EX-99.CODE ETH 2 kraneshares_ex99code-eth.htm EXHIBIT 99.CODE ETH

 

Exhibit 99.CODE ETH

 

KRANESHARES TRUST

 

SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICER CODE OF ETHICS

 

Purposes of the Code

 

The reputation and integrity of KraneShares Funds (the “Trust”) are valuable assets that are vital to the Trust’s success. The Code specifically applies to the Trust’s President/Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, who are senior financial officers, (“SFOs”), is responsible for conducting the Trust’s business in a manner that demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of integrity. SFOs include the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, comptroller (or principal accounting officer), and any person who performs a similar function.

 

The Trust has adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Trust’s Rule 17j-1 Code is designed to prevent certain conflicts of interest that may arise when officers, employees, or trustees know about present or future fund transactions, have the power to influence those transactions; and engage in securities transactions in their personal account(s).

 

The Trust has chosen to adopt a SFO code of ethics (“SFO Code”) for the purpose of promoting:

 

Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Trust files with, or submits to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and in other public communications made by the Trust;

 

Compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations;

 

The prompt internal reporting of violations of the SFO Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the SFO Code; and

 

Accountability for adherence to the SFO Code.

 

This SFO Code should be read in conjunction with the Trust’s other policy statements, including its Rule 17j-1 Code of Ethics and its Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

 

Principles for the Handling of Financial Information and Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

 

The Trust has adopted the following principles to govern the manner in which SFOs perform their duties. Persons subject to these guidelines include the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, comptroller (or principal accounting officer), and any officer or employee who performs a similar function or who participates in the preparation of any part of the Trust’s financial statements. Specifically, persons subject to this SFO Code shall:

 

Act with honesty and integrity

 

Avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest with the Trust in personal and professional relationships

 

 

 

 

Provide information to the employees and service providers (adviser, sub-adviser, administrator, independent registered public accounting firm, outside counsel, custodian, etc.) of the Trust that is accurate, complete, objective, relevant, timely, and understandable

 

Endeavor to ensure full, fair, timely, accurate, and understandable disclosure in the Trust’s periodic reports

 

Comply with the federal securities laws and other applicable laws and rules, such as the Internal Revenue Code

 

Act in good faith, responsibly, and with due care, competence and diligence, without misrepresenting material facts or subordinating independent judgment to another end

 

Respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of their work, except where disclosure is expressly permitted or is otherwise legally mandated

 

Record (or participate in the recording of) entries in the Trust’s books and records that are accurate

 

Refrain from using confidential information for personal advantage

 

Discuss any material transaction or relationship that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest with the SFOs, Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) or Fund counsel, as appropriate.

 

Violations of the SFO Code

 

Any action that directly or indirectly contravenes one or more of the Principles outlined above shall be treated as a violation of this SFO Code unless good cause for such apparent contravention is found to exist.

 

Dishonest or unethical conduct or conduct that is illegal will constitute a per se violation of this SFO Code, regardless of whether this SFO Code refers to that particular conduct.

 

A violation of this SFO Code may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. The Trust must and will report all suspected criminal violations to the appropriate authorities for possible prosecution, and will investigate, address and report as appropriate, non-criminal violations.

 

 

 

 

Enforcement of the SFO Code

 

Violations

 

All persons subject to this SFO Code who observe, learn of, or, in good faith, suspect a current or threatened violation of the SFO Code must immediately report the violation in writing to the CCO, another member of the Trust’s senior management, or to the Audit Committee of the Board (the “Committee”). An example of a possible SFO Code violation is the preparation and filing of financial disclosure that omits material facts, or that is accurate but is written in a way that obscures its meaning.

 

The CCO is responsible for applying this SFO Code to specific situations in which questions are presented under it and has the authority to interpret this SFO Code in any particular situation. However, any approvals or waivers sought by a SFO will be considered by the Committee, which will make recommendations to the Board.

 

The Trust will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing this SFO Code:

 

The CCO will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to the CCO, another member of the Trust’s senior management, or to the Committee;

 

The CCO will review with the outside legal counsel to the Trust the findings and conclusions of such investigation;

 

If, after such investigation and review, the CCO believes that no violation has occurred, the CCO is not required to take any further action;

 

Any matter that the CCO believes is a violation will be reported to the Committee;

 

If the Committee concurs that a violation has occurred, it will inform and make a recommendation to the Board, which will consider appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures (including changes to this SFO Code); notification of the violation to appropriate personnel of the investment adviser or the administrator or its board; or a recommendation to take disciplinary action against the SFO, which may include, without limitation, dismissal;

 

The Board will be responsible for granting waivers, as appropriate; and

 

Any changes to or waivers of this SFO Code will, to the extent required, be disclosed as provided by SEC rules

 

Disclosure of Existing or Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

All persons subject to this SFO Code shall file a letter (a “Disclosure Letter”) regarding any transaction or relationship that reasonably appears to involve an actual or apparent conflict of interest with the Trust within ten days of becoming aware of such transaction or relationship. A Disclosure Letter should be prepared regarding these transactions or relationships whether you are involved or have only observed the transaction or relationship. All Disclosure Letters shall be submitted to the CCO, or if it is not possible to disclose the matter to the CCO, then the Disclosure Letter shall be submitted the Committee.

 

 

 

 

The Committee will review all Disclosure Letters and determine whether further action is warranted. All determinations will be documented in writing and will be maintained by the CCO or other appropriate officers of the Trust.

 

Outside Service Providers

 

Because service providers to the Trust, such as the administrator, independent registered public accounting firm, and custodian, provide much of the work relating to the Trust’s financial statements, all persons subject to this SFO Code should be alert for actions by service providers that may be illegal, or that could be viewed as dishonest or unethical conduct. SFOs should report these actions to the CCO even if he or she knows, or thinks, that the service provider has its own code of ethics covering persons who are Trust SFOs or employees.

 

Non-Retaliation Policy

 

SFOs who report violations or suspected violations in good faith will not be subject to retaliation of any kind. Reported violations will be investigated and addressed promptly and will be treated confidentially to the extent possible.

 

Annual Certification

 

The CCO will review with the SFOs the contents and importance of this SFO Code and related policies and the manner in which violations must be reported and how Disclosure Letters must be submitted. Each SFO will be asked to certify on an annual basis that he or she is in full compliance with the SFO Code and any related policy statements.

 

Questions about the Code

 

The Board has designated the CCO to implement and administer this SFO Code. Any questions about this SFO Code should be directed to the CCO.