485APOS 1 fp0068237_485apos.htm

Securities Act Registration No. 333-204808

Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-23066

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 1, 2021

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]

[ ]	Pre-Effective Amendment No.
[X]	Post-Effective Amendment No. 225

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]

[X]

Amendment No. 228

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (631) 490-4300

The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, DE 19801

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

With copy to:

JoAnn M. Strasser
Thompson Hine LLP
41 South High Street, Suite 1700
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-469-3265 (phone)
614-469-3361 (fax)

Jennifer Farrell
Gemini Fund Services, LLC
80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110
Hauppauge, New York 11788
(631) 470-2734 (phone)
(631) 813-2884 (fax)

Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

( ) Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

( ) On (date)pursuant to paragraph (b)

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

( ) On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

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

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

If appropriate, check the following box:

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

PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF

DEIF

a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

PROSPECTUS

[DATE], 2021

Advised by: Sterling Capital Management 4350 Congress Street, 1000 Charlotte, NC 28209

Sub-advised by:
Boston Common Asset Management, LLC 200 State Street, 7^th Floor Boston, MA 02109	EARNEST Partners, LLC 1180 Peachtree Street, NE Suite 2300 Atlanta, GA 30309	GQG Partners LLC 450 E. Las Olas Blvd. Suite 750 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

www.sterlingcapital.com/etf

(888) 637-7798

This Prospectus provides important information about the Fund that you should know before investing. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.

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

Shares of the Fund are listed and traded on the [NYSE Arca].

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FUND SUMMARY – STERLING CAPITAL DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION ACTIVE ETF	1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS	6
Investment Objective	6
Principal Investment Strategies	6
Manager of Managers Order	7
Principal Investment Risks	7
Temporary Defensive Positions	10
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure	10
Operational and Cybersecurity Risk	10
MANAGEMENT	10
Investment Adviser and Sub-Advisers	10
Portfolio Managers	11
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED	12
Premium/Discount Information	13
HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES	13
Buying and Selling Shares on the Secondary Market	13
Creation and Redemption Transactions	14
Premium/Discount Information	14
Book Entry	14
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES	14
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN	14
DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES	14
Taxes	15
Taxes on Distributions	15
Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales	16
Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units	16
FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS	16
OTHER INFORMATION	16
Investments by Investment Companies	16
Continuous Offering	16
Householding	17
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS	17
*Privacy Notice*	18

FUND SUMMARY – Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF

Investment Objective: The Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation through strategies managed by sub-advisers that are majority diverse-owned (i.e., greater than 50 percent owned, controlled, and operated by persons of designated diverse backgrounds, including women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and disabled individuals).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund: This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table or example below.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees	[ ]%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees	None
Other Expenses⁽¹⁾	0.00%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	[ ]%

(1)

The Fund’s adviser, Sterling Capital Management LLC, has agreed to pay all expenses incurred by the Trust except for the advisory fee, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing or settlement of orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, and distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Example: This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in funds. The Example reflects the fee waiver and expense reimbursements for the duration of the waiver/reimbursement period only.

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

1 Year	3 Years
$[ ]	$[ ]

Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Principal Investment Strategies: Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in equity securities issued by U.S. large-cap or U.S. mid-cap companies. The Fund considers large capitalization companies to be those companies within the market capitalization range of the companies comprising the Russell 1000 Index (as of the index’s most recent reconstitution) and mid-capitalization companies to be those companies within the market capitalization range of companies comprising the Russell Midcap Index, a subset of the Russell 1000 Index. The Fund’s portfolio is principally composed of common stocks issued by companies domiciled in the United States, common stocks issued by non-U.S. companies that are principally traded in the United States and, to a lesser extent, American Depositary Receipts, which are deemed as foreign securities.

The adviser, Sterling Capital Management LLC (the “Adviser”) oversees investment sub-advisers, each of which provide investment recommendations generated by their respective model portfolios to the Adviser regarding the selection and allocation of the securities in the respective strategy under its management. The Adviser provides the day-to-day management of the Fund and makes strategic allocations to each sub-adviser based on their respective segment’s weighting within the Russell 1000 Index. Net-of-benchmark weightings are determined by the Adviser’s tactical asset allocation process. The Adviser selects the portfolio securities that the Fund buys and sells after reviewing each sub-adviser’s model recommendations.

The allocation to each sub-adviser’s recommended model portfolio, including which securities in the model and the weightings to such securities, is determined by using the Adviser’s own quantitative models that are tested in-depth to identify factors that have been consistently predictive of historical asset class returns and to avoid emotional and cognitive biases. The Adviser considers its models’ one-year forward asset class return forecasts to determine tactical net of benchmark portfolio asset class weights with an emphasis on limiting net of benchmark risk or tracking error. While seeking to limit tracking error to reasonable levels, the Adviser pursues higher or lower relative tracking error through asset allocation decisions depending on the attractiveness of the investment opportunity. The Adviser makes tactical adjustments to the Fund’s investment portfolio on a quarterly basis.

The Adviser evaluates and selects investment sub-advisers that are majority diverse-owned (i.e., greater than 50 percent owned, controlled, and operated by persons of designated diverse backgrounds, including women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and disabled individuals). Boston Common Asset Management LLC (“Boston Common”) is the sub-adviser for the actively managed U.S. large-cap value strategy. GQG Partners LLC (“GQG”) is the sub-adviser for the actively managed large-cap growth strategy. EARNEST Partners LLC (“EARNEST”) is the sub-adviser for the actively managed U.S. mid-cap core strategy.

Boston Common integrates both financial and Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) analysis into the investment process to identify companies that have not taken on large amounts of debt, or have experienced volatile operating performance that casts doubt on their future profitability along with a strong record in ESG. Boston Common identifies not only individual companies that provide the most opportunity, but by extension the most attractive sectors and industries available in markets. Boston Common subscribes to statistical databases and information services to monitor market developments, reviews sell-side reports to understand the market’s expectations, and analyzes macroeconomic information, industry and company coverage and business news. Based on this array of sources, Boston Common forms an outlook for each company under consideration.

EARNEST uses a screen called Return Pattern Recognition®. Return Pattern Recognition® identifies companies that exhibit financial characteristics consistent with outperformance of the market. EARNEST engages in due diligence of each company on the resulting list and the members of EARNEST’s investment team votes on each candidate.

Principal Investment Risks: As with all funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance.

The following describes the risks the Fund bears with respect to its investments. As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.

ADRs Risk: Unsponsored ADRs held by the Fund are frequently under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the underlying issuer, and there is less information available about unsponsored ADRs than sponsored ADRs; unsponsored ADRs are also not obligated to pass through voting rights to the Fund.

Active Management Risk: The adviser’s judgments about the growth, value or potential appreciation of an investment may prove to be incorrect or fail to have the intended results, which could adversely impact the Fund’s performance and cause it to underperform relative to other funds with similar investment goals or relative to its benchmark, or not to achieve its investment goal.

Authorized Participant Risk: Only an Authorized Participant may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that may act as Authorized Participants on an agency basis (i.e., on behalf of other market participants). To the extent that Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation or redemption orders with respect to the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create or redeem Creation Units, Fund shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to net asset value and possibly face trading halts or delisting. Authorized Participant concentration risk may be heightened for exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) that invest in non-U.S. securities or other securities or instruments that have lower trading volumes.

Company-Specific Risk: The possibility that a particular stock may lose value due to factors specific to the company itself, including deterioration of its fundamental characteristics, an occurrence of adverse events at the company, or a downturn in its business prospects.

Early Close/Trading Halt Risk: An exchange or market may close or impose a market trading halt or issue trading halts on specific securities, or the ability to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments may be restricted, which may prevent the Fund from buying or selling certain securities or financial instruments. In these circumstances, the Fund may be unable to rebalance its portfolio, may be unable to accurately price its investments and may incur substantial trading losses.

Equity Securities Risk: Fluctuations in the value of equity securities held by the Fund will cause the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund and the price of its shares (“Shares”) to fluctuate. Common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments. Common stock will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of the same issuer. In addition, common stocks have experienced significantly more volatility in returns than other asset classes.

●

Distressed Equities Risk: Distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding related to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities and any securities in exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale.

ESG Risk: An ESG investment strategy limits the types and number of investment opportunities available and, as a result, the strategy may underperform other strategies that do not have an ESG focus. An ESG investment strategy may result in the Fund investing in securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole or underperform other funds screened for ESG standards.

ETF Structure Risk: The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to the special risks, including:

	●	Not Individually Redeemable. Shares are not individually redeemable to retail investors and may be redeemed only by the ETF only to Authorized Participants at NAV in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” An Authorized Participant may incur brokerage costs purchasing enough Shares to constitute a Creation Unit.

	●	Trading Issues. An active trading market for the Shares may not be developed or maintained. Trading in Shares on NYSE Arca (the “Exchange”) may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange, which may result in the trading of the Shares being suspended or the Shares being delisted. An active trading market for the Shares may not be developed or maintained. If the Shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as Authorized Participants that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Shares.

	●	Market Price Variance Risk. The market prices of Shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for Shares and will include a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security.

○

In times of market stress, market makers may step away from their role market making in the Shares of ETFs and in executing trades, which can lead to differences between the market value of Shares and an ETF’s NAV.

○

The market price of the Shares may deviate from an ETF’s NAV, particularly during times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or significantly less for Shares than an ETF’s NAV, which is reflected in the bid and ask price for Shares or in the closing price.

○

When all or a portion of an ETFs underlying securities trade in a market that is closed when the market for the Shares is open, there may be changes from the last quote of the closed market and the quote from an ETF’s domestic trading day, which could lead to differences between the market value of the Shares and an ETF’s NAV.

○

In stressed market conditions, the market for the Shares may become less liquid in response to the deteriorating liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the liquidity of the Shares may, in turn, lead to differences between the market value of the Shares and an ETF’s NAV.

Growth Investing Risk: Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company’s growth potential. Growth-oriented funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor.

Investment Style Risk: There is a possibility that the market segment on which the Fund is primarily invested in, whether growth or value; large or mid-cap companies; could underperform other kinds of investments or market averages that include style-focused investments.

Issuer Risk: The performance of the Fund depends on the performance of individual securities to which the Fund has exposure. Changes in the financial condition or credit rating of an issuer of those securities may cause the value of the securities to decline.

Large Market Capitalization Companies Risk: The value of investments in larger companies may not rise as much as smaller companies, or larger companies may be unable to respond quickly to competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes.

Limited History of Operations Risk: The Fund is a new ETF with a limited history of operations for investors to evaluate.

Management Risk: There is a risk that an investment technique used by the Fund’s portfolio manager may fail to produce the intended result.

Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk: The earnings and prospects of mid-capitalization sized companies are more volatile than larger companies and may experience higher failure rates than larger companies. Mid-capitalization companies normally have a lower trading volume than larger companies, which may tend to make their market price fall more disproportionately than larger companies in response to selling pressures and may have limited markets, product lines, or financial resources and lack management experience.

Quantitative Modeling Risk: The Fund employs quantitative models as a management technique. These models examine multiple economic factors using various proprietary and third-party data. The results generated by quantitative analysis may perform differently than expected and may negatively affect Fund performance for various reasons.

Value Investing Risk: The Adviser’s assessment of a stock’s intrinsic value may never be fully recognized or realized by the market, and a stock judged to be undervalued or overvalued may actually be appropriately priced or its price may decline.

Performance: Because the Fund has only recently commenced investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time. In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of the Prospectus. Also, shareholder reports containing financial and performance information will be mailed to shareholder semi-annually. Updated performance information will be available at no cost by visiting www.sterlingcapital.com/etf or by calling (888) 228-1872.

Investment Adviser: Sterling Capital Management LLC is the Fund’s investment adviser.

Investment Sub-Advisers: Boston Trust Asset Management, LLC, GQG Partners LLC and EARNEST Partners, LLC serve as the Fund’s investment sub-advisers.

Portfolio Managers: Mary Weeks Fountain, Managing Director of the Adviser, Jeremy M. Lopez, Executive Director of the Adviser, and Brandon W. Carl, Executive Director of the Adviser, serve as the Fund’s lead portfolio managers.

Geeta Aiyer, Praveen Abichandani and Corné Biemans of Boston Common serve as the portfolio managers of Boston Common’s model portfolio. Rajiv Jain and James Anders of GQG serve as the portfolio managers of GQG’s model portfolio. Paul Viera of EARNEST serves as the portfolio manager of EARNEST’s model portfolio.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The Fund will issue and redeem Shares at NAV only in large blocks of 25,000 Shares (each block of Shares is called a “Creation Unit”) to Authorized Participants who have entered into agreements with the Fund’s distributor. Creation Units are issue and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind for securities. Individual Shares of the Fund may be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through a broker dealer or at market price. Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange and trade at market prices rather than NAV. Shares may trade at a price that is greater than, at, or less than NAV. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (ask) when buying or selling shares in the second market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because the Fund has only recently commenced investment operations, no information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts and bid-asks spreads is presented at this time. In the future, this information will be presented in this section of the Prospectus and on the Fund’s website at www.sterlingcapital.com/etf.

Tax Information: The Fund’s distributions generally will be taxable as ordinary income or long-term capital gains. A sale of Shares may result in capital gain or loss.

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: The Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF (the “Fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation through strategies managed by sub-advisers that are majority diverse-owned (i.e., greater than 50 percent owned, controlled, and operated by persons of designated diverse backgrounds, including women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and disabled individuals).

The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders. The Fund has adopted a policy to invest at least 80% of its assets in equity securities. The Fund may change its 80% policy upon 60 days’ written notice to its shareholders.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES: Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in equity securities issued by U.S. large-cap or U.S. mid-cap companies. The Fund considers large capitalization companies to be those companies within the market capitalization range of the companies comprising the Russell 1000 Index (as of the index’s most recent reconstitution) and mid-capitalization companies to be those companies within the market capitalization range of companies comprising the Russell Midcap Index, a subset of the Russell 1000 Index. The Fund’s portfolio is principally composed of common stocks issued by companies domiciled in the United States, common stocks issued by non-U.S. companies that are principally traded in the United States and, to a lesser extent, American Depositary Receipts, which are deemed as foreign securities.

The Fund utilizes a multi-manager approach to provide exposure to an actively managed U.S. large-cap value strategy, an actively managed U.S. large-cap growth strategy, and an actively managed U.S. mid-cap core strategy. The Fund’s adviser, Sterling Capital Management LLC (the “Adviser”), oversees investment sub-advisers, each of whom provide investment recommendations generated by their respective model portfolios to the Adviser regarding the selection and allocation of the securities in the respective strategy under its management. The Adviser evaluates and selects investment sub-advisers that are majority diverse-owned (i.e., greater than 50 percent owned, controlled, and operated by persons of designated diverse backgrounds, including women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and disabled individuals). Boston Common Asset Management, LLC (“Boston Common”) is the sub-adviser for the actively managed U.S. large-cap value strategy. GQG Partners LLC (“GQG”) is the sub-adviser for the actively managed large-cap growth strategy. EARNEST Partners, LLC (“EARNEST”) is the sub-adviser for the actively managed U.S. mid-cap core strategy.

Each sub-adviser recommends securities to the Adviser with respect to its allocated portion of the Fund’s assets pursuant to the Adviser’s investment philosophy to seek excess returns over a stated benchmark while managing downside volatility.

Boston Common integrates both financial and Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) analysis into the investment process to identify companies that have not taken on large amounts of debt, or have experienced volatile operating performance that casts doubt on their future profitability along with a strong record in environmental responsibility, labor relations and human rights, a commitment to good standards and compliance, among other factors, and an improving record on these factors. Boston Common conducts fundamental research to recommend companies to the Adviser that provide the most opportunity for potential returns with an emphasis on a discounted free cash flow valuation model. Boston Common identifies not only individual companies that provide the most opportunity, but by extension the most attractive sectors and industries available in markets. Boston Common subscribes to statistical databases and information services to monitor market developments, reviews sell-side reports to understand the market’s expectations, and analyzes macroeconomic information, industry and company coverage and business news. Based on this array of sources, Boston Common forms an outlook for each company under consideration.

GQG uses a proprietary quantitative scoring and ranking system to identify companies that have quality attributes such as stable financials, a solid balance sheet, and high levels of profitability. GQG engages in due diligence of each company identified to understand characteristics like its key drivers of success, barriers to entry, sustainability in the industry, effectiveness of management, regulatory risks and end-consumer behavior. GQG looks for companies whose shares are selling at a discount to GQG’s calculation of its intrinsic value. In addition to this traditional equity analysis, GQG engages analysts specialized in areas outside of traditional equity analysis such as investigative journalism, accounting, and credit to assess the investment opportunity from multiple perspectives. These non-traditional analysts seek to gain greater insight into a company’s culture by tapping into resources such as former employees, competitors, vendors and regulators so as to avoid companies with poor corporate sustainability and latent tail-risks. GQG recommends to the Adviser those companies that it deems are high-quality, sustainable and available at a reasonable price.

The Adviser provides the day-to-day management of the Fund. The Adviser selects the portfolio securities that the Fund buys and sells after reviewing each sub-adviser’s recommendations. The Adviser’s asset allocation approach is designed to avoid emotional and cognitive biases that tend to lead to poor investment decisions, and involves in-depth testing of historical data to identify variables that have been predictive of asset class returns. The Adviser’s tactical asset allocation process is informed by detailed forecast models and careful risk monitoring.

Recognizing that risk can be difficult to estimate, the Adviser measures risk in a number of different ways and over various time periods and with particular emphasis on limiting net of benchmark risk or tracking error. The Adviser pursues diversity of risks, rather than taking large, single asset class risks. While limiting expected tracking error to reasonable levels, the Adviser will pursue higher or lower relative tracking error through asset allocation decisions depending on the attractiveness of the investment opportunity set. The Adviser produces tactical forecasts and risk estimates on a monthly basis but typically makes tactical adjustments to the Fund’s investment portfolio on a quarterly basis.

MANAGER OF MANAGERS ORDER: The Adviser have obtained exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that permits the Adviser, subject to certain conditions, including the one-time prior approval of the Funds’ Board of Trustees and shareholders, to appoint and replace sub-advisers, enter into sub-advisory agreements, and amend and terminate sub-advisory agreements on behalf of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Adviser has received the one-time approval from the Board of Trustees and the Fund’s shareholders. Pursuant to the exemptive relief from the SEC, the Adviser now has the ability to change the fee payable to a sub-adviser or appoint a new sub-adviser at a fee different than that paid to the current sub-adviser, which in turn may result in a different fee retained by the Adviser. Such relief has been granted only with respect to unaffiliated sub-advisers. The Adviser has the ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board of Trustees, to oversee the sub-advisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement through its portfolio management team, the Adviser makes the day-to-day investment decisions and continuously reviews, supervises and administers the Funds’ investment programs.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS: The following describes the risks born by the Fund with respect to its investments.

ADRs Risk: ADRs are equity securities traded on U.S. exchanges that are generally issued by banks or trust companies to evidence ownership of foreign equity securities. ADRs may be issued in sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made arrangements to have its securities trade in the form of ADRs. In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation of the program. Investing in ADRs may involve risks in addition to the risks in domestic investments, including less regulatory oversight and less publicly-available information, less stable government and economies, and non-uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards. Additionally, unsponsored ADRs held by the Fund are frequently under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the underlying issuer, and there is even less information publicly-available about unsponsored ADRs than sponsored ADRs; unsponsored ADRs are also not obligated to pass through voting rights to the Fund.

Authorized Participant Risk. Only an Authorized Participant may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that may act as Authorized Participants on an agency basis (i.e., on behalf of other market participants). To the extent that Authorized Participants exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation or redemption orders with respect to the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create or redeem Creation Units, Fund shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts or delisting. Authorized Participant concentration risk may be heightened for ETFs that invest in non-U.S. securities or other securities or instruments that have lower trading volumes.

Company-Specific Risk. The possibility that a particular stock may lose value due to factors specific to the company itself, including deterioration of its fundamental characteristics, an occurrence of adverse events at the company, or a downturn in its business prospects.

●

ETF Structure Risk: The Fund is structured as an ETF and as a result is subject to the special risks, including:

●

Not Individually Redeemable. The Fund’s Shares (“Shares”) are not redeemable by retail investors and may be redeemed only by the Authorized Participants (“APs”) at net asset value (“NAV”) and only in Creation Units. A retail investor generally incurs brokerage costs when selling shares.

●

Trading Issues. Trading in Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable, such as extraordinary market volatility. There can be no assurance that Shares will continue to meet the listing requirements of the Exchange, which may result in the Fund’s shares being delisted. An active trading market for the Shares may not be developed or maintained. If the Shares are traded outside a collateralized settlement system, the number of financial institutions that can act as APs that can post collateral on an agency basis is limited, which may limit the market for the Shares.

●

Market Price Variance Risk. Individual Shares of the Fund that are listed for trading on the Exchange can be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The market prices of Shares will fluctuate in response to changes in NAV and supply and demand for Shares. There may be times when the market price and the NAV vary significantly and you may pay more than NAV when buying Shares on the secondary market, and you may receive less than NAV when you sell those Shares. The market price of Shares, like the price of any exchange-traded security, includes a “bid-ask spread” charged by the exchange specialists, market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. In times of severe market disruption, the bid-ask spread often increases significantly. This means that Shares may trade at a discount to NAV and the discount is likely to be greatest when the price of Shares is falling fastest, which may be the time that you most want to sell your Shares. The Fund’s investment results are measured based upon the daily NAV of the Fund over a period of time. Investors purchasing and selling Shares in the secondary market may not experience investment results consistent with those experienced by those Authorized Participants creating and redeeming directly with the Fund.

○

In times of market stress, market makers may step away from their role market making in shares of ETFs and in executing trades, which can lead to differences between the market value of Shares and the Fund’s NAV.

○

The market price for the Shares may deviate from the Fund’s NAV, particularly during times of market stress, with the result that investors may pay significantly more or significantly less for Shares than the Fund’s NAV, which is reflected in the bid and ask price for Fund shares or in the closing price.

○

When all or a portion of an ETFs underlying securities trade in a market that is closed when the market for the Shares is open, there may be changes from the last quote of the closed market and the quote from the Fund’s domestic trading day, which could lead to differences between the market value of the Shares and the Fund’s NAV.

○

In stressed market conditions, the market for the Shares may become less liquid in response to the deteriorating liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio. This adverse effect on the liquidity of the Shares may, in turn, lead to differences between the market value of the Shares and the Fund’s NAV.

Investment Style Risk: There is a possibility that the market segment on which the Fund is primarily invested in, whether growth or value; large or mid-cap; could underperform other kinds of investments or market averages that include style-focused investments.

Limited History of Operations Risk: The Fund is a new ETF with a limited history of operations for investors to evaluate.

Management Risk: There is a risk that an investment technique used by the Fund’s portfolio manager may fail to produce the intended result.

Market and Geopolitical Risk: The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, climate change and climate-related events, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the world, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. market. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund’s portfolio. The current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, has had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your Fund investment. Therefore, the Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments. In times of severe market disruptions you could lose your entire investment.

Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk: The stocks of mid-capitalization companies involve substantial risk. These companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, and they may be dependent on a limited management group. Stocks of these companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.

Value Investing Risk: The stocks in which the Fund invests may not be undervalued as expected. The Adviser’s assessment of an equity security’s intrinsic value may never be fully recognized or realized by the market, and an equity security judged to be undervalued or overvalued may actually be appropriately priced or its price may move in the wrong direction. Because different types of stocks tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, value-oriented funds may underperform when growth investing is in favor.

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITIONS: To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in cash, cash equivalent and money market funds. While the Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited. Furthermore, to the extent that the Fund invests in money market mutual funds for cash positions, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund pays a proportional amount of such money market funds’ advisory fees and operational fees.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE: The Fund’s portfolio holdings will be disclosed each day on its website at www.sterlingcapital.com/etf. A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

OPERATIONAL AND CYBERSECURITY RISK: Fund operations, including business, financial, accounting, data processing systems or other operating systems and facilities may be disrupted, disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors, including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control. For example, there could be electrical or telecommunications outages; degradation or loss of internet or web services; natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tornados and hurricanes; disease pandemics; or events arising from local or larger scale political or social events, as well as terrorist acts.

The Fund is also subject to the risk of potential cyber incidents, which may include, but are not limited to, the harming of or unauthorized access to digital systems (for example, through “hacking” or infection by computer viruses or other malicious software code), denial-of-service attacks on websites, and the inadvertent or intentional release of confidential or proprietary information. Cyber incidents may, among other things, harm Fund operations, result in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders, cause the release of confidential or highly restricted information, and result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and/or increased compliance, reimbursement or other compensation costs. Fund operations that may be disrupted or halted due to a cyber incident include trading, the processing of shareholder transactions, and the calculation of the Fund’s net asset value.

Issues affecting operating systems and facilities through cyber incidents, any of the scenarios described above, or other factors, may harm the Fund by affecting the Adviser, or other service providers, or issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. Although the Fund has business continuity plans and other safeguards in place, including what the Fund believes to be robust information security procedures and controls, there is no guarantee that these measures will prevent cyber incidents or prevent or ameliorate the effects of significant and widespread disruption to our physical infrastructure or operating systems. Furthermore, the Fund cannot directly control the security or other measures taken by unaffiliated service providers or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. Such risks at issuers of securities in which the Fund invests could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund’s investment in such securities to lose value.

MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT ADVISER: Sterling Capital Management LLC, located at 4350 Congress Street, Suite 1000, Charlotte, NC 28209 is the investment adviser for the Fund (the “Adviser”). The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser manages accounts for individuals and institutions as well as the Fund. As of [ ], 2021, it had approximately $[ ] billion in assets under management.

Subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s investments, placing trade orders and providing related administrative services and facilities under an advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”).

The management fee set forth in the Investment Advisory Agreement is [ ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets to be paid on a monthly basis. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses incurred by the Trust except for the advisory fee, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing or settlement of orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, and distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISERS: Boston Common Asset Management, LLC, located at 200 State Street, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02109 is the non-discretionary investment sub-adviser for the Fund’s U.S. large-cap value strategy. In this capacity, Boston Common is responsible for managing the U.S. large-cap value model that recommends securities to the Adviser for inclusion in the Fund’s portfolio. Boston Common is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Boston Common specializes in sustainable and responsible investing. As of [ ], 2021, it had approximately $[ ] billion in assets under management. As compensation for the sub-advisory services it provides to the Adviser with respect to the Fund, the Adviser will pay Boston Common a portion of its advisory fee pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between the Adviser and Boston Common.

EARNEST Partners, LLC, located at 1180 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30309, is the investment sub-adviser for the Fund’s U.S. mid-cap core strategy. In this capacity, EARNEST is responsible for managing the U.S. mid-cap core model that recommends securities to the Adviser for inclusion in the Fund’s portfolio. EARNEST is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. As of [ ], 2021, it had approximately $[ ] billion in assets under management. As compensation for the sub-advisory services it provides to the Adviser with respect to the Fund, the Adviser will pay EARNEST a portion of its advisory fee pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between the Adviser and EARNEST.

GQG Partners LLC, located at 450 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 750, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301, is the investment sub-adviser for the Fund’s U.S. large-cap growth strategy. In this capacity, GQC is responsible for managing the U.S. large-cap growth model that recommends securities to the Adviser for inclusion in the Fund’s portfolio. GQG is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. GQG Is a boutique investment firm that manages mutual funds, UCITS funds, managed funds, private funds, separate accounts and collective investment trusts. As of [ ], 2021, it had approximately $[ ] billion in assets under management. As compensation for the sub-advisory services it provides to the Adviser with respect to the Fund, the Adviser will pay GQG a portion of its advisory fee pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between the Adviser and GQG.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements will be available in the Fund’s first report to shareholders.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Adviser Portfolio Managers

Mary Weeks Fountain, CFA®, Managing Director, joined Sterling Capital Management in 1985 and has investment experience since 1985. Mary Weeks is a senior private client portfolio manager. Mary Weeks received her B.A. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Jeremy M. Lopez, CFA®, Executive Director, joined Sterling Capital Management in 2016 and has investment experience since 1997. Jeremy is a portfolio manager with Sterling’s Equity Opportunities Group. Prior to joining Sterling, he worked as an equity research analyst at Herndon Capital Management and Wells Capital Management. Additionally, he was a senior equity research associate at William & Blair Company. Jeremy received his B.A. in Economics from Wheaton College and his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Brandon W. Carl, CFA®, Executive Director, joined BB&T Asset Management in 2001 and Sterling Capital Management through merger in 2010. He has investment experience since 2001. Brandon is a portfolio manager on Sterling’s Advisory Solutions team with a focus on equity. Previously, he graduated from the BB&T Leadership Development Program and was an equity analyst covering the healthcare and consumer staples sectors for BB&T Asset Management. Brandon received his B.S. in Finance and Management from the University of South Carolina. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.

Sub-Adviser Model Managers

Geeta Aiyer, CFA® combines over 30 years of experience in finance, with passion for environmental and social justice. Under her leadership, Boston Common has built a strong investment record, and meaningfully improved the policies and practices of portfolio companies through impactful, proactive Shareowner Engagement. The firm is a “Best for the World” honoree within the global B Corp community. In 2016, Geeta was honored by Investment News, as an Innovator whose new ideas and tools have propelled the industry forward. The 2017 UN Global Compact Report on Business Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) featured Geeta as a leader in the financial sector. Geeta is the recipient of the Joan Bavaria Award at the CERES conference in 2015 for Building Sustainability into the Capital Markets and the SRI Service Award (2013), recognizing leadership and innovation in SRI (Sustainable, Responsible, Impact) investing. Before Boston Common, Geeta was President of Walden Asset Management, and has worked at US Trust Company (Boston) and Cambridge Associates. She received her MBA from Harvard Business School; BA (Hons) and MA degrees from the University of Delhi, India. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst®. Geeta serves on the Board and Investment Committee of NRDC. She is also on the board of the Better Future Project in Massachusetts. She is co-founder and board chair of DAWN Worldwide, an NGO addressing gender-based violence. Geeta has previously served on the boards of the Sierra Club Foundation, and YW Boston. From 2015-2017, she served on the Board of UN PRI.

11

Rajiv Jain is the Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of GQG. He also serves as portfolio manager for all GQG’s investment strategies and he is the lead portfolio manager for the US Equity strategy, as well as the Emerging Markets, Global Equity and International strategies. Rajiv joined GQG as a founder in June 2016, with over 25 years of investment experience. Previously, Rajiv served as a Co-Chief Executive Officer (from July 2014) and Chief Investment Officer, Managing Director, and Portfolio Manager of International Equities at Vontobel Asset Management, Inc., where he was formerly its Senior Vice President and Global Head of Equities, having joined the firm as an Equity Analyst in November 1994. Prior to that, Rajiv was an International Equity Analyst at Swiss Bank Corporation from 1993 to 1994. Rajiv holds an M.B.A. in Finance and International Business from the University of Miami. He also has a master’s degree from the University of Ajmer and an undergraduate degree in accounting with honors.

Paul Viera is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of EARNEST Partners. He conceived and developed Return Pattern Recognition®, the investment methodology used to screen equities at EARNEST Partners. Paul has a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan, an MBA from the Harvard Business School, and has over thirty years of investment experience He was a Vice President at Bankers Trust in both New York and London He later joined Invesco, where he became a Global Partner and senior member of its investment team. Paul serves as a member of the the Board of Take Two Interactive Software (TTWO).

Praveen Abichandani, CFA® is a member of the Boston Common International/Global and U.S. Portfolio Construction teams. He brings over 20 years of investment analysis experience in equity research as well as in corporate development in the telecom & media industries. Before joining Boston Common, he served as an equity analyst at Fidelity Investments, Citigroup Asset Management, and a hedge fund. While at Fidelity, Praveen managed the Select Industrial Equipment fund for two years and the Select Advisor Electronics fund for a year. At Citigroup Asset Management, Praveen was responsible for equity research of the global semiconductor sector. During his business development career at Cox Communications and GTE Wireless, Praveen worked extensively on projects in Mexico. He also lived and worked in Japan and Germany early in his career at GTE. Praveen received his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and his BS in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University in India.

James Anders, CFA® is a deputy portfolio manager for GQG’s US Equity and Global Equity strategies since 2020 and has been a senior investment analyst on the investment team since he joined the firm in 2017. Prior to joining GQG, James was a Senior Vice President and research analyst at Mercator Asset Management, where his regional research responsibilities included Benelux and Latin America. From 2008 to 2013, James served as a research analyst at Consilium Investment Management. From 2002 to 2008, he served as a Senior Analyst with SGS Asset Management. James began his investment career in 1993, serving in a variety of investment roles with several boutique investment firms. James earned his MBA at Columbia Business School and his BA in Economics from Hamilton College. James holds a CFA designation (earned in 2000).

Corné Biemans is a member of the Boston Common International/Global and U.S. Portfolio Construction teams. Before joining Boston Common, he was a senior global equity portfolio manager for BNP Paribas Investment Partners. Corné managed global equity mandates and the BNP Paribas (Fortis) Equity World Finance Fund for eight years, for which he received several Lipper awards. He started his career at Rabobank Group as an international economist in 1991. Four years later, he joined Fortis Investments as an international fixed income portfolio manager before moving to a position as equity analyst for European equities. Between 1999 and 2003 he was co-portfolio manager of global equity mutual fund Fortis OBAM. In 2003 he moved to Boston to help set up Fortis Investments’ global equities capabilities. Corné brings over 20 years of international investment experience to the firm. Corné earned a master’s degree in Monetary Economics from Tilburg University in the Netherlands. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the Boston Security Analysts Society.

The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of Fund shares.

HOW SHARES ARE PRICED

Shares of a Fund are bought and sold at a price in two different ways depending upon the type of investor.

12

All investors including retail investors and authorized participants may buy and sell Shares in secondary market transactions through brokers at market prices and the Shares will trade at market prices.

Only authorized participants may buy and redeem Shares from a Fund directly and those transactions are effected at the Fund’s NAV.  The NAV of the Fund is determined at close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the Exchange is open for business. NAV is computed by determining, the aggregate market value of all assets of the applicable Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets-liabilities)/number of shares = NAV). The Exchange is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day (“Exchange Close”). The NAV takes into account, the expenses and fees of the Fund, including management, administration, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV for the Fund for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by the Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the Exchange on that day.

Generally, the Fund’s portfolio securities, including securities issued by ETFs, are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Securities that are not traded on any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the-counter market. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity.

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

The Fund may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.
In addition, market prices for foreign securities are not determined at the same time of day as the NAV for the Fund. Because the Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of some of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.

Premium/Discount Information

Retail investors will buy and sell Shares in secondary market transactions through brokers at market prices and the Shares will trade at market prices. The market price of Shares may be greater than, equal to, or less than NAV. Market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors may affect the trading prices of Shares.

HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES

Shares of the Fund may be acquired or redeemed directly from the Fund only in Creation Units or multiples thereof. Only an Authorized Participant may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. Once created, shares of the Fund generally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit. Shares can be bought and sold on the Exchange throughout the trading day like shares of other publicly-traded companies.

Buying and Selling Shares on the Secondary Market

You may buy and sell individual Shares of the Fund only through a broker dealer in secondary market transactions on the Exchange. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol DEIF. There is no minimum investment required. Shares may only be purchased and sold on the secondary market when the Exchange is open for trading. The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays, as observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

13

When buying or selling Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.

Creation and Redemption Transactions

Authorized Participants may acquire Shares directly from the Fund, and Authorized Participants may tender their Shares for redemption directly to the Fund, at NAV per Share only in large blocks, or Creation Units, of 25,000 Shares for the Fund.

The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks of 25,000 Shares (each block of Shares is called a “Creation Unit”) to Authorized Participants that have entered into agreements with the Fund’s distributor. Creation Units are issued and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind for securities. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.

Purchases and redemptions directly with the Fund must follow the Fund’s procedures, which are described in the SAI.

Premium/Discount Information

Investors buy and sell Shares in secondary market transactions through brokers at market prices and the Shares trade at market prices. The market price of Shares may be greater than, equal to, or less than the Fund’s NAV. Market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors may affect the trading prices of Shares.

Book Entry

Shares are held in book entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding Shares and is recognized as the owner of all Shares for all purposes.

Investors owning Shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all Shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of Shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have Shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of Shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of Shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book entry or “street name” form.

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

The Board has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other frequent trading activity because shares of the Fund are listed for trading on a national securities exchange.

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN

The Fund has adopted a distribution and service plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the Fund is authorized to pay distribution fees to the distributor and other firms that provide distribution and shareholder services (“Service Providers”). If a Service Provider provides these services, the Fund may pay fees at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the1940 Act.

No distribution or service fees are currently paid by the Fund and will not be paid by the Fund unless authorized by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. There are no current plans to impose these fees. In the event Rule 12b-1 fees were charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in the Fund.

DIVIDENDS, OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

Shares are traded throughout the day in the secondary market on a national securities exchange on an intra-day basis and are created and redeemed in-kind and/or for cash in Creation Units at each day’s next calculated NAV. In-kind arrangements are designed to protect ongoing shareholders from the adverse effects on the Fund’s portfolio that could arise from frequent cash redemption transactions. In a mutual fund, redemptions can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders if the mutual fund needs to sell portfolio securities to obtain cash to meet net fund redemptions. These sales may generate taxable gains for the ongoing shareholders of the mutual fund, whereas the Shares’ in-kind redemption mechanism generally will not lead to a tax event for the Fund or its ongoing shareholders.

14

Ordinarily, dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually by the Fund. The Fund distributes its net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders annually. The Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of a calendar year to comply with federal tax requirements.

No dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Fund. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by beneficial owners of the Fund for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require beneficial owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the Fund purchased in the secondary market.

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole Shares only if the broker through whom you purchased Shares makes such option available.

Taxes

As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in Shares will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in Shares.

Unless your investment in Shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:

○ The Fund makes distributions,

○ You sell your Shares listed on the Exchange, and

○ You purchase or redeem Creation Units.

Taxes on Distributions

Distributions from the Fund’s net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to you as ordinary income, except that the Fund’s dividends attributable to its “qualified dividend income” (i.e., dividends received on stock of most domestic and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions), if any, generally are subject to federal income tax for non-corporate shareholders who satisfy those restrictions with respect to their Shares at the rate for net capital gain. A part of the Fund’s dividends also may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations -- the eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate dividends the Fund receives from domestic corporations subject to federal income tax (excluding REITs) and excludes dividends from foreign corporations -- subject to similar restrictions. However, dividends a corporate shareholder deducts pursuant to that deduction are subject indirectly to the federal alternative minimum tax.

In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in the Fund (if that option is available). Distributions reinvested in additional Shares through the means of a dividend reinvestment service, if available, will be taxable to shareholders acquiring the additional Shares to the same extent as if such distributions had been received in cash. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the Shares.

Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in the Shares and as capital gain thereafter. A distribution will reduce the Fund’s NAV per Share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain (as described above) even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.

By law, the Fund is required to withhold 28% of your distributions and redemption proceeds if you have not provided the Fund with a correct Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number and in certain other situations.

15

Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales

Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct capital losses from sales of Shares may be limited.

Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

An Authorized Participant that exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus any Cash Component it pays. An Authorized Participant that exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received plus any cash equal to the difference between the NAV of the Shares being redeemed and the value of the securities. The Internal Revenue Service (“Service”), however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales” or for other reasons. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax adviser with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.

Any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less.

If an Authorized Participant purchases or redeems Creation Units, the Authorized Participant will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Shares the Authorized Participant purchased or sold and at what price. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for a description of the newly effective requirement regarding basis determination methods applicable to Share redemptions and the Fund’s obligation to report basis information to the Service.

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax adviser about the potential tax consequences of an investment in the Shares under all applicable tax laws. See “Tax Status” in the SAI for more information.

FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS

Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the Fund’s administrator and fund accountant. It has its principal office at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474, and is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.

[  ], is the Fund’s transfer agent and custodian.

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is the distributor for the shares of the Fund. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, 17th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

[  ], serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Fund.

OTHER INFORMATION

Investments by Investment Companies

The SEC has granted an exemptive order to the Adviser permitting registered investment companies and unit investment trusts that enter into an agreement with the Trust (“Investing Funds”) to invest in series of the Trust beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act subject to certain terms and conditions.

Continuous Offering

The method by which Creation Units of Shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of Shares are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may occur at any point. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.

16

For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares and sells the Shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a characterization as an underwriter.

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with engaging in ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the Shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the Securities Act is only available with respect to transactions on a national exchange.

Dealers effecting transactions in the Shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, are generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.

Householding: Householding is an option available to certain Fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Because the Fund has only recently commenced investment operations, no financial highlights are available for the Fund at this time. In the future, financial highlights will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.

17

PRIVACY NOTICE

Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

Rev. August 2015

FACTS

WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST IV DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some, but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

What?

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

●     Social Security number and wire transfer instructions

●     account transactions and transaction history

●     investment experience and purchase history

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

How?

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Northern Lights Fund Trust IV chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

Reasons we can share
your personal information:

Does Northern Lights
Fund Trust IV
share information?

Can you limit this
sharing?

For our everyday business purposes - such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus.

YES

NO

For our marketing purposes - to offer our products and services to you.

NO

We don’t share

For joint marketing with other financial companies.

NO

We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your transactions and records.

NO

We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your credit worthiness.

NO

We don’t share

For nonaffiliates to market to you

NO

We don’t share

QUESTIONS?

Call 1-402-493-4603

18

PRIVACY NOTICE

Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

Page 2

What we do:

How does Northern Lights Fund Trust IV protect my personal information?

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

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

How does Northern Lights Fund Trust IV collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

●    open an account or deposit money

●    direct us to buy securities or direct us to sell your securities

●    seek advice about your investments

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only:

●    sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness.

●    affiliates from using your information to market to you.

●    sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you.

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

Definitions

Affiliates

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

●    Northern Lights Fund Trust IV has no affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

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

●    Northern Lights Fund Trust IV does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

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

●    Northern Lights Fund Trust IV does not jointly market.

19

Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF

Adviser

Sterling Capital Management LLC

4350 Congress Street, #1000

Charlotte, North Carolina 28209

Distributor

Northern Lights Distributors LLC
4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474

Sub-Advisers

Boston Common Asset Management, LLC

200 State Street, 7th Floor

Boston, MA 02109

EARNEST Partners, LLC

1180 Peachtree Street, NE,

Suite 2300

Atlanta, GA 30309

GQG Partners LLC

450 E. Las Olas Boulevard,

Suite 750

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

Custodian &Transfer Agent

[NAME

ADDRESS]

Legal
Counsel

Thompson Hine LLP

41 South High Street, Suite 1700

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Administrator

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474

Independent
Registered
Public
Accountant

[NAME

ADDRESS]

Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund’s SAI dated [DATE], 2021. The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (i.e., legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Fund’s policies and management. Additional information about the Fund’s investments will also be available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders. In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s’ performance during the last fiscal year.

To obtain a free copy of the SAI and the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call (888) 637-7798. Information relating to the Fund can be found on the website at www.sterlingcapital.com/etf. You may also write to:

Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474

Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

Investment Company Act File # 811-23066

The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF

[DEIF]

a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
[DATE], 2021

Listed and traded on:

the [NYSE Arca]

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF (the “Fund”) dated [DATE], 2021. The Fund’s Prospectus is hereby incorporated by reference, which means it is legally part of this document. You can obtain copies of the Fund’s Prospectus, annual or semiannual reports without charge by contacting the Fund’s distributor, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC or by calling the Fund at (888) 637-7798. You may also obtain a Prospectus by visiting the website www.sterlingcapital.com/etf.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE FUND 1

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS 1

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 10

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 11

MANAGEMENT 12

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS 16

INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISERS 17

THE DISTRIBUTOR 19

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 20

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE 23

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 23

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 23

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES 25

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM 25

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES 25

TAX STATUS 32

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 35

LEGAL COUNSEL 35

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 35

APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES A-1

THE FUND

The Fund is a diversified series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, a Delaware statutory trust organized on June 2, 2015 (the “Trust”). The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”).

The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”). All Shares have equal rights and privileges. Each Share is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which Shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each Share is entitled to participate equally with other Shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights.

The Fund is managed by Sterling Capital Management LLC (the “Adviser”) and sub-advised by Boston Common Asset Management, LLC, EARNEST Partners, LLC and GQG Partners LLC. The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.

The Fund issues and redeems Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) only in aggregations of 25,000 Shares (each a “Creation Unit”). The Fund issues and redeems Creation Units principally in exchange for a basket of securities (the “Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “Cash Component”), plus a transaction fee (unless waived). Shares of the Fund are listed, subject to notice of issuance, on the [NYSE Arca] (“[NYSE Arca]” or the “Exchange”). Shares trade on the Exchange at market prices that may be below, at, or above NAV.

The Fund reserves the right to offer creations and redemptions of Shares for cash. In addition, Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash equal to up to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees, may be imposed and may be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. See PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES below.

Exchange Listing and Trading

Shares of the Fund are listed for trading, and trade throughout the day, on the Exchange. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of shares of the Fund will continue to be met. The Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the shares of the Fund from listing if, among other things following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of Fund shares, there are fewer than 50 beneficial and/or beneficial owners of shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days or any other event shall occur or condition shall exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will also remove shares of the Fund from listing and trading upon termination of the Fund or in the event the Fund does not comply with the continuous listing standards of the Exchange, as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.

As in the case of other publicly-traded securities, when you buy or sell shares of the Fund through a broker, you may incur a brokerage commission determined by that broker, as well as other charges.

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS

A discussion of the Fund’s investment policies and the risks associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectus.

An investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of securities in general and other factors that affect the market.

An investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in securities, including the risk that the general condition of the securities market may deteriorate. Securities are susceptible to general securities market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence changes. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic or banking crises.

The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of the Shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent, or if bid/ask spreads are wide. The performance of the Fund may vary due to asset valuation differences: the Fund may fair value certain of the securities it holds. There may also be differences between the Fund’s portfolio as a result of legal restrictions, cost or liquidity constraints. Similarly, liquidity constraints also may delay the Fund’s purchase or sale of securities.

1

Securities of Other Investment Companies

Investments in exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) and mutual funds involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in such funds. Due to legal limitations, the Fund will be prevented from: 1) purchasing more than 3% of an investment company’s (including ETFs) outstanding shares; 2) investing more than 5% of the Fund’s assets in any single such investment company, and 3) investing more than 10% of the Fund’s assets in investment companies overall; unless: (i) the underlying investment company and/or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from such limitations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); and (ii) the underlying investment company and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. In the alternative, the Fund may rely on Rule 12d1-3, which allows unaffiliated mutual funds to exceed the 5% limitation and the 10% limitation, provided the aggregate sales loads any investor pays (i.e., the combined distribution expenses of both the acquiring fund and the acquired fund) does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) for funds of funds. In addition to ETFs, the Fund may invest in other investment companies such as open-end mutual funds or exchange-traded funds, within the limitations described above. Each investment company is subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the Fund. ETFs and mutual funds may employ leverage, which magnifies the changes in the underlying stock or other index upon which they are based.

Open-End Investment Companies

The Fund and any “affiliated persons,” as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding securities of any underlying fund. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying fund, the Fund’s ability to invest fully in shares of those funds is restricted, and the Adviser or Sub-Advisers must then, in some instances, select alternative investments that would not have been its first preference. The 1940 Act also provides that an underlying fund whose shares are purchased by the Fund will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the underlying fund’s outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Shares in excess of 1% of an underlying fund’s outstanding securities, therefore, will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of the Fund’s total assets.

Under certain circumstances an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the SEC. In such cases, the Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the Adviser or Sub-Advisers determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.

Investment decisions by the investment advisers or sub-advisers of the underlying fund(s) are made independently of the Fund and the Adviser or Sub-Advisers. Therefore, the investment adviser or sub-adviser of one underlying fund may be purchasing shares of the same issuer whose shares are being sold by the investment adviser or sub-adviser of another such fund. The result would be an indirect expense to the Fund without accomplishing any investment purpose.

Exchange Traded Funds

ETFs are often passive funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and typically provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts. Under certain circumstances, the adviser may invest in ETFs, known as “inverse funds,” which are designed to produce results opposite to market trends. Inverse ETFs are funds designed to rise in price when stock prices are falling.

ETFs have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap “creation units” in block-multiples of, for example, 25,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the NAV is calculated. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.

2

Foreign Securities

Investing in securities of foreign companies and countries involves certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S. government securities and securities of domestic companies. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States. Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to the Fund by domestic companies or the U.S. government. There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Finally, the establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations.

To the extent currency exchange transactions do not fully protect the Fund against adverse changes in currency exchange rates, decreases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund invests relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding decrease in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated in those currencies (and possibly a corresponding increase in the amount of securities required to be liquidated to meet distribution requirements). Conversely, increases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund invests relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding increase in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets (and possibly a corresponding decrease in the amount of securities to be liquidated).

Concentration of Investments

The Fund may be susceptible to an increased risk of loss, including losses due to adverse events that affect the Fund’s investments more than the market as a whole, to the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in the securities of a particular issuer or issuers, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Shares are subject to the risks of an investment in a portfolio of equity securities in an industry or group of industries in which the Fund invests.

Equity Securities

Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible securities, warrants, rights and options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be significant.

Common Stock

Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price.

Preferred Stock

Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the debt securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.

A fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed-income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s worth.

3

Convertible Securities

Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer’s underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of “usable” bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. 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 nonconvertible 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.

Company-Specific Risk

The possibility that a particular stock may lose value due to factors specific to the company itself, including deterioration of its fundamental characteristics, an occurrence of adverse events at the company, or a downturn in its business prospects.

Bonds

A bond is an interest-bearing security issued by a U.S. or non-U.S. company, or U.S. or non-U.S. governmental unit. The issuer of a bond has a contractual obligation to pay interest at a stated rate on specific dates and to repay principal (the bond’s face value) periodically or on a specified maturity date. Bonds generally are used by corporations and governments to borrow money from investors.

An issuer may have the right to redeem or “call” a bond before maturity, in which case a fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower market rates. Similarly, a fund may have to reinvest interest income or payments received when bonds mature, sometimes at lower market rates. Most bonds bear interest income at a “coupon” rate that is fixed for the life of the bond. The value of a fixed-rate bond usually rises when market interest rates fall, and falls when market interest rates rise. Accordingly, a fixed-rate bond’s yield (income as a percent of the bond’s current value) may differ from its coupon rate as its value rises or falls. When an investor purchases a fixed-rate bond at a price that is greater than its face value, the investor is purchasing the bond at a premium. Conversely, when an investor purchases a fixed-rate bond at a price that is less than its face value, the investor is purchasing the bond at a discount. Fixed-rate bonds that are purchased at a discount pay less current income than securities with comparable yields that are purchased at face value, with the result that prices for such fixed-rate securities can be more volatile than prices for such securities that are purchased at face value. Other types of bonds bear interest at an interest rate that is adjusted periodically. Interest rates on “floating rate” or “variable rate” bonds may be higher or lower than current market rates for fixed-rate bonds of comparable quality with similar final maturities.

Because of their adjustable interest rates, the value of “floating rate” or “variable rate” bonds fluctuates much less in response to market interest rate movements than the value of fixed-rate bonds, but their value may decline if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. The Fund may treat some of these bonds as having a shorter maturity for purposes of calculating the weighted average maturity of its investment portfolio. Generally, prices of higher quality issues tend to fluctuate less with changes in market interest rates than prices of lower quality issues and prices of longer maturity issues tend to fluctuate more than prices of shorter maturity issues. Bonds may be senior or subordinated obligations. Senior obligations generally have the first claim on a corporation’s earnings and assets and, in the event of liquidation, are paid before subordinated obligations. Bonds may be unsecured (backed only by the issuer’s general creditworthiness) or secured (backed by specified collateral).

Corporate Bonds

The investment return of corporate bonds reflects interest earned on the security and changes in the market value of the security. The market value of a corporate bond may be affected by changes in the market rate of interest, the credit rating of the corporation, the corporation’s performance and perceptions of the corporation in the marketplace. There is a risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may invest in securities of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs are publicly traded corporations or trusts that specialize in acquiring, holding and managing residential, commercial or industrial real estate. A REIT is not taxed at the entity level on income distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it distributes to shareholders or unitholders at least 95% of its taxable income for each taxable year and complies with regulatory requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets and income.

4

REITs generally can be classified as “Equity REITs”, “Mortgage REITs” and “Hybrid REITs.” An Equity REIT invests the majority of its assets directly in real property and derives its income primarily from rents and from capital gains on real estate appreciation, which are realized through property sales. A Mortgage REIT invests the majority of its assets in real estate mortgage loans and services its income primarily from interest payments. A Hybrid REIT combines the characteristics of an Equity REIT and a Mortgage REIT. Although the Fund can invest in all three kinds of REITs, its emphasis is expected to be on investments in Equity REITs.

Investments in the real estate industry involve particular risks. The real estate industry has been subject to substantial fluctuations and declines on a local, regional and national basis in the past and may continue to be in the future. Real property values and income from real property continue to be in the future. Real property values and income from real property may decline due to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, regulatory limitations on rents, changes in neighborhoods and in demographics, increases in market interest rates, or other factors. Factors such as these may adversely affect companies that own and operate real estate directly, companies that lend to such companies, and companies that service the real estate industry.

Investments in REITs also involve risks. Equity REITs will be affected by changes in the values of and income from the properties they own, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the credit quality of the mortgage loans they hold. In addition, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills and on their ability to generate cash flow for operating purposes and to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders REITs may have limited diversification and are subject to risks associated with obtaining financing for real property, as well as to the risk of self-liquidation. REITs also can be adversely affected by their failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through treatment of their income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or their failure to maintain an exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, a shareholder bears not only a proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also may indirectly bear similar expenses of some of the REITs in which it invests.

Warrants are options to purchase common stock at a specific price (usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging from less than one year to twenty years, or they may be perpetual. However, most warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, a warrant is worthless if the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant’s exercise price during the life of the warrant. Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.

Depositary Receipts

Sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), are receipts issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights. Many of the risks described below regarding foreign securities apply to investments in ADRs.

Emerging Markets Securities

Investing in emerging market securities imposes risks different from, or greater than, risks of investing in foreign developed countries. These risks include: smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; possible repatriation of investment income and capital. In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales; future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by the Fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.

Additional risks of emerging markets securities may include: greater social, economic and political uncertainty and instability; more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation; unavailability of currency hedging techniques; companies that are newly organized and small; differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers; and less developed legal systems. In addition, emerging securities markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions. Settlement problems may cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, or be delayed in disposing of a portfolio security. Such a delay could result in possible liability to a purchaser of the security.

5

Certificates of Deposit and Bankers’ Acceptances

Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers’ acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.

Commercial Paper

Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. It may be secured by letters of credit, a surety bond or other forms of collateral. Commercial paper is usually repaid at maturity by the issuer from the proceeds of the issuance of new commercial paper. As a result, investment in commercial paper is subject to the risk the issuer cannot issue enough new commercial paper to satisfy its outstanding commercial paper, also known as rollover risk. Commercial paper may become illiquid or may suffer from reduced liquidity in certain circumstances. Like all fixed income securities, commercial paper prices are susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates. If interest rates rise, commercial paper prices will decline. The short-term nature of a commercial paper investment makes it less susceptible to interest rate risk than many other fixed income securities because interest rate risk typically increases as maturity lengths increase. Commercial paper tends to yield smaller returns than longer-term corporate debt because securities with shorter maturities typically have lower effective yields than those with longer maturities. As with all fixed income securities, there is a chance that the issuer will default on its commercial paper obligation.

Information on Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes

Time deposits are issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the depositor on the date specified with respect to the deposit. Time deposits do not trade in the secondary market prior to maturity. However, some time deposits may be redeemable prior to maturity and may be subject to withdrawal penalties.

The commercial paper obligations are typically unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a “Master Note”) permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between the Fund and the issuer. It permits daily changes in the amounts invested. The Fund, typically, has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct investment arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to the Fund’s investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer (redeemed) on demand within seven days.

Insured Bank Obligations

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as “banks”) up to $250,000. The Fund may elect to purchase bank obligations in small amounts so as to be fully insured as to principal by the FDIC. Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability.

6

Closed-End Investment Companies

The Fund may invest its assets in “closed-end” investment companies (or “closed-end funds”), subject to the investment restrictions set forth above. Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 4% or 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on the NYSE Arca, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (commonly known as “NASDAQ”) or, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.

The Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Adviser or Sub-Advisers, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund’s proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.

The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.

The Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to NAV. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.

Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.

United States Government Obligations

These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis.

Debt Issued by United States Government Agencies

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

7

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

Freddie Mac was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. Freddie Mac issues participation certificates (“PCs”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from Freddie Mac’s national portfolio. Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.

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

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as the Fund) purchases a security (known as the “underlying security”) from a securities dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to the Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund generally will be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be “fully collateralized,” in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.

Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time, often less than a week, and will generally be used by the Fund to invest excess cash or as part of a temporary defensive strategy. Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default by the seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses. These losses could result from: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security while the Fund is seeking to enforce its rights under the repurchase agreement; (b) possible reduced levels of income or lack of access to income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

Regulation as a Commodity Pool Operator

The Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, will file with the National Futures Association, a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to the Fund’s operation. Accordingly, the Fund will not be subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator.

8

When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements

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

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

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

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

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) and securities that are otherwise not readily marketable (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.

Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from shareholders. The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by NASDAQ.

Under guidelines adopted by the Board, the Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security (e.g., debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the Adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, and (2) is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”) or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality.

9

Rule 144A securities and Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Adviser to determine if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.

Management Risk

The Fund is subject to management risk because it relies on the Adviser to achieve its investment objective. The Fund runs the risk that the Adviser’s investment techniques will fail to produce desired results and cause the Fund to incur significant losses. The Adviser also may fail to use derivatives effectively, choosing to hedge or not to hedge positions at disadvantageous times. There can be no assurance that key Adviser personnel will continue to be employed by the Adviser. The loss of their services could have an adverse impact on the Adviser’s ability to achieve the Fund’s investment objective.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

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

1. Issue senior securities, except as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, which allow a borrowing from a bank where the Fund maintains an asset coverage ratio of at least 300% while the borrowing is outstanding;

2. Borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions;

3. Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of its portfolio securities, and except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities;

4. Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including REITs);

5. Purchase or sell commodities (unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments) or commodity futures contracts, except that the Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts and options to the full extent permitted under the 1940 Act, sell foreign currency contracts in accordance with any rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, invest in securities or other instruments backed by commodities, and invest in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities;

6. Make loans to others, except that the Fund may, in accordance with its investment objective and policies, (i) lend portfolio securities, (ii) purchase and hold debt securities or other debt instruments, including but not limited to loan participations and sub-participations, assignments, and structured securities, (iii) make loans secured by mortgages on real property, (iv) enter into repurchase agreements, (v) enter into transactions where each loan is represented by a note executed by the borrower, and (vi) make time deposits with financial institutions and invest in instruments issued by financial institutions. For purposes of this limitation, the term “loans” shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities; or

7. Invest 25% or more of its total assets in a particular industry or group of industries. This limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto. The Fund will consider the investments of underlying investment companies when determining its compliance with this restriction.

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

10

With respect to fundamental investment limitation #2 above, if the Fund’s asset coverage falls below 300%, the Fund will reduce borrowing within 3 days in order to ensure that the Fund has 300% asset coverage.

Although fundamental investment limitation #6 reserves for the Fund the ability to make loans, there is no present intent to loan money or portfolio securities and additional disclosure will be provided if such a strategy is implemented in the future.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The Fund and its service providers may not receive compensation or any other consideration (which includes any agreement to maintain assets in the Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser) in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information of the Fund. The Trust’s policy is implemented and overseen by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust, subject to the oversight of the Board. Periodic reports regarding these procedures will be provided to the Board. The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor (as defined below) will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust. The Board must approve all material amendments to this policy.

Each business day, the Fund’s portfolio holdings information will generally be provided for dissemination through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) and/or other fee-based subscription services to NSCC members and/or subscribers to those other fee-based subscription services, including Authorized Participants (as defined below), and to entities that publish and/or analyze such information in connection with the process of purchasing or redeeming Creation Units or trading shares of the Fund in the secondary market. This information typically reflects the Fund’s anticipated holdings as of the next Business Day (as defined below).

Access to information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be permitted to personnel of third party service providers, including the Fund’s custodian, transfer agent, auditors and counsel, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with such service providers’ agreements with the Trust on behalf of the Fund.

Portfolio holdings information made available in connection with the creation/redemption process may be provided to other entities that provide services to the Fund in the ordinary course of business after it has been disseminated to the NSCC. From time to time, information concerning portfolio holdings other than portfolio holdings information made available in connection with the creation/redemption process, as discussed above, may be provided to other entities that provide services to the Fund, including rating or ranking organizations, in the ordinary course of business, no earlier than one business day following the date of the information.

The Fund discloses on the Adviser’s website at www.sterlingcapital.com/etf at the start of each Business Day the identities and quantities of the securities and other assets held by the Fund that will form the basis of the Fund’s calculation of its NAV on that Business Day. The portfolio holdings so disclosed will be based on information as of the close of business on the prior Business Day and/or trades that have been completed prior to the opening of business on that Business Day and that are expected to settle on that Business Day. The Fund may also concurrently disclose this portfolio holdings information directly to ratings agencies on a daily basis.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule. The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-PORT. The Trust will also disclose a complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-CSR after its second and fourth quarters.

Form N-PORT and Form N-CSR for the Fund will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Form N-PORT and Form N-CSR will be available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 637-7798, visiting the Adviser’s web site at www.sterlingcapital.com/etf or by writing to: Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF, c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474.

The Adviser and Sub-Advisers. Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Fund’s portfolio, and persona of the Sub-Advisers including personal responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Adviser to provide its management, administrative, and investment services to the Fund. As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, as demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of portfolio managers in the trading of such securities, Adviser and Sub-Advisers personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.

11

Gemini Fund Services, LLC. Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

[    ] is the custodian and transfer agent for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

[ ] is the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund’s annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.

Thompson Hine LLP. Thompson Hine LLP is counsel to the Fund; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with review of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.

Additions to List of Approved Recipients

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

Compliance with Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures

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

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

MANAGEMENT

The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s By-laws (the “Governing Documents”), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of three (3) individuals, each of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust or any investment adviser to any series of the Trust (“Independent Trustees”). Pursuant to the Governing Documents, the Trustees shall elect officers including a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Principal Executive Officer and a Principal Accounting Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust’s purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.

Board Leadership Structure

The Trust is led by Joseph Breslin, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since July 2015. The Board of Trustees is comprised of three independent Trustees. Additionally, under certain 1940 Act governance guidelines that apply to the Trust, the Independent Trustees will meet in executive session, at least quarterly. Under the Governing Documents, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, (c) executing and administering of Trust policies including (i) setting the agendas for board meetings and (ii) providing information to board members in advance of each board meeting and between board meetings. The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, its funds and each shareholder.

Board Risk Oversight

The Board of Trustees has a standing independent Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Contract Review Committee, each with a separate chair. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary. The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting risk within its area of responsibilities. Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information. The primary purposes of the Nominating and Governance Committee are to consider and evaluate the structure, composition and operation of the Board, to evaluate and recommend individuals to serve on the Board of the Trust, and to consider and make recommendations relating to the compensation of the Trust’s independent trustees. The Nominating and Governance Committee may consider recommendations for candidates to serve on the Board from any source it deems appropriate. The primary purpose of the Contract Review Committee is to oversee and guide the process by which the Independent Trustees annually consider whether to approve or renew the Trust’s investment advisory, sub-advisory and distribution agreements, Rule 12b-1 plans, and such other agreements or plans involving the Trust as specified in the Contract Review Committee’s charter or as the Board determines from time to time.

12

Trustee Qualifications

Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills. Mr. Breslin has over 20 years of business experience in the investment management and brokerage business and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based, in part, upon his years of service as an officer and/or Trustee to other registered investment companies. Thomas Sarkany is qualified to serve as a Trustee based on his experience in various business and consulting positions, and through his experience from service as a board member of the Trust and other investment companies. Since 2010, he has been the President of a financial services firm and from 1994 through 2010, held various roles at a publicly held company providing financial research, publications and money management services to retail and institutional investors, including Director of Marketing and Asset Management, Director of Index Licensing, and member of the Board of Directors. In addition to his service as a Trustee of the Trust, Mr. Sarkany serves as a trustee of the Northern Lights Fund Trust II and has previously served as a director of certain public companies. Charles R. Ranson has more than 20 years’ experience in strategic analysis and planning, risk assessment, and capital formation in the operation of complex organizations and entrepreneurial ventures. In addition to his service to the Trust, Mr. Ranson serves as an independent trustee to another mutual fund complex. Each Trustee’s ability to perform his duties effectively also has been enhanced by his educational background and professional training. The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified.

The following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and each person’s principal occupation over the last five years. The business address of each Trustee and Officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. All correspondence to the Trustees and Officers should be directed to c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, P.O. Box 541150, Omaha, Nebraska 68154.

Independent Trustees

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

Joseph Breslin

Year of Birth: 1953
Independent Trustee and Chairman of the Board since 2015
President and Consultant, Adviser Counsel, Inc. (formerly J.E. Breslin & Co.) (management consulting firm to investment advisers), (since 2009); Senior Counsel, White Oak Global Advisors, LLC. (since 2016).

2 Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2015); Director, Kinetics Mutual Funds, Inc. (since 2000); Trustee, Kinetics Portfolios Trust (since 2000); Trustee, Forethought Variable Insurance Trust (since 2013); Trustee, BlueArc Multi-Strategy Fund (2014-2017); Hatteras Trust (2004-2016)

Thomas Sarkany

Year of Birth: 1946
Independent Trustee since 2015 Founder and President, TTS Consultants, LLC (financial services) (since 2010). 2 Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2015); Arrow Investments Trust (since 2014), Arrow ETF Trust (since 2012), Trustee, Northern Lights Fund Trust II (since 2011); Director, Aquila Distributors (since 1981)

13

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

Charles Ranson

Year of Birth: 1947
Independent Trustee since 2015 Principal, Ranson & Associates (strategic analysis and planning, including risk assessment and capital formation for entrepreneurial ventures) (since 2003). 2 Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2015); Advisors Preferred Trust (since November 2012)

Officers

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

Wendy Wang
Year of Birth: 1970 President since 2015 Senior Vice President, Director of Tax and Compliance Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012). N/A N/A

Sam Singh

Year of Birth: 1976
Treasurer since 2015 Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2015); Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2011-2014). N/A N/A

Jennifer Farrell
Year of Birth: 1969 Secretary since 2017 Manager, Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2018); Senior Paralegal, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2015); Legal Trainer, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2013-2015); Senior Paralegal, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2006-2012). N/A N/A

James Ash

Year of Birth: 1976
Chief Compliance Officer since 2019 Senior Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Compliance, LLC (since 2019); Senior Vice President, National Sales Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2017-2019); Senior Vice President and Director of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012 - 2017). N/A N/A

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

** As of [  ], 2021, the Trust was comprised of [27] other active portfolios managed by unaffiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the funds within the Trust managed by the Adviser (the “Funds”).  The Funds do not hold themselves out as related to any other series within the Trust for investment purposes, nor do they share the same investment adviser with any other series.

14

Board Committees

Audit Committee

The Board has an Audit Committee that consists of all the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trust’s independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust’s financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust’s independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor’s independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management’s responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee is responsible for seeking and reviewing nominee candidates for consideration as Independent Trustees as is from time to time considered necessary or appropriate. The Audit Committee generally will not consider shareholder nominees. The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing and setting Independent Trustee compensation from time to time when considered necessary or appropriate.

Nominating and Governance Committee

The Board has a Nominating and Governance Committee that consists of all the “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Committee’s responsibilities (which may also be conducted by the Board) include: (i) recommend persons to be nominated or re-nominated as Trustees in accordance with the Independent Trustee’s Statement of Policy on Criteria for Selecting Independent Trustees; (ii) review the Fund’s officers, and conduct Chief Compliance Officer searches, as needed, and provide consultation regarding other CCO matters, as requested; (iii) reviewing trustee qualifications, performance, and compensation; (iv) review periodically with the Board the size and composition of the Board as a whole; (v) annually evaluate the operations of the Board and its Committees and assist the Board in conducting its annual self-evaluation; (vi) make recommendations on the requirements for, and means of, Board orientation and training; (vii) periodically review the Board’s corporate Governance policies and practices and recommend, as it deems appropriate, any changes to the Board; (ix) considering any corporate governance issues that arise from time to time, and to develop appropriate recommendations for the Board; and (x) supervising counsel for the Independent Directors. Mr. Ranson serves as the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee operates pursuant to a Nominating and Governance Committee Charter.

Contract Review Committee

The Board has a Contract Review Committee that consists of all the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The primary purpose of the Contract Review Committee is to oversee and guide the process by which the Independent Trustees annually consider whether to approve or renew the Trust’s investment advisory, sub-advisory and distribution agreements, Rule 12b-1 plans, and such other agreements or plans involving the Trust as specified in the Contract Review Committee’s charter or as the Board determines from time to time. The Board may also assign to the Contract Review Committee responsibility to evaluate and make recommendations on contracts in unusual situations, for example, where a contract is expected to terminate because of a change of control of an investment adviser. The Contract Review Committee’s responsibilities include: (i) identifying the scope and format of information to be requested from service providers in connection with the evaluation of each contract or plan and meet and evaluate such information at least annually in advance of the automatic expiration of such contracts by operation of law or by their terms; (ii) providing guidance to independent legal counsel regarding specific information requests to be made by such counsel on behalf of the Board or the Independent Trustees; (iii) evaluating regulatory and other developments coming to its attention that might reasonably be expected to have an impact on the Independent Trustees’ consideration of how to evaluate and whether or not to renew a contract or plan; (iv) assisting in circumscribing the range of factors considered by the Board relating to the approval or renewal of advisory or sub-advisory agreements; (v) recommending to other committees and/or to the Independent Trustees specific steps to be taken by them regarding the renewal process, including, for example, proposed schedules of meetings by Independent Trustees; (vi) investigating and reporting on any other matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties; and (vii) performing such other duties as are consistent with the Contract Review Committee’s purpose or that are assigned to it by the Board. Mr. Sarkany serves as the Chairman of the Contract Review Committee. The Contract Review Committee operates pursuant to a Contract Review Committee Charter.

Compensation

Each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust (each an “Independent Trustee”) will receive a quarterly fee of $22,500 to be paid by the Trust within 10 days of the commencement of each calendar quarter for his service as a Trustee of the Board and for serving in his respective capacity as Chair of the Audit Committee, Nomination and Governance Committee and Contract Review Committee, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred for attending regularly scheduled Board and Committee meetings.

15

Additionally, in the event that an in-person meeting of the Board of Trustees other than its regularly scheduled meetings (a “Special Meeting”) is required, each Independent Trustee will receive a fee of $5,000 per Special Meeting, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred, to be paid by the Trust or the relevant series of the Trust or its investment adviser depending on the circumstances necessitating the Special Meeting. The Independent Trustees at their sole discretion shall determine when a particular meeting constitutes a Special Meeting for purpose of the $5,000 fee.

The Independent Trustee fees are paid from the unitary fee paid to the Adviser by the Fund. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust.

The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees are expected to receive from the Fund during the initial fiscal period ended [May 31, 2022]. Each Independent Trustee is expected to attend all quarterly meetings during the period. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.

Name and Position Estimated Compensation From Sterling Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Funds Expenses Annual Benefits Upon Retirement Estimated Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex* Paid to Trustees

Joseph Breslin $0 $0

Thomas Sarkany $0 $0

Charles Ranson $0 $0

* There are currently numerous series comprising the Trust. The term “Fund Complex” refers only to the Funds, and not to any other series of the Trust.

Management and Trustee Ownership

As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned no shares of the Fund or any of the Fund Complex’s outstanding shares.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

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

The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares and is recognized as the owner of all shares for all purposes. Investors owning shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. As of the date of this SAI, the Fund had not commenced operations.

16

INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISERS

Investment Adviser, Sub-Adviser and the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements

Sterling Capital Management LLC, 4350 Congress Street, Suite 1000, Charlotte, NC 28209, serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

Each of Boston Common Asset Management, LLC, located at 200 State Street, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02109; EARNEST Partners,, LLC, located at 1180 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30309; and GQG Partners LLC, located at 450 E. Las Olas Blvd., Suite 750, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301; serves as an investment sub-adviser to the Fund (each a “Sub-Adviser” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”). Each Sub-Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.

Subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s investment-related business affairs.

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, the Adviser, subject to the oversight of the Board, and in conformity with the stated policies of the Funds, supervises the portfolio investment operations of the Funds. The Adviser has overall supervisory responsibilities for the Sub-Adviser’s general management and investment of the Funds’ securities portfolio, as detailed below, which are subject to review and approval by the Board of Trustees. In general, the Adviser’s duties include setting the Funds’ overall investment strategies in consultation with the Sub-Adviser.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Funds and, as such shall, perform each of the following, or delegate such to the Sub-Adviser: (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities here under, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Funds in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by the Funds, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, or their designee, directly, will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Adviser or Sub-Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers. The Adviser also provides the Funds with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the Funds’ investments, compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Adviser, and all personnel of the Funds or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities

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

The Fund pays an annual management fee (computed daily and payable monthly) of [NUMBER]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses incurred by the Trust except for the advisory fee, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing or settlement of orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, and distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

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

17

The Adviser and the Trustees have chosen to engage the Sub-Advisers in part because of the Sub-Advisers’ prior expertise and performance in advising other accounts and in part because each Sub-Adviser is majority diverse-owned (i.e., greater than 50 percent owned, controlled, and operated by persons of designated diverse backgrounds, including women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and disabled individuals). Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements, Sub- Advisers, under the supervision of the Adviser, agree to recommend investments for the Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the Fund’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser or Sub-Advisers.

As compensation for the sub-advisory services it provides to the Fund, the Adviser will pay each Sub-Adviser a fee paid from the Adviser’s management fee at no additional cost to the Fund. The Sub-Advisory Agreements are effective for an initial two year period and continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods, provided that the Board annually approves each Sub-Advisory Agreement for continuance.

A discussion of the matters considered by the Board in connection with the approval of the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements for the Fund will be available in the Fund’s’ first report to shareholders.

Codes of Ethics

The Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Advisers and the Distributor have each adopted codes of ethics (each a “Code”) under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust.

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

Proxy Voting Policies

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

Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser’s interests and the Fund’s interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the client’s directive using the recommendation of an independent third party. If the third party’s recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client’s account. A copy of the Adviser’s and proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.

More information. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 will be available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at (888) 637-7798; and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures are also available by calling (888) 637-7798 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.

18

THE DISTRIBUTOR

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD” or the “Distributor”) located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022 (the “Distributor”), serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Fund pursuant to an ETF Distribution Agreement with the Trust (the “Distribution Agreement”). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state’s securities laws and is a member of FINRA. The offerings of the Shares are continuous and the Distributor acts as an agent for the Trust. The Distributor will deliver a Prospectus to persons purchasing Shares in Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor has no role in determining the investments or investment policies of the Fund.

The Distribution Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated, it will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board or a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or the Trust’s distribution plan or interested persons of the Trust or of the Distributor (“Qualified Trustees”) by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

The Distribution Agreement may at any time be terminated, without penalty by the Trust, by vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust on 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The Distribution Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

The Fund does not pay the Distributor any fees under the Distribution Agreement. However, the Adviser pays an annual fee to the Distributor plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Distributor in connection with activities performed for the Fund, including, without limitation, printing and distribution of prospectuses and shareholder reports, out of its own resources.

Rule 12b-1 Plans

The Trust, with respect to the Fund, has adopted the Trust’s ETF Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”) for Shares pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distributor’s account maintenance services under the Plan. The Board has approved a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund’s average daily net assets during the preceding month and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees and the Distributor. The Plan authorizes payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others (“Recipients”) to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. The Fund will bear their own costs of distribution with respect to its shares. The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Fund’s method of distribution. No fees are currently paid by the Fund under the Plan, and there are no current plans to impose such fees. In the event such fees were to be charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in the Fund.

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

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

The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor’s compensation to be paid by the Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plans. During the term of the Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of the Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.

19

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

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Mary Weeks Fountain (Sterling Capital), Jeremy M. Lopez (Sterling Capital), Brandon W. Carl (Sterling Capital), Geeta Aiyer (Boston Common), Rajiv Jain (GQG) and Paul Viera (EARNEST) are the Fund’s lead portfolio managers. Praveen Abichandani (Boston Common), Corné Biemans (Boston Common), and James Anders (GQG) are the Fund’s co-portfolio managers.

As of [       ], the portfolio managers are responsible for the portfolio management of the following types of accounts in addition to the Fund:

Praveen Abichandani

Total Other Accounts

By Type
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type
Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee
Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

(in millions)

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

Geeta Aiyer

Total Other Accounts

By Type
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type
Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

James Anders

Total Other Accounts

By Type
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type
Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

20

Corné Biemans

Total Other Accounts

By Type
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type
Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

Brandon W. Carl

Total Other Accounts

By Type
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type
Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies 0 0 0 0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 0 0 0

Other Accounts 0 0 0 0

Mary Weeks Fountain

Total Other Accounts

By Type
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type
Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies 0 0 0 0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 0 0 0

Other Accounts 236 502.14 0 0

Rajiv Jain

Total Other Accounts

By Type
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type
Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

Jeremy M. Lopez

Total Other Accounts

By Type
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type
Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies 0 0 0 0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 0 0 0 0

Other Accounts 54 318 1 19

21

Paul Viera

Total Other Accounts

By Type
Total Number of Accounts by Account Type
Total Assets By Account Type

(in millions)
Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

Other Accounts

Conflicts of Interest

As a general matter, certain conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio manager’s management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of other accounts for which the portfolio manager is responsible, on the other. For example, it is possible that the various accounts managed could have different investment strategies that, at times, might conflict with one another to the possible detriment of the Fund. Alternatively, to the extent that the same investment opportunities might be desirable for more than one account, possible conflicts could arise in determining how to allocate them. Other potential conflicts might include conflicts created by specific portfolio manager compensation arrangements, and conflicts relating to selection of brokers or dealers to execute the Fund’s portfolio trades and/or specific uses of commissions from the Fund’s portfolio trades (for example, research, or “soft dollars”, if any). The Adviser and Sub-Advisers have adopted policies and procedures and has structured the portfolio managers’ compensation in a manner reasonably designed to safeguard the Fund from being negatively affected as a result of any such potential conflicts.

Compensation

Sterling Capital offers each of its investment professionals a compensation plan which can be comprised of three components: (1) base salary, which is fixed and linked to job function, responsibilities and experience, (2) incentive compensation, which varies based on investment performance and other factors determined by the executive management of Sterling Capital, and (3) a percentage of firm profits or revenues, which varies based on factors determined by executive management. Incentive compensation is based on (i) the pre-tax performance of the portfolios managed by the portfolio manager in comparison to benchmarks appropriate for such portfolios and/or in comparison to relevant peer groups (e.g., Bloomberg Barclays, Lipper, Morningstar, MSCI, Russell, Wilshire, etc.) over pre-determined time periods (e.g., a combination of 1- and 3-year returns), and (ii) other objective or subjective criteria determined by executive management, which may include firm/department leadership, management of personnel, risk management/compliance results and overall firm or group contribution. Certain professionals’ compensation may also include an asset-backed component, and certain investment professionals may also share in the revenues or profits earned by Sterling Capital. Revenue or profit interests are awarded based on the determination of executive management, which may include long-term performance, firm/department leadership, potential for generating future growth of the firm, and other objective or subjective criteria determined by executive management.

Ownership of Securities

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the portfolio managers in the Fund as of [   ].

Name of Portfolio Manager Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Sterling Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF

Praveen Abichandani

Geeta Aiyer

James Anders

Corné Biemans

Brandon W. Carl

Mary Weeks Fountain

Rajiv Jain

Jeremy M. Lopez

Paul Viera

22

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

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

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

● the best net price available;

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

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

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

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

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

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

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Fund Administration

Gemini Fund Services, LLC, (the “Administrator”), which has its principal office at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474, and is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds.

Pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement with the Fund, the Administrator provides administrative services to the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board. The Administrator may provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of the Administrator or its affiliates.

The Fund Services Agreement is dated July 27, 2016. The agreement remained in effect for two years from the effective date of the agreement and will remain in effect subject to annual approval of the Board for one-year periods thereafter. The agreement is terminable by the Board or the Administrator on ninety days’ written notice and may be assigned provided the non-assigning party provides prior written consent. This agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Administrator or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Administrator shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in accordance with its duties thereunder.

23

Under the Fund Services Agreement, the Administrator provides facilitating administrative services, including: (i) providing services of persons competent to perform such administrative and clerical functions as are necessary to provide effective administration of the Fund; (ii) facilitating the performance of administrative and professional services to the Fund by others, including the Custodian; (iii) preparing, but not paying for, the periodic updating of the Fund’s Registration Statement, Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information in conjunction with Fund counsel, including the printing of such documents for the purpose of filings with the SEC and state securities administrators, and preparing reports to the Fund’s shareholders and the SEC; (iv) preparing in conjunction with Fund counsel, but not paying for, all filings under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of such states or countries as are designated by the Distributor, which may be required to register or qualify, or continue the registration or qualification, of the Fund and/or its shares under such laws; (v) preparing notices and agendas for meetings of the Board and minutes of such meetings in all matters required by the 1940 Act to be acted upon by the Board; and (vi) monitoring daily and periodic compliance with respect to all requirements and restrictions of the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code and the Prospectus.

The Administrator also provides the Fund with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of net asset value; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintenance of certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciliation of account information and balances among the Custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluation of daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.

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

For administrative services rendered to the Fund under the agreement, the Fund pay the Administrator the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. For the fund accounting services rendered to the Fund under the Agreement, the Fund pay the Administrator the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. The Fund also pay the Administrator for any out-of-pocket expenses.

Transfer Agent

[NAME], located at [ADDRESS], acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to written agreement with Fund (the “Transfer Agent”). Under the agreement, the Transfer Agent is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

Custodian

[NAME], located at [ADDRESS], (the “Custodian”), serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian’s responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments. Pursuant to the Custodian and Transfer Agent Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. The Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.

Compliance Officer

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474, an affiliate of the Administrator, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. NLCS’s compliance services consist primarily of reviewing and assessing the policies and procedures of the Trust and its service providers pertaining to compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. For the compliance services rendered to the Fund, the Fund pay NLCS a one-time fee plus an annual asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets. The Fund also pay NLCS for any out-of-pocket expenses.

24

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

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

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

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

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING 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. The Trust’s secretary serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.

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

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

Calculation of Share Price

As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading “How Shares are Priced,” investors may buy and sell Shares in secondary market transactions through brokers at market prices and the Shares will trade at market prices. Only authorized participants may buy and redeem Shares from a Fund directly and those transactions are effected at the Fund’s NAV. The NAV of a Fund’s shares is determined by dividing the total value of a Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of a Fund.

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

Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less may be generally valued at amortized cost when it approximated fair value.

25

Exchange traded options are valued at the last quoted sales price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the exchange on which such options are traded. Futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange, or, if no settlement price is available, at the last sale price as of the close of business prior to when the Fund calculate NAV. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction. Swap agreements and other derivatives are generally valued daily depending on the type of instrument and reference assets based upon market prices, the mean between bid and asked prices quotations from market makers or by a pricing service or other parties in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.

Under certain circumstances, the Fund may use an independent pricing service to calculate the fair market value of foreign equity securities on a daily basis by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above. The fair market values supplied by the independent pricing service will generally reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or the value of other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities. The independent pricing service will also take into account the current relevant currency exchange rate. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. Because foreign securities may trade on days when Shares are not priced, the value of securities held by the Fund can change on days when Shares cannot be redeemed or purchased. In the event that a foreign security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closed before the Fund’s calculation of NAV), the security will be valued at its fair market value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s fair value committee in accordance with procedures approved by the Board as discussed below. Without fair valuation, it is possible that short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that it will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short-term traders. In addition, because the Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of these portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Shares.

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services or other parties in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board. As a result, the NAV of the Shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange Shares.

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

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

Creation Units

The Fund sells and redeems Shares in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form on any Business Day. A “Business Day” is any day on which the Exchange is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the Exchange observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

A Creation Unit is an aggregation of 25,000 Shares for the Fund. The Board may declare a split or a consolidation in the number of Shares outstanding of the Fund or Trust and make a corresponding change in the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.

26

Authorized Participants

Only Authorized Participants that have entered into agreements with the Distributor may purchase or redeem Creation Units. In order to be an Authorized Participant, a firm must be either a broker-dealer or other participant (“Participating Party”) in the Continuous Net Settlement System (“Clearing Process”) of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) or a participant in DTC with access to the DTC system (“DTC Participant”), and the Authorized Participant must execute an agreement (“Participant Agreement”) with the Distributor that governs transactions in the Fund’s Creation Units.

Investors who are not Authorized Participants but want to transact in Creation Units may contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants. An Authorized Participant may require investors to enter into a separate agreement to transact through it for Creation Units and may require orders for purchases of shares placed with it to be in a particular form. Investors transacting through a broker that is not itself an Authorized Participant and therefore must still transact through an Authorized Participant may incur additional charges. There are expected to be a limited number of Authorized Participants that have entered into Participant Agreements with the Fund at any one time.

Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor. Market disruptions and telephone or other communication failures may impede the transmission of orders.

Transaction Fees

A fixed fee payable to the Custodian is imposed on each creation and redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units involved in the transaction (“Fixed Fee”). Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units for cash or involving cash-in-lieu (as defined below) are required to pay an additional variable charge to compensate the Fund and its ongoing shareholders for brokerage and market impact expenses relating to Creation Unit transactions (“Variable Charge,” and together with the Fixed Fee, the “Transaction Fees”). The Adviser may waive or adjust the Transaction Fees, including the Fixed Fee and/or Variable Charge (shown in the table below), from time to time. In such cases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Fund for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Fund and the cash-in-lieu amount, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes. In addition, purchasers of Creation Units are responsible for the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities to the account of the Fund.

Fee for In-Kind and Cash Purchases Maximum Additional Variable Charge for Cash Purchases*

$250 2.00%

* As a percentage of the amount invested.

Investors who use the services of a broker, or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services.

The Clearing Process

Transactions by an Authorized Participant that is a Participating Party using the NSCC system are referred to as transactions “through the Clearing Process.” Transactions by an Authorized Participant that is a DTC Participant using the DTC system are referred to as transactions “outside the Clearing Process.” The Clearing Process is an enhanced clearing process that is available only for certain securities and only to DTC participants that are also participants in the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC. In-kind (portions of) purchase orders not subject to the Clearing Process will go through a manual clearing process run by DTC. Portfolio Deposits that include government securities must be delivered through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system (“Federal Reserve System”). Fund Deposits that include cash may be delivered through the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System. In-kind deposits of securities for orders outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through the Federal Reserve System (for government securities) or through DTC (for corporate securities).

Foreign Securities

Because the portfolio securities of the Fund may trade on days that the Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for the Fund, shareholders may not be able to redeem their shares of the Fund, or to purchase or sell shares of the Fund on the Exchange, on days when the NAV of the Fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant foreign markets.

27

Purchasing Creation Units

Portfolio Deposit

The consideration for a Creation Unit generally consists of the Deposit Securities and a Cash Component. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Portfolio Deposit.” The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the Deposit Securities. Thus, the Cash Component is equal to the difference between (x) the net asset value per Creation Unit of the Fund and (y) the market value of the Deposit Securities. If (x) is more than (y), the Authorized Participant will pay the Cash Component to the Fund. If (x) is less than (y), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component from the Fund.

On each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the Adviser or its agent through the Custodian makes available through NSCC the name and amount of each Deposit Security in the current Portfolio Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund and the (estimated) Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per Creation Unit. The Deposit Securities announced are applicable to purchases of Creation Units until the next announcement of Deposit Securities.

Payment of any stamp duty or the like shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant purchasing a Creation Unit. The Authorized Participant must ensure that all Deposit Securities properly denote change in beneficial ownership.

Custom Orders and Cash-in-Lieu

The Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (“cash-in-lieu”) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. The Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu when, for example, a Deposit Security may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, the Fund may permit or require cash in lieu of Deposit Securities when, for example, the Authorized Participant or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities laws or policies from transacting in one or more Deposit Securities. The Fund will comply with the federal securities laws in accepting Deposit Securities including that the Deposit Securities are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. All orders involving cash-in-lieu, as well as certain other types of orders, are considered to be “Custom Orders.” The Fund may enter into other types of Custom Orders.

Purchase Orders

To order a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable purchase order to the Distributor.

Timing of Submission of Purchase Orders

An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable purchase order no later than the earlier of (i) 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or (ii) the closing time of the bond markets and/or the trading session on the Exchange, on any Business Day in order to receive that Business Day’s NAV (“Cut-off Time”). The Cut-off Time for Custom Orders is generally two hours earlier. The Business Day the order is deemed received by the Distributor is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” An order to create Creation Units is deemed received on a Business Day if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Cut-off Time on such day and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Persons placing or effectuating custom orders and/or orders involving cash should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, such as DTC and/or the Federal Reserve Bank wire system, which may impact the successful processing of such orders to ensure that cash and securities are transferred by the “Settlement Date,” which is generally the Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date (“T+1”) for cash and the second Business Day following the Transmittal Date for securities (“T+2”).

Orders Using the Clearing Process

If available, (portions of) orders may be settled through the Clearing Process. In connection with such orders, the Distributor transmits, on behalf of the Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite Portfolio Deposit to the Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. Cash Components will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System.

Orders Outside the Clearing Process

If the Clearing Process is not available for (portions of) an order, Portfolio Deposits will be made outside the Clearing Process. Orders outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will be effected through DTC. The Portfolio Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of Deposit Securities (whether standard or custom) through DTC to the Fund account by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, on T+1. The Cash Component, along with any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee, must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve System in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. If the Custodian does not receive both the Deposit Securities and the cash by the appointed time, the order may be canceled. A canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day but must conform to that Business Day’s Portfolio Deposit. Authorized Participants that submit a canceled order will be liable to the Fund for any losses incurred by the Fund in connection therewith.

28

Orders involving foreign Deposit Securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable purchase order, the Distributor will notify the Adviser and the Custodian of such order. The Custodian, who will have caused the appropriate local sub-custodian(s) of the Fund to maintain an account into which an Authorized Participant may deliver Deposit Securities (or cash-in-lieu), with adjustments determined by the Fund, will then provide information of the order to such local sub-custodian(s). The ordering Authorized Participant will then deliver the Deposit Securities (and any cash-in-lieu) to the Fund’s account at the applicable local sub-custodian. The Authorized Participant must also make available on or before the contractual settlement date, by means satisfactory to the Fund, immediately available or same day funds in U.S. dollars estimated by the Fund to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component and Transaction Fee. When a relevant local market is closed due to local market holidays, the local market settlement process will not commence until the end of the local holiday period. Settlement must occur by 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the contractual settlement date.

Acceptance of Purchase Order

All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Fund. The Fund’s determination shall be final and binding.

The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke acceptance of a purchase order transmitted to it by the Distributor if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Fund; (c) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the Deposit Securities for the applicable date; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Portfolio Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Portfolio Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust, Fund or the Adviser or Sub-Advisers, have an adverse effect on the Trust, Fund or the rights of beneficial owners; or (g) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Distributor and the Adviser and Sub-Advisers make it for all practical purposes impossible to process purchase orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems resulting in telephone, telecopy or computer failures; fires, floods or extreme weather conditions; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other informational systems affecting the Trust, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Adviser, the Sub-Advisers, the Custodian, a sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process; and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify an Authorized Participant of its rejection of the order. The Fund, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Portfolio Deposits, and they shall not incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

Issuance of a Creation Unit

Once the Fund has accepted an order, upon next determination of the Fund’s NAV, the Fund will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Distributor will transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order.

Except as provided below, a Creation Unit will not be issued until the Fund obtains good title to the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component, along with any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee. The delivery of Creation Units will generally occur no later than T+2 except with respect to certain foreign securities.

In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.

With respect to orders involving foreign Deposit Securities, when the applicable local sub-custodian(s) have confirmed to the Custodian that the Deposit Securities (or cash-in-lieu) have been delivered to the Fund’s account at the applicable local sub-custodian(s), the Distributor and the Adviser or Sub-Advisers shall be notified of such delivery, and the Fund will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit. While, as stated above, Creation Units are generally delivered on T+2, the Fund reserves the right to settle redemption transactions on a basis other than T+2 but by T+7, if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances and compliant with applicable law. Delayed settlement may occur due to a number of different reasons, including, without limitation, settlement cycles for the underlying securities, unscheduled market closings, an effort to link distribution to dividend record dates and ex-dates and newly announced holidays. For example, the redemption settlement process may be extended beyond T+2 because of the occurrence of a holiday in a non-U.S. market or in the U.S. bond market that is not a holiday observed in the U.S. equity market. In addition, the Fund may settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 in order to accommodate foreign market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (that is the last day the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security), and in certain other circumstances.

29

The Fund may issue a Creation Unit prior to receiving good title to the Deposit Securities, under the following circumstances. Pursuant to the applicable Participant Agreement, the Fund may issue a Creation Unit notwithstanding that (certain) Deposit Securities have not been delivered, in reliance on an undertaking by the relevant Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking is secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery to and maintenance with the Custodian of collateral having a value equal to at least 115% of the value of the missing Deposit Securities (“Collateral”), as adjusted by time to time by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. Such Collateral will have a value greater than the NAV of the Creation Unit on the date the order is placed. Such Collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. The only Collateral that is acceptable to the Fund is cash in U.S. Dollars.

While (certain) Deposit Securities remain undelivered, the Collateral shall at all times have a value equal to at least 115% (as adjusted by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser) of the daily marked-to-market value of the missing Deposit Securities. At any time, the Fund may use the Collateral to purchase the missing securities, and the Authorized Participant will be liable to the Fund for any costs incurred thereby or losses resulting therefrom, whether or not they exceed the amount of the Collateral, including any Transaction Fee, any amount by which the purchase price of the missing Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such securities on the Transmittal Date, brokerage and other transaction costs. The Trust will return any unused Collateral once all of the missing securities have been received by the Fund. More information regarding the Fund’s current procedures for collateralization is available from the Distributor.

Cash Purchase Method

When cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for the Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases. In the case of a cash purchase, the investor must pay the cash equivalent of the Portfolio Deposit. In addition, cash purchases will be subject to Transaction Fees, as described above.

Notice to Texas Shareholders

Under section 72.1021(a) of the Texas Property Code, initial investors in the Fund who are Texas residents may designate a representative to receive notices of abandoned property in connection with Shares. Texas shareholders who wish to appoint a representative should notify their broker-dealer to obtain a form for providing written notice

Redeeming a Creation Unit

Redemption Basket

The consideration received in connection with the redemption of a Creation Unit generally consists of an in-kind basket of designated securities (“Redemption Securities”) and a Cash Component. Together, the Redemption Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Redemption Basket.”

There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient liquidity in Shares in the secondary market to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. In addition, investors may incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a Creation Unit.

The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the Redemption Securities. Thus, the Cash Component is equal to the difference between (x) the net asset value per Creation Unit of the Fund and (y) the market value of the Redemption Securities. If (x) is more than (y), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component from the Fund. If (x) is less than (y), the Authorized Participant will pay the Cash Component to the Fund.

If the Redemption Securities on a Business Day are different from the Deposit Securities, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the Adviser or Sub-Adviser or an agent through the Custodian makes available through NSCC the name and amount of each Redemption Security in the current Redemption Basket (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund and the (estimated) Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per Creation Unit. If the Redemption Securities on a Business Day are different from the Deposit Securities, all redemption requests that day will be processed outside the Clearing Process.

30

The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed: (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares or determination of the ETF’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as permitted by the SEC, including as described below.

Custom Redemptions and Cash-in-Lieu

The Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit or require the substitution of cash-in-lieu to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Redemption Security. The Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu when, for example, a Redemption Security may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process. Similarly, the Fund may permit or require cash-in-lieu of Redemption Securities when, for example, the Authorized Participant or its underlying investor is restricted under U.S. or local securities law or policies from transacting in one or more Redemption Securities. The Fund will comply with the federal securities laws in satisfying redemptions with Redemption Securities, including that the Redemption Securities are sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. All redemption requests involving cash-in-lieu are considered to be “Custom Redemptions.”

Redemption Requests

To redeem a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable redemption request to the Distributor.

An Authorized Participant submitting a redemption request is deemed to represent to the Fund that it or, if applicable, the investor on whose behalf it is acting, (i) owns outright or has full legal authority and legal beneficial right to tender for redemption the Creation Unit to be redeemed and can receive the entire proceeds of the redemption, and (ii) all of the Shares that are in the Creation Unit to be redeemed have not been borrowed, loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement that would preclude the delivery of such Shares to the Fund. The Fund reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to verify these representations, but will typically require verification in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest in the Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of the requested representations, the redemption request will not be considered to be in proper form and may be rejected by the Fund.

Timing of Submission of Redemption Requests

An Authorized Participant must submit an irrevocable redemption order no later than the Cut-off Time. The Cut-off Time for Custom Orders is generally two hours earlier. The Business Day the order is deemed received by the Distributor is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” A redemption request is deemed received if (i) such order is received by the Distributor by the Cut-off Time on such day and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Persons placing or effectuating Custom Redemptions and/or orders involving cash should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, such as DTC and/or the Federal Reserve System, which may impact the successful processing of such orders to ensure that cash and securities are transferred by the Settlement Date, as defined above.

Requests Using the Clearing Process

If available, (portions of) redemption requests may be settled through the Clearing Process. In connection with such orders, the Distributor transmits on behalf of the Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the redemption. Pursuant to such trade instructions, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the requisite Creation Unit(s) to the Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. Cash Components will be delivered using either the Clearing Process or the Federal Reserve System, as described above.

Requests Outside the Clearing Process

If the Clearing Process is not available for (portions of) an order, Redemption Baskets will be delivered outside the Clearing Process. Orders outside the Clearing Process must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the redemption will be effected through DTC. The Authorized Participant must transfer or cause to be transferred the Creation Unit(s) of shares being redeemed through the book-entry system of DTC so as to be delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on received T+1. In addition, the Cash Component must be received by the Custodian by 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on T+1. If the Custodian does not receive the Creation Unit(s) and Cash Component by the appointed times on T+1, the redemption will be rejected, except in the circumstances described below. A rejected redemption request may be resubmitted the following Business Day.

31

Orders involving foreign Redemption Securities are expected to be settled outside the Clearing Process. Thus, upon receipt of an irrevocable redemption request, the Distributor will notify the Adviser or Sub-Adviser and the Custodian. The Custodian will then provide information of the redemption to the Fund’s local sub-custodian(s). The redeeming Authorized Participant, or the investor on whose behalf is acting, will have established appropriate arrangements with a broker-dealer, bank or other custody provider in each jurisdiction in which the Redemption Securities are customarily traded and to which such Redemption Securities (and any cash-in-lieu) can be delivered from the Fund’s accounts at the applicable local sub-custodian(s).

Acceptance of Redemption Requests

All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust. The Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

Delivery of Redemption Basket

Once the Fund has accepted a redemption request, upon next determination of the Fund’s NAV, the Fund will confirm the issuance of a Redemption Basket, against receipt of the Creation Unit(s) at such NAV, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee. A Creation Unit tendered for redemption and the payment of the Cash Component, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee will be effected through DTC. The Authorized Participant, or the investor on whose behalf it is acting, will be recorded on the book-entry system of DTC.

The Redemption Basket will generally be delivered to the redeeming Authorized Participant within T+2. Except under the circumstances described below, however, a Redemption Basket generally will not be issued until the Creation Unit(s) are delivered to the Fund, along with the Cash Component, any cash-in-lieu and Transaction Fee.

In certain cases, Authorized Participants will create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Trust reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis.

Cash Redemption Method

When cash redemptions of Creation Units are available or specified for the Fund, they will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind redemptions. In the case of a cash redemption, the investor will receive the cash equivalent of the Redemption Basket minus any Transaction Fees, as described above.

TAX STATUS

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

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

Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund. Capital losses may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under pre-enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital, irrespective of the character of the original loss. Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

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

32

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

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

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

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

Distributions of taxable net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

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

Certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, are subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.

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

Distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to 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 net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.

33

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

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

Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities

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

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (“OID”) is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A portion of the OID includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities (including certain pay-in-kind securities) may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

34

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

[   ] located at [   ], serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year. The firm provides services including (i) audit of annual financial statements, and (ii) assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.

LEGAL COUNSEL

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

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and, therefore, has not produced financial statements. Once produced, you can obtain a copy of the financial statements contained in the Fund’s Annual or Semi-Annual Report without charge by calling the Fund at (888) 637-7798.

35

The following proxy voting sections are excerpted from Sterling’s Trade Advisory Policy.

2.3. Proxy Voting

When Sterling has proxy voting authority for securities held in client accounts, Sterling has an obligation to monitor corporate events and to take appropriate action on client proxies that come to its attention. Sterling’s investment management agreement generally states that decisions on the voting of proxies will be made by Sterling with regard to discretionary assets unless the client otherwise reserves the right to vote. In order to comply with the Rule, Sterling has:

● Adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that Sterling votes proxies in the best interests of its clients.

● Ensure that the written policies and procedures address material conflicts that may arise between the interests of Sterling and its clients;

● Described our proxy voting policies and procedures to clients in Sterling’s Form ADV 2A and, upon request furnish a copy of the policies and procedures to the requesting client;

● Disclosed to clients how to obtain information from Sterling about how we voted their proxies.

2.3.a. Proxy Group

Sterling’s Proxy Group is responsible for establishing policies and procedures designed to enable Sterling to ethically and effectively fulfill its fiduciary obligation to vote all applicable proxies on behalf of client accounts. The Proxy Group is responsible for reviewing and reaffirming the Proxy Voting Guidelines. In addition, the Proxy Group reviews this Policy at least annually and reviews the proxy vote voting process, including the engagement of a service provider, to ensure it is running effectively and in accordance with this Policy.

2.3.b. Engagement of a Service Provider

The Proxy Group has engaged an Industry Service Provider (ISP) to: (i) provide research and vote recommendations; (ii) perform administrative tasks of receiving proxies and proxy statements; (iii) submit votes on behalf of Sterling; (iv) retain proxy voting records and information; and (v) report to Sterling on its activities. Sterling retains final authority and fiduciary responsibility for the voting of proxies. The Proxy Group has adopted the ISP’s Proxy Guidelines (the Guidelines). By following the ISP’s guidelines, Sterling seeks to mitigate potential conflicts of interest Sterling may have with respect to the proxies.

2.3.c. Overriding the ISP Recommendation

If a Portfolio Manager or Analyst (collectively, Investment Professional) reviews the ISP’s vote recommendation and determines that it is in the best interest of Sterling’s clients who hold the security to reject the vote recommendation set-forth by the ISP, the Investment Professional will submit a request and supporting rationale to Sterling’s Head of Equity. The Head of Equity will review the request and determine if it is in the best interest of Sterling’s clients to override the ISP’s vote recommendation. If the override request is approved, Sterling’s Proxy Administrators will be notified to submit the vote decision to the ISP with respect to all shares for which Sterling has authority to vote.

Sterling Capital Management
The information in this document is the property of Sterling Capital Management and is intended for the use of Sterling Capital Management associates and authorized representatives. Any disclosure, copying or distribution or use by others, without the permission of Sterling Capital Management, of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A- 1

If Sterling has a material conflict of interest with the issuer, the proxy will be voted according to the ISP’s recommendation and will not be overridden.

2.3.d. Conflicts of Interest

In certain circumstances Sterling may have a relationship with an issuer that could pose a conflict of interest when voting shares of that issuer on behalf of clients. Examples of material conflicts include:

● An issuer for which Sterling may have a significant ongoing relationship:

● An issuer for which a Sterling Teammate serves on the board; or

● An issuer that is an affiliate of Sterling (e.g., Truist Financial Corporation).

If Sterling has a material conflict of interest with the issuer, the proxy will be voted according to the ISP’s recommendation and will not be overridden.

2.3.e. Instances Where Sterling May Not Vote Proxies

Sterling may be unable to vote or may determine to refrain from voting in certain circumstances. The following highlights some potential instances in which a proxy may not be voted:

2.3.e.1. Proxy Voting When a Client No Longer Owns the Security

When Sterling takes over management of an account, the existing securities in the account may be sold. However, if the client was a shareholder of record on the execution date, Sterling may receive proxies for these securities. In these instances, Sterling will not vote such proxies as the companies are no longer held in the client’s account and have no economic value for the client.

2.3.e.2. Quorum Blocking Proxy

Sterling many choose not to vote a proxy if it believes it would be the client’s interest to make it difficult for the issuer to obtain a quorum. Sterling feels that the cost of voting these proxies outweighs any possible benefit to the client.

2.3.e.3. Share Blocking Proxy

Voting in certain countries requires “share blocking”. Shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting with a designated depositary. During this blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares are returned to the client’s custodian banks. Sterling may determine that the value of exercising the vote is outweighed by the detriment of not being able to sell the shares during this period. In cases where Sterling wants to retain the ability to trade shares, Sterling may abstain from voting those shares.

Sterling Capital Management
The information in this document is the property of Sterling Capital Management and is intended for the use of Sterling Capital Management associates and authorized representatives. Any disclosure, copying or distribution or use by others, without the permission of Sterling Capital Management, of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A- 2

2.3.e.4. Securities Lending

If a client lends securities, Sterling will vote the securities’ shares as reported by client’s custodian. There may be instances, depending on the portfolio, for which Sterling does not vote proxies. In addition, clients may direct a vote for a particular solicitation.

2.3.e.5. Other Considerations

In limited circumstances, other market specific impediments to voting shares may limit Sterling’s ability to cast votes, including, but not limited to, late delivery of proxy materials, untimely vote cut-off dates, power of attorney and share re-registration requirements, or any other unusual voting requirements. In these limited instances, Sterling votes securities on a best efforts basis.

2.3.f. Providing Information Regarding Sterling’s Proxy Voting Process

At the beginning of a new client relationship, the client is provided with a copy of Sterling’s Form ADV 2A which includes a summary of Sterling’s Proxy Voting Process. The summary indicates that a copy of this Policy is available upon request and includes instructions for requesting a copy of this Policy or information regarding how a client’s proxies were voted.

2.3.g. Investment Company Proxy Reporting

Form N-PX is used by investment companies to file reports with the SEC containing the proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ending June 30th. Form N-PX must be filed not later than August 31st of each year. Sterling will provide the Form N-PX to the Funds’ Administrator, who will file the Form with the SEC.

2.3.h. Sterling Teammate Requirements

Sterling’s Proxy Administrators are responsible for:

● Performing the day to day operational functions related to the Proxy Voting of securities;

● Conducting business in a manner that is consistent with this Policy;

● Escalating issues to the Proxy Group.

Sterling’s Proxy Group is responsible for:

● Overseeing the proxy voting process;

Sterling Capital Management
The information in this document is the property of Sterling Capital Management and is intended for the use of Sterling Capital Management associates and authorized representatives. Any disclosure, copying or distribution or use by others, without the permission of Sterling Capital Management, of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A- 3

● Reviewing this Policy at least annually;

● Maintain relationship with ISP and remain informed on the general nature and content of their proxy advice services.

Sterling’s Investment Professionals are responsible for:

● Monitoring proxies to determine if it is in the client’s best interest to override the ISP’s recommendation;

● Submitting a vote override request if it is in the client’s best interest.

Sterling’s Head of Equity is responsible for:

● Reviewing and approving the Investment Professional’s request to submit a vote override.

Sterling Compliance is responsible for:

● Periodically reviewing and monitoring the requirements set forth in this Policy;

● Coordinating the filing of Form N-PX;

● Serving as the primary contact for this Policy for Sterling;

● Providing guidance to assist Sterling Teammates to understand the Policy.

Sterling Capital Management
The information in this document is the property of Sterling Capital Management and is intended for the use of Sterling Capital Management associates and authorized representatives. Any disclosure, copying or distribution or use by others, without the permission of Sterling Capital Management, of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A-4

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Each of the Exhibits incorporated by reference below are found in File Nos. 811-23066, 333-204808.

(a) Articles of Incorporation.

(i) Registrant's Trust Instrument was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on July 30, 2019 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 and is incorporated by reference.

a. Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on March 24, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 163 and is incorporated by reference.

(ii) Certificate of Trust was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on June 8, 2015 and is incorporated by reference.

(b) By-Laws. Registrant's By-Laws was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 14, 2015 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 and is incorporated by reference.

(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holder. None other than in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Registrant.

(d) Investment Advisory Contracts.

(i) Management Agreement between Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to Anchor Risk Managed Credit Strategies Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 14, 2015 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 and is incorporated by reference.

(ii) Management Agreement between Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Main BuyWrite Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on December 21, 2015 in Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 and is incorporated by reference.

(iii) Management Agreement between Moerus Capital Management LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Moerus Worldwide Value Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on May 20, 2016 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 and is incorporated by reference.

(iv) Management Agreement between LGM Capital Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the LGM Risk Managed Total Return Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on October 9, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 and is incorporated by reference.

(v) Management Agreement between Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Anchor Risk Managed Equity Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Municipal Strategies Fund, Anchor Tactical Real Estate Fund, Anchor Tactical Equity Strategies VP, Anchor Tactical Municipal Strategies VP, Anchor Tactical Real Estate VP, and Anchor Tactical Credit Strategies VP was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 31, 2016 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 and is incorporated by reference.

a. Amended Appendix A to Management Agreement between Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to the Anchor Risk Managed Global Strategies Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on January 2, 2019 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 and is incorporated by reference.

(vi) Management Agreement between FormulaFolio Investments, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the FormulaFolios Hedged Growth ETF and FomulaFolios Tactical Growth ETF, FormulaFolios Smart Growth ETF, and FormulaFolios Tactical Income ETF was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on May 13, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 220 and is incorporated by reference.

(vii) Management Agreement between CWM Advisors, LLC dba Inspire and the Registrant was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on February 10, 2017 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 and is incorporated by reference.

a.
Amended Appendix A to Management Agreement between CWM Advisors, LLC dba Inspire and the Registrant with respect to the Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on July 2, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 173 and is incorporated by reference.

b. Amended Appendix A to Management Agreement between CWM Advisors, LLC dba Inspire and the Registrant with respect to the Inspire Faithward Mid Cap Momentum ESG ETF and the Inspire Faithward Large Cap Momentum ESG ETF was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on November 24, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 196 and is incorporated by reference.

(viii) Management Agreement between Main Management ETF Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Main Sector Rotation ETF was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on July 7, 2017 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 and is incorporated by reference.

a. Amended Appendix A to Management Agreement between Main Management ETF Advisors, LLC and the Registrant with respect to Main Thematic Innovation ETF was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on February 1, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 209 and is incorporated by reference.

b. Amended Appendix A to Management Agreement between Main Management ETF Advisors, LLC and the Registrant with respect to Main International ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(ix)

Management Agreement between Sterling Capital Management LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Sterling Capital Focus Equity ETF was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 19, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 183 and is incorporated by reference.

a. Amended Appendix A to Management Agreement between Sterling Capital Management LLC and the Registrant with respect to Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(x)

Sub-Advisory Agreement between CWM Advisors, LLC dba Inspire and SevenOneSeven Capital Management LTD with respect to the Inspire Faithward Mid Cap Momentum ESG ETF and the Inspire Faithward Large Cap Momentum ESG ETF was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on November 24, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 196 and is incorporated by reference.

(xi)

Management Agreement between USA Mutuals Advisors, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the USA Mutuals Vice Fund and USA Mutuals All Seasons Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on January 21, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 208 and is incorporated by reference.

(xii)
Management Agreement between Kingsview Wealth Management LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Monarch Ambassador Income ETF, Monarch Blue Chips Core ETF and Monarch ProCap ETF was previously filed to the Registrant’s Registraton Statement on March 12, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 and is incorporated by reference.

(xiii) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Kingsview Wealth Management LLC and Penserra Capital Management LLC with respect to the Monarch Ambassador Income ETF, Monarch Blue Chips Core ETF and Monarch ProCap ETF was previously filed to the Registrant’s Registraton Statement on March 12, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 and is incorporated by reference.

(xiv) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Sterling Capital Management LLC and Boston Common Asset Management LLC with respect to Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(xv) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Sterling Capital Management LLC and EARNEST Partners, LLC with respect to Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(xvi) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Sterling Capital Management LLC and GQG Partners LLC with respect to Sterling Capital Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(e) Underwriting Contracts.

(i) Underwriting Agreement with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 14, 2015 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 and is incorporated by reference.

a. Underwriting Agreement with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on March 25, 2019 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 131 and is incorporated by reference.

(ii) Underwriting Agreement with Foreside Fund Services, LLC was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on May 20, 2016 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 and is incorporated by reference.

a. Underwriting Agreement with Foreside Fund Services, LLC was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on March 26, 2018 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 and is incorporated by reference.

b. Underwriting Agreement with Foreside Fund Services, LLC to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(iii) ETF Underwriting Agreement with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on January 20, 2017 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 and is incorporated by reference.

(iv)
ETF Distribution/Underwriting Agreement with Foreside Fund Services, LLC with respect to Inspire Global Hope ETF, Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF, Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF, Inspire 100 ETF, Inspire International ESG ETF Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF, Inspire Faithward Mid Cap Momentum ESG ETF and Inspire Faithward Large Cap Momentum ESG ETF was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on November 24, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 196 and is incorporated by reference.

a. ETF Distribution/Underwriting Agreement with Foreside Fund Services, LLC with respect to Inspire Global Hope ETF, Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF, Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF, Inspire 100 ETF, Inspire International ESG ETF Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF, Inspire Faithward Mid Cap Momentum ESG ETF and Inspire Faithward Large Cap Momentum ESG ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. None.

(g) Custodial Agreement.

(i)
Custody Agreement with MUFG Union Bank, N.A. was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 14, 2015 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 and is incorporated by reference.

(a) Assignment of Custody Agreement Novation to Custody Agreement among the Trust, MUFG Union Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank, N.A. to be filed by amendment.

(ii) Custody Agreement with The Huntington National Bank was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on December 21, 2015 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 and is incorporated by reference.

(iii) Custody Agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on October 9, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 195 and is incorporated by reference.

(iv) Custodian and Transfer Agreement with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on January 20, 2017 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 and is incorporated by reference.

(v) Custody Agreement with Fifth Third Bank was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on October 11, 2017 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 and is incorporated by reference.

(vi) Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on February 1, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 209 and is incorporated by reference.

(v) Custodian Agreement with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(h) Other Material Contracts.

(i) Fund Services Agreement was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 14, 2015 with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 and is incorporated by reference.

(ii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Main BuyWrite Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on March 28, 2017 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 and is incorporated by reference.

(iii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to Anchor Risk Managed Credit Strategies Fund previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on January 11, 2016 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 and is incorporated by reference.

(iv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Moerus Capital Management LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Moerus Worldwide Value Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on May 20, 2016 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 and is incorporated by reference.

(v) Expense Limitation Agreement between LGM Capital Management, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the LGM Risk Managed Total Return Fundwas previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on September 27, 2018 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 and is incorporated by reference.

(vi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Anchor Risk Managed Equity Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Municipal Strategies Fund, and Anchor Tactical Real Estate Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 31, 2016 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 and is incorporated by reference.

(vii) ETF Fund Services Agreement with Gemini Fund Services, LLC was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on October 6, 2016 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 and is incorporated by reference.

(viii) Amended Expense Limitation between Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Anchor Risk Managed Credit Strategies Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on October 26, 2016 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 and is incorporated by reference.

(ix) Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between FormulaFolio Investments, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to FormulaFolios Hedged Growth ETF, FormulaFolios Smart Growth ETF, FormulaFolios Tactical Growth ETF and FormulaFolios Tactical Income ETF was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on September 25, 2018 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 and is incorporated by reference.

(x) Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between CWM Advisors, LLC dba Inspire and the Registrant was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on March 27, 2018 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 98 and is incorporated by reference.

(xi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Main Management ETF Advisors, LLC and the Registrant with respect to the Main Sector Rotation ETF was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on July 7, 2017 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 and is incorporated by reference.

(xii) Amended Expense Limitation between Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Anchor Risk Managed Credit Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Equity Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Municipal Strategies Fund, and Anchor Tactical Real Estate Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on December 22, 2017 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 and is incorporated by reference.

(xiii) Amended Expense Limitation between Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Anchor Risk Managed Global Strategies Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on January 2, 2019 with Post-Effective Amendment No.124 and is incorporated by reference.

(xiv) Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between CWM Advisors, LLC dba Inspire and the Registrant was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on March 26, 2019 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 and is incorporated by reference.

(xv) Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between CWM Advisors, LLC dba Inspire and the Registrant was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on April 21, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 169 and is incorporated by reference.

(xvi)

Expense Limitation Agreement between Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Anchor Risk Managed Credit Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Equity Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Municipal Strategies Fund, and Anchor Risk Managed Global Strategies Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on April 29, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 and is incorporated by reference.

(xvii)
Expense Limitation Agreement between Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Anchor Risk Managed Credit Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Equity Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Municipal Strategies Fund, and Anchor Risk Managed Global Strategies Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on September 4, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 184 and is incorporated by reference.

(xviii)
Expense Limitation Agreement between USA Mutuals Advisors, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the USA Mutuals Vice Fund and USA Mutuals All Seasons Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on January 21, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 208 and is incorporated by reference.

(xix) Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between Main Management ETF Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Main Thematic Innovation ETF was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on February 1, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 209 and is incorporated by reference.

(xx) Expense Limitation Agreement between Kingsview Wealth Management LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Monarch Ambassador Income ETF, Monarch Blue Chips Core ETF and Monarch ProCap ETF was previously filed to the Registrant’s Registraton Statement on March 12, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 and is incorporated by reference.

(xxi)

Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between Moerus Capital Management LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Moerus Worldwide Value Fund was previously filed to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on March 24, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 213 and is incorporated by reference.

(xxii)

Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between CWM Advisors, LLC dba Inspire and the Registrant was previously filed to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on March 24, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 214 and is incorporated by reference.

(xxiii)

Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between Main Management ETF Advisors, LLC and the Registrant, with respect to the Main International ETF to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(i) Legal Opinion.

(i)

Legal Opinion of Thompson Hine LLP to be filed by subsequent amendment .

(j) Other Opinions.

(i)
Consent of Independent Public Accounting Firm to be filed by subsequent amendment

(k) Omitted Financial Statements. None.

(l) Initial Capital Agreements. None.

(m) Rule 12b-1 Plans.

(i) Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A shares was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 14, 2015 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 and is incorporated by reference.

(a) Amended Exhibit A to Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A shares was previously filed to the Registrant’s Registraton Statement on March 24, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 213 and is incorporated by reference.

(ii) Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C Shares was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on December 21, 2015 in Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 and is incorporated by reference.

(a) Amended Exhibit A to Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C Shares was previously filed to the Registrant’s Registraton Statement on March 24, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 213 and is incorporated by reference.

(iii) Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Institutional Class Shares was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 14, 2015 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 and is incorporated by reference.

(a) Amended Exhibit A to Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Institutional Class Shares was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on January 2, 2019 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 and is incorporated by reference.

(iv) Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class N Shares was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on May 20, 2016 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 and is incorporated by reference.

(vi) Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Investor Class Shares was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on May 20, 2016 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 and is incorporated by reference.

(a) Amended Exhibit A to Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Investor Class Shares was previously filed to the Registrant’s Registraton Statement on March 24, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 213 and is incorporated by reference.

,

(vii) Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Non-Designated Shares was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 31, 2016 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 and is incorporated by reference.

(viii) ETF Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on July 7, 2017 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 and is incorporated by reference.

(a) Amended Schedule A to ETF Distribution Plan to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(n)

(i) Rule 18f-3 Plan was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on December 21, 2015 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 and is incorporated by reference.

(a) Amended Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 Plan was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on March 28, 2017 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 and is incorporated by reference.

(b) Amended Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 Plan to include Anchor Risk Managed Global Strategies Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on January 2, 2019 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 124 and is incorporated by reference.

(c) Amended Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 Plan to include Advisor Class Shares for Anchor Risk Managed Equity Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Municipal Strategies Fund and Anchor Risk Managed Global Strategies Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on April 29, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 and is incorporated by reference.

(d) Amended Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 Plan to include Advisor Class Shares for Anchor Risk Managed Credit Strategies Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on September 4, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 184 and is incorporated by reference.

(e) Amended Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 Plan to include Institutional Class Shares, Investor Class Shares, Class A Shares, and Class C Shares for USA Mutuals Vice Fund and to include Institutional Class Shares and Class Z Shares for USA Mutuals All Seasons Fund was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on January 21, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 208 and is incorporated by reference.

(o) Reserved.

(p) Code of Ethics.

(i) Code of Ethics for the Trust was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 14, 2015 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 and is incorporated by reference.

(ii) Code of Ethics for Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc. was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on April 29, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 and is incorporated by reference.

(iii) Code of Ethics for Ultimus Group, LLC was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on November 29, 2019 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 158 and is incorporated by reference.

(iv) Code of Ethics for Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC and Main Management ETF Advisors, LLC was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on September 23, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 189 and is incorporated by reference.

(v) Code of Ethics for Moerus Capital Management LLC was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on April 29, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 and is incorporated by reference.

(vi) Code of Ethics for LGM Capital Management, LLC was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on April 21, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 169 and is incorporated by reference.

(vii) Code of Ethics for FormulaFolio Investments, LLC was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on September 24, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 190 and is incorporated by reference.

(viii) Code of Ethics for CWM Advisers, LLC dba Inspire was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on April 21, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 169 and is incorporated by reference.

(ix)
Code of Ethics for Sterling Capital Management LLC was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 19, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 183 and is incorporated by reference.

(x) Code of Ethics for USA Mutuals Advisors, Inc. was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on January 21, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 208 and is incorporated by reference.

(xi) Code of Ethics for Kingsview Wealth Management LLC was previously filed to the Registrant’s Registraton Statement on March 12, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 and is incorporated by reference.

(xii)
Code of Ethics of SevenOneSeven Capital Management LTD was previously filed to the Registrant’s Registraton Statement on March 12, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 and is incorporated by reference.

(xiii) Code of Ethics of Penserra Capital Management LLC was previously filed to the Registrant’s Registraton Statement on March 12, 2021 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 and is incorporated by reference.

(xiv) Code of Ethics of Boston Common Asset Management LLC to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(xv) Code of Ethics of EARNEST Partners, LLC to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(xvi) Code of Ethics of GQG Partners LLC to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(q) Powers of Attorney. Power of Attorney for the Trust, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each trustee and executive officer, was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on August 14, 2015 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 and is incorporated by reference.

(i) Power of Attorney for the Trust, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each trustee and executive officer was previously filed as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on April 21, 2020 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 169 and is incorporated by reference.

Item 29. Control Persons. None.

Item 30. Indemnification.

Generally, certain of the agreements with the Trust, or related to the Trust, provide indemnification of the Trust’s Trustees, officers, the underwriter, and certain Trust affiliates. Insurance carried by the Trust provides indemnification of the Trustees and officers. The details of these sources of indemnification and insurance follow.

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

Article VIII, Section 2(b) provides that every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or document whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust, the officers or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in such Person’s capacity as Trustee and/or as officer, and such Trustee or officer, as applicable, shall not be personally liable therefore, except as described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 2 of Article VIII.

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

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

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, NLD agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Trust, its several officers and Board members, and any person who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which the Trust, its officers or Board members, or any such controlling person, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or under common law or otherwise, but only to the extent that such liability or expense incurred by the Trust , its officers or Board members, or such controlling person results from such claims or demands: (i) arising out of or based upon any sales literature, advertisements, information, statements or representations made by NLD and unauthorized by the Trust or any Disqualifying Conduct in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares, or (ii) arising out of or based upon any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of a material fact contained in information furnished in writing by NLD to the Fund specifically for use in the Trust’s Registration Statement and used in the answers to any of the items of the Registration Statement or in the corresponding statements made in the Prospectus, or shall arise out of or be based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact in connection with such information furnished in writing by NLD to the Trust and required to be stated in such answers or necessary to make such information not misleading.

The Registrant maintains a mutual fund directors and officers liability policy. The policy, under certain circumstances, such as the inability of the Trust to indemnify Trustees and officers provides coverage to Trustees and officers. Coverage under the policy would include losses by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or certain breaches of duty.

Generally, each management agreement or investment advisory agreement provides that neither the adviser nor any director, manager, officer or employee of the adviser performing services for the Trust at the direction or request of the adviser in connection with the adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates, and the adviser shall not be responsible for any action of the Trustees of the Trust in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendation of the adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement; PROVIDED, that nothing herein contained shall be construed (i) to protect the adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the adviser's duties, or by reason of the adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) to protect any director, manager, officer or employee of the adviser who is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability of the Trust or its shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person's office with the Trust. Additionally, generally, each sub-advisory agreement provides that the subadviser shall indemnify the adviser, the Trust and each Fund, and their respective affiliates and controlling persons for any liability and expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, which the adviser, the Trust and/or the Fund and their respective affiliates and controlling persons may sustain as a result of the subadviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the federal and state securities laws. Generally, each sub-advisory agreement provides that adviser shall indemnify the subadviser, its affiliates and its controlling persons, for any liability and expenses, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, which may be sustained as a result of the adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder or violation of applicable law, including, without limitation, the federal and state securities laws.

Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement (“Agreement”), the Foreside Fund Services, LLC. has agreed to indemnify, defend, and hold the Registrant, its affiliates, and each of their respective trustees, officers, employees, representatives, and any person who controls or previously controlled the Registrant within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, (collectively, the “Registrant Indemnitees”) free and harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages and expenses (including the costs of investigating or defending any alleged losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages or expenses and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively, “Losses”) that any Registrant Indemnitee may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule or regulation thereunder, or under common law or otherwise arising out of or based upon (i) the Distributor’s breach of any of its obligations, representations, warranties or covenants contained in the Agreement; (ii) the Distributor’s failure to comply with any applicable securities laws or regulations; or (iii) any claim that the Registration Statement, Prospectus, sales literature and advertising materials or other information filed or made public by the Registrant (as from time to time amended) include or included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements not misleading, insofar as such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Registrant by the Underwriter in writing. In no event shall anything contained in the Agreement be so construed as to protect the Registrant against any liability to the Distributor to which the Registrant would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties under the Agreement or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations under the Agreement.

Item 31. Activities of Investment Advisor.

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

Anchor Capital Management Group, Inc., adviser to the Anchor Risk Managed Credit Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Equity Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Municipal Strategies Fund, and Anchor Risk Managed Global Strategies Fund – File No. 801-19624.

Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC, adviser to the Main BuyWrite Fund – File No. 801-106755.

Main Management ETF Advisors, LLC, adviser to the Main Sector Rotation ETF – File No. 801-110799.

Moerus Capital Management LLC, adviser to the Moerus Worldwide Value Fund – File No. 801-107225.

LGM Capital Management, LLC adviser to the LGM Risk Managed Total Return Fund – File No.801-108408.

FormuliaFolio Investments, LLC adviser to FormulaFolios Hedged Growth ETF, FormulaFolios Tactical Income ETF, FormulaFolios Smart Growth ETF and FormulaFolios Tactical Growth ETF – File No. 801-72780.

CWM Advisers, LLC dba Inspire adviser to Inspire Global Hope ETF, Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF, Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF, Inspire 100 ETF, Inspire International ESG ETF, Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF, Inspire Faithward Mid Cap Momentum ESG ETF and Inspire Faithward Large Cap Momentum ESG ETF – File No. 801-108947.

Sterling Capital Management LLC, adviser to Sterling Capital Focus Equity ETF – File No. 801-64257.

USA Mutuals Advisors, Inc., adviser to USA Mutuals Vice und and USA Mutuals All Seasons Fund – File No. 801-63216.

Kingsview Wealth Management LLC, adviser to Monarch Ambassador Income ETF, Monarch Blue Chips Core ETF and Monarch ProCap ETF – File No. 801-79198.

Item 32. Principal Underwriter.

(a) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“NLD”), serves the principal underwriter for the following series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended: Anchor Risk Managed Credit Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Equity Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Municipal Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Global Strategies Fund, FormulaFolios Hedged Growth ETF, FormulaFolios Tactical Income ETF, FormulaFolios Smart Growth ETF, FormulaFolios Tactical Growth ETF, LGM Risk Managed Total Return Fund, Main BuyWrite Fund, Main Sector Rotation ETF, Main Thematic Innovation ETF Monarch Ambassador Income ETF, Monarch Blue Chips Core ETF, Monarch ProCap ETF, Sterling Capital Focus Equity ETF, USA Mutuals Vice Fund and USA Mutuals All Seasons Fund.

NLD also acts as principal underwriter for the following:

Absolute Core Strategy ETF, AdvisorOne Funds, Arrow ETF Trust, DWA Tactical ETF, Arrow QVM Equity Factor ETF, Arrow Reserve Capital Management ETF, Arrow Dogs of the World ETF, Arrow DWA Country Rotation ETF, Arrow ETF Trust, Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF, Boyar Value Fund Inc., Copeland Trust, Humankind Benefit Corporation, Miller Investment Trust, Mutual Fund and Variable Insurance Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, New Age Alpha Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, Northern Lights Variable Trust, , PREDEX, Princeton Private Investment Access Fund, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, Tributary Funds, Inc., Two Roads Shared Trust and Uncommon Investment Funds Trust.

Foreside Financial Services, LLC, serves as principal underwriter for the following series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended: Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF, Inspire Global Hope ETF, Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF, Inspire 100 ETF, Inspire International ESG ETF, Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF, Inspire Faithward Mid Cap Momentum ESG ETF and Inspire Faithward Large Cap Momentum ESG ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV.

Foreside Fund Services, LLC serve as principal underwriter for the following series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended: Moerus Worldwide Value Fund. Foreside Fund Services, LLC, serves as principal underwriter for the following:

1. ABS Long/Short Strategies Fund

2. Absolute Shares Trust

3. Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust

4. AdvisorShares Trust

5. AmericaFirst Quantitative Funds

6. American Century ETF Trust

7. ARK ETF Trust

8. Avenue Mutual Funds Trust

9. BP Capital TwinLine Energy Fund, Series of Professionally Managed Portfolios

10. BP Capital TwinLine MLP Fund, Series of Professionally Managed Portfolios

11. Braddock Multi-Strategy Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust

12. Bridgeway Funds, Inc.

13. Brinker Capital Destinations Trust

14. Calvert Ultra-Short Duration Income NextShares, Series of Calvert Management Series

15. Center Coast MLP & Infrastructure Fund

16. Center Coast MLP Focus Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust

17. Context Capital Funds

18. CornerCap Group of Funds

19. Davis Fundamental ETF Trust

20. Direxion Shares ETF Trust

21. Eaton Vance NextShares Trust

22. Eaton Vance NextShares Trust II

23. EIP Investment Trust

24. Elkhorn ETF Trust

25. EntrepreneurShares Series Trust

26. Evanston Alternative Opportunities Fund

27. Exchange Listed Funds Trust (f/k/a Exchange Traded Concepts Trust II)

28. FEG Absolute Access Fund I LLC

29. Fiera Capital Series Trust

30. FlexShares Trust

31. Forum Funds

32. Forum Funds II

33. FQF Trust

34. Friess Small Cap Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series

35. GraniteShares ETF Trust

36. Guinness Atkinson Funds

37. Horizons ETF Trust I (f/k/a Recon Capital Series Trust)

38. Infinity Core Alternative Fund

39. Innovator IBD^® 50 ETF, Series of Innovator ETFs Trust

40. Innovator IBD^® ETF Leaders ETF, Series of Innovator ETFs Trust

41. Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC

42. Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC

43. John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust

44. Manor Investment Funds

45. Miller/Howard Funds Trust

46. Miller/Howard High Income Equity Fund

47. Moerus Worldwide Value Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

48. MProved Systematic Long-Short Fund, Series Portfolios Trust

49. MProved Systematic Merger Arbitrage Fund, Series Portfolios Trust

50. MProved Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund, Series Portfolios Trust

51. NYSE® Pickens Oil Response™ ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions

52. OSI ETF Trust

53. Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund

54. Partners Group Private Income Opportunities, LLC

55. PENN Capital Funds Trust

56. Performance Trust Mutual Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers

57. Pine Grove Alternative Institutional Fund

58. Plan Investment Fund, Inc.

59. PMC Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers

60. Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions

61. Quaker Investment Trust

62. Ranger Funds Investment Trust

63. Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds

64. RMB Investors Trust (f/k/a Burnham Investors Trust)

65. Robinson Opportunistic Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust

66. Robinson Tax Advantaged Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust

67. Salient MF Trust

68. SharesPost 100 Fund

69. Sound Shore Fund, Inc.

70. Steben Alternative Investment Funds

71. Steben Select Multi-Strategy Fund

72. Strategy Shares

73. The 504 Fund (f/k/a The Pennant 504 Fund)

74. The Chartwell Funds

75. The Community Development Fund

76. The Relative Value Fund

77. Third Avenue Trust

78. Third Avenue Variable Series Trust

79. TIFF Investment Program

80. Transamerica ETF Trust

81. U.S. Global Investors Funds

82. VictoryShares Developed Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

83. VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

84. VictoryShares Emerging Market High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

85. VictoryShares Emerging Market Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

86. VictoryShares International High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

87. VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

88. VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

89. VictoryShares US 500 Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

90. VictoryShares US Discovery Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

91. VictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

92. VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

93. VictoryShares US Multi-Factor Minimum Volatility ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

94. VictoryShares US Small Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

95. VictoryShares US Small Cap Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

96. Vivaldi Opportunities Fund

97. West Loop Realty Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust (f/k/a Chilton Realty Income & Growth Fund)

98. Wintergreen Fund, Inc.

99. WisdomTree Trust

100.

WST Investment Trust

(b) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The principal business address of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is 4221 North 203^rd Street, Suite 100 Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474.

To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the following are the managers and officers of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC:

Name Positions and Offices
with Underwriter Positions and Offices
with the Trust

Kevin Guerette President None

Stephen Preston Chief Compliance Officer, Financial Operations Principal and AML Compliance Officer None

William J. Strait Manager, Secretary and General Counsel None

David James Manager None

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

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

The following are the Officers of the distributor:

Name Address Position with Underwriter Position with the Trust

Richard J. Berthy Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 President, Treasurer and Manager None

Mark A. Fairbanks Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 Vice President None

Jennifer K. DiValerio 899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, PA 19312 Vice President None

Susan K. Moscaritolo 899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, PA 19312 Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer None

Jennifer E. Hoopes Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 Secretary None

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.

All accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 through 31a-3 thereunder are maintained at the office of the Registrant, Adviser, Sub-Adviser, Principal Underwriter, Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant, Administrator and Custodian at the addresses stated in the SAI.

MUFG Union Bank, National Association, 350 California Street, Suite 1700, San Francisco, California 94104 (“Union”), provides custodian services to the Anchor Risk Managed Credit Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Equity Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Municipal Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Global Strategies Fund and the Main BuyWrite Fund.

The Huntington National Bank located at 7 Easton Oval EA4E62, Columbus, OH 43219, provides custodian services to the LGM Risk Managed Total Return Fund.

The Bank of New York Mellon (“BONY”), located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286, provides custodian services to the Moerus Worldwide Value Fund.

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”), located at 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110 provides custodian services to the FormulaFolios Hedged Growth ETF, FormulaFolios Tactical Income ETF, FormulaFolios Smart Growth ETF, FormulaFolios Tactical Growth ETF, Inspire Global Hope ETF, Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF, Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF, Inspire 100 ETF, Inspire International ESG ETF, Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF, Inspire Faithward Mid Cap Momentum ESG ETF and Inspire Faithward Large Cap Momentum ESG ETF, Sterling Capital Focus Equity ETF, Monarch Ambassador Income ETF, Monarch Blue Chips Core ETF, Monarch ProCap ETF, Main Sector Rotation ETF, Main Thematic Innovation ETF and the Main BuyWrite Fund.

NLD, located at 4221 North 203^rd Street, Suite 100 Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474, serves as principal underwriter for Anchor Risk Managed Credit Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Equity Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Municipal Strategies Fund, Anchor Risk Managed Global Strategies Fund, FormulaFolios Hedged Growth ETF, FormulaFolios Tactical Income ETF, FormulaFolios Smart Growth ETF, FormulaFolios Tactical Growth ETF, LGM Risk Managed Total Return Fund, Main BuyWrite Fund, Main Sector Rotation ETF, Main Thematic Innovation ETF Monarch Ambassador Income ETF, Monarch Blue Chips Core ETF, Monarch ProCap ETF, Sterling Capital Focus Equity ETF, USA Mutuals Vice Fund and USA Mutuals All Seasons Fund. NLD maintains all records required to be maintained pursuant to each Fund’s Distribution Plan and Agreement adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

Foreside Fund Services, LLC, located at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101, serves as principal underwriter for the Moerus Worldwide Value Fund and maintains all records required to be maintained pursuant to the Fund’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan and Agreements adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

Foreside Financial Services, LLC, located at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101, serves as principal underwriter for the Inspire Global Hope ETF, Inspire Small/Mid Cap Impact ETF, Inspire Corporate Bond Impact ETF, Inspire 100 ETF, Inspire International ESG ETF, Inspire Tactical Balanced ESG ETF, Inspire Faithward Mid Cap Momentum ESG ETF and Inspire Faithward Large Cap Momentum ESG ETF and maintains all records required to be maintained pursuant to the Fund’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan and Agreements adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

Item 34. Management Services. Not applicable.

Item 35. Undertakings. Not Applicable.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Fund has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Hauppauge, State of New York, on the 1^st day of September, 2021.

Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

By: /s/ Wendy Wang

           Wendy Wang, President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following person in the capacities indicated on September 1, 2021.

Name Title

Joseph Breslin* Trustee

Thomas Sarkany* Trustee

Charles Ranson* Trustee

Wendy Wang* President and Principal Executive Officer

Sam Singh* Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

*By: /s/ Wendy Wang

Wendy Wang

Attorney-in-Fact



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit: Exhibit No.

Reasons we can share your personal information:	Does Northern Lights Fund Trust IV share information?	Can you limit this sharing?
For our everyday business purposes - such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus.	YES	NO
For our marketing purposes - to offer our products and services to you.	NO	We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies.	NO	We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your transactions and records.	NO	We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your credit worthiness.	NO	We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you	NO	We don’t share

THE FUND	1
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS	1
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS	10
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS	11
MANAGEMENT	12
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS	16
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISERS	17
THE DISTRIBUTOR	19
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS	20
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE	23
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER	23
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS	23
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES	25
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM	25
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES	25
TAX STATUS	32
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM	35
LEGAL COUNSEL	35
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	35
APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES	A-1

	1.	Issue senior securities, except as otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, which allow a borrowing from a bank where the Fund maintains an asset coverage ratio of at least 300% while the borrowing is outstanding;
	2.	Borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions;

Name and Year of Birth	Position/Term of Office^*	Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years	Number of Funds in Fund Complex^ Overseen by Trustee**	Other Directorships held by Trustee During the Past Five Years
Wendy Wang Year of Birth: 1970	President since 2015	Senior Vice President, Director of Tax and Compliance Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012).	N/A	N/A
Sam Singh Year of Birth: 1976	Treasurer since 2015	Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2015); Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2011-2014).	N/A	N/A
Jennifer Farrell Year of Birth: 1969	Secretary since 2017	Manager, Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2018); Senior Paralegal, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2015); Legal Trainer, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2013-2015); Senior Paralegal, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2006-2012).	N/A	N/A
James Ash Year of Birth: 1976	Chief Compliance Officer since 2019	Senior Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Compliance, LLC (since 2019); Senior Vice President, National Sales Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2017-2019); Senior Vice President and Director of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012 - 2017).	N/A	N/A

Name and Position	Estimated Compensation From Sterling Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF	Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Funds Expenses	Annual Benefits Upon Retirement	*Estimated Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees**
Joseph Breslin		$0	$0
Thomas Sarkany		$0	$0
Charles Ranson		$0	$0

Total Other Accounts By Type	Total Number of Accounts by Account Type	Total Assets By Account Type (in millions)	Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee	Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee (in millions)
Registered Investment Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts

Name of Portfolio Manager	Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Sterling Diversity Equity & Inclusion Active ETF
Praveen Abichandani
Geeta Aiyer
James Anders
Corné Biemans
Brandon W. Carl
Mary Weeks Fountain
Rajiv Jain
Jeremy M. Lopez
Paul Viera

	●	the best net price available;

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

Fee for In-Kind and Cash Purchases	Maximum Additional Variable Charge for Cash Purchases*
$250	2.00%

●	Adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that Sterling votes proxies in the best interests of its clients.
●	Ensure that the written policies and procedures address material conflicts that may arise between the interests of Sterling and its clients;

Name	Positions and Offices with Underwriter	Positions and Offices with the Trust
Kevin Guerette	President	None
Stephen Preston	Chief Compliance Officer, Financial Operations Principal and AML Compliance Officer	None
William J. Strait	Manager, Secretary and General Counsel	None
David James	Manager	None

Name	Address	Position with Underwriter	Position with the Trust
Richard J. Berthy	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101	President, Treasurer and Manager	None
Mark A. Fairbanks	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101	Vice President	None
Jennifer K. DiValerio	899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, PA 19312	Vice President	None
Susan K. Moscaritolo	899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, PA 19312	Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer	None
Jennifer E. Hoopes	Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101	Secretary	None

	Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

	By:	/s/ Wendy Wang
		Wendy Wang, President

Name	Title
Joseph Breslin*	Trustee
Thomas Sarkany*	Trustee
Charles Ranson*	Trustee
Wendy Wang*	President and Principal Executive Officer
Sam Singh*	Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer