate rules and regulations. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times identical securities will be acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts.  In such event, the position of the Fund and such client account(s) in the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its investment in the same issuer may likewise vary.  However, to the extent any of these client accounts seek to acquire the same security as the Fund at the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such security.  Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security at the same time.  If one or more of such client accounts simultaneously purchases or sells the same security that the Fund is purchasing or selling, each day’s transactions in such security will be allocated between the Fund and all such client accounts in a manner deemed equitable by the Adviser, taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount being purchased or sold.  It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as the Fund is concerned.  In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of the Fund to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for such Fund.  Notwithstanding the above, the Adviser may execute buy and sell orders for accounts and take action in performance of its duties with respect to any of its accounts that may differ from actions taken with respect to another account, so long as the Adviser shall, to the extent practical, allocate investment opportunities to accounts, including the Fund, over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis and in accordance with applicable law.

  

The Fund is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers or dealers” that the Fund has acquired during its most recent fiscal year. The Fund is also required to identify any brokerage transactions during its most recent fiscal year that were directed to a broker because of research services provided, along with the amount of any such transactions and any related commissions paid by the Fund.  Since the Fund has not yet begun operations, it did neither acquired any securities of its “regular brokers or dealers” nor paid any commissions to any broker. .


Portfolio Turnover


Although the Fund generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes, portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Adviser, investment considerations warrant such action.  Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing (i) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by (ii) the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal year.  A 100% turnover rate would occur if all the securities in the Fund’s portfolio, with the exception of securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less, were sold and either repurchased or replaced within one year.  A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally leads to above-average transaction costs, could generate capital gains that must be distributed to shareholders as short-term capital gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates (currently as high as 35%) and could increase brokerage commission costs.  To the extent that the Fund experiences an increase in brokerage commissions due to a higher portfolio turnover rate, the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by the increased expenses incurred by the Fund and may result in a greater number of taxable transactions.  


Code of Ethics


The Fund, Distributor and the Adviser have each adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act.  These Codes permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of the Adviser to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.


Proxy Voting Procedures


The Board of Trustees has adopted proxy voting policies and procedures (“Proxy Policies”) wherein the Trust has delegated to the Adviser the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund as part of its investment advisory services, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Board of Trustees.  The Proxy Voting Policies of the Adviser are attached as Appendix B.  Notwithstanding this delegation of responsibilities, however, the Fund retains the right to vote proxies relating to its portfolio securities.  The fundamental purpose of the Proxy Policies is to ensure that each vote will be in a manner that reflects the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders, taking into account the value of the Fund’s investments.

  

The actual voting records relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended on June 30 of each year will be available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free, (800)494-2755 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.


Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program


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


Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Distributor and the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and a complete and thorough review of all new account applications.  The Fund will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.


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


Portfolio Holdings Information


The Trust on behalf of the Fund has adopted portfolio holdings disclosure policies (“Portfolio Holdings Policies”) that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure of portfolio holdings of the Fund.  The Adviser has also adopted the Portfolio Holdings Policies.  Information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings will not be distributed to any third party except in accordance with these Portfolio Holdings Policies.  The Adviser and the Board of Trustees considered the circumstances under which the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed under the Portfolio Holdings Policies.  The Adviser and the Board of Trustees also considered actual and potential material conflicts that could arise in such circumstances between the interests of the Fund’s shareholders and the interests of the Adviser, Distributor, or any other affiliated person of the Fund’s.  After due consideration, the Adviser and the Board of Trustees determined that the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for disclosing portfolio holdings to persons described in the Portfolio Holdings Policies.  The Board of Trustees also authorized the Adviser or appointed officers to consider and authorize dissemination of portfolio holdings information to additional parties, after considering the best interests of the shareholders and potential conflicts of interest in making such disclosures.


The Board of Trustees exercises continuing oversight of the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings by (1) overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the Portfolio Holdings Policies, codes of ethics and other relevant policies of the Fund and its service providers by the CCO, (2) by considering reports and recommendations by the CCO concerning any material compliance matters (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act), and (3) by considering to approve any amendment to the Portfolio Holding Policies.  The Board of Trustees reserves the right to amend the Portfolio Holding Policies at any time without prior notice in its sole discretion.


Disclosure of the Fund’s complete holdings is required to be made quarterly within 60 days of the end of each fiscal quarter, in the annual and semi-annual reports to Fund shareholders, and in the quarterly holdings report on Form N-Q.  These reports are available, free of charge, on the Interactive Data Electronic Applications database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.


The Adviser may not receive compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about Fund portfolio securities.  In the event of a conflict between the interests of the Fund and the interests of the Adviser or an affiliated person of the Adviser, the CCO of the Adviser, in consultation with the Trust’s CCO, shall make a determination in the best interests of the Fund, and shall report such determination to the Board of Trustees at the end of the quarter in which such determination was made.  Any employee of the Adviser who suspects a breach of this obligation must report the matter immediately to the Adviser’s CCO or to his or her supervisor.


In addition, material non-public holdings information may be provided without lag as part of the normal investment activities of the Fund to each of the following entities which, by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the Fund, are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed:  the Administrator; the Fund’s accountant; the Custodian; the Transfer Agent; the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; counsel to the Fund or the trustees (current parties are identified in this SAI); broker-dealers (in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or requests for price quotations or bids on one or more securities); and regulatory authorities.  Portfolio holdings information not publicly available with the SEC may only be provided to additional third parties, in accordance with the Portfolio Holdings Policies, when the Fund has a legitimate business purpose, and the third party recipient is subject to a confidentiality agreement.  Portfolio holdings information posted on the Fund’s website may be separately provided to any person, including rating and ranking organizations such as Lipper and Morningstar, at the same time that it is filed with the SEC or one day after it is first published on the Fund’s website.  Portfolio holdings disclosure may be approved under the Portfolio Holdings Policies by the Trust’s CCO, Treasurer or President.


In no event shall the Adviser, its affiliates or employees, or the Fund receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings.


There can be no assurance that the Portfolio Holdings Policies and these procedures will protect the Fund from potential misuse of that information by individuals or entities to which it is disclosed.


Determination of Net Asset Value


Shares of the Fund are sold at NAV per share, which is determined by the Fund as of the close of regular trading (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for unrestricted business.  The Fund’s NAV, however, may be calculated earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or as permitted by the SEC.  Additionally, while the Fund does not expect to determine the NAV of its shares on any day when the NYSE is not open for trading (even if there is sufficient trading in its portfolio securities on such days to materially affect the NAV per share), the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be determined on days the NYSE is closed for business if the Board of Trustees decides it is necessary.


Generally, the Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of a market value, at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser and the Trust’s Fair Value Committee pursuant to procedures approved by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees.

  

The NAV is determined by dividing the value of the Fund’s securities, cash and other assets, minus all expenses and liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding (assets – liabilities / number of shares = NAV).  The NAV takes into account the expenses and fees of the Fund, including management, administration and shareholder servicing fees, which are accrued daily.  An example of how the Fund calculated its NAV per share as of August 31, 2012 is as follows:


Class A

Net Assets

=

NAV Per Share

Shares Outstanding

  

  

  

$7,634,856.16

=

$54.56

141,871,331




The Fund’s securities, including ADRs, which are traded on securities exchanges, are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any reported sales, at the mean between the last available bid and asked prices.


Securities that are traded on more than one exchange are valued on the exchange determined by the Adviser to be the primary market.  Securities primarily traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”).  If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) securities that are not traded on NASDAQ shall be valued at the most recent trade price.


Short-term debt obligations with remaining maturities in excess of 60 days are valued at current market prices, as discussed above.  Short-term securities with 60 days or less remaining to maturity are, unless conditions indicate otherwise, amortized to maturity based on their cost to the Fund if acquired within 60 days of maturity or, if already held by the Fund on the 60th day, based on the value determined on the 61st day.


Exchange traded options are valued at the composite price, using the National Best Bid and Offer quotes (“NBBO”).  NBBO consists of the highest bid price and lowest ask price across any of the exchanges on which an option is quoted, thus providing a view across the entire U.S. options marketplace.  Specifically, composite pricing looks at the last trades on the exchanges where the options are traded.  If there are no trades for the option on a given business day composite option pricing calculates the mean of the highest bid price and lowest ask price across the exchanges where the option is traded.

  

Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares


Detailed information on the purchase and redemption of shares is included in the Prospectus.


Sales Charge on Class A Shares.  If you purchase Class A shares of the Fund you will pay an initial sales charge of 5.25% when you invest, unless you qualify for a reduction or waiver of the sales charge.  The sales charge for the Fund is calculated as follows(1):


When you invest this amount

Sales Charge as a Percentage

of Offering Price

Sales Charge as a Percentage

of Net Amount Invested(2)

Dealer Reallowance

$0-$24,999.99(3)

5.25%

5.54%

4.75%

$25,000-$49,999.99

5.00%

5.26%

4.50%

$50,000-$99,999.99

4.50%

4.71%

4.00%

$100,000-$249,999.99

3.50%

3.63%

3.00%

$250,000-$499,999.99

2.50%

2.56%

2.00%

$500,000-$749,999.99

2.00%(4)

2.04%

1.50%

$750,000-$999,999.99

1.50%

1.52%

1.00%

$1,000,000 or more

0.00%(5)

0.00%

    1.00%(6)

(1) Class A shares are offered and sold at the next offering price, which is the sum of the NAV per share and the sales charge indicated above.  Since the offering price is calculated to two decimal places using standard rounding criteria, the number of shares purchased and the dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and of your net investment may be higher or lower depending on whether there was a downward or upward rounding.

(2) Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.

(3) The minimum initial investment for Class A shares of the Fund is $5,000 for non-IRA accounts, and $2,500 for IRA accounts.

(4) A 0.50% CDSC is imposed on shares purchased at the $500,000 breakpoint that are redeemed within 12 months of purchase.

(5) A finder’s fee of 1.00% may be paid directly by the Adviser to the dealer on investments of $1,000,000 or more.


Contingent Deferred Sales Charge on Class A Shares.  Class A shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”). The CDSC is imposed on Class A shares redeemed by the shareholder within 12 months of purchase. The 0.50% CDSC is applied to the NAV of the shares on the date of original purchase or on the date of redemption, whichever is less.


Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers


Rights of Accumulation.  You may combine your current purchase of Class A shares with other existing Class A and Class I shares currently owned for the purpose of qualifying for the lower initial sales charge rates that apply to larger purchases.  The applicable sales charge for the new purchase is based on the total of your current purchase and the current NAV of all other Class A and Class I shares you own at the financial intermediary at which you are making the current purchase.  You may not aggregate shares held at different financial intermediaries.  If the current purchase is made directly through the Transfer Agent, only those shares held directly at the Transfer Agent may apply toward the right of accumulation.  You may aggregate shares that you own and that are currently owned by family members including spouses, minor children or parents residing at the same address.  Shares held in the name of a nominee or custodian under pension, profit sharing or employee benefit plans may not be combined with other shares to qualify for the right of accumulation.  You must notify the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary at the time of purchase in order for the right of accumulation to apply.  The Fund is not liable for any difference in purchase price if you fail to notify the Transfer Agent of your intent to exercise your right of accumulation and the Fund reserves the right to modify or terminate this right at any time.


Reinstatement Privilege.  If you redeem Class A shares, and within 60 days purchase and register new Class A shares, you will not pay a sales charge on the new purchase amount.  The amount eligible for this privilege may not exceed the amount of your redemption proceeds.  To exercise this privilege, contact your financial intermediary.


NAV Transfers.  The Oracle Fund may waive the front-end sales charge for investors who purchase class A shares with the proceeds from shares redeemed from another mutual fund within the last 90 days on which a sales charge was paid.


Letter of Intent.  By signing a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) you can reduce your sales charge on Class A shares.  Your individual purchases will be made at the applicable sales charge based on the amount you intend to invest over a 13-month period.  The LOI will apply to all purchases of Class A shares.  Any shares purchased within 90 days of the date you sign the LOI may be used as credit toward completion, but the reduced sales charge will only apply to new purchases made on or after that date.  Purchases resulting from the reinvestment of distributions do not apply toward fulfillment of the LOI.  Shares equal to 5.25% of the amount of the LOI will be held in escrow during the 13-month period.  If at the end of that time the total amount of purchases made is less than the amount intended, you will be required to pay the difference between the reduced sales charge and the sales charge applicable to the individual purchases had the LOI not been in effect.  This amount will be obtained from redemption of the escrow shares.  Any remaining escrow shares will be released to you.

  

Investments of $1,000,000 or More.  There is no initial sales charge on a lump sum Class A share purchase of $1,000,000 or more, nor on any purchase into a Class A account with an accumulated value of $1,000,000 or more.  However, if you have taken advantage of this waiver and redeem your shares within 12 months of purchase, there is a CDSC of 0.50% imposed on such shares.  However, the CDSC will not apply if you are otherwise entitled to a waiver of the initial sales charge as listed in “Sales Charge Waivers,” below.  Also, the CDSC will not apply if you are entitled to a waiver as listed in “Contingent Deferred Charge Waivers,” below.  Additionally, all redemptions of Class A shares made within 30 days of purchase are subject to a 0.50% redemption fee.


In addition, there is no sales charge on subsequent Class A share purchases if the value of your Class A account exceeds $1,000,000.


Initial Sales Charge Waivers.  Sales charges for Class A shares may be waived under certain circumstances for some investors or for certain payments.  You will not have to pay a sales charge on purchases of Class A shares if you are any of the following persons:


·

any affiliate of the Adviser or any of its or the Funds officers, directors, employees or retirees;

 

·

registered representatives of any broker-dealer authorized to sell Fund shares, subject to the internal policies and procedures of the broker-dealer;

 

·

members of the immediate families of any of the foregoing (i.e., parent, child, spouse, domestic partner, sibling, step or adopted relationships, grandparent, grandchild and UTMA accounts naming qualifying persons);

 

·

fee-based registered investment advisers, financial planners, bank trust departments or registered broker-dealers who are purchasing shares on behalf of their customers;

 

·

retirement (not including IRA accounts) and deferred compensation plans and the trusts used to fund such plans (including, but not limited to, those defined in Sections 401(k), 403(b) and 457 of the Code and rabbi trusts), for which an affiliate of the Adviser acts as trustee or administrator;

 

·

401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans, and profit sharing and pension plans that invest $1 million or more or have more than 100 participants;

 

·

current shareholders whose value of their Class A accounts exceed  $1,000,000; and

 

·

an individual on certain accounts under investment programs managed by the Adviser.


To receive a reduction in your Class A sales charge, you must let your financial institution or shareholder services representative know at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction.  You may be asked by your financial adviser or shareholder services representative to provide account statements or other information regarding your related accounts or related accounts of your immediate family in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales charge.  Your investment professional or financial institution must notify the Fund if your share purchase is eligible for the sales load waiver.  Initial sales charges will not be applied to shares purchased by reinvesting dividends and distributions.


If you would like information about sales charge waivers, call your financial representative or contact the Fund at (800-494-2755).  Information about the Fund’s sales charges is available free of charge on the Fund’s website at www.oraclemutualfund.com.


Purchase of Shares


Shares of the Fund are sold in a continuous offering and may be purchased on any business day through authorized intermediaries or directly from the Fund.  The Fund may authorize one or more brokers to accept purchase orders on a shareholder’s behalf.  Brokers are authorized to designate intermediaries to accept orders on the Fund’s behalf.  An order is deemed to be received when an authorized broker or agent accepts the order.


Orders received by dealers other than authorized brokers or agents on a business day and that are transmitted to the Fund by the close of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on that day will be effected at the NAV per share determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE on that day.  Otherwise, the orders will be effected at the next determined NAV.  It is the dealer’s responsibility to transmit orders so that they will be received by the Fund before the close of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time).


Purchase Requests Must be Received in Good Order


Your share price will be based on the next NAV per share, plus any applicable sales charge, calculated after the Transfer Agent or your Authorized Intermediary receives your purchase request in good order.  Good order means that your purchase request includes:


·

the name of the Fund;

 

·

the dollar amount of shares to be purchased;

 

·

your account application or investment stub; and

 

·

a check payable to Oracle Mutual Fund.

 


All purchase requests received in good order before the close of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) will be processed on that same day.  Purchase requests received after the close of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) will receive the next business day’s NAV per share.

 

Redemption of Shares


To redeem shares, shareholders may send a written request in “good order” to:

 

Regular Mail

Overnight or Express Mail

Oracle Mutual Fund

c/o Mutual Shareholders Services, LLC

8000 Town Centre Drive, Ste 400

Broadview Heights, OH  44147

Oracle Mutual Fund

c/o Mutual Shareholders Services, LLC

8000 Town Centre Drive, Ste 400

Broadview Heights, OH  44147

 

A redemption request will be deemed in good order if it includes:


·

the shareholders name;


·

the name of the Fund;


·

the account number;


·

the share or dollar amount to be redeemed; and


·

signatures by all shareholders on the account (with signature(s) guaranteed if applicable).


Redemption proceeds will be sent to the address of record.    Signature guarantees can be obtained from banks and securities dealers, but not from a notary public.  The Fund will not be responsible for interest lost on redemption amounts due to lost or misdirected mail.


A signature guarantee of each owner is required in the following situations:


·

if ownership is changed on your account;


·

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


·

written requests to wire redemption proceeds (if not previously authorized on the account);


·

if a change of address request was received by the Transfer Agent within the last 15 days; and


·

for all written redemptions in excess of $50,000 from any shareholder account.


In addition to the situations described above, the Fund and/or the Transfer Agent reserve the right to require a signature guarantee or other acceptable signature verification in other instances based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation.  Non-financial transactions including establishing or modifying certain services on an account may require a signature verification from a Signature Verification Program member or other acceptable form of authentication from a financial institution source.


The Fund does not accept signatures authenticated by a notary public.


The Fund and the Transfer Agent have adopted standards for accepting signature guarantees from the banks and securities dealers.  The Fund may elect in the future to limit eligible signature guarantors to institutions that are members of a signature guarantee program.  The Fund and the Transfer Agent reserve the right to amend these standards at any time without notice.


Redemption Fee


As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund will assess a 1.00% fee on redemptions of shares that are held for 30 days or less.  This fee will not be imposed on Fund shares acquired through the reinvestment of distributions and may not be applicable to certain qualified accounts held by financial intermediaries, as well as under other circumstances.  In determining whether a redemption fee will be imposed, it will be assumed that the redemption is made on shares that have been held the longest.  This is commonly referred to as “first-in, first-out.”  This will result in you paying the lowest redemption fee possible or no redemption fee at all.  The Fund reserves the right to change the terms and amount of this fee upon at least 60 days’ notice to shareholders.

  

Redemption in Kind


The Fund does not intend to redeem shares in any form except cash.  The Trust, however, has filed a notice of election under Rule 18f-1 of the 1940 Act that allows the Fund to redeem in-kind redemption requests of a certain amount.  Specifically, if the amount you are redeeming during any 90-day period is in excess of the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Fund, valued at the beginning of such period, the Fund has the right to redeem your shares by giving you the amount that exceeds $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s NAV in net assets of the Fund in securities instead of cash.  If the Fund pays your redemption proceeds by a distribution of securities, you could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash, and will bear any market risks associated with such securities until they are converted into cash.


Tax Matters


Each series of the Trust is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes.  The Fund, as a series of the Trust, intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), provided it complies with all applicable requirements regarding the source of its income, diversification of its assets and timing of distributions.  The Fund’s policy is to distribute to its shareholders all of its net investment company taxable income and any net realized long-term capital gains for each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the distribution requirements of the Code, so that the Fund will not be subject to any federal income or excise taxes based on net income.  However, the Fund can give no assurances that its anticipated distributions will be sufficient to eliminate all taxes.  If the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it would be taxed as a corporation and, in such case, it would be more beneficial for a shareholder to directly own the Fund’s underlying investments rather than indirectly owning the underlying investments through the Fund.  If the Fund fails to distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) at least 98% of the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized capital losses for the 12-month period ending on October 31 during such year and (iii) any amounts from the prior calendar year that were not distributed and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax, the Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax.


Net investment income generally consists of interest, dividends and short-term capital gains, less expenses.  Net realized capital gains for a fiscal period are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund.


Distributions of net investment income are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.  For individual shareholders, a portion of the distributions paid by the Fund may consist of qualified dividends eligible for taxation at the rate applicable to long-term capital gains to the extent the Fund designates the amount distributed as a qualified dividend and the shareholder meets certain holding period requirements with respect to his or her Fund shares.  In the case of corporate shareholders, a portion of the distributions may qualify for the inter-corporate dividends-received deduction to the extent the Fund designates the amount distributed as eligible for deduction and the shareholder meets certain holding period requirements with respect to its Fund shares.  The aggregate amount so designated to either individuals or corporate shareholders cannot, however, exceed the aggregate amount of such dividends received by the Fund for its taxable year.  In view of the Fund’s investment policies, it is expected that part of the distributions by the Fund may be eligible for the qualified dividend income treatment for individual shareholders and the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.

  

Any long-term capital gain distributions are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of time shares have been held.  Capital gains distributions are not eligible for the qualified dividend income treatment or the dividends-received deduction referred to in the previous paragraph.


Distributions of any net investment income and net realized capital gains will be taxable as described above, whether received in shares or in cash.  Shareholders who choose to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the NAV of a share on the reinvestment date.  Distributions are generally taxable when received.  However, distributions declared in October, December or December to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid the following January are taxable as if received on December 31.  Distributions are includable in alternative minimum taxable income in computing a shareholder’s liability for the alternative minimum tax.


A redemption of Fund shares may result in recognition of a taxable gain or loss.  Any loss realized upon a redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gains received on those shares.  Any loss realized upon a redemption may be disallowed under certain wash sale rules to the extent shares of the Fund are purchased (through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the redemption.


Except in the case of certain exempt shareholders, if a shareholder does not furnish the Fund with its correct Taxpayer Identification Number and certain certifications or the Fund receives notification from the Internal Revenue Service requiring back-up withholding, the Fund is required by federal law to withhold federal income tax from the shareholder’s distributions and redemption proceeds, currently at a rate of 28% for U.S. residents.


Foreign taxpayers (including nonresident aliens) are generally subject to a flat withholding rate, currently 30% on U.S. source income.  This withholding rate may be lower under the terms of a tax convention.  Certain distributions of short-term capital gains and qualified interest income of the Fund will not be subject to such withholding for tax years beginning prior to 2010.


This discussion and the related discussion in the Prospectus have been prepared by Fund management, and counsel to the Fund has expressed no opinion in respect thereof.


This section is not intended to be a full discussion of federal tax laws and the effect of such laws on you.  There may be other federal, state, foreign or local tax considerations to a particular investor.  You are urged to consult your own tax adviser.


Distributions


The Fund will receive income in the form of dividends and interest earned on its investments in securities.  This income, less the expenses incurred in its operations, is the Fund’s net investment income, substantially all of which will be distributed to the Fund’s shareholders.

 

The amount of the Fund’s distributions is dependent upon the amount of net investment income received by the Fund from its portfolio holdings, is not guaranteed and is subject to the discretion of the Board of Trustees.  The Fund does not pay “interest” or guarantee any fixed rate of return on an investment in its shares.


The Fund also may derive capital gains or losses in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities.  Any net gain the Fund may realize from transactions involving investments held less than the period required for long-term capital gain or loss recognition or otherwise producing short-term capital gains and losses (taking into account any carryover of capital losses from the eight previous taxable years), although a distribution from capital gains, will be distributed to shareholders with and as a part of the distributions of net investment income giving rise to ordinary income.  If during any year the Fund realizes a net gain on transactions involving investments held for the period required for long-term capital gain or loss recognition or otherwise producing long-term capital gains and losses, the Fund will have a net long-term capital gain.  After deduction of the amount of any net short-term capital loss, the balance (to the extent not offset by any capital losses carried over from the eight previous taxable years) will be distributed and treated as long-term capital gains in the hands of the shareholders regardless of the length of time the Fund’s shares may have been held by the shareholders.  For more information concerning applicable capital gains tax rates, see your tax adviser.


Any distribution paid by the Fund reduces the Fund’s NAV per share on the date paid by the amount of the distribution per share.  Accordingly, a distribution paid shortly after a purchase of shares by a shareholder would represent, in substance, a partial return of capital (to the extent it is paid on the shares so purchased), even though it would be subject to income taxes.


Distributions will be made in the form of additional shares of the Fund unless the shareholder has otherwise indicated.  Investors have the right to change their elections with respect to the reinvestment of distributions by notifying the Transfer Agent in writing.  However, any such change will be effective only as to other distributions for which the record date is five or more business days after the Transfer Agent has received the written request.


Financial Statements


A copy of the Fund’s Annual Report may be obtained upon request and without charge, on the Funds’ website (www.oraclemutualfund.com) or by calling the Fund at the toll-free number listed on the cover page of this Statement of Additional Information.



APPENDIX “A” DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS

 

 

A Standard & Poor's issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated.  The opinion evaluates the obligor's capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.  The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor.

 

Issue credit ratings are based on current information furnished by the obligors or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit in connection with any credit rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. Credit ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances.

 

Issue credit ratings can be either long term or short term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating.  Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

 

Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings


A-1


A short-term obligation rated 'A-1' is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.


A-2


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

 

A-3


A short-term obligation rated 'A-3' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


B


A short-term obligation rated 'B' is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of 'B-1', 'B-2', and 'B-3' may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the 'B' category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


B-1


A short-term obligation rated 'B-1' is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


B-2


A short-term obligation rated 'B-2' is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


B-3


A short-term obligation rated 'B-3' is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


C


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


D


A short-term obligation rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

 

SPUR (Standard & Poor's Underlying Rating)


This is a rating of a stand-alone capacity of an issue to pay debt service on a credit-enhanced debt issue, without giving effect to the enhancement that applies to it. These ratings are published only at the request of the debt issuer/obligor with the designation SPUR to distinguish them from the credit-enhanced rating that applies to the debt issue. Standard & Poor's maintains surveillance of an issue with a published SPUR.


Dual Ratings

 

Standard & Poor's assigns "dual" ratings to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure. The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the short-term rating symbols for the put option (for example, 'AAA/A-1+'). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, note rating symbols are used with the short-term issue credit rating symbols (for example, 'SP-1+/A-1+').

 

The ratings and other credit related opinions of Standard & Poor's and its affiliates are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities or make any investment decisions.  Standard & Poor's assumes no obligation to update any information following publication. Users of ratings and credit related opinions should not rely on them in making any investment decision.  Standard &Poor's opinions and analyses do not address the suitability of any security. Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC does not act as a fiduciary or an investment advisor. While Standard & Poor's has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives. Ratings and credit related opinions may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn at any time.


Active Qualifiers (Currently applied and/or outstanding)

 

i


This subscript is used for issues in which the credit factors, terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of interest are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of principal on the obligation. The 'i' subscript indicates that the rating addresses the interest portion of the obligation only. The 'i' subscript will always be used in conjunction with the 'p' subscript, which addresses likelihood of receipt of principal. For example, a rated obligation could be assigned ratings of "AAApNRi" indicating that the principal portion is rated "AAA" and the interest portion of the obligation is not rated.

 

L


Ratings qualified with 'L' apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.

 

p


This subscript is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The 'p' subscript indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only. The 'p' subscript will always be used in conjunction with the 'i' subscript, which addresses likelihood of receipt of interest. For example, a rated obligation could be assigned ratings of "AAApNRi" indicating that the principal portion is rated "AAA" and the interest portion of the obligation is not rated.

 

pi


Ratings with a 'pi' subscript are based on an analysis of an issuer's published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. They do not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer's management and are therefore based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a 'pi' subscript. Ratings with a 'pi' subscript are reviewed annually based on a new year's financial statements, but may be reviewed on an interim basis if a major event occurs that may affect the issuer's credit quality.

 

pr


The letters 'pr' indicate that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to such likelihood and risk.

 

preliminary


Preliminary ratings are assigned to issues, including financial programs, in the following circumstances.

 

·     

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt and approval by Standard & Poor's of appropriate documentation. Changes in the information provided to Standard & Poor's could result in the assignment of a different rating. In addition, Standard & Poor's reserves the right not to issue a final rating.

 

·      

Preliminary ratings are assigned to Rule 415 Shelf Registrations. As specific issues, with defined terms, are offered from the master registration, a final rating may be assigned to them in accordance with Standard & Poor's policies. The final rating may differ from the preliminary rating.

 



t

 

This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.




 

unsolicited

 

Unsolicited ratings are those credit ratings assigned at the initiative of Standard & Poor's and not at the request of the issuer or its agents.

 

Inactive Qualifiers (No longer applied or outstanding)


 

*


This symbol indicated continuance of the ratings is contingent upon Standard & Poor's receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows. Discontinued use in August 1998.

 

c


This qualifier was used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer is below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer's bonds are deemed taxable. Discontinued use in January 2001.

  

q


A 'q' subscript indicates that the rating is based solely on quantitative analysis of publicly available information. Discontinued use in April 2001.


r


The 'r' modifier was assigned to securities containing extraordinary risks, particularly market risks, that are not covered in the credit rating. The absence of an 'r' modifier should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will not exhibit extraordinary non-credit related risks. Standard & Poor's discontinued the use of the 'r' modifier for most obligations in June 2000 and for the balance of obligations (mainly structured finance transactions) in November 2002.


Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks


Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor's analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor's capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government's own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.




Moody’s Credit Rating Definitions


Purpose


The system of rating securities was originated by John Moody in 1909. The purpose of Moody's ratings is to provide investors with a simple system of gradation by which relative creditworthiness of securities may be noted.


Rating Symbols


Gradations of creditworthiness are indicated by rating symbols, with each symbol representing a group in which the credit characteristics are broadly the same. There are nine symbols as shown below, from that used to designate least credit risk to that denoting greatest credit risk:


AaaAa A Baa Ba B CaaCa C


Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa.


Absence of a Rating


Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the creditworthiness of the issue.


Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:


1. An application was not received or accepted.


2. The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities or entities that are not rated as a matter of policy.


3. There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.


4. The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published in Moody's publications.


Withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise, the effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed; if a bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.


Changes in Rating


The credit quality of most issuers and their obligations is not fixed and steady over a period of time, but tends to undergo change. For this reason changes in ratings occur so as to reflect variations in the intrinsic relative position of issuers and their obligations.


A change in rating may thus occur at any time in the case of an individual issue. Such rating change should serve notice that Moody's observes some alteration in creditworthiness, or that the previous rating did not fully reflect the quality of the bond as now seen. While because of their very nature, changes are to be expected more frequently among bonds of lower ratings than among bonds of higher ratings. Nevertheless, the user of bond ratings should keep close and constant check on all ratings — both high and low — to be able to note promptly any signs of change in status that may occur.


Limitations to Uses of Ratings*


Obligations carrying the same rating are not claimed to be of absolutely equal credit quality. In a broad sense, they are alike in position, but since there are a limited number of rating classes used in grading thousands of bonds, the symbols cannot reflect the same shadings of risk which actually exist.


As ratings are designed exclusively for the purpose of grading obligations according to their credit quality, they should not be used alone as a basis for investment operations. For example, they have no value in forecasting the direction of future trends of market price. Market price movements in bonds are influenced not only by the credit quality of individual issues but also by changes in money rates and general economic trends, as well as by the length of maturity, etc. During its life even the highest rated bond may have wide price movements, while its high rating status remains unchanged.


The matter of market price has no bearing whatsoever on the determination of ratings, which are not to be construed as recommendations with respect to "attractiveness". The attractiveness of a given bond may depend on its yield, its maturity date or other factors for which the investor may search, as well as on its credit quality, the only characteristic to which the rating refers.


Since ratings involve judgments about the future, on the one hand, and since they are used by investors as a means of protection, on the other, the effort is made when assigning ratings to look at "worst" possibilities in the "visible" future, rather than solely at the past record and the status of the present. Therefore, investors using the rating should not expect to find in them a reflection of statistical factors alone, since they are an appraisal of long-term risks, including the recognition of many non-statistical factors.


Though ratings may be used by the banking authorities to classify bonds in their bank examination procedure, Moody's ratings are not made with these bank regulations in mind. Moody's Investors Service's own judgement as to the desirability or non-desirability of a bond for bank investment purposes is not indicated by Moody's ratings.


Moody's ratings represent the opinion of Moody's Investors Service as to the relative creditworthiness of securities. As such, they should be used in conjunction with the descriptions and statistics appearing in Moody's publications. Reference should be made to these statements for information regarding the issuer. Moody's ratings are not commercial credit ratings. In no case is default or receivership to be imputed unless expressly stated.

 

*As set forth more fully on the copyright, credit ratings are, and must be construed solely as, statements of opinion and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities. Each rating or other opinion must be weighed solely as one factor in any investment decision made by or on behalf of any user of the information, and each such user must accordingly make its own study and evaluation of each security and of each issuer and guarantor of, and each provider of credit support for, each security that it may consider purchasing, selling or holding.

 

 



Moody’s Short-Term Debt Ratings

 

 

Short-Term Ratings

 

Moody's short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

 

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

 

P-1

 

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-2

 

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-3

 

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

NP

 

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

 

Note: Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.

 

 

 


 

 




Fitch’s National Credit Ratings

 

For those countries in which foreign and local currency sovereign ratings are below ‘AAA’, and where there is demand for such ratings, Fitch Ratings will provide National Ratings.  It is important to note that each National Rating scale is unique and is defined to serve the needs of the local market in question.

 

The National Rating scale provides a relative measure of creditworthiness for rated entities only within the country concerned.  Under this rating scale, a ‘AAA’ Long-Term National Rating will be assigned to the lowest relative risk within that country, which, in most but not all cases, will be the sovereign state.

 

The National Rating scale merely ranks the degree of perceived risk relative to the lowest default risk in that same country.  Like local currency ratings, National Ratings exclude the effects of sovereign and transfer risk and exclude the possibility that investors may be unable to repatriate any due interest and principal repayments.  It is not related to the rating scale of any other national market.  Comparisons between different national scales or between an individual national scale and the international rating scale are therefore inappropriate and potentially misleading.  Consequently they are identified by the addition of a special identifier for the country concerned, such as ‘AAA(arg)’ for National Ratings in Argentina.

 

In certain countries, regulators have established credit rating scales, to be used within their domestic markets, using specific nomenclature.  In these countries, the agency’s National Short-Term Rating definitions for ‘F1+(xxx)’, ‘F1(xxx)’, ‘F2(xxx)’ and ‘F3(xxx)’ may be substituted by the regulatory scales, e.g. ‘A1+’, ‘A1’, ‘A2’ and ‘A3’.  The below definitions thus serve as a template, but users should consult the individual scales for each country listed on the agency’s web-site to determine if any additional or alternative category definitions apply.

 

 

National Short-Term Credit Ratings

 

F1(xxx)

 

Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country.  Under the agency’s National Rating scale, this rating is assigned to the lowest default risk relative to others in the same country.  Where the liquidity profile is particularly strong, a “+” is added to the assigned rating.

 

F2(xxx)

 

Indicates a good capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country.  However, the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

 

F3(xxx)

 

Indicates an adequate capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country.  However, such capacity is more susceptible to near-term adverse changes than for financial commitments in higher rated categories.

 

B(xxx)

 

Indicates an uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country.  Such capacity is highly susceptible to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

C(xxx)

 

Indicates a highly uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country.  Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

 

D(xxx)

 

Indicates actual or imminent payment default.

 

 

Notes to Long-Term and Short-Term National Ratings:

 

 

The ISO country code suffix is placed in parentheses immediately following the rating letters to indicate the identity of the National market within which the rating applies.  For illustrative purposes, (xxx) has been used.

 

“+” or“-” may be appended to a National Rating to denote relative status within a major rating category.  Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA(xxx)’ Long-Term National Rating category, to categories below ‘CCC(xxx)’ or to Short-Term National Ratings other than ‘F1(xxx)’.

 

Short-Term Ratings Assigned to Obligations in Corporate, Sovereign and Structured Finance


A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream, and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation.  Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention.  Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, structured and sovereign obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in US public finance markets,


                F1:  Highest short-term credit quality


Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.


F2:  Good short-term credit quality


Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.


F3:  Fair short-short term credit quality


The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.


B:  Speculative short-term credit quality


Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.


C:  High short-term default risk


Default is a real possibility.


RD:  Restricted default


Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations.  Applicable to entity ratings only.


D:  Default


Indicates a broad-based default for an entity, or the default of a specific short-term obligation.

 

 




LONG-TERM RATINGS

 

Standard & Poor’s Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings


Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:

 

·

Likelihood of payment capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

 

·

Nature of and provisions of the obligation;

 

·

Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.

 

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

 

AAA

 

An obligation rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

AA

 

An obligation rated 'AA' differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

 

A

 

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

 

BBB

 

An obligation rated 'BBB' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C

 

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

 

BB

 

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

 

B

 

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

 

CCC

 

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

 

CC

 

An obligation rated 'CC' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

 

C

 

A 'C' rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the 'C' rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument's terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

 

D

 

An obligation rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.  An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” upon completion of a distressed exchanged offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is les than par.

 

Plus (+) or minus (-)

 

The ratings from 'AA' to 'CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

 

NR

 

This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor's does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

 

Active Qualifiers (Currently applied and/or outstanding)



i

 

This subscript is used for issues in which the credit factors, terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of interest are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of principal on the obligation. The 'i' subscript indicates that the rating addresses the interest portion of the obligation only. The 'i' subscript will always be used in conjunction with the 'p' subscript, which addresses likelihood of receipt of principal. For example, a rated obligation could be assigned ratings of "AAApNRi" indicating that the principal portion is rated "AAA" and the interest portion of the obligation is not rated.

 

L

 

Ratings qualified with 'L' apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.

 

p

 

This subscript is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both, that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The 'p' subscript indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only. The 'p' subscript will always be used in conjunction with the 'i' subscript, which addresses likelihood of receipt of interest. For example, a rated obligation could be assigned ratings of "AAApNRi" indicating that the principal portion is rated "AAA" and the interest portion of the obligation is not rated.

 

pi

 

Ratings with a 'pi' subscript are based on an analysis of an issuer's published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. They do not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer's management and are therefore based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a 'pi' subscript. Ratings with a 'pi' subscript are reviewed annually based on a new year's financial statements, but may be reviewed on an interim basis if a major event occurs that may affect the issuer's credit quality.

 

pr

 

The letters 'pr' indicate that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to such likelihood and risk.

 

preliminary

 

Preliminary ratings are assigned to issues, including financial programs, in the following circumstances.

 

·

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt and approval by Standard & Poor's of appropriate documentation. Changes in the information provided to Standard & Poor's could result in the assignment of a different rating. In addition, Standard & Poor's reserves the right not to issue a final rating.

 

·

Preliminary ratings are assigned to Rule 415 Shelf Registrations. As specific issues, with defined terms, are offered from the master registration, a final rating may be assigned to them in accordance with Standard & Poor's policies. The final rating may differ from the preliminary rating.

 

t

 

This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.

 

unsolicited

 

Unsolicited ratings are those credit ratings assigned at the initiative of Standard & Poor's and not at the request of the issuer or its agents.

 

Inactive Qualifiers (No longer applied or outstanding)


 

*


This symbol indicated continuance of the ratings is contingent upon Standard & Poor's receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows. Discontinued use in August 1998.


c


This qualifier was used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer is below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer's bonds are deemed taxable. Discontinued use in January 2001.


q


A 'q' subscript indicates that the rating is based solely on quantitative analysis of publicly available information. Discontinued use in April 2001.


r


The 'r' modifier was assigned to securities containing extraordinary risks, particularly market risks, that are not covered in the credit rating. The absence of an 'r' modifier should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will not exhibit extraordinary non-credit related risks. Standard & Poor's discontinued the use of the 'r' modifier for most obligations in June 2000 and for the balance of obligations (mainly structured finance transactions) in November 2002.


Local Currency and Foreign Currency Risks


Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor's analysis for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key factor in this analysis. An obligor's capacity to repay foreign currency obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local currency due to the sovereign government's own relatively lower capacity to repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same issuer.

 

 




Moody’s Long-Term Debt Ratings

 

Long-Term Obligation Ratings

 

Moody's long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

 

Moody's Long-Term Rating Definitions:

 

Aaa

 

Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

 

Aa

 

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

 

A

 

Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 

Baa

 

Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

 

Ba

 

Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

B

 

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

 

Caa

 

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

 

Ca

 

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

 

C

 

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

 

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

 

 




Fitch’s Primary Credit Rating Scales–Long-Term Credit Ratings

 

 

The Primary Credit Rating Scales (those featuring the symbols ‘AAA’–‘D’ and ‘F1’–‘D’) are used for debt and financial strength ratings.  The below section describes their use for issuers and obligations in corporate, public and structured finance debt markets.

 

  

AAA

Highest credit quality.  'AAA' ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events

 

  

AA

Very high credit quality.  'AA' ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

  

A

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

 

  

BBB

Good credit quality.  'BBB' ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

 

  

BB

Speculative.  'BB' ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

 

  

B

Highly speculative.  'B' ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

 

  

CCC

Substantial credit risk.  Default is a real possibility.

 

  

CC

Very high levels of credit risk.  Default of some kind appears probable.

 

  

C

Exceptionally high levels of credit risk.  Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a 'C' category rating for an issuer include:


·                                               

the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;


·

the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; and


·

Fitch Ratings otherwise believes a condition of 'RD' or 'D' to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a coercive debt exchange.

 

  

RD

Restricted Default.  'RD' ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings' opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased business. This would include:


·

the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;


·

the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;


·

the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; and


·

execution of a coercive debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

 

  

D

Default.  'D' ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings' opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.

 

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a coercive debt exchange.

 

"Imminent" default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a coercive debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

 

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency's opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer's financial obligations or local commercial practice.

 

  

Note:

The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the 'AAA' Long-term rating category, to categories below 'CCC', or to Long-Term IDR categories below 'B'.

 

 

 




Fitch’s National Credit Ratings

 

For those countries in which foreign and local currency sovereign ratings are below ‘AAA’, and where there is demand for such ratings, Fitch Ratings will provide National Ratings.  It is important to note that each National Rating scale is unique and is defined to serve the needs of the local market in question.

 

The National Rating scale provides a relative measure of creditworthiness for rated entities only within the country concerned.  Under this rating scale, a ‘AAA’ Long-Term National Rating will be assigned to the lowest relative risk within that country, which, in most but not all cases, will be the sovereign state.

 

The National Rating scale merely ranks the degree of perceived risk relative to the lowest default risk in that same country.  Like local currency ratings, National Ratings exclude the effects of sovereign and transfer risk and exclude the possibility that investors may be unable to repatriate any due interest and principal repayments.  It is not related to the rating scale of any other national market.  Comparisons between different national scales or between an individual national scale and the international rating scale are therefore inappropriate and potentially misleading.  Consequently they are identified by the addition of a special identifier for the country concerned, such as ‘AAA(arg)’ for National Ratings in Argentina.

 

In certain countries, regulators have established credit rating scales, to be used within their domestic markets, using specific nomenclature.  In these countries, the agency’s National Short-Term Rating definitions for ‘F1+(xxx)’, ‘F1(xxx)’, ‘F2(xxx)’ and ‘F3(xxx)’ may be substituted by the regulatory scales, e.g. ‘A1+’, ‘A1’, ‘A2’ and ‘A3’.  The below definitions thus serve as a template, but users should consult the individual scales for each country listed on the agency’s web-site to determine if any additional or alternative category definitions apply.

 

 

National Long-Term Credit Ratings

 

  

AAA(xxx)

'AAA' National Ratings denote the highest rating assigned by the agency in its National Rating scale for that country. This rating is assigned to issuers or obligations with the lowest expectation of default risk relative to all other issuers or obligations in the same country.

 

  

AA(xxx)

'AA' National Ratings denote expectations of very low default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. The default risk inherent differs only slightly from that of the country's highest rated issuers or obligations.

 

  

A (xxx)

'A' National Ratings denote expectations of low default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. However, changes in circumstances or economic conditions may affect the capacity for timely repayment to a greater degree than is the case for financial commitments denoted by a higher rated category.

 

  

BBB(xxx)

'BBB' National Ratings denote a moderate default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. However, changes in circumstances or economic conditions are more likely to affect the capacity for timely repayment than is the case for financial commitments denoted by a higher rated category.

 

  

BB(xxx)

'BB' National Ratings denote an elevated default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. Within the context of the country, payment is uncertain to some degree and capacity for timely repayment remains more vulnerable to adverse economic change over time.

 

  

B (xxx)

'B' National Ratings denote a significantly elevated default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country. Financial commitments are currently being met but a limited margin of safety remains and capacity for continued timely payments is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment. For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for extremely high recoveries.

 

  

CCC(xxx)

'CCC' National Ratings denote that default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions.

 

  

CC(xxx)

'CC' National Ratings denote that default of some kind appears probable.

 

  

C(xxx)

'C' National Ratings denote that default is imminent.

 

  

D(xxx)

'D' National Ratings denote an issuer or instrument that is currently in default.

 

Notes to Long-Term and Short-Term National Ratings:

 

The ISO country code suffix is placed in parentheses immediately following the rating letters to indicate the identity of the National market within which the rating applies.  For illustrative purposes, (xxx) has been used.

 

“+” or“-” may be appended to a National Rating to denote relative status within a major rating category.  Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA(xxx)’ Long-Term National Rating category, to categories below ‘CCC(xxx)’ or to Short-Term National Ratings other than ‘F1(xxx)’.

 




 

MUNICIPAL NOTE RATINGS

 

Standard & Poor’s Note Ratings

 

Short-Term Notes

 

A Standard & Poor's U.S. municipal note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment:

 

·

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

 

·

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

 

Note rating symbols are as follows:

 

SP-1


Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

 

SP-2


Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

SP-3


Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 


 




Moodys MIG/VMIG Ratings U.S. Short-Term Ratings

 

 

US Municipal Short-Term Debt And Demand Obligation Ratings

 

Short-Term Debt Ratings

 

There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels -- MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.

 

MIG 1

 

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

 

MIG 2

 

This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

MIG 3

 

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

 

SG

 

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

 

Demand Obligation Ratings

 

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody's evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody's evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand ("demand feature"), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.

 

When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.

 

VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue's specific structural or credit features.

 

VMIG 1

 

This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

VMIG 2

 

This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

VMIG 3

 

This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

SG

 

This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

 

 




Appendix B Proxy Voting Policies of the Adviser


 

ORACLE INVESTMENT RESEARCH PROXY & CORPORATE ACTIONS VOTING POLICIES


Oracle Investment Research (the Investment Adviser) votes all proxies and corporate actions relating to the Fund securities.  The Investment Adviser has adopted procedures and policies with respect to the voting of proxies and corporate actions related to the securities held by the Fund.  The Investment Advisers primary objective when voting proxies and corporate actions is to make voting decisions in a method that the Investment Adviser believes is most likely to increase the value of the securities of the Fund.  The procedures and policies are formulated to ensure that the Investment Adviser considers the Funds interests, and not the Investment Advisers interests, when voting proxies and corporate actions and that any material conflicts that may arise between the Investment Adviser and those of the Fund are properly addressed and resolved.


The Investment Adviser may rely upon outside research media sources to assist with voting decisions.  The Investment Adviser is responsible for ensuring that all reporting and record keeping requirements related to proxy and corporate action voting are upheld.  Shareholders wishing to obtain information as to how the Investment Adviser voted any proxy or corporate action can do so by visiting the SECs website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

December, 2012