0001623632-21-000960.txt : 20220214 0001623632-21-000960.hdr.sgml : 20220214 20210819160522 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001623632-21-000960 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: N-1A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 14 FILED AS OF DATE: 20210819 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20211214 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Federated Hermes ETF Trust CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001849998 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: N-1A SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-23730 FILM NUMBER: 211190142 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4000 ERICCSON DRIVE CITY: WARRENDALE STATE: PA ZIP: 15086 BUSINESS PHONE: 412-288-1900 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4000 ERICCSON DRIVE CITY: WARRENDALE STATE: PA ZIP: 15086 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Federated Hermes ETF Trust CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001849998 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: N-1A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-258934 FILM NUMBER: 211190141 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4000 ERICCSON DRIVE CITY: WARRENDALE STATE: PA ZIP: 15086 BUSINESS PHONE: 412-288-1900 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4000 ERICCSON DRIVE CITY: WARRENDALE STATE: PA ZIP: 15086

0001849998

S000074173 Federated Hermes Short Duration Corporate ETF

C000231758 Federated Hermes Short-Term Corporate ETF

S000074174 Federated Hermes Short Duration High Yield ETF

C000231759 Federated Hermes Short-Term High Yield ETF

N-1A 1 form.htm

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 19, 2021

1933 Act File No.

1940 Act File No. 811-23730

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

Form N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Pre-Effective Amendment No.

Post-Effective Amendment No. __

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

Amendment No. __

Federated Hermes ETF Trust

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive

Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(412) 288-1900

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

Peter J. Germain, Esquire
1001 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

As soon as possible after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 24f-2 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant hereby elects to register an indefinite number of shares.

Amendment Pursuant to Rule 473

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

Prospectus

[______, 2021]

Ticker | [TBD]

NYSE | [TBD]

Federated Hermes Short-Term Corporate ETF

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes ETF Trust

A fund seeking to provide current income by investing in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade, fixed-income securities.

As with all funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Not FDIC Insured ▪ May Lose Value ▪ No Bank Guarantee

CONTENTS

Fund Summary Information	1
What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?	4
What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?	6
What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?	10
What Do Shares Cost?	16
How Do You Buy and Sell Shares?	17
Payments to Financial Intermediaries	19
Account and Share Information	20
Who Manages the Fund?	21
Financial Information	24
Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information	25

Fund Summary Information

Federated Hermes Short-Term Corporate ETF (the “Fund”)

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek current income.

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell the Fund’s Shares (Shares). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fee	0.39%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee1	0.00%
Other Expenses	0.00%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.39%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2	(0.10)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	0.29%
1 The Fund has adopted a Distribution (12b-1) Plan pursuant to which the Fund may incur and pay a Distribution (12b-1) Fee of up to a maximum of 0.25%. No such fee is currently incurred and paid by the Fund. The Fund will not incur and pay such a Distribution (12b-1) Fee until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”).
2 The Adviser and certain of its affiliates on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses paid by the Fund, if any) paid by the Fund (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 0.29% (the “Fee Limit”) up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) December 1, 2022; or (b) the date of the Fund’s next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Fund’s Trustees.

Example

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

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold 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 operating expenses (excluding any sales loads on reinvested dividends, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements)are as shown in the table above and remain the same. The expenses used to calculate the Fund’s examples do not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Federated Hermes Short-Term Corporate ETF	1 Year	3 Years
	$40	$125

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example above, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund is a new fund, has not yet completed its first fiscal year of operation and has no portfolio turnover yet to report.

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENTS, RISKS and PERFORMANCE

What are the Fund’s Main Investment Strategies?

The Fund primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade, fixed-income securities consisting primarily of corporate debt securities. Corporate debt securities, including notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper, are fixed income securities usually issued by businesses to finance their operations. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”) seeks to enhance the Fund’s performance by allocating relatively more of its portfolio to the security type that the Adviser

expects to offer the best balance between current income and risk. Some of the corporate debt securities in which the Fund invests are considered to be “foreign securities,” which are securities of issuers based outside of the United States. The foreign securities in which the Fund invests will be predominately denominated in U.S. dollars. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in fixed-income securities rated below investment grade. Noninvestment-grade securities may also be referred to as below investment-grade securities (“junk bonds” or high yield securities”).

The Fund may also invest in U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency securities, (including mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities), mortgage-backed securities (MBS), asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS).

The Fund may invest in derivative contracts to implement its investment strategies. For example, the Fund may use derivative contracts or hybrid instruments to increase or decrease the portfolio’s exposure to the investment(s) underlying the derivative or hybrid in an attempt to benefit from changes in the value of the underlying investment(s). There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of derivative contracts or hybrid instruments will work as intended. Derivative investments made by the Fund are included within the Fund’s 80% policy (as described below) and are calculated at market value. Consistent with the Fund’s benchmark, the Fund may, from time to time, have larger allocations to certain broad market sectors in attempting to achieve its investment objective.

The Adviser may lengthen or shorten duration from time to time based on its interest rate outlook, but, under normal market conditions, the Fund’s dollar-weighted average effective duration is expected to be within a range of 1.5 to 3.5 years. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates.

The Fund will invest its assets so that at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in corporate fixed-income investments. The Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in its investment policy that would enable the Fund to invest, under normal circumstances, less than 80% of its net assets in corporate fixed-income investments.

What are the Main Risks of Investing in the Fund?

All funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund’s returns include:

■ Interest Rate Risk. Prices of fixed-income securities generally fall when interest rates rise. The longer the duration of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest rate risk. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates.

■ Issuer Credit Risk. It is possible that interest or principal on securities will not be paid when due. Such non-payment or default may reduce the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, its share price and its performance.

■ Counterparty Credit Risk. Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose money or to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.

■ Liquidity Risk. The fixed-income securities in which the Fund invests may be less readily marketable and may be subject to greater fluctuation in price than other securities. Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out a derivative contract when it wants to. If this happens, the Fund could incur losses.

■ Risk of Foreign Investing. Because the Fund invests in securities issued by foreign companies and national governments, the Fund’s Share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than would otherwise be the case.

■ Call Risk. The Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by the possibility that an issuer of a security held by the Fund may redeem the security prior to maturity at a price below its current market value.

■ Risk Associated with Noninvestment-Grade Securities. Securities rated below investment grade may be subject to greater interest rate, credit and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities. These securities are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal.

■ New Fund Risk. A new fund’s performance may not represent how the fund is expected to or may perform in the long term. In addition, new funds have limited operating histories for investors to evaluate and new funds may not attract sufficient assets to achieve investment and trading efficiencies. If a new fund were to fail to successfully implement its investment strategies or achieve its investment objective, performance may be negatively impacted, and any resulting liquidation could create negative transaction costs for the fund and tax consequences for investors.

■ ETF Risk. As an ETF, the Fund is subject to the following risks:

Authorized Participants Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Authorized Participants. To the extent they cannot or are otherwise unwilling to engage in creation and redemption transactions with the Fund and no other Authorized Participant steps in, Shares of the Fund may trade like closed-end fund shares at a significant discount to net asset value (“NAV”) and may face delisting from the Exchange.

Premium/Discount Risk. There may be times when the market price of the Fund’s Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (at a premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (at a discount). As a result, shareholders of the Fund may pay more than NAV when purchasing Shares and receive less than NAV when selling Fund Shares. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines. In such market conditions, market or stop loss orders to sell Fund Shares may be executed at prices well below NAV.

Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will normally pay brokerage commissions, which are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors buying or selling relatively small amounts of Shares. Secondary market trading is subject to bid-ask spreads and trading in Fund Shares may be halted by the Exchange because of market conditions or other reasons. If a trading halt occurs, a shareholder may temporarily be unable to purchase or sell Shares of the Fund. In addition, although the Fund’s Shares are listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for Shares will develop or be maintained or that the Fund’s Shares will continue to be listed.

Cash Transactions Risk. Like other ETFs, the Fund sells and redeems its Shares only in large blocks called Creation Units and only to Authorized Participants. Unlike most other ETFs, however, the Fund expects to effect its creations and redemptions at least partially or fully for cash, rather than in-kind securities.

■ Leverage Risk. Leverage risk is created when an investment exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested. Changes in the value of such an investment magnify the Fund’s risk of loss and potential for gain.

■ Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments. Derivative contracts and hybrid instruments involve risks different from, or possibly greater than, risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Specific risk issues related to the use of such contracts and instruments include valuation and tax issues, increased potential for losses and/or costs to the Fund, and a potential reduction in gains to the Fund. Each of these issues is described in greater detail in this Prospectus. Derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described in this Prospectus, such as interest rate, credit, liquidity and leverage risks.

■ Risk Related to the Economy. The value of the Fund’s portfolio may decline in tandem with a drop in the overall value of the markets in which the Fund invests and/or other markets. Economic, political and financial conditions, industry or economic trends and developments or public health risks, such as epidemics or pandemics, may, from time to time, and for varying periods of time, cause the Fund to experience volatility, illiquidity, shareholder redemptions, or other potentially adverse effects.

■ Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS) Risk. A rise in interest rates may cause the value of MBS held by the Fund to decline. Certain MBS issued by GSEs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. A non-agency MBS is subject to the risk that the value of such security will decline, because the security is not issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. government or a GSE. The Fund’s investments in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) may entail greater market, prepayment and liquidity risks than other MBS.

■ Prepayment and Extension Risk. When homeowners prepay their mortgages in response to lower interest rates, the Fund will be required to reinvest the proceeds at the lower interest rates available. Also, when interest rates fall, the price of mortgage-backed securities may not rise to as great an extent as that of other fixed-income securities. When interest rates rise, homeowners are less likely to prepay their mortgages. A decreased rate of prepayments lengthens the expected maturity of a mortgage-backed security, and the price of mortgage-backed securities may decrease more than the price of other fixed-income securities.

■ Sector Risk. Because the Fund may allocate relatively more assets to certain industry sectors than others, the Fund’s performance may be more susceptible to any developments which affect those sectors emphasized by the Fund.

■ Technology Risk. The Adviser uses various technologies in managing the Fund, consistent with its investment objective(s) and strategy described in this Prospectus. For example, proprietary and third-party data and systems are utilized to support decision making for the Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect Fund performance.

The Shares offered by this Prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

Performance: Bar Chart and Table

A performance bar chart and total return information for the Fund will be provided after the Fund has been in operation for a full calendar year. Updated performance information for the Fund is available under the “Products” section at FederatedInvestors.com or by calling 1-800-341-7400.

FUND MANAGEMENT

The Fund’s Investment Adviser is Federated Investment Management Company.

John Gentry, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in [DATE] 2021.

Robert Matthews, CFA, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in [DATE] 2021.

purchase and sale of fund shares

The Fund is an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”). Individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer and may not be purchased or redeemed directly with the Fund. The price of Fund Shares is based on market price, and because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than net asset value (“NAV”), Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount). An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of a Fund (“bid”) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (“ask”) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Recent information, including information about the Fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is included on the Fund’s website at FederatedInvestors.com.

Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are taxable as ordinary income or capital gains except when your investment is through a 401(k) plan, an Individual Retirement Account or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

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

What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?

The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), and the Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on NYSE Arca. The market price for a Share of the Fund may be different from the Fund‘s most recent net asset value (“NAV”). ETFs are funds that trade like other publicly traded securities. Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be bought and redeemed from the issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based on NAV, Shares of the Fund may be purchased or redeemed directly from the Fund at NAV solely by Authorized Participants. Also, unlike shares of a mutual fund, Shares of the Fund are listed on a national securities exchange and trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day.

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek current income. The investment objective may be changed by the Fund’s Board without shareholder approval. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the principal strategies and policies described in this Prospectus. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides information about the Fund’s non-principal strategies.

The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”) actively manages the Fund’s portfolio seeking current income in accordance with the Fund’s investment policy parameters for limiting credit risk and Share price volatility attributable to interest rate risk. With respect to the limits on credit risk, the fixed-income securities in which the Fund invests consist primarily of investment-grade, fixed-income securities, consisting primarily of corporate debt securities. Corporate debt securities, including notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper, are fixed-income securities usually issued by businesses to finance their operations.

Investment-grade securities are rated in one of the four highest categories BBB or higher by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO), or if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser. Consistent with the Fund’s benchmark, the Fund may, from time to time, have larger allocations to certain broad market sectors in attempting to achieve its investment objective. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in fixed-income securities rated below investment grade. Noninvestment-grade securities may also be referred to as below investment-grade securities. A description of the various types of securities in which the Fund invests, and their risks, immediately follows this strategy section.

The Fund’s Share price volatility attributable to interest rate risk is managed by maintaining, under normal market conditions, a dollar-weighted average portfolio duration to 3.5 years or less.

Within the 3.5 year or less portfolio duration range, the Adviser may seek to change the Fund’s interest rate volatility exposure, by lengthening or shortening duration from time to time based on its interest rate outlook. If the Adviser expects interest rates to decline, it will generally lengthen the Fund’s duration. If the Adviser expects interest rates to increase, it will generally shorten the Fund’s duration. The Adviser formulates its interest rate outlook and otherwise attempts to anticipate changes in economic and market conditions by analyzing a variety of factors, such as:

■ current and expected U.S. growth;

■ current and expected interest rates and inflation;

■ the Federal Reserve Board’s monetary policy; and

■ changes in the supply of or demand for U.S. government securities.

In addition to managing the Fund’s portfolio duration, the Adviser may seek to enhance the Fund’s total return, of which current income is a component, by selecting securities, within the Fund’s credit-quality range, that the Adviser expects will offer the best relative value. In other words, in selecting securities, the Adviser assesses whether the Fund will be adequately compensated for assuming the risks (such as credit risk) of a particular security by comparing the security to other securities without those risks. The Adviser continually analyzes a variety of economic and market indicators in order to arrive at the projected yield “spread” of each security type. (The spread is the difference between the yield of a security versus the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a comparable average life.) The security’s projected spread is weighed against the security’s credit risk (in the case of corporate securities) and its risk of prepayment (in the case of mortgage-backed securities) in order to complete the analysis.

Corporate debt securities generally offer higher yields than U.S. government securities to compensate for credit risk. Similarly, asset and mortgage-backed securities generally offer higher yields versus U.S. Treasury securities and non-mortgage-backed agency securities, to compensate for prepayment risk. The Adviser invests the Fund’s portfolio seeking the higher relative returns of corporate debt securities and asset and mortgage-backed securities, when available, while maintaining appropriate portfolio diversification and attempting to limit the associated credit or prepayment risks.

The Adviser attempts to manage the Fund’s credit risk by selecting corporate debt securities that make default in the payment of principal and interest less likely. The Adviser uses corporate earnings analysis to determine which business sectors and credit ratings are most advantageous for investment by the Fund. In selecting individual corporate fixed-income securities, the Adviser analyzes a company’s business, competitive position and financial condition to assess whether the security’s credit risk is commensurate with its potential return. Some of the corporate debt securities in which the Fund invests are considered to be “foreign securities,” as that term is defined in this Prospectus. Foreign securities are securities of issuers based outside the United States. The Fund considers an issuer to be based outside the United States if it is organized under the laws of, or has its principal office located in another country, the principal trading market for its securities is in another country, or it (directly or through its consolidated subsidiaries) derived in its most current fiscal year at least 50% of its total assets, capitalization, gross revenue or profit from goods produced, services performed or sales made in another country. A corporate debt security will be treated as a “foreign security” if the issuer derived in its most current fiscal year at least 50% of its total assets, capitalization, gross revenue or profit from goods produced, services performed or sales made in another country. The foreign securities in which the Fund invests will be predominately denominated in the U.S. dollar.

The Adviser attempts to manage the Fund’s prepayment risk by selecting mortgage-backed securities with characteristics that make prepayment less likely. Characteristics that the Adviser may consider in selecting securities include the average interest rates of the underlying mortgages and the federal agencies (if any) that securitize the mortgages. The Adviser attempts to assess the relative returns and risks for mortgage-backed securities by analyzing how the timing, amount and division of cash flows might change in response to changing economic and market conditions.

There is no assurance that the Adviser’s efforts to forecast market interest rates and assess the impact of market interest rates in particular will be successful.

The Fund may use derivative contracts and/or hybrid instruments to implement elements of its investment strategy. For example, the Fund may use derivative contracts or hybrid instruments to increase or decrease the portfolio’s exposure to the investment(s) underlying the derivative or hybrid in an attempt to benefit from changes in the value of the underlying investment(s). Additionally, by way of example, the Fund may use derivative contracts in an attempt to:

■ increase or decrease the effective duration of the Fund portfolio;

■ obtain premiums from the sale of derivative contracts;

■ realize gains from trading a derivative contract; or

■ hedge against potential losses.

There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of derivative contracts or hybrid instruments will work as intended. Derivative investments made by the Fund are included within the Fund’s 80% policy (as described below) and are calculated at market value.

Although the Fund may invest in securities of any maturity and the value of the Fund’s Shares will fluctuate, the Adviser will seek to manage the magnitude of fluctuation by limiting, under normal market conditions, the Fund’s dollar-weighted average duration to 3.5 years or less. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates.

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS

The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations or holding cash. It may do this in response to unusual circumstances, such as: adverse market, economic or other conditions (for example, to help avoid potential losses, or during periods when there is a shortage of appropriate securities); to maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions; or to accommodate cash inflows. It is possible that such investments could affect the Fund’s investment returns and/or the ability to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives.

What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?

The following provides general information on the Fund’s principal investments. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides information about the Fund’s non-principal investments and may provide additional information about the Fund’s principal investments.

Fixed-Income Securities

Fixed-income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or may be adjusted periodically. In addition, the issuer of a fixed-income security must repay the principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time. Fixed-income securities provide more regular income than equity securities. However, the returns on fixed-income securities are limited and normally do not increase with the issuer’s earnings. This limits the potential appreciation of fixed-income securities as compared to equity securities.

A security’s yield measures the annual income earned on a security as a percentage of its price. A security’s yield will increase or decrease depending upon whether it costs less (a “discount”) or more (a “premium”) than the principal amount. If the issuer may redeem the security before its scheduled maturity, the price and yield on a discount or premium security may change based upon the probability of an early redemption. Securities with higher risks generally have higher yields.

The following describes the fixed-income securities in which the Fund principally invests:

Corporate Debt Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most prevalent types of corporate debt securities. The Fund may also purchase interests in bank loans to companies. The credit risks of corporate debt securities vary widely among issuers.

In addition, the credit risk of an issuer’s debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher ranking (“senior”) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking (“subordinated”) securities. This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of subordinated securities. Some subordinated securities, such as trust-preferred and capital-securities notes, also permit the issuer to defer payments under certain circumstances. For example, insurance companies issue securities known as surplus notes that permit the insurance company to defer any payment that would reduce its capital below regulatory requirements.

Treasury Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Treasury securities are direct obligations of the federal government of the United States. Treasury securities are generally regarded as having minimal credit risks.

Government Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Government securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality acting under federal authority. Some government securities, including those issued by Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States and are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal.

Other government securities receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. For example, the U.S. Treasury is authorized to purchase specified amounts of securities issued by (or otherwise make funds available to) the Federal Home Loan Bank System, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) in support of such obligations.

Some government agency securities have no explicit financial support and are supported only by the credit of the applicable agency, instrumentality or corporation. The U.S. government has provided financial support to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, but there is no assurance that it will support these or other agencies in the future.

The Fund treats mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality as government securities. Although such a guarantee protects against credit risk, it does not eliminate it entirely or reduce other risks.

Asset-Backed Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Asset-backed securities are payable from pools of obligations other than mortgages. Most asset-backed securities involve consumer or commercial debts with maturities of less than 10 years. However, almost any type of fixed-income assets (including other fixed-income securities) may be used to create an asset-backed security. Asset-backed securities may take the form of commercial paper, notes or pass-through certificates. Asset-backed securities have prepayment risks. Like CMOs, asset-backed securities may be structured like Floaters, Inverse Floaters, IOs and POs.

Mortgage-Backed Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

A mortgage-backed security (MBS) is a type of pass-through security, which is a pooled debt obligation repackaged as interests that pass principal and interest through an intermediary to investors. In the case of MBS, the ownership interests are issued by a trust and represent participation interests in pools of adjustable and fixed-rate mortgage loans. MBS are most commonly issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government (or one of its agencies or instrumentalities). Unlike conventional debt obligations, MBS provide monthly payments derived from the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans. Most MBS make these payments monthly; however, certain MBS are backed by mortgage loans which do not generate monthly payments but rather generate payments less frequently.

The MBS acquired by the Fund could be secured by fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages or hybrid adjustable rate mortgages. Adjustable rate mortgages are mortgages whose interest rates are periodically reset when market rates change. A hybrid adjustable rate mortgage (“hybrid ARM”) is a type of mortgage in which the interest rate is fixed for a specified period and then resets periodically, or floats, for the remaining mortgage term. Hybrid ARMs are usually referred to by their fixed and floating periods. For example, a “5/1 ARM” refers to a mortgage with a five-year, fixed-interest rate period, followed by 25 annual interest rate adjustment periods.

Investments in MBS expose the Fund to interest rate, prepayment and credit risks.

Government Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS) (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

A government MBS is a type of pass-through security, which is a pooled debt obligation repackaged as interests that pass principal and interest through an intermediary to investors. In the case of government MBS, the ownership interest is issued by a trust and represents participation interests in pools of adjustable and fixed-rate mortgage loans. Government MBS are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government (or one of its agencies or instrumentalities). Unlike conventional debt obligations, MBS provide monthly payments derived from the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans. Most government MBS make these payments monthly; however, certain MBS are backed by mortgage loans which do not generate monthly payments but rather generate payments less frequently.

Investments in government MBS expose the Fund to interest rate, prepayment and credit risks.

Foreign Securities

Foreign securities are securities of issuers based outside the United States. To the extent a Fund invests in securities included in its applicable broad-based securities market index, the Fund may consider an issuer to be based outside the United States if the applicable index classifies the issuer as based outside the United States. Accordingly, the Fund may consider an issuer to be based outside the United States if the issuer satisfies at least one, but not necessarily all, of the following:

■ it is organized under the laws of, or has its principal office located in, another country;

■ the principal trading market for its securities is in another country;

■ it (directly or through its consolidated subsidiaries) derived in its most current fiscal year at least 50% of its total assets, capitalization, gross revenue or profit from goods produced, services performed or sales made in another country; or

■ it is classified by an applicable index as based outside the United States.

The foreign securities in which the Fund invests will be predominately denominated in the U.S. dollar. Along with the risks normally associated with domestic securities of the same type, foreign securities are subject to currency risks and risks of foreign investing.

Lower-Rated, Fixed-Income Securities

Lower-rated, fixed-income securities are securities rated below investment grade (i.e., BB or lower) by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO). There is no minimal acceptable rating for a security to be purchased or held by the Fund and the Fund may purchase or hold unrated securities and securities whose issuers are in default.

Derivative Contracts

Derivative contracts are financial instruments that require payments based upon changes in the values of designated securities, commodities, currencies, indices, or other assets or instruments including other derivative contracts, (each a “Reference Instrument” and collectively, “Reference Instruments”). Each party to a derivative contract may sometimes be referred to as a counterparty. Some derivative contracts require payments relating to an actual, future trade involving the Reference Instrument. These types of derivatives are frequently referred to as “physically settled” derivatives. Other derivative contracts require payments relating to the income or returns from, or changes in the market value of, a Reference Instrument. These types of derivatives are known as “cash-settled” derivatives, since they require cash payments in lieu of delivery of the Reference Instrument.

Many derivative contracts are traded on securities or commodities exchanges. In this case, the exchange sets all the terms of the contract except for the price. Investors make payments due under their contracts through the exchange. Most exchanges require investors to maintain margin accounts through their brokers to cover their potential obligations to the exchange. Parties to the contract make (or collect) daily payments to the margin accounts to reflect losses (or gains) in the value of their contracts. This protects investors against potential defaults by the other party to the contract. Trading contracts on an exchange also allows investors to close out their contracts by entering into offsetting contracts.

The Fund may also trade derivative contracts over-the-counter (OTC) in transactions negotiated directly between the Fund and a financial institution. OTC contracts do not necessarily have standard terms, so they may be less liquid and more difficult to close out than exchange-traded contracts. In addition, OTC contracts with more specialized terms may be more difficult to value than exchange-traded contracts, especially in times of financial stress.

The market for swaps and other OTC derivatives was largely unregulated prior to the enactment of federal legislation known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). Regulations enacted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) under the Dodd-Frank Act require the Fund to clear certain swap contracts through a clearing house or central counterparty (a “CCP”).

To clear a swap through the CCP, the Fund will submit the contract to, and post margin with, a futures commission merchant (FCM) that is a clearing house member. The Fund may enter into the swap with a financial institution other than the FCM and arrange for the contract to be transferred to the FCM for clearing, or enter into the contract with the FCM itself. If the Fund must centrally clear a transaction, the CFTC’s regulations also generally require that the swap be executed on a registered exchange or through a market facility that is known as a swap execution facility or SEF. Central clearing is presently required only for certain swaps; the CFTC is expected to impose a mandatory central clearing requirement for additional derivative instruments over time.

The CCP, SEF and FCM are all subject to regulatory oversight by the CFTC. In addition, most derivative market participants are now regulated as swap dealers or major swap participants and are subject to certain minimum capital and margin requirements and business conduct standards. Similar regulatory requirements are expected to apply to derivative contracts that are subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, although the SEC has not yet finalized its regulations. In addition, uncleared OTC swaps will be subject to regulatory collateral requirements that could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swaps in the OTC market. These developments could cause the Fund to terminate new or existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such instruments at an inopportune time.

Until the mandated rulemaking and regulations are implemented completely, it will not be possible to determine the complete impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations on the Fund.

Depending on how the Fund uses derivative contracts and the relationships between the market value of a derivative contract and the Reference Instrument, derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to the risks of the Reference Instrument, and may also expose the Fund to liquidity and leverage risks. OTC contracts also expose the Fund to credit risks in the event that a counterparty defaults on the contract, although this risk may be mitigated by submitting the contract for clearing through a CCP.

Payment obligations arising in connection with derivative contracts are frequently required to be secured with margin (which is commonly called “collateral”).

The Fund may invest in a derivative contract if it is permitted to own, invest in, or otherwise have economic exposure to the Reference Instrument. The Fund is not required to own a Reference Instrument in order to buy or sell a derivative contract relating to that Reference Instrument. The Fund may trade in the following specific types and/or combinations of derivative contracts:

Futures Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a Reference Instrument at a specified price, date and time. Entering into a contract to buy a Reference Instrument is commonly referred to as buying a contract or holding a long position in the asset. Entering into a contract to sell a Reference Instrument is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position in the Reference Instrument. Futures contracts are considered to be commodity contracts. The Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act with respect to the Fund and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation with respect to the Fund. Futures contracts traded OTC are frequently referred to as forward contracts. The Fund can buy or sell financial futures (such as interest rate futures, index futures and security futures), as well as, currency futures and currency forward contracts.

Option Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Option contracts (also called “options”) are rights to buy or sell a Reference Instrument for a specified price (the “exercise price”) during, or at the end of, a specified period. The seller (or “writer”) of the option receives a payment, or premium, from the buyer, which the writer keeps regardless of whether the buyer uses (or exercises) the option. A call option gives the holder (buyer) the right to buy the Reference Instrument from the seller (writer) of the option. A put option gives the holder the right to sell the Reference Instrument to the writer of the option. Options may be bought or sold on a wide variety of Reference Instruments. Options that are written on futures contracts will be subject to margin requirements similar to those applied to futures contracts.

Swap Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

A swap contract (also known as a “swap”) is a type of derivative contract in which two parties agree to pay each other (swap) the returns derived from Reference Instruments. Swaps do not always involve the delivery of the Reference Instruments by either party, and the parties might not own the Reference Instruments underlying the swap. The payments are usually made on a net basis so that, on any given day, the Fund would receive (or pay) only the amount by which its payment under the contract is less than (or exceeds) the amount of the other party’s payment. Swap agreements are sophisticated instruments that can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. Common types of swaps in which the Fund may invest include interest rate swaps, caps and floors, total return swaps, credit default swaps and currency swaps.

OTHER INVESTMENTS, TRANSACTIONS, TECHNIQUES

Hybrid Instruments

Hybrid instruments combine elements of two different kinds of securities or financial instruments (such as a derivative contract). Frequently, the value of a hybrid instrument is determined by reference to changes in the value of a Reference Instrument (that is a designated security, commodity, currency, index or other asset or instrument including a derivative contract). The Fund may use hybrid instruments only in connection with permissible investment activities. Hybrid instruments can take on many forms including, but not limited to, the following forms. First, a common form of a hybrid instrument combines elements of a derivative contract with those of another security (typically a fixed-income security). In this case all or a portion of the interest or principal payable on a hybrid security is determined by reference to changes in the price of a Reference Instrument. Second, hybrid instruments may include convertible securities with conversion terms related to a Reference Instrument.

Depending on the type and terms of the hybrid instrument, its risks may reflect a combination of the risks of investing in the Reference Instrument with the risks of investing in other securities, currencies and derivative contracts. Thus, an investment in a hybrid instrument may entail significant risks in addition to those associated with traditional investments or the Reference Instrument. Hybrid instruments are also potentially more volatile than traditional securities or the Reference Instrument. Moreover, depending on the structure of the particular hybrid, it may expose the Fund to leverage risks or carry liquidity risks.

Asset Segregation

In order to cover its obligations in connection with derivative contracts or special transactions, the Fund will either own the underlying assets, enter into offsetting transactions or set aside cash or readily marketable securities in each case, as provided by the SEC or SEC staff guidance. This requirement may cause the Fund to miss favorable trading opportunities, due to a lack of sufficient cash or readily marketable securities. This requirement may also cause the Fund to realize losses on offsetting or terminated derivative contracts or special transactions.

Securities Lending

The Fund may lend portfolio securities to borrowers that the Adviser deems creditworthy. In return, the Fund receives cash or liquid securities from the borrower as collateral. The borrower must furnish additional collateral if the market value of the loaned securities increases. Also, the borrower must pay the Fund the equivalent of any dividends or interest received on the loaned securities.

The Fund will reinvest cash collateral in securities that qualify as an acceptable investment for the Fund. However, the Fund must pay interest to the borrower for the use of cash collateral. An acceptable investment into which the Fund may reinvest cash collateral includes, among other acceptable investments, securities of affiliated money market funds (including affiliated institutional prime money market funds with a “floating” net asset value that can impose redemption fees and liquidity gates, impose certain operational impediments to investing cash collateral, and, if net asset value decreases, result in the Fund having to cover the decrease in the value of the cash collateral).

Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower. The Fund will not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, the Fund will attempt to terminate a loan in an effort to reacquire the securities in time to vote on matters that are deemed to be material by the Adviser. There can be no assurance that the Fund will have sufficient notice of such matters to be able to terminate the loan in time to vote thereon. The Fund may pay administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the interest earned on the cash collateral to a securities lending agent or broker. Securities lending activities are subject to interest rate risks and credit risks.

Investment Ratings for Investment-Grade Securities

The Adviser will determine whether a security is investment grade based upon the credit ratings given by one or more NRSROs. For example, Standard & Poor’s, an NRSRO, assigns ratings to investment-grade securities (AAA, AA, A and BBB including modifiers, sub-categories and gradations) based on their assessment of the likelihood of the issuer’s inability to pay interest or principal (default) when due on each security. Lower credit ratings correspond to higher credit risk. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser’s credit assessment that the security is comparable to investment grade. The presence of a ratings modifier, sub-category or gradation (for example, a (+) or (-)) is intended to show relative standing within the major rating categories and does not affect the security credit rating for purposes of the Fund’s investment parameters. If a security is downgraded below the minimum quality grade discussed above, the Adviser will reevaluate the security, but will not be required to sell it.

Investment Ratings for Noninvestment-Grade Securities

Noninvestment-grade securities are rated below BBB- by an NRSRO. These bonds have greater economic, credit and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities.

Additional Information Regarding the Security Selection Process

As part of analysis inherent in its security selection process, among other factors, the Adviser also evaluates whether environmental, social and governance factors could have positive or negative impact on the risk profiles of many issuers or guarantors in the universe of securities in which the Fund may invest. The Adviser may also consider information derived from active engagements conducted by its in-house stewardship team with certain issuers or guarantors. This qualitative analysis does not automatically result in including or excluding specific securities but may be used by Federated Hermes as an additional input to improve portfolio risk/return characteristics.

What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?

The following provides general information on the risks associated with the Fund’s principal investments. Any additional risks associated with the Fund’s non-principal investments are described in the Fund’s SAI. The Fund’s SAI also may provide additional information about the risks associated with the Fund’s principal investments.

Interest Rate Risk

Prices of fixed-income securities rise and fall in response to changes in interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed-income securities fall. However, market factors, such as the demand for particular fixed-income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed-income securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.

The longer the duration of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest rate risk. The duration of a fixed-income security may be equal to or shorter than the stated maturity of a fixed-income security. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security given a change in interest rates. For example, if a fixed-income security has an effective duration of three years, a 1% increase in general interest rates would be expected to cause the security’s value to decline about 3% while a 1% decrease in general interest rates would be expected to cause the security’s value to increase about 3%.

The impact of interest rate changes on the value of floating rate investments is typically reduced by periodic interest rate resets. Variable and floating rate loans and securities generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes, but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much or as quickly as interest rates in general. Conversely, variable and floating rate loans and securities generally will not increase in value as much as fixed rate debt instruments if interest rates decline.

ISSUER Credit Risk

It is possible that interest or principal on securities will not be paid when due. Such non-payment or default may reduce the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, its share price and its performance.

Many fixed-income securities receive credit ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) such as Fitch Rating Service, Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s that assign ratings to securities by assessing the likelihood of an issuer and/or guarantor default. Higher credit ratings correspond to lower perceived credit risk and lower credit ratings correspond to higher perceived credit risk. Credit ratings may be upgraded or downgraded from time to time as an NRSRO’s assessment of the financial condition of a party obligated to make payments with respect to such securities and credit risk changes. The impact of any credit rating downgrade can be uncertain. Credit rating downgrades may lead to increased interest rates and volatility in financial markets, which in turn could negatively affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, its share price and its investment performance. Credit ratings are not a guarantee of quality. Credit ratings may lag behind the current financial conditions of the issuer and/or guarantor and do not provide assurance against default or other loss of money. Credit ratings do not protect against a decline in the value of a security. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser’s credit assessment.

Fixed-income securities generally compensate for greater credit risk by paying interest at a higher rate. The difference between the yield of a security and the yield of a U.S. Treasury security or other appropriate benchmark with a comparable maturity (the “spread”) measures the additional interest paid for risk. Spreads may increase generally in response to adverse economic or market conditions. A security’s spread may also increase if the security’s rating is lowered, or the security is perceived to have an increased credit risk. An increase in the spread will cause the price of the security to decline if interest rates remain unchanged.

Counterparty Credit Risk

Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose money or to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.

Liquidity Risk

Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed-income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held.

Trading opportunities are more limited for CMOs that have complex terms or that are not widely held. These features may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility.

Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out a derivative contract when it wants to. If this happens, the Fund will be required to continue to hold the security or keep the position open and the Fund could incur losses.

OTC derivative contracts generally carry greater liquidity risk than exchange-traded contracts. This risk may be increased in times of financial stress, if the trading market for OTC derivative contracts becomes restricted.

Risk of Foreign Investing

Foreign securities pose additional risks because foreign economic or political conditions may be less favorable than those of the United States. Securities in foreign markets may also be subject to taxation policies that reduce returns for U.S. investors.

Foreign companies may not provide information (including financial statements) as frequently or to as great an extent as companies in the United States. Foreign companies may also receive less coverage than U.S. companies by market analysts and the financial press. In addition, foreign countries may lack uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or regulatory requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. These factors may prevent the Fund and its Adviser from obtaining information concerning foreign companies that is as frequent, extensive and reliable as the information available concerning companies in the United States.

Foreign countries may have restrictions on foreign ownership of securities or may impose exchange controls, capital flow restrictions or repatriation restrictions which could adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments.

Call Risk

Call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a fixed-income security before maturity (a “call”) at a price below its current market price. An increase in the likelihood of a call may reduce the security’s price.

If a fixed-income security is called, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other fixed-income securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks or other less favorable characteristics.

Risk Associated with Noninvestment-Grade Securities

Securities rated below investment grade, also known as junk bonds, generally entail greater economic, credit and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities. For example, their prices are more volatile, economic downturns and financial setbacks may affect their prices more negatively, and their trading market may be more limited. These securities are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal.

NEW FUND RISK

A new fund’s performance may not represent how the fund is expected to or may perform in the long term if, and when, it becomes larger and has fully implemented its investment strategies. Investment positions may have a disproportionate impact (negative or positive) on performance in new funds. New funds may also require a period of time before they are fully invested in securities that meet their investment objectives and policies and achieve a representative portfolio composition. Fund performance may be lower or higher during this “ramp-up” period, and may also be more volatile, than would be the case after the fund is fully invested. Similarly, a new fund’s investment strategy may require a longer period of time to show returns that are representative of the strategy. New funds have limited performance histories for investors to evaluate and new funds may not attract sufficient assets to achieve investment and trading efficiencies. If a new fund were to fail to successfully implement its investment strategies or achieve its investment objective, performance may be negatively impacted, and any resulting liquidation could create negative transaction costs for the fund and tax consequences for investors.”

ETF Risk

As an ETF, the Fund is subject to the following risks:

Authorized Participants Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Authorized Participants. To the extent they cannot or are otherwise unwilling to engage in creation and redemption transactions with the Fund and no other Authorized Participant steps in, Shares of the Fund may trade like closed-end fund Shares at a significant discount to net asset value and may face delisting from the Exchange.

Premium/Discount Risk. The NAV of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s securities holdings. The market prices of Fund Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in the Fund’s NAV and supply and demand of Shares on the secondary market. It cannot be predicted whether Fund Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. As a result, shareholders of the Fund may pay more than NAV when purchasing Shares and receive less than NAV when selling Fund Shares. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines. In such market conditions, market or stop-loss orders to sell the ETF Shares may be executed at market prices that are significantly below NAV. The market prices of Fund Shares may deviate significantly from the NAV of the Shares during periods of market volatility or if the Fund’s holdings are or become more illiquid. Disruptions to creations and redemptions may result in trading prices that differ significantly from the Fund’s NAV. In addition, market prices of Fund Shares may deviate significantly from the NAV if the number of Fund Shares outstanding is smaller or if there is less active trading in Fund Shares. Investors purchasing and selling Fund Shares in the secondary market may not experience investment results consistent with those experienced by those creating and redeeming directly with the Fund.

Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will normally pay brokerage commissions, which are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors buying or selling relatively small amounts of Shares. In addition, secondary market investors will incur the cost of the difference between the price that an investor is willing to pay for Shares (the bid price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell Shares (the ask price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for Shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the Fund’s Shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if the Fund’s Shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads.

Although Fund Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such Shares will develop or be maintained or that the Fund’s Shares will continue to be listed. Trading in Fund Shares may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of any Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged or that the Shares will trade with any volume, or at all.

Other ETFs generally are able to make in-kind redemptions and avoid realizing gains in connection with redemption requests. Effecting redemptions for cash may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. Such dispositions may occur at an inopportune time, resulting in potential losses to the Fund or difficulties in meeting shareholder redemptions, and involve transaction costs. If the Fund recognizes gain on these sales, this generally will cause the Fund to recognize gain it might not otherwise have recognized if it were to distribute portfolio securities in-kind or to recognize such gain sooner than would otherwise have been required. The Fund generally intends to distribute these gains to shareholders to avoid being taxed on this gain at the Fund level and otherwise comply with the special tax rules that apply to it. This strategy may cause shareholders to be subject to tax on gains they would not otherwise be subject to, or at an earlier date than, if they had made an investment in another ETF.

In addition, cash transactions may have to be carried out over several days if the securities market in which the Fund is trading is less liquid and may involve considerable transaction expenses and taxes. These brokerage fees and taxes, which will be higher than if the Fund sold and redeemed its Shares principally in-kind, may be passed on to purchasers and redeemers of Creation Units in the form of creation and redemption transaction fees. However, the Fund has capped the total fees that may be charged in connection with the redemption of Creation Units at 2% of the value of the Creation Units redeemed. To the extent transaction and other costs associated with a redemption exceed that cap, those transaction costs will be borne by the Fund’s remaining shareholders. These factors may result in wider spreads between the bid and the offered prices of the Fund’s Shares than for other ETFs.

Leverage Risk

Leverage risk is created when an investment, which includes, for example, an investment in a derivative contract, exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested. Changes in the value of such an investment magnify the Fund’s risk of loss and potential for gain. Investments can have these same results if their returns are based on a multiple of a specified index, security or other benchmark.

Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments

increased ordinary income or short-term capital gains (which are treated as ordinary income for Federal income tax purposes) and, as a result, may increase taxable distributions to shareholders. In addition, under certain circumstances certain derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may cause the Fund to: (a) incur an excise tax on a portion of the income related to those contracts and instruments; and/or (b) reclassify, as a return of capital, some or all of the distributions previously made to shareholders during the fiscal year as dividend income. Fifth, a common provision in OTC derivative contracts permits the counterparty to terminate any such contract between it and the Fund, if the value of the Fund’s total net assets declines below a specified level over a given time period. Factors that may contribute to such a decline (which usually must be substantial) include significant shareholder redemptions and/or a marked decrease in the market value of the Fund’s investments. Any such termination of the Fund’s OTC derivative contracts may adversely affect the Fund (for example, by increasing losses and/or costs, and/or preventing the Fund from fully implementing its investment strategies). Sixth, the Fund may use a derivative contract to benefit from a decline in the value of a Reference Instrument. If the value of the Reference Instrument declines during the term of the contract, the Fund makes a profit on the difference (less any payments the Fund is required to pay under the terms of the contract). Any such strategy involves risk. There is no assurance that the Reference Instrument will decline in value during the term of the contract and make a profit for the Fund. The Reference Instrument may instead appreciate in value creating a loss for the Fund. Seventh, a default or failure by a CCP or an FCM (also sometimes called a “futures broker”), or the failure of a contract to be transferred from an Executing Dealer to the FCM for clearing, may expose the Fund to losses, increase its costs, or prevent the Fund from entering or exiting derivative positions, accessing margin, or fully implementing its investment strategies. The central clearing of a derivative and trading of a contract over a SEF could reduce the liquidity in, or increase costs of entering into or holding, any contracts. Finally, derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described in this Prospectus, such as interest rate, credit, liquidity and leverage risks.

RISK RELATED TO THE ECONOMY

The value of the Fund’s portfolio may decline in tandem with a drop in the overall value of the markets in which the Fund invests and/or other markets based on negative developments in the U.S. and global economies. Economic, political and financial conditions, or industry or economic trends and developments, may, from time to time, and for varying periods of time, cause volatility, illiquidity or other potentially adverse effects in the financial markets, including the fixed-income market. The commencement, continuation or ending of government policies and economic stimulus programs, changes in monetary policy, increases or decreases in interest rates, or other factors or events that affect the financial markets, including the fixed-income markets, may contribute to the development of or increase in volatility, illiquidity, shareholder redemptions and other adverse effects which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance. For example, the value of certain portfolio securities may rise or fall in response to changes in interest rates, which could result from a change in government policies, and has the potential to cause investors to move out of certain portfolio securities, including fixed-income securities, on a large scale. This may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of certain securities and may result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. Market factors, such as the demand for particular portfolio securities, may cause the price of certain portfolio securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.

Epidemic and Pandemic Risk

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in late 2019 and subsequently spread globally (“COVID-19”). This coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, disruptions to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, and disruptions to supply chains, workflow operations and consumer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus may be short-term or may last for an extended period of time and has resulted in a substantial economic downturn. Health crises caused by outbreaks, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks. The impact of this outbreak, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could continue to negatively affect the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, individual companies, including certain Fund service providers and issuers of the Fund’s investments, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.

expanding its reverse repurchase agreement operations, adding $1.5 trillion of liquidity to the banking system; establishing swap lines with other major central banks to provide dollar funding; establishing a program to support money market funds; easing various bank capital buffers; providing funding backstops for businesses to provide bridging loans for up to four years; and providing funding to help credit flow in asset-backed securities markets. The Fed also plans to extend credit to small- and medium-sized businesses.

MBS Risk

MBS have unique risks. A rise in interest rates may cause the value of MBS held by the Fund to decline. The mortgage loans underlying MBS generally are subject to a greater rate of principal prepayments in a declining interest rate environment and to a lesser rate of principal prepayments in an increasing interest rate environment. If the underlying mortgages are paid off sooner than expected, the Fund may have to reinvest this money in mortgage-backed or other securities that have lower yields. Hybrid ARMs also involve special risks. Like ARMs, hybrid ARMs have periodic and lifetime limitations on the increases that can be made to the interest rates that mortgagors pay. Therefore, if during a floating rate period, interest rates rise above the interest rate limits of the hybrid ARM, the Fund will not benefit from further increases in interest rates. See “Prepayment and Extension Risk” and “Interest Rate Risk.” CMOs with complex or highly variable prepayment terms generally entail greater market, prepayment and liquidity risks than other MBS. For example, their prices are more volatile and their trading market may be more limited.

MBS are subject to the risk that payments made on a security will not be made when due. Payments on MBS are primarily derived from the interest and principal payments of the underlying mortgages. Some MBS also have guarantees or other structural features that provide additional support for interest and principal payments on the MBS if payments on the underlying mortgages are not made. MBS are subject to the risk that the underlying mortgage borrowers fail to make timely payments of interest and principal and that any guarantee or other structural feature, if present, is insufficient to enable the timely payment of interest and principal on the MBS. The structure of certain CMO interests held by the Fund may cause the Fund to be paid interest and/or principal on its investment only after holders of other interests in that particular CMO have received the full repayment of principal or interest on their investments. MBS are most commonly issued or guaranteed by GSEs, but also may be issued or guaranteed by private entities, which generally entail greater risk. Certain MBS issued by GSEs are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, but are, however, supported through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. The Fund also may invest in certain MBS issued by GSEs that have no explicit financial support, and are supported only by the credit of the applicable GSEs (in addition to the underlying mortgages and related debt service payments). The U.S. government has provided financial support to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, but there is no assurance that it will support these or other GSEs in the future. Although certain MBS are guaranteed as to timely payment of interest and principal by a GSE, the market prices for such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate.

Prepayment AND EXTENSION Risk

Unlike traditional fixed-income securities, which pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity (when the entire principal amount is due), payments on mortgage-backed securities include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Partial payment of principal may be comprised of scheduled principal payments as well as unscheduled payments from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying loans. These unscheduled prepayments of principal create risks that can adversely affect a fund holding mortgage-backed securities.

For example, when interest rates decline, the values of mortgage-backed securities generally rise. However, when interest rates decline, unscheduled prepayments can be expected to accelerate, and the Fund would be required to reinvest the proceeds of the prepayments at the lower interest rates then available. Unscheduled prepayments would also limit the potential for capital appreciation on mortgage-backed securities.

Conversely, when interest rates rise, the values of mortgage-backed securities generally fall. Since rising interest rates typically result in decreased prepayments, this could lengthen the average lives of mortgage-backed securities, and cause their value to decline more than traditional fixed-income securities.

Generally, mortgage-backed securities compensate for the increased risk associated with prepayments by paying a higher yield. The additional interest paid for risk is measured by the difference between the yield of a mortgage-backed security and the yield of a U.S. Treasury security or other appropriate benchmark with a comparable maturity (the “spread”). An increase in the spread will cause the price of the mortgage-backed security to decline. Spreads generally increase in response to adverse economic or market conditions. Spreads may also increase if the security is perceived to have an increased prepayment risk or is perceived to have less market demand.

SECTOR RISK

Companies with similar characteristics may be grouped together in broad categories called sectors. Sector risk is the possibility that a certain sector may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole. To the extent the Fund invests in a particular sector or sectors, its performance will be more susceptible to economic, business or other developments and risks affecting that sector. Such factors may vary depending upon the sector and economic conditions at the time.

technology Risk

The Adviser uses various technologies in managing the Fund, consistent with its investment objective(s) and strategy described in this Prospectus. For example, proprietary and third-party data and systems are utilized to support decision-making for the Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect Fund performance.

What Do Shares Cost?

CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The Fund’s net asset value of a Share (NAV) is determined as of the end of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open. The Fund calculates the NAV by valuing its assets, subtracting its liabilities and dividing the balance by the number of Shares outstanding. The Fund’s current NAV and/or public offering price may be found at FederatedInvestors.com, via online news sources and in certain newspapers.

When the Fund holds securities that trade principally in foreign markets on days the NYSE is closed, the value of the Fund’s assets may change on days you cannot purchase or redeem Shares. This may also occur when the U.S. markets for fixed-income securities are open on a day the NYSE is closed.

In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values investments as follows:

■ Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees (“Board”).

■ Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and asked quotations.

■ Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Board.

If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Fund’s valuation policies and procedures, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the Valuation Committee, is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures generally described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.

Shares of other funds are valued based upon their reported NAVs. The prospectuses for these funds explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures

The Board has ultimate responsibility for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Board has appointed a Valuation Committee comprised of officers of the Fund, the Adviser and certain of the Adviser’s affiliated companies to assist in determining fair value and in overseeing the calculation of the NAV. The Board has also authorized the use of pricing services recommended by the Valuation Committee to provide fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. The Board periodically reviews and approves the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee and any changes made to the procedures. The Fund’s SAI discusses the methods used by pricing services and the Valuation Committee to assist the Board in valuing investments.

Using fair value to price investments may result in a value that is different from an investment’s most recent closing price and from the prices used by other funds to calculate their NAVs. The application of the fair value procedures to an investment represent a good faith determination of such investment’s fair value. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share, and the actual value could be materially different.

The Board also has adopted procedures requiring an investment to be priced at its fair value whenever the Adviser determines that a significant event affecting the value of the investment has occurred between the time as of which the price of the investment would otherwise be determined and the time as of which the NAV is computed. An event is considered significant if there is both an affirmative expectation that the investment’s value will change in response to the event and a reasonable basis for quantifying the resulting change in value.

Examples of significant events that may occur after the close of the principal market on which a security is traded, or after the time of a price evaluation provided by a pricing service or a dealer, include:Political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded; andAnnouncements concerning matters such as acquisitions, recapitalizations or litigation developments or a natural disaster affecting the issuer’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry.

For other significant events, the Fund may seek to obtain more current quotations or price evaluations from alternative pricing sources. If a reliable alternative pricing source is not available, the Valuation Committee will determine the fair value of the investment using another method approved by the Board. The Board has ultimate responsibility for any fair valuations made in response to a significant event.

The fair valuation of securities following a significant event can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities for short-term traders to profit at the expense of long-term investors in the Fund. For example, such arbitrage opportunities may exist when the market on which portfolio securities are traded closes before the Fund calculates its NAV, which is typically the case with Asian and European markets. However, there is no assurance that these significant event procedures will prevent dilution of the NAV by short-term traders.

How Do You Buy and Sell Shares?

individual shares

Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on a national securities exchange during the trading day. The Fund’s primary listing exchange is NYSE Arca. Any amount of Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like Shares of other publicly traded companies, and when you buy or sell the Fund’s Shares in the secondary market, you will pay or receive the market price. However, there can be no guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be maintained, or that the Fund Shares listing will continue or remain unchanged. Buying or selling the Fund’s Shares involves certain costs that apply to all securities transactions. For example, when buying or selling Shares of the Fund through a financial intermediary, you may incur a brokerage commission or other charges determined by your financial intermediary. The commission is frequently a fixed amount and may be a significant cost for investors seeking to buy or sell small amounts of Shares. In addition, you may also incur the cost of the spread (the difference between the bid price (the price secondary market investors are willing to pay for Shares) and the ask price (the price at which secondary market investors are willing to sell Shares)). The spread varies over time for Shares of the Fund based on its trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally less if the Fund has more trading volume and market liquidity and more if the Fund has less trading volume and market liquidity.

Creations and Redemptions

Shares of the Fund may only be acquired through the Distributor and redeemed directly with the Fund by or through an Authorized Participant in Creation Units or multiples thereof. A Creation Unit is comprised of [] Shares, as discussed in the “Creations and Redemptions” section of the SAI. “Authorized Participants” are registered clearing agents that enter into an agreement with the Distributor to transact in Creation Units. For a list of the Fund’s Authorized Participants, contact the Distributor at [insert telephone number and/or email]. Once created, Shares of the Fund normally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit.

The Fund is open on every “Business Day,” which is any day the NYSE is open. The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on 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. On days when the NYSE closes earlier than normal, the Fund may require orders to create or redeem Creation Units to be placed earlier in the day. See the “Creations and Redemptions” section of the SAI.

have been completed (subject to certain exceptions). Similarly, and also as further described in the SAI, deliveries of redemption proceeds by the Fund generally will be made on a T+2 basis after a redemption order has been received in good order and the requisite number of Fund Shares have been delivered (subject to certain exceptions). The Fund reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 in order to, among other matters, accommodate non-U.S. market holiday schedules, closures and settlement cycles, to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (i.e., 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. The Fund may delay settlement for up to 15 days from the date an order has been submitted in good order and the requisite cash and/or assets delivered to the relevant Fund to accommodate foreign holidays, as further described in the SAI, and otherwise may delay redemptions up to seven days or longer as permitted by applicable law, regulations and interpretations, such as where unusual market conditions affect the NYSE or an emergency exists which makes it impracticable for the Fund to dispose of or value securities it owns or the Fund has received an SEC exemptive order.

The Fund intends to comply with the U.S. federal securities laws in accepting securities for deposit and satisfying redemptions with redemption securities by, among other means, assuring that any securities accepted for deposit and any securities used to satisfy redemption requests will be sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, will not be able to receive restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.

For more information on how to buy and sell Shares of the Fund, call 1-800-341-7400 or visit FederatedInvestors.com.

Share Trading Prices

The trading prices of the Fund’s Shares listed on its Exchange may differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and will normally be affected by market forces, such as supply and demand, economic conditions, the market value of the Fund’s disclosed portfolio holdings and other factors. As a result, trading prices may be lower, higher or the same as the Fund’s NAV; and investors may pay more than NAV when buying Shares and receive less than NAV when selling Shares through the Exchange.

Book Entry

Shares of the Fund 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 of the Fund and is recognized as the owner of all Shares for all purposes.

Investors owning Shares of the Fund are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for Shares of the Fund. DTC participants 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 exchange-traded securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form.

Premium/Discount Information

The NAV of the Fund will fluctuate with changes in the market value of its portfolio holdings. The market price of the Fund will fluctuate in accordance with changes in its NAV, as well as market supply and demand.

There may be differences — premiums or discounts — between the daily market prices on secondary markets for Shares of the Fund and the Fund’s NAV. NAV is the price per share at which the Fund issues and redeems Shares. The Fund’s market price may be at, above or below its NAV. A premium is the amount that the Fund is trading above the reported NAV, expressed as a percentage of the NAV. A discount is the amount that the Fund is trading below the reported NAV, expressed as a percentage of the NAV. A discount or premium could be significant. Information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price and daily premiums or discounts can be found at [Website URL to be filed by amendment].

Investments by Registered Investment Companies

Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including Shares of the Fund. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Fund beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) subject to certain terms and conditions, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Fund.

Continuous Offering

The method by which Creation Units of Fund 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, 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.

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 Fund’s 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.

Payments to Financial Intermediaries

The Fund and its affiliated service providers may pay fees as described below to financial intermediaries (such as broker-dealers, banks, investment advisers or third-party administrators) whose customers are shareholders of the Fund.

RULE 12b-1 FEES

The Board has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan, which allows payment of marketing fees of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average net assets.The Fund’s Shares have no present intention of paying, accruing or incurring any Rule 12b-1 Fees until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

The Distributor may pay out of its own resources amounts to certain financial intermediaries, including broker-dealers, banks, registered investment advisers, independent financial planners and retirement plan administrators, that support the sale of Shares or provide services to Fund shareholders. The amounts of these payments could be significant, and may create an incentive for the financial intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell Shares of the Fund to you. Not all financial intermediaries receive such payments, and the amount of compensation may vary by intermediary. In some cases, such payments may be made by or funded from the resources of companies affiliated with the Distributor (including the Adviser). These payments are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fee table section of the Fund’s Prospectus and described above because they are not paid by the Fund.

These payments are negotiated and may be based on such factors as: the number or value of Shares that the financial intermediary sells or may sell; the value of client assets invested; the level and types of services or support furnished by the financial intermediary; or the Fund’s and/or other Federated Hermes funds’ relationship with the financial intermediary. These payments may be in addition to payments, as described above, made by the Fund to the financial intermediary. In connection with these payments, the financial intermediary may elevate the prominence or profile of the Fund and/or other Federated Hermes funds, within the financial intermediary’s organization by, for example, placement on a list of preferred or recommended funds and/or granting the Distributor preferential or enhanced opportunities to promote the funds in various ways within the financial intermediary’s organization. You can ask your financial intermediary for information about any payments it receives from the Distributor or the Fund and any services provided, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.

Account and Share Information

Fund Distributions

The Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income to shareholders in the form of dividends. The Fund intends to declare and distribute income dividends monthly to shareholders of record. In addition, the Fund distributes any net capital gains earned from the sale of portfolio securities to shareholders no less frequently than annually. Net short-term capital gains may be paid more frequently. Dividend payments are made through DTC participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners then of record with proceeds received from the Fund.

No dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Financial intermediaries may make available the DTCbook-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by beneficial owners of Fund Shares for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial owners should contact their financial intermediary to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Financial intermediaries may require beneficial owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and net capital gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares of the Fund purchased in the secondary market.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund sends an IRS Form 1099 and an annual statement of your account activity to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. Fund distributions of dividends and capital gains are taxable to you whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Fund. Dividends are taxable at different rates depending on the source of dividend income. Distributions of net short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains are taxable to you as long-term capital gains regardless of how long you have owned your Shares.

Fund distributions are expected to be primarily dividends. Redemptions and exchanges are taxable sales. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your federal, state and local tax liability.

Taxes on Creations and Redemptions of Creation Units

A person who purchases a Creation Unit by exchanging securities in-kind generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and any net amount of cash received by the Authorized Participant in the exchange and (ii) the sum of the purchaser’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and any net amount of cash paid for the Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units and receives securities in-kind from the Fund will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the redeemer’s basis in the Creation Units, and the aggregate market value of the securities received and any net cash received. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an in-kind exchange of securities for Creation Units or an exchange of Creation Units for securities cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons effecting in-kind creations or redemptions should consult their own tax adviser with respect to these matters. The Fund has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to section 351 of the Code, the Fund would have a basis in the deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determinations.

FREQUENT TRADING POLICIES

As described above, when buying or selling shares of the Fund through a financial intermediary, you may incur a brokerage commission or other charges determined by your financial intermediary. Due to these brokerage costs, if any, frequent buying and selling of Fund Shares on the secondary market may detract significantly from investment returns.

The Trust’s Board of Trustees has determined not to adopt policies and procedures designed to prevent or monitor for frequent purchases and redemptions of the Fund’s shares because the Fund sells and redeems its shares at NAV only in Creation Units pursuant to the terms of an Authorized Participant Agreement between the Authorized Participant and the Distributor, and such direct trading between the Fund and Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that the Fund’s shares trade at or close to NAV. Further, the vast majority of trading in Fund shares occurs on the secondary market, which does not involve the Fund directly and therefore does not cause the Fund to experience many of the harmful effects of market timing, such as dilution and disruption of portfolio management. In addition, the Fund imposes a transaction fee on Creation Unit transactions, which is designed to offset transfer and other transaction costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units and may employ fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order at any time and reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive, excessive, or short-term trading.

Portfolio Holdings Information

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily at FederatedInvestors.com. Fund fact sheets are also available on FederatedInvestors.com and provide information regarding the Fund’s top holdings. Other information may be requested by calling 1-800-341-7400.

Who Manages the Fund?

The Board governs the Fund. The Board selects and oversees the Adviser, Federated Investment Management Company. The Adviser manages the Fund’s assets, including buying and selling portfolio securities. Federated Advisory Services Company (FASC), an affiliate of the Adviser, provides certain support services to the Adviser. The fee for these services is paid by the Adviser and not by the Fund. The address of the Adviser and FASC is 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779.

The Fund has received and can rely upon an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that permits the Adviser, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees, to appoint a subadviser or change the terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder approval. The Fund is permitted to rely upon the SEC order to change subadvisers, or the fees paid to a subadviser, without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the Adviser to increase the aggregate advisory fee rate of the Fund without the approval of the shareholders.

The Adviser and other subsidiaries of Federated Hermes advise approximately 163 equity, fixed-income and money market mutual funds as well as a variety of other pooled investment vehicles, private investment companies and customized separately managed accounts (including non-U.S./offshore funds) which totaled approximately $619.4 billion in assets as of December 31, 2020. Federated Hermes was established in 1955 as Federated Investors, Inc. and is one of the largest investment managers in the United States with nearly 1,900 employees. Federated Hermes provides investment products to more than 11,000 investment professionals and institutions.

The Adviser advises approximately 75 fixed-income and money market mutual funds (including sub-advised funds) and private investment companies, which totaled approximately $370.2 billion in assets as of December 31, 2020.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

John Gentry

John Gentry, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in [DATE] 2021.

Mr. Gentry is a Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of the Domestic High Grade Corporate Bond Group. He is responsible for day to day management of the Fund focusing on asset allocation, interest rate strategy and security selection. He has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 1995; has worked in investment management since 1990; has managed investment portfolios since 1997. Education: B.A., University of Virginia; M.B.A., Cornell University.

Robert Matthews

Robert Matthews, CFA, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in [DATE] 2021.

Mr. Matthews is responsible for day to day management of the Fund focusing on asset allocation and security selection. He has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 2007; has worked in investment management since 2010; has managed investment portfolios since 2018. Education: B.S., Washington & Jefferson College; M.B.A., Robert Morris University.

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, management of other accounts and ownership of securities in the Fund.

ADVISORY FEES

The Fund’s investment advisory contract provides for payment to the Adviser of an annual investment advisory fee of 0.39% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may contractually or voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The Adviser and its affiliates have also agreed to certain “Fee Limits” as described in the footnote to the “Risk/Return Summary: Fees and Expenses” table found in the “Fund Summary” section of the Prospectus.

and administrative services, and permits its officers and employees to serve as officers or Trustees of the Trust. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser bears all of its own costs associated with providing advisory services to the Fund. In addition, the Adviser has contractually agreed to pay all operating expenses of the Fund, except (i) interest and taxes (including, but not limited to, income, excise, transaction, transfer and withholding taxes); (ii) expenses of the Fund incurred with respect to the acquisition and disposition of portfolio securities and the execution of portfolio transactions, including brokerage commissions and short sale dividend or interest expense; (iii) expenses incurred in connection with any distribution plan adopted by the Trust in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, including distribution fees; (iv) Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses; (v) litigation expenses; (vi) proxy-related expenses; (vii) tax reclaim recovery expenses; and (viii) any expenses determined to be extraordinary expenses. Nevertheless, there exists a risk that a Trust service provider will seek recourse against the Trust if is not timely paid by the Adviser for the fees and expenses for which it is responsible, which could materially adversely affect the Fund.

A discussion of the Board’s review of the Fund’s investment advisory contract is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports for the periods ended April 30 and October 31, respectively.

PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF COMPOSITE OF ACCOUNTS SIMILARLY MANAGED BY ADVISER

The following performance information relates to the Federated Hermes Short-Intermediate 1-5 Year Credit Composite (“Composite”), which is a performance composite consisting of the Fund and all of the separately managed accounts with a substantially similar investment objective, strategy, policies and risks to those of the Fund that also are managed by the Fund’s Adviser. The following performance information is not the Fund’s performance (or any predecessor fund’s performance), should not be considered indicative of the past or future performance of the Fund, and should not be considered a substitute for the Fund’s performance. Information regarding the Fund’s performance, when available, will be shown under the section of the Fund’s prospectus entitled “Performance: Bar Chart and Table.”

The following performance information relating to the Composite is being provided because Federated Investment Management Company, the adviser to the accounts included in the Composite, is the Fund’s Adviser and the Fund’s investment objective, strategy and policies are substantially similar to the investment objective, strategy and policies of the accounts included in the Composite.

As of December 31, 2020, the Composite consisted of all separately managed accounts with a substantially similar investment objective, strategy, policies and risks to those of the Fund, totaling approximately $3.7 million. The Composite was created in September 2013. Federated Hermes has managed portfolios in this investment style since July 2013. Performance shown for 2013 is for a partial period starting on July 1, 2013. At various times between the Composite’s creation and December 31, 2020, all funds and private accounts with substantially similar investment objectives, strategies, policies and risks to those of the Fund have been included in the Composite. The following performance information is therefore intended to illustrate past performance for any funds and managed accounts with substantially similar investment objectives, strategies and policies managed by the Adviser. The following performance information for the Composite was prepared in accordance with industry best practices, specifically, the Composite has been prepared and presented in accordance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (“GIPS”). The method for computing historical performance information for the Composite differs from the SEC’s method for computing the historical performance of the Fund. The private accounts included in the Composite have different fees, expenses and cash flows than the Fund, which could have adversely affected the performance of the Fund in relation to the private accounts. Since the actual fees and expenses of the accounts in the Composite are lower than the Fund’s fees and expenses, use of the Fund’s expense structure would have lowered the performance result of the Composite. The private accounts included in the Composite are not registered under the 1940 Act and therefore are not subject to certain investment restrictions, diversification requirements and other limitations imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act and Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. If such private accounts had been registered under the 1940 Act, the performance may have been adversely affected.

(For the Periods Ended December 31, 2020)

	1 Year	3 Years*	5 Years*	Since Inception*1
Federated Hermes Short-Intermediate 1-5 Year Credit Composite
Net Returns (after fees/expenses)	5.68%	4.28%	3.34%	2.77%
Gross Returns	6.00%	4.59%	3.66%	3.09%
Bloomberg Barclays 1-5 Year U.S. Credit Index2 (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	5.19%	4.27%	3.54%	2.98%

Annualized.

Inception date July 1, 2013.

Bloomberg Barclays 1-5 Year U.S. Credit Index measures the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated U.S. Treasury bonds, government related bonds (i.e., U.S. and non-U.S. agencies, sovereign, quasi-sovereign, supranational and local authority debt) and investment grade U.S. corporate bonds that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than five years.

Financial Information

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Fund’s fiscal year end is April 30. As the Fund’s first fiscal year will end April 30, 2022, the Fund’s audited financial information is not yet available as of the date of this Prospectus.

Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information

The following chart provides additional hypothetical information about the effect of the Fund’s expenses, including investment advisory fees and other Fund costs, on the Fund’s assumed returns over a 10-year period. The chart shows the estimated expenses that would be incurred in respect of a hypothetical investment of $10,000, assuming a 5% return each year, and an investor’s continued holding of Shares. The chart assumes that Shares are purchased at the Fund’s net asset value. However, individual Shares cannot be purchased or redeemed at net asset value, and rather are typically bought and sold on an exchange at a market price, which may be higher or lower than net asset value. The chart also assumes that the Fund’s annual expense ratio stays the same throughout the 10-year period and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested. The annual expense ratio used in the chart is the gross expense ratio as stated in the “Fees and Expenses” table of this Prospectus (and thus may not reflect any fee waiver or expense reimbursement currently in effect). The hypothetical investment information does not reflect the effect of charges such as brokerage commissions or other fees to financial intermediaries that you may pay (if any). Fund returns, as well as fees and expenses, may fluctuate over time, and your actual investment returns and total expenses may be higher or lower than those shown below.

FEDERATED HERMES SHORT-TERM CORPORATE ETF
ANNUAL EXPENSE RATIO: 0.39%
MAXIMUM FRONT-END SALES CHARGE: NONE
Year	Hypothetical Beginning Investment	Hypothetical Performance Earnings	Investment After Returns	Hypothetical Expenses	Hypothetical Ending Investment
1	$10,000.00	$500.00	$10,500.00	$39.90	$10,461.00
2	$10,461.00	$523.05	$10,984.05	$41.74	$10,943.25
3	$10,943.25	$547.16	$11,490.41	$43.66	$11,447.73
4	$11,447.73	$572.39	$12,020.12	$45.68	$11,975.47
5	$11,975.47	$598.77	$12,574.24	$47.78	$12,527.54
6	$12,527.54	$626.38	$13,153.92	$49.98	$13,105.06
7	$13,105.06	$655.25	$13,760.31	$52.29	$13,709.20
8	$13,709.20	$685.46	$14,394.66	$54.70	$14,341.19
9	$14,341.19	$717.06	$15,058.25	$57.22	$15,002.32
10	$15,002.32	$750.12	$15,752.44	$59.86	$15,693.93
Cumulative		$6,175.64		$492.81

An SAI dated [______, 2021], includes additional information about the Fund and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. The SAI contains a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities. To obtain the SAI and other information without charge, and to make inquiries, call your financial intermediary or the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.

As of January 1, 2021, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports, when available, will not be sent by mail. Instead, the reports will be made available on FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation, and you will be notified and provided with a link each time a report is posted to the website. You may request to receive paper reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, free of charge, at any time. You may also request to receive documents through e-delivery.

These documents, as well as additional information about the Fund (including portfolio holdings, performance and distributions), are also available on FederatedInvestors.com.

You can obtain information about the Fund (including the SAI) by accessing Fund information from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. You can purchase copies of this information by contacting the SEC by email at publicinfo@sec.gov.

Federated Hermes Short-Term Corporate ETF
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

Investment Company Act File No. 811-XXXX

CUSIP TBD

Q455366 (X/21)

Statement of Additional Information

[______, 2021]

Ticker | [TBD]

NYSE | [TBD]

Federated Hermes Short-Term Corporate ETF

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes ETF Trust

This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a Prospectus. Read this SAI in conjunction with the Prospectus for Federated Hermes Short-Term Corporate ETF (the “Fund”), dated [_____, 2021].

Obtain the Prospectus without charge by calling 1-800-341-7400.

	Contents
1	How is the Fund Organized?
1	Securities in Which the Fund Invests
12	Investment Risks
16	Investment Objective (and Policies) and Investment Limitations
18	What Do Shares Cost?
20	How is the Fund Bought and Sold?
28	Delaware Statutory Trust Law
28	Account and Share Information
28	Tax Information
29	Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund?
43	Financial Information
43	Investment Ratings
48	Addresses
49	Appendix

Federated Hermes Short-Term Corporate ETF
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

Q455365 (X/21)

How is the Fund Organized?

The Fund is a diversified portfolio of Federated Hermes ETF Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is an open-end, management investment company that was established under the laws of Delaware on August 24, 2011. The Trust may offer separate series of shares representing interests in separate portfolios of securities.

The Fund’s investment adviser is Federated Investment Management Company (the “Adviser”).

Exchange Listing and Trading

A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.

The Shares of the Fund are listed and traded on the Exchange identified on the cover of this SAI at prices that may differ from the Fund’s NAV. There can be no assurance that the Exchange requirements necessary to maintain the listing of the 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 matters: (i) the Exchange becomes aware that the Fund is no longer eligible to operate in reliance on Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act to the extent such Fund’s listing is conditioned upon reliance on Rule 6c-11; (ii) following the initial 12-month period beginning at the commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of Shares; or (iii) such other event shall occur or condition exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares of the Fund from listing and trading upon termination of the Fund.

Trading prices of Shares on the Exchange may differ from the Fund’s daily NAV. Market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors may affect the trading prices of Shares.

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by the Exchange. The Exchange makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of Shares or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Fund to achieve its objective. The Exchange has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

Securities in Which the Fund Invests

The principal securities or other investments in which the Fund invests are described in the Fund’s Prospectus. The Fund also may invest in securities or other investments as non-principal investments for any purpose that is consistent with its investment objective. The following information is either additional information in respect of a principal security or other investment referenced in the Prospectus or information in respect of a non-principal security or other investment (in which case there is no related disclosure in the Prospectus).

Securities Descriptions and Techniques

Fixed-Income Securities

The following describes the types of fixed-income securities in which the Fund invests.

Government Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Some government agency securities have no explicit financial support, and are supported only by the credit of the applicable agency, instrumentality or corporation. The U.S. government has provided financial support to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, but there is no assurance that it will support these or other agencies in the future.

The Fund treats mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality as government securities. Although such a guarantee helps protect against credit risk, it does not eliminate it entirely or reduce other risks.

Additional Information Related to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The extreme and unprecedented volatility and disruption that impacted the capital and credit markets beginning in 2008 led to market concerns regarding the ability of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to withstand future credit losses associated with securities held in their investment portfolios, and on which they provide guarantees, without the direct support of the federal government. On September 7, 2008, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Under the plan of conservatorship, the FHFA assumed control of, and generally has the power to direct, the operations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and is empowered to exercise all powers collectively held by their respective shareholders, directors and officers, including the power to: (1) take over the assets of and operate Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae with all the powers of the shareholders, the directors and the officers of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and conduct all business of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (2) collect all obligations and money due to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (3) perform all functions of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which are consistent with the conservator’s appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator.

In connection with the actions taken by the FHFA, the Treasury has entered into certain preferred stock purchase agreements (SPAs) with each of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which establish the Treasury as the holder of a new class of senior preferred stock in each of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The senior preferred stock was issued in connection with financial contributions from the Treasury to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Although the SPAs are subject to amendment from time to time, currently the Treasury is obligated to provide such financial contributions up to an aggregate maximum amount determined by a formula set forth in the SPAs, and until such aggregate maximum amount is reached, there is not a specific end date to the Treasury’s obligations.

The future status and role of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could be impacted by (among other things) the actions taken and restrictions placed on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae by the FHFA in its role as conservator, the restrictions placed on Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s operations and activities under the SPAs, market responses to developments at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, downgrades or upgrades in the credit ratings assigned to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) or ratings services, and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission of these institutions, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any securities guaranteed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

In addition, the future of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and other U.S. government-sponsored enterprises that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (GSEs), remains in question as the U.S. government continues to consider options ranging from structural reform, nationalization, privatization, or consolidation, to outright elimination. The issues that have led to significant U.S. government support for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have sparked serious debate regarding the continued role of the U.S. government in providing mortgage loan liquidity.

Commercial Paper (A Type of Corporate-Debt Security)

Commercial paper is an issuer’s obligation with a maturity of less than nine months. Companies typically issue commercial paper to pay for current expenditures. Most issuers constantly reissue their commercial paper and use the proceeds (or “bank loans”) to repay maturing paper. If the issuer cannot continue to obtain liquidity in this fashion, its commercial paper may default. The short maturity of commercial paper generally reduces both the market and credit risks as compared to other debt securities of the same issuer.

Demand Instruments (A Type of Tax-Exempt Security)

Demand instruments are corporate securities that require the issuer or a third party, such as a dealer or bank (the “Demand Provider”), to repurchase the security for its face value upon demand. Some demand instruments are “conditional,” so that the occurrence of certain conditions relieves the Demand Provider of its obligation to repurchase the security. Other demand instruments are “unconditional,” so that there are no conditions under which the Demand Provider’s obligation to repurchase the security can terminate. The fund treats demand instruments as short-term securities, even though their stated maturity may extend beyond one year.

Surplus Notes

Surplus notes are subordinated debt instruments issued by mutual and stock insurance companies. Mutual insurance companies generally issue surplus notes to raise capital. Stock insurance companies primarily issue surplus notes in transactions with affiliates. Surplus notes are treated by insurers as equity capital, or “surplus” for regulatory reporting purposes. Surplus notes typically are subordinated to any other debt.

Capital Securities

Capital securities are subordinated securities, generally with a 30- to 50-year maturity and a 5- to 10-year call protection. Dividend payments generally can be deferred by the issuer for up to 5 years. These securities generally are unsecured and subordinated to all senior debt securities of the issuer, therefore, principal and interest payments on capital securities are subject to a greater risk of default than senior debt securities.

Step-Up Perpetual Subordinated Securities

Step-up perpetual subordinated securities (“step-ups”) generally are structured as perpetual preferred securities (with no stated maturity) with a 10-year call option. If the issue is not called, however, the coupon increases or “steps up,” generally 150 to 250 basis points depending on the issue and its country of jurisdiction. The step up interest rate acts as a punitive rate which would typically compel the issuer to call the security. Thus, these securities generally are priced as 10-year securities.

Medium-Term Notes and Deposit Notes

Medium-Term Notes and Deposit Notes trade like commercial paper, but may have maturities from nine months to ten years and are rated like corporate debt obligations.

Municipal Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Municipal securities are issued by states, counties, cities and other political subdivisions and authorities. Although many municipal securities are exempt from federal income tax, the Fund may invest in taxable municipal securities.

Z Classes and Residual Classes (A Type of CMO)

CMOs must allocate all payments received from the underlying mortgages to some class. To capture any unallocated payments, CMOs generally have an accrual (Z) class. Z classes do not receive any payments from the underlying mortgages until all other CMO classes have been paid off. Once this happens, holders of Z class CMOs receive all payments and prepayments. Similarly, REMICs have residual interests that receive any mortgage payments not allocated to another REMIC class.

The degree of increased or decreased prepayment risks depends upon the structure of the CMO. However, the actual returns on any type of mortgage-backed security depend upon the performance of the underlying pool of mortgages, which no one can predict and will vary among pools.

Non-Governmental, Mortgage-Backed Securities (A Type of Mortgage-Backed Security)

Non-governmental, mortgage-backed securities (including “non-governmental CMOs”) are issued by private entities, rather than by U.S. government agencies. The non-governmental, mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund invests will be treated as mortgage related, asset-backed securities. These securities involve credit risk and liquidity risk. The degree of risks will depend significantly on the ability of borrowers to make payments on the underlying mortgages and the seniority of the security held by the Fund with respect to such payments.

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (A Type of Mortgage-Backed Security)

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) represent interests in mortgage loans on commercial real estate, such as loans for hotels, shopping centers, office buildings and apartment buildings. Generally, the interest and principal payments on these loans are passed on to investors in CMBS according to a schedule of payments. The Fund may invest in individual CMBS issues or, alternately, may gain exposure to the overall CMBS market by investing in a derivative contract, the performance of which is related to changes in the value of a domestic CMBS index. The risks associated with CMBS reflect the risks of investing in the commercial real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans and are therefore different from the risks of other types of MBS. Additionally, CMBS may expose the Fund to interest rate, liquidity and credit risks.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs) (A Type of Mortgage-Backed Security)

CMOs, including interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs), allocated payments and prepayments from an underlying pass-through certificate among holders of different classes of mortgage-backed securities. This creates different prepayment and interest rate risks for each CMO class. The degree of increased or decreased prepayment risks depends upon the structure of the CMOs. However, the actual returns on any type of mortgage-backed security depend upon the performance of the underlying pool of mortgages, which no one can predict with certainty and will vary among pools.

Sequential CMOs (A Type of CMO)

In a sequential pay CMO, one class of CMOs receives all principal payments and prepayments. The next class of CMOs receives all principal payments after the first class is paid off. This process repeats for each sequential class of CMO. As a result, each class of sequential pay CMOs reduces the prepayment risks of subsequent classes.

PACs, TACs and Companion Classes (Types of CMOs)

More sophisticated CMOs included planned amortization classes (PACs) and targeted amortization classes (TACs). PACs and TACs are issued with companion classes. PACs and TACs receive principal payments and prepayments at a specified rate. The companion classes receive principal payments and prepayments in excess of the specified rate. In addition, PACs will receive the companion classes’ share of principal payments, if necessary, to cover a shortfall in the prepayment rate. This helps PACs and TACs to control prepayment risks by increasing the risks to their companion classes.

IOs and POs (Types of CMOs)

CMOs may allocate interest payments to one class (“Interest Only” or IOs) and principal payments to another class (“Principal Only” or POs). POs increase in value when prepayment rates increase. In contrast, IOs decrease in value when prepayments increase, because the underlying mortgages generate less interest payments. However, IOs tend to increase in value when interest rates rise (and prepayments decrease), making IOs a useful hedge against interest rate risks.

Floaters and Inverse Floaters (Types of CMOs)

Another variant allocates interest payments between two classes of CMOs. One class (“Floaters”) receives a share of interest payments based upon a market index such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The other class (“Inverse Floaters”) receives any remaining interest payments from the underlying mortgages. Floater classes receive more interest (and Inverse Floater classes receive correspondingly less interest) as interest rates rise. This shifts prepayment and interest rate risks from the Floater to the Inverse Floater class, reducing the price volatility of the Floater class and increasing the price volatility of the Inverse Floater class.

Zero-Coupon Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Zero-coupon securities do not pay interest or principal until final maturity unlike debt securities that provide periodic payments of interest (referred to as a coupon payment). Investors buy zero-coupon securities at a price below the amount payable at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the amount paid at maturity represents interest on the zero-coupon security. Investors must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which increases the interest rate and credit risks of a zero-coupon security. A zero-coupon, step-up security converts to a coupon security before final maturity.

There are many forms of zero-coupon securities. Some are issued at a discount and are referred to as zero-coupon or capital appreciation bonds. Others are created from interest-bearing bonds by separating the right to receive the bond’s coupon payments from the right to receive the bond’s principal due at maturity, a process known as coupon stripping. Treasury STRIPs, IOs and POs are the most common forms of stripped zero-coupon securities. In addition, some securities give the issuer the option to deliver additional securities in place of cash interest payments, thereby increasing the amount payable at maturity. These are referred to as pay-in-kind, PIK securities or toggle securities.

Bank Instruments (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Bank instruments are unsecured interest bearing deposits with banks. Bank instruments include, but are not limited to, bank accounts, time deposits, certificates of deposit and banker’s acceptances. Yankee instruments are denominated in U.S. dollars and issued by U.S. branches of foreign banks. Eurodollar instruments are denominated in U.S. dollars and issued by non-U.S. branches of U.S. or foreign banks.

Convertible Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Convertible securities are fixed-income securities or preferred stocks that the Fund has the option to exchange for equity securities at a specified conversion price. The option allows the Fund to realize additional returns if the market price of the equity securities exceeds the conversion price. For example, the Fund may hold fixed-income securities that are convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $10 per share. If the market value of the shares of common stock reached $12, the Fund could realize an additional $2 per share by converting its fixed-income securities.

Convertible securities have lower yields than comparable, fixed-income securities. In addition, at the time a convertible security is issued the conversion price exceeds the market value of the underlying equity securities. Thus, convertible securities may provide lower returns than non-convertible, fixed-income securities or equity securities depending upon changes in the price of the underlying equity securities. However, convertible securities permit the Fund to realize some of the potential appreciation of the underlying equity securities with less risk of losing its initial investment.

The Fund treats convertible securities as fixed-income securities for purposes of its investment policies and limitations, because of their unique characteristics.

Contingent Convertible Capital Instrument (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Contingent convertible capital instruments are fixed-income securities or preferred stocks that automatically convert into equity securities of the issuer or undergo a principal write-down by a pre-determined percentage upon the occurrence of certain events (a “Trigger Event”). For example, a Trigger Event may occur if the issuer’s bank regulatory capital ratio falls below a predetermined level. If a Trigger Event occurs, the fund would be likely to lose some or all of its investment in the Contingent convertible capital instrument. Contingent convertible capital instruments may expose the Fund to stock market risk.

The Fund treats contingent convertible capital instruments as fixed-income securities for purposes of its investment policies and limitations, because they should perform like other fixed income securities unless a Trigger Event occurs.

EQUITY SECURITIES

Equity securities represent a share of an issuer’s earnings and assets, after the issuer pays its liabilities. The Fund cannot predict the income it will receive from equity securities because issuers generally have discretion as to the payment of any dividends or distributions. However, equity securities offer greater potential for appreciation than many other types of securities, because their value increases directly with the value of the issuer’s business. The following describes the types of equity securities in which the Fund invests.

Common Stocks

Common stocks are the most prevalent type of equity security. Common stocks receive the issuer’s earnings after the issuer pays its creditors and any preferred stockholders. As a result, changes in an issuer’s earnings directly influence the value of its common stock.

Preferred Stocks

Preferred stocks have the right to receive specified dividends or distributions before the issuer makes payments on its common stock. Some preferred stocks also participate in dividends and distributions paid on common stock. Preferred stocks may also permit the issuer to redeem the stock. The Fund may also treat such redeemable preferred stock as a fixed-income security.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

Foreign securities in which the Fund invests may be occasionally denominated in foreign currencies. Trading in certain foreign markets is also subject to liquidity risks.

Foreign Government Securities (A Type of Foreign Fixed-Income Security)

Foreign government securities generally consist of fixed-income securities supported by national, state or provincial governments or similar political subdivisions. Foreign government securities also include debt obligations of supranational entities, such as international organizations designed or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development, international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), the Asian Development Bank, the European Investment Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Foreign government securities also include fixed-income securities of quasi-governmental agencies that are either issued by entities owned by a national, state or equivalent government or are obligations of a political unit that are not backed by the national government’s full faith and credit. Further, foreign government securities include mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by national, state or provincial governmental instrumentalities, including quasi-governmental agencies.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

In order to convert U.S. dollars into the currency needed to buy a foreign security, or to convert foreign currency received from the sale of a foreign security into U.S. dollars, the Fund may enter into spot currency trades. In a spot trade, the Fund agrees to exchange one currency for another at the current exchange rate. The Fund may also enter into derivative contracts in which a foreign currency is an underlying asset. The exchange rate for currency derivative contracts may be higher or lower than the spot exchange rate. Use of these derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to currency risks.

Derivative Contracts

Derivative contracts are financial instruments that require payments based upon changes in the values of designated securities, commodities, currencies, indices or other assets or instruments including other derivative contracts (each a “Reference Instrument” and collectively, “Reference Instruments”). Each party to a derivative contract may sometimes be referred to as a counterparty. Some derivative contracts require payments relating to an actual, future trade involving the Reference Instrument.

These types of derivatives are frequently referred to as “physically settled” derivatives. Other derivative contracts require payments relating to the income or returns from, or changes in the market value of, a Reference Instrument. These types of derivatives are known as “cash-settled” derivatives, since they require cash payments in lieu of delivery of the Reference Instrument.

For example, the Fund could close out an open contract to buy an asset at a future date by entering into an offsetting contract to sell the same asset on the same date. If the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. Exchanges may limit the amount of open contracts permitted at any one time. Such limits may prevent the Fund from closing out a position. If this happens, the Fund will be required to keep the contract open (even if it is losing money on the contract), and to make any payments required under the contract (even if it has to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices to do so). Inability to close out a contract could also harm the Fund by preventing it from disposing of or trading any assets it has been using to secure its obligations under the contract.

The Fund may also trade derivative contracts over-the-counter (OTC) in transactions negotiated directly between the Fund and a financial institution. OTC contracts do not necessarily have standard terms, so they may be less liquid and more difficult to close-out than exchange-traded contracts. In addition, OTC contracts with more specialized terms may be more difficult to value than exchange-traded contracts, especially in times of financial stress.

The market for swaps and other OTC derivatives was largely unregulated prior to the enactment of federal legislation known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). Regulations enacted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) under the Dodd-Frank Act require the Fund to clear certain swap contracts through a clearing house or central counterparty (a CCP).

To clear a swap through the CCP, the Fund will submit the contract to, and post margin with, a futures commission merchant (FCM) that is a clearing house member. The Fund may enter into the swap with a financial institution other than the FCM and arrange for the contract to be transferred to the FCM for clearing, or enter into the contract with the FCM itself. If the Fund must centrally clear a transaction, the CFTC’s regulations also generally require that the swap be executed on registered exchange or through a market facility that is known as a swap execution facility or SEF. Central clearing is presently required only for certain swaps, the CFTC is expected to impose a mandatory central clearing requirement for additional derivative instruments over time.

Until the mandated rulemaking and regulations are implemented completely, it will not be possible to determine the complete impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations on the Fund.

Depending on how the Fund uses derivative contracts and the relationships between the market value of a derivative contract and the Reference Instrument, derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to the risks of the Reference Instrument, and may also expose the fund to liquidity and leverage risks. OTC contracts also expose the Fund to credit risks in the event that a counterparty defaults on the contract, although this risk may be mitigated by submitting the contract for clearing through a CCP.

The Fund may invest in a derivative contract if it is permitted to own, invest in or otherwise have economic exposure to the Reference Instrument. The Fund is not required to own a Reference Instrument in order to buy or sell a derivative contract relating to that Reference Instrument. The Fund may trade in the following specific types and/or combinations of derivative contracts:

Futures Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Interest Rate Futures

An interest-rate futures contract is an exchange-traded contract for which the Reference Instrument is an interest-bearing, fixed-income security or an inter-bank deposit. Two examples of common interest rate futures contracts are U.S. Treasury futures contracts and Eurodollar futures contracts. The Reference Instrument for a U.S. Treasury futures contract is a U.S. Treasury security. The Reference Instrument for a Eurodollar futures contract is the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly referred to as LIBOR); Eurodollar futures contracts enable the purchaser to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds over a stated period of time and the seller to obtain a fixed rate for a borrowing of funds over that same period.

Index Futures

An index futures contract is an exchange-traded contract to make or receive a payment based upon changes in the value of an index. An index is a statistical composite that measures changes in the value of designated Reference Instruments within the index.

Security Futures

A security futures contract is an exchange-traded contract to purchase or sell in the future a specific quantity of a security (other than a Treasury security) or a narrow-based securities index at a certain price. Presently, the only available security futures contracts use shares of a single equity security as the Reference Instrument. However, it is possible that in the future security futures contracts will be developed that use a single fixed-income security as the Reference Instrument.

Currency Futures and Currency Forward Contracts (Types of Futures Contracts)

A currency futures contract is an exchange-traded contract to buy or sell a particular currency at a specific price at some time in the future (commonly three months or more). A currency forward contract is not an exchange-traded contract and represents an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, at a price set at the time of the contract and for a period agreed upon by the parties which may be either a window of time or a fixed number of days from the date of the contract. Currency futures and forward contracts are highly volatile, with a relatively small price movement potentially resulting in substantial gains or losses to the Fund. Additionally, the Fund may lose money on currency futures and forward contracts if changes in currency rates do not occur as anticipated or if the Fund’s counterparty to the contract were to default.

Option Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Option contracts (also called “options”) are rights to buy or sell a Reference Instrument for a specified price (the “exercise price”) during, or at the end of, a specified period. The seller (or “writer”) of the option receives a payment, or premium, from the buyer, which the writer keeps regardless of whether the buyer uses (or exercises) the option. Options may be bought or sold on a wide variety of Reference Instruments. Options that are written on futures contracts will be subject to margin requirements similar to those applied to futures contracts.

The Fund may buy and/or sell the following types of options:

Call Options

A call option gives the holder (“buyer”) the right to buy the Reference Instrument from the seller (“writer”) of the option. The Fund may use call options in the following ways:

■ Buy call options on a Reference Instrument in anticipation of an increase in the value of the Reference Instrument; and

■ Write call options on a Reference Instrument to generate income from premiums, and in anticipation of a decrease or only limited increase in the value of the Reference Instrument. If the Fund writes a call option on a Reference Instrument that it owns and that call option is exercised, the Fund foregoes any possible profit from an increase in the market price of the Reference Instrument over the exercise price plus the premium received.

Put Options

A put option gives the holder the right to sell the Reference Instrument to the writer of the option. The Fund may use put options in the following ways:

■ Buy put options on a Reference Instrument in anticipation of a decrease in the value of the Reference Instrument; and

■ Write put options on a Reference Instrument to generate income from premiums, and in anticipation of an increase or only limited decrease in the value of the Reference Instrument. In writing puts, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to take delivery of the Reference Instrument when its current market price is lower than the exercise price.

The Fund may also buy or write options, as needed, to close out existing option positions.

Finally, the Fund may enter into combinations of options contracts in an attempt to benefit from changes in the prices of those options contracts (without regard to changes in the value of the Reference Instrument).

Swap Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

A swap contract (also known as a “swap”) is a type of derivative contract in which two parties agree to pay each other (“swap”) the returns derived from Reference Instruments. Most swaps do not involve the delivery of the underlying assets by either party, and the parties might not own the Reference Instruments. The payments are usually made on a net basis so that, on any given day, the Fund would receive (or pay) only the amount by which its payment under the contract is less than (or exceeds) the amount of the other party’s payment. Swap agreements are sophisticated instruments that can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. Common swap agreements that the Fund may use include:

Interest Rate Swaps

Interest rate swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make regular payments equal to a fixed or floating interest rate times a stated principal amount (commonly referred to as a “notional principal amount”) in return for payments equal to a different fixed or floating rate times the same principal amount, for a specific period. For example, a $10 million London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly referred to as LIBOR) swap would require one party to pay the equivalent of the London Interbank Offered Rate of interest (which fluctuates) on $10 million principal amount in exchange for the right to receive the equivalent of a stated fixed rate of interest on $10 million principal amount.

Caps and Floors (A Type of Swap Contract)

Caps and Floors are contracts in which one party agrees to make payments only if an interest rate or index goes above (Cap) or below (Floor) a certain level in return for a fee from the other party.

Total Return Swaps

A total return swap is an agreement between two parties whereby one party agrees to make payments of the total return from a Reference Instrument (or a basket of such instruments) during the specified period, in return for payments equal to a fixed or floating rate of interest or the total return from another Reference Instrument. Alternately, a total return swap can be structured so that one party will make payments to the other party if the value of a Reference Instrument increases, but receive payments from the other party if the value of that instrument decreases.

Credit Default Swaps

A credit default swap (CDS) is an agreement between two parties whereby one party (the “Protection Buyer”) agrees to make payments over the term of the CDS to the other party (the “Protection Seller”), provided that no designated event of default, restructuring or other credit related event (each a “Credit Event”) occurs with respect to Reference Instrument that is usually a particular bond or the unsecured credit of an issuer, in general (the “Reference Obligation”). Many CDS are physically settled, which means that if a Credit Event occurs, the Protection Seller must pay the Protection Buyer the full notional value, or “par value,” of the Reference Obligation in exchange for delivery by the Protection Buyer of the Reference Obligation or another similar obligation issued by the issuer of the Reference Obligation (the “Deliverable Obligation”). The Counterparties agree to the characteristics of the Deliverable Obligation at the time that they enter into the CDS. Alternately, a CDS can be “cash settled,” which means that upon the occurrence of a Credit Event, the Protection Buyer will receive a payment from the Protection Seller equal to the difference between the par amount of the Reference Obligation and its market value at the time of the Credit Event. The Fund may be either the Protection Buyer or the Protection Seller in a CDS. If the Fund is a Protection Buyer and no Credit Event occurs, the Fund will lose its entire investment in the CDS (i.e., an amount equal to the payments made to the Protection Seller over the term of the CDS). However, if a Credit Event occurs, the Fund (as Protection Buyer) will deliver the Deliverable Obligation and receive a payment equal to the full notional value of the Reference Obligation, even though the Reference Obligation may have little or no value. If the Fund is the Protection Seller and no Credit Event occurs, the Fund will receive a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the CDS. However, if a Credit Event occurs, the Fund (as

Protection Seller) will pay the Protection Buyer the full notional value of the Reference Obligation and receive the Deliverable Obligation from the Protection Buyer. A CDS may involve greater risks than if the Fund invested directly in the Reference Obligation. For example, a CDS may increase credit risk since the Fund has exposure to both the issuer of the Reference Obligation and the Counterparty to the CDS.

Currency Swaps

Currency swaps are contracts which provide for interest payments in different currencies. The parties might agree to exchange the notional principal amounts of the currencies as well (commonly called a “foreign exchange swap”).

Other Investments, Transactions, Techniques

Repurchase Agreements

Repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Fund buys a security from a dealer or bank and agrees to sell the security back at a mutually agreed-upon time and price. The repurchase price exceeds the sale price, reflecting the Fund’s return on the transaction. This return is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying security. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with banks and other recognized financial institutions, such as securities dealers, deemed creditworthy by the Adviser.

The Fund’s custodian or subcustodian will take possession of the securities subject to repurchase agreements. The Adviser or subcustodian will monitor the value of the underlying security each day to ensure that the value of the security always equals or exceeds the repurchase price.

Repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Reverse repurchase agreements are repurchase agreements (which are considered a type of special transaction for asset segregation or asset coverage purposes) in which the Fund is the seller (rather than the buyer) of the securities, and agrees to repurchase them at an agreed-upon time and price. A reverse repurchase agreement may be viewed as a type of borrowing by the Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements create leverage risks because the Fund must repurchase the underlying security at a higher price, regardless of the market value of the security at the time of repurchase.

Delayed Delivery Transactions

Delayed delivery transactions, including when-issued transactions, are arrangements in which the Fund buys securities for a set price, with payment and delivery of the securities scheduled for a future time. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund. The Fund records the transaction when it agrees to buy the securities and reflects their value in determining the price of its shares. Settlement dates may be a month or more after entering into these transactions so that the market values of the securities bought may vary from the purchase prices. Therefore, delayed delivery transactions create interest rate risks for the Fund. Delayed delivery transactions also involve credit risks in the event of a counterparty default.

To Be Announced Securities (TBAs) (A Type of Delayed Delivery Transaction)

As with other delayed delivery transactions, a seller agrees to issue a TBA security at a future date. However, the seller does not specify the particular securities to be delivered. Instead, the Fund agrees to accept any security that meets specified terms. For example, in a TBA mortgage-backed transaction, the Fund and the seller would agree upon the issuer, interest rate and terms of the underlying mortgages. The seller would not identify the specific underlying mortgages until it issues the security. TBA mortgage-backed securities increase interest rate risks because the underlying mortgages may be less favorable than anticipated by the Fund.

Dollar Rolls (A Type of Delayed Delivery Transaction)

Dollar rolls are transactions where the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities with a commitment to buy similar, but not identical, mortgage-backed securities on a future date at a lower price. Normally, one or both securities involved are TBA mortgage-backed securities. Dollar rolls are subject to interest rate risks and credit risks.

Hybrid Instruments

In this case all or a portion of the interest or principal payable on a hybrid security is determined by reference to changes in the price of a Reference Instrument. Second, a hybrid instrument may also combine elements of a fixed-income security and an equity security. Third, hybrid instruments may include convertible securities with conversion terms related to a Reference Instrument.

Depending on the type and terms of the hybrid instrument, its risks may reflect a combination of the risks of investing in the Reference Instrument with the risks of investing in other securities, currencies and derivative contracts. Thus, an investment in a hybrid instrument may entail significant risks in addition to those associated with traditional securities or the Reference Instrument. Hybrid instruments are also potentially more volatile than traditional securities or the Reference Instrument. Moreover, depending on the structure of the particular hybrid, it may expose the Fund to leverage risks or carry liquidity risks.

Credit Linked Note (A Type of Hybrid Instrument)

A credit linked note (CLN) is a type of hybrid instrument in which a special purpose entity issues a structured note (the “Note Issuer”) with respect to which the Reference Instrument is a single bond, a portfolio of bonds or the unsecured credit of an issuer, in general (each a “Reference Credit”). The purchaser of the CLN (the “Note Purchaser”) invests a par amount and receives a payment during the term of the CLN that equals a fixed or floating rate of interest equivalent to a high rated funded asset (such as a bank certificate of deposit) plus an additional premium that relates to taking on the credit risk of the Reference Credit. Upon maturity of the CLN, the Note Purchaser will receive a payment equal to: (i) the original par amount paid to the Note Issuer, if there is no occurrence of a designated event of default, restructuring or other credit event (each, a “Credit Event”) with respect to the issuer of the Reference Credit; or (ii) the market value of the Reference Credit, if a Credit Event has occurred. Depending upon the terms of the CLN, it is also possible that the Note Purchaser may be required to take physical delivery of the Reference Credit in the event of a Credit Event. Most credit linked notes use a corporate bond (or a portfolio of corporate bonds) as the Reference Credit. However, almost any type of fixed-income security (including foreign government securities), index or derivative contract (such as a credit default swap) can be used as the Reference Credit.

Asset Segregation

In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and SEC staff positions regarding the interpretation of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), with respect to derivatives that create a future payment obligation of the Fund, the Fund must “set aside” (referred to sometimes as “asset segregation”) liquid assets, or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures, while the derivative contracts are open. For example, with respect to forwards and futures contracts that are not contractually required to “cash-settle,” the Fund must cover its open positions by setting aside cash or readily marketable securities equal to the contracts’ full, notional value. With respect to forwards and futures that are contractually required to “cash-settle,” however, the Fund is permitted to set aside cash or readily marketable securities in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligations, if any (i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability, if any), rather than the notional value.

The Fund will employ another approach to segregating assets to cover options that it sells. If the Fund sells a call option, the Fund will set aside either the Reference Instrument subject to the option, cash or readily marketable securities with a value that equals or exceeds the current market value of the Reference Instrument. In no event, will the value of the cash or readily marketable securities set aside by the Fund be less than the exercise price of the call option. If the Fund sells a put option, the Fund will set aside cash or readily marketable securities with a value that equals or exceeds the exercise price of the put option.

The Fund’s asset segregation approach for swap agreements varies among different types of swaps. For example, if the Fund enters into a credit default swap as the Protection Buyer, then it will set aside cash or readily marketable securities necessary to meet any accrued payment obligations under the swap. By comparison, if the Fund enters into a credit default swap as the Protection Seller, then the Fund will set aside cash or readily marketable securities equal to the full notional amount of the swap that must be paid upon the occurrence of a Credit Event. For some other types of swaps, such as interest rate swaps, the Fund will calculate the obligations of the counterparties to the swap on a net basis. Consequently, the Fund’s current obligation (or “rights”) under this type of swap will equal only the net amount to be paid or received based on the relative values of the positions held by each counterparty to the swap (the “net amount”). The net amount currently owed by or to the Fund will be accrued daily and the Fund will set aside cash or readily marketable securities equal to any accrued but unpaid net amount owed by the Fund under the swap.

The Fund may reduce the liquid assets segregated to cover obligations under a derivative contract by entering into an offsetting derivative contract. For example, if the Fund sells a put option for the same Reference Instrument as a call option the Fund has sold, and the exercise price of the call option is the same as or higher than the exercise price of the put option, then the Fund may net its obligations under the options and set aside cash or readily marketable securities (including any margin deposited for the options) with a value equal to the greater of: (a) the current market value of the Reference Instrument deliverable under the call option; or (b) the exercise price of the put option.

By setting aside cash or readily marketable securities equal to only its net obligations under swaps and certain cash-settled derivative contracts, the Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate cash or readily marketable securities equal to the full notional value of such contracts. The use of leverage involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors.” Unless the Fund has other cash or readily marketable securities to set aside, it cannot trade assets set aside in connection with derivative contracts or special transactions without entering into an offsetting derivative contract or terminating a special transaction. This may cause the Fund to miss favorable trading opportunities or to realize losses on derivative contracts or special transactions. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions articulated from time to time by the SEC and its staff.

Generally, special transactions do not cash-settle on a net basis. Consequently, with respect to special transactions, the Fund will set aside cash or readily marketable securities with a value that equals or exceeds the Fund’s obligations.

Credit Enhancement

Credit enhancement consists of an arrangement in which a company agrees to pay amounts due on a fixed-income security if the issuer defaults. In some cases the company providing credit enhancement makes all payments directly to the security holders and receives reimbursement from the issuer. Normally, the credit enhancer may have greater financial resources and liquidity than the issuer. For this reason, the Adviser may evaluate the credit risk of a fixed-income security based solely upon its credit enhancement.

Common types of credit enhancement include guarantees, letters of credit, bond insurance and surety bonds. Credit enhancement also includes arrangements where securities or other liquid assets secure payment of a fixed-income security. If a default occurs, these assets may be sold and the proceeds paid to security’s holders. Either form of credit enhancement reduces credit risks by providing another source of payment for a fixed-income security.

Investing in Securities of Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies, including the securities of affiliated money market funds, as an efficient means of implementing its investment strategies, managing its uninvested cash and/or other investment reasons consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and investment strategies. The Fund may also invest in mortgage-backed securities primarily by investing in another investment company (which is not available for general investment by the public) that owns those securities and that is advised by an affiliate of the Adviser. The Fund may also invest in such securities directly. These other investment companies are managed independently of the Fund and incur additional fees and/or expenses which would, therefore, be borne indirectly by the Fund in connection with any such investment. These investments also can create conflicts of interests for the Adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to the acquired fund. For example, a conflict of interest can arise due to the possibility that the Adviser to the Fund could make a decision to redeem the Fund’s investment in the acquired fund. In the case of an investment in an affiliated fund, a conflict of interest can arise if, because of the Fund’s investment in the acquired fund, the acquired fund is able to garner more assets, thereby growing the Fund and increasing the management fees received by the investment adviser to the acquired fund, which would either be the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. However, the Adviser believes that the benefits and efficiencies of making investments in other investment companies should outweigh the potential additional fees and/or expenses and resulting conflicts of interest.

Hedging

Hedging transactions are intended to reduce specific risks. For example, to protect the Fund against circumstances that would normally cause the Fund’s portfolio securities to decline in value, the Fund may buy or sell a derivative contract that would normally increase in value under the same circumstances. The Fund may also attempt to hedge by using combinations of different derivative contracts, or derivative contracts and securities. The Fund’s ability to hedge may be limited by the costs of the derivative contracts. The Fund may attempt to lower the cost of hedging by entering into transactions that provide only limited protection, including transactions that: (1) hedge only a portion of its portfolio; (2) use derivative contracts that cover a narrow range of circumstances; or (3) involve the sale of derivative contracts with different terms. Consequently, hedging transactions will not eliminate risk even if they work as intended. In addition, hedging strategies are not always successful, and could result in increased expenses and losses to the Fund.

INTER-FUND BORROWING AND THIRD-PARTY LENDING ARRANGEMENTS

Inter-Fund Borrowing

inter-fund loan is only made if it benefits each participating Federated Hermes fund. Federated Hermes administers the program according to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board, and the Board monitors the operation of the program. Any inter-fund loan must comply with certain conditions set out in the exemption, which are designed to assure fairness and protect all participating Federated Hermes funds.

For example, inter-fund lending is permitted only: (a) to meet shareholder redemption requests; (b) to meet commitments arising from “failed” trades; and (c) for other temporary purposes. All inter-fund loans must be repaid in seven days or less. The Fund’s participation in this program must be consistent with its investment policies and limitations, and must meet certain percentage tests. Inter-fund loans may be made only when the rate of interest to be charged is more attractive to the lending Federated Hermes fund than market-competitive rates on overnight repurchase agreements (“Repo Rate”) and more attractive to the borrowing Federated Hermes fund than the rate of interest that would be charged by an unaffiliated bank for short-term borrowings (“Bank Loan Rate”), as determined by the Board. The interest rate imposed on inter-fund loans is the average of the Repo Rate and the Bank Loan Rate.

Third-Party Line of Credit

The Fund may participate with certain other Federated Hermes funds, at a future time deemed appropriate by Federated Hermes, on a several basis, in an up to $500,000,000 unsecured, 364-day, committed, revolving line of credit (LOC) agreement. The LOC was made available to temporarily finance the repurchase or redemption of shares of the Fund, failed trades, payment of dividends, settlement of trades and for other short-term, temporary or emergency general business purposes. The Fund cannot borrow under the LOC if an inter-fund loan is outstanding. The Fund’s ability to borrow under the LOC also is subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act and various conditions precedent that must be satisfied before the Fund can borrow. Loans under the LOC are charged interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest, on any day, of: (a) (i) the federal funds effective rate; (ii) the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or a replacement rate as appropriate; and (iii) 0.0%; plus (b) a margin. Any fund eligible to borrow under the LOC pays its pro rata share of an upfront fee, and its pro rata share of a commitment fee based on the amount of the lenders’ commitment that has not been utilized, quarterly in arrears and at maturity. The Fund does not currently participate in the LOC.

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The Fund has adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program (LRMP) and related procedures to assess and manage the liquidity risk of the Fund in accordance with Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act and Rule 22e-4 thereunder. The Board has designated the Adviser, together with Federated Hermes, Inc.’s (“Federated Hermes,” formerly, Federated Investors, Inc.) other affiliated registered investment advisory subsidiaries that serve as investment advisers to other Federated Hermes funds, to collectively serve as the administrator of the LRMP and the related procedures (the “Administrator”). Rule 22e-4 defines “liquidity risk” as the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet requests to redeem Shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of the remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. As a part of the LRMP, the Administrator is responsible for classifying the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio investments in accordance with Rule 22e-4. As part of the LRMP, the Administrator is also responsible for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing the Fund’s liquidity risk, for making periodic reports to the Board and the SEC regarding the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, and for notifying the Board and the SEC of certain liquidity events specified in Rule 22e-4. The liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio investments is determined based on relevant market, trading and investment-specific considerations under the LRMP.

Investment Risks

There are many risk factors which may affect an investment in the Fund. The Fund’s principal risks are described in its Prospectus. The following information is either additional information in respect of a principal risk factor referenced in the Prospectus or information in respect of a non-principal risk factor applicable to the Fund (in which case there is no related disclosure in the Prospectus).

CURRENCY RISK

Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. The combination of currency risk and market risks tends to make securities traded in foreign markets more volatile than securities traded exclusively in the United States. The Adviser attempts to manage currency risk by limiting the amount the Fund invests in securities denominated in a particular currency. However, diversification will not protect the Fund against a general increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies.

Investing in currencies or securities denominated in a foreign currency, entails risk of being exposed to a currency that may not fully reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the economy of the country or region utilizing the currency. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which the Fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which the Fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will

decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. In addition, it is possible that a currency (such as, for example, the euro) could be abandoned in the future by countries that have already adopted its use, and the effects of such an abandonment on the applicable country and the rest of the countries utilizing the currency are uncertain but could negatively affect the Fund’s investments denominated in the currency. If a currency used by a country or countries is replaced by another currency, the Fund’s Adviser would evaluate whether to continue to hold any investments denominated in such currency, or whether to purchase investments denominated in the currency that replaces such currency, at the time. Such investments may continue to be held, or purchased, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and permitted under applicable law.

Many countries rely heavily upon export-dependent businesses and any strength in the exchange rate between a currency and the U.S. dollar or other currencies can have either a positive or a negative effect upon corporate profits and the performance of investments in the country or region utilizing the currency. Adverse economic events within such country or region may increase the volatility of exchange rates against other currencies, subjecting the Fund’s investments denominated in such country’s or region’s currency to additional risks.

RISK OF INVESTING IN DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND HYBRID INSTRUMENTS

The Fund’s exposure to derivative contracts and hybrid instruments (either directly or through its investment in another investment company) involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. First, changes in the value of the derivative contracts and hybrid instruments in which the Fund invests may not be correlated with changes in the value of the underlying Reference Instruments or, if they are correlated, may move in the opposite direction than originally anticipated. Second, while some strategies involving derivatives may reduce the risk of loss, they may also reduce potential gains or, in some cases, result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in portfolio holdings. Third, there is a risk that derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may be erroneously priced or improperly valued and, as a result, the Fund may need to make increased cash payments to the counterparty. Fourth, exposure to derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may have tax consequences to the Fund and its shareholders. For example, derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may cause the Fund to realize increased ordinary income or short-term capital gains (which are treated as ordinary income for Federal income tax purposes) and, as a result, may increase taxable distributions to shareholders. In addition, under certain circumstances certain derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may cause the Fund to: (a) incur an excise tax on a portion of the income related to those contracts and instruments; and/or (b) reclassify, as a return of capital, some or all of the distributions previously made to shareholders during the fiscal year as dividend income. Fifth, a common provision in OTC derivative contracts permits the counterparty to terminate any such contract between it and the Fund, if the value of the Fund’s total net assets declines below a specified level over a given time period. Factors that may contribute to such a decline (which usually must be substantial) include significant shareholder redemptions and/or a marked decrease in the market value of the Fund’s investments. Any such termination of the Fund’s OTC derivative contracts may adversely affect the Fund (for example, by increasing losses and/or costs, and/or preventing the Fund from fully implementing its investment strategies). Sixth, the Fund may use a derivative contract to benefit from a decline in the value of a Reference Instrument. If the value of the Reference Instrument declines during the term of the contract, the Fund makes a profit on the difference (less any payments the Fund is required to pay under the terms of the contract). Any such strategy involves risk. There is no assurance that the Reference Instrument will decline in value during the term of the contract and make a profit for the Fund. The Reference Instrument may instead appreciate in value creating a loss for the Fund. Seventh, a default or failure by a CCP or an FCM (also sometimes called a “futures broker”), or the failure of a contract to be transferred from an Executing Dealer to the FCM for clearing, may expose the Fund to losses, increase its costs, or prevent the Fund from entering or exiting derivative positions, accessing margin, or fully implementing its investment strategies. The central clearing of a derivative and trading of a contract over a SEF could reduce the liquidity in, or increase costs of entering into or holding, any contracts. Finally, derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described herein or in the Fund’s prospectus, such as stock market, interest rate, credit, currency, liquidity and leverage risks.

EUROPEAN UNION AND EUROZONE RELATED RISK

A number of countries in the European Union (EU), including certain countries within the EU that have adopted the euro (Eurozone), have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties. Additional countries within the EU may also fall subject to such difficulties. These events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments in euro-denominated securities and derivatives contracts, securities of issuers located in the EU or with significant exposure to EU issuers or countries. If the euro is dissolved entirely, the legal and contractual consequences for holders of euro-denominated obligations and derivative contracts would be determined by laws in effect at such time. Such investments may continue to be held, or purchased, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective(s) and permitted under applicable law. These potential developments, or market perceptions concerning these and related issues, could adversely affect the value of the Shares.

Certain countries in the EU have had to accept assistance from supra-governmental agencies such as the International Monetary Fund, the European Stability Mechanism (the ESM) or other supra-governmental agencies. The European Central Bank has also been intervening to purchase Eurozone debt in an attempt to stabilize markets and reduce borrowing costs. There can be no assurance that these agencies will continue to intervene or provide further assistance and markets may react adversely to any expected reduction in the financial support provided by these agencies. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences.

In addition, one or more countries may withdraw from the EU, and one or more countries within the Eurozone may abandon the euro. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, could be significant and far-reaching. On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) left the EU, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” and there commenced a transition period during which the EU and UK negotiated and agreed on the nature of their future relationship, with such agreements becoming effective on December 31, 2020. There is significant market uncertainty regarding Brexit’s ramifications, and the range and potential implications of possible political, regulatory, economic, and market outcomes are difficult to predict. This long-term uncertainty may affect other countries in the EU and elsewhere and may cause volatility within the EU, triggering prolonged economic downturns in certain countries within the EU. In addition, Brexit may create additional and substantial economic stresses for the UK, including a contraction of the UK economy and price volatility in UK stocks, decreased trade, capital outflows, devaluation of the British pound, wider corporate bond spreads due to uncertainty and declines in business and consumer spending as well as foreign direct investment. Brexit may also adversely affect UK-based financial firms, including certain subadvisers to the Federated Hermes Funds, that have counterparties in the EU or participate in market infrastructure (trading venues, clearing houses, settlement facilities) based in the EU. These events and the resulting market volatility may have an adverse effect on the performance of the Fund.

STOCK MARKET RISK

The value of equity securities in the Fund’s portfolio will rise and fall over time. These fluctuations could be a sustained trend or a drastic movement. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s securities may fluctuate from day to day. The Fund’s portfolio will reflect changes in prices of individual portfolio stocks or general changes in stock valuations. Consequently, the Fund’s Share price may decline. The Adviser attempts to manage market risk by limiting the amount the Fund invests in each company’s equity securities. However, diversification will not protect the Fund against widespread or prolonged declines in the stock market.

Information publicly available about a company, whether from the company’s financial statements or other disclosures or from third parties, or information available to some but not all market participants, can affect the price of a company’s shares in the market. The price of a company’s shares depends significantly on the information publicly available about the company. The reporting of poor results by a company, the restatement of a company’s financial statements or corrections to other information regarding a company or its business may adversely affect the price of its shares, as would allegations of fraud or other misconduct by the company’s management. The Fund may also be disadvantaged if some market participants have access to material information not readily available to other market participants, including the Fund.

RISK ASSOCIATED WITH COMPLEX CMOs

CMOs with complex or highly variable prepayment terms, such as companion classes, IOs, POs, Inverse Floaters and residuals, generally entail greater market, prepayment and liquidity risks than other mortgage-backed securities. For example, their prices are more volatile and their trading market may be more limited.

RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES OF OTHER ACCOUNTS

Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other accounts managed by the Adviser and accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser. Therefore, it is possible that investment-related actions taken by such other accounts could adversely impact the Fund with respect to, for example, the value of Fund portfolio holdings, and/or prices paid to or received by the Fund on its portfolio transactions, and/or the Fund’s ability to obtain or dispose of portfolio securities. Related considerations are discussed elsewhere in this SAI under “Brokerage Transactions and Investment Allocation.”

LIBOR Risk

LIBOR came under increasing pressure, and in July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will stop encouraging banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. This may cause LIBOR to cease to be published. LIBOR panel banks have agreed to submit quotations to LIBOR through the end of 2021. Before then, it is expected that market participants will transition to the use of different reference or benchmark rates. However, there is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any particular replacement rate. Regulators have suggested alternative reference rates, but global consensus is lacking and the process for amending existing contracts or instruments to transition away from LIBOR remains unclear.

While it is expected that market participants will amend financial instruments referencing LIBOR to include fallback provisions and other measures that contemplate the discontinuation of LIBOR or other similar market disruption events, neither the effect of the transition process nor the viability of such measures is known. While market participants have begun transitioning away from LIBOR, there are obstacles to converting certain longer term securities and transactions to a new benchmark or benchmarks. The effectiveness of multiple alternative reference rates as opposed to one primary reference rate has not been determined. The effectiveness of alternative reference rates used in new or existing financial instruments and products has also not yet been determined. As market participants transition away from LIBOR, LIBOR’s usefulness may deteriorate, which could occur prior to the end of 2021. The transition process may lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. LIBOR’s deterioration may adversely affect the liquidity and/or market value of securities that use LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate, including securities and other financial instruments held by the Fund. Further, the utilization of an alternative reference rate, or the transition process to an alternative reference rate, may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.

CYBERSECURITY RISK

Like other funds and business enterprises, Federated Hermes’ business relies on the security and reliability of information and communications technology, systems and networks. Federated Hermes uses digital technology, including, for example, networked systems, email and the Internet, to conduct business operations and engage clients, customers, employees, products, accounts, shareholders, and relevant service providers, among others. Federated Hermes, as well as its funds and certain service providers, also generate, compile and process information for purposes of preparing and making filings or reports to governmental agencies, and a cybersecurity attack or incident that impacts that information, or the generation and filing processes, may prevent required regulatory filings and reports from being made. The use of the Internet and other electronic media and technology exposes the Fund, the Fund’s shareholders, and the Fund’s service providers, and their respective operations, to potential risks from cybersecurity attacks or incidents (collectively, “cyber-events”).

Cyber-events can result from intentional (or deliberate) attacks or unintentional events by insiders or third parties, including cybercriminals, competitors, nation-states and “hacktivists,” among others. Cyber-events may include, for example, phishing, use of stolen access credentials, unauthorized access to systems, networks or devices (such as, for example, through “hacking” activity), structured query language attacks, infection from or spread of malware, ransomware, computer viruses or other malicious software code, corruption of data, and attacks (including, but not limited to, denial of service attacks on websites) which shut down, disable, slow, impair or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, technology, connectivity or website or internet access, functionality or performance. Like other funds and business enterprises, the Fund and its service providers have experienced, and will continue to experience, cyber-events on a daily basis. In addition to intentional cyber-events, unintentional cyber-events can occur, such as, for example, the inadvertent release of confidential information. To date, cyber-events have not had a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business operations or performance.

Cyber-events can affect, potentially in a material way, Federated Hermes’ relationships with its customers, employees, products, accounts, shareholders and relevant service providers. Any cyber-event could adversely impact the Fund and its shareholders and cause the Fund to incur financial loss and expense, as well as face exposure to regulatory penalties, reputational damage and additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures. A cyber-event may cause the Fund, or its service providers, to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, lose operational capacity (such as, for example, the loss of the ability to process transactions, calculate the Fund’s NAV, or allow shareholders to transact business or other disruptions to operations), and/or fail to comply with applicable privacy and other laws. Among other potentially harmful effects, cyber-events also may result in theft, unauthorized monitoring and failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Fund and its service providers. In addition, cyber-events affecting issuers in which the Fund invests could cause the Fund’s investments to lose value.

Federated Hermes also conducts due diligence on key service providers (or vendors) relating to cybersecurity. Federated Hermes has established a committee to oversee Federated Hermes’ information security and data governance efforts, and updates on cyber-events and risks are reviewed with relevant committees, as well as Federated Hermes’ and the Fund’s Boards of Directors or Trustees (or a committee thereof), on a periodic (generally quarterly) basis (and more frequently when circumstances warrant) as part of risk management oversight responsibilities. However, there is no guarantee that the efforts of Federated Hermes, the Fund’s Adviser or its affiliates, or other service providers, will succeed, either entirely or partially as there are limits on Federated Hermes’ and the Fund’s ability to prevent, detect or mitigate cyber-events. Among other reasons, the cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, the nature of malicious cyber-events is becoming increasingly sophisticated and the Fund’s Adviser, and its relevant affiliates, cannot control the cyber systems and cybersecurity systems of issuers or third-party service providers.

Investment Objective (and Policies) and Investment Limitations

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek current income. The investment objective may be changed by the Fund’s Board without shareholder approval.

Investment Limitations

Borrowing Money and Issuing Senior Securities

The Fund will not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief.

Diversification

With respect to securities comprising 75% of the value of its total assets, the Fund will not purchase securities of any one issuer (other than cash; cash items; securities issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements collateralized by such U.S. government securities; and securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or the Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.

Investing in Commodities

The Fund will not purchase or sell physical commodities, except to the extent acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments or enforcement of rights thereunder or permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief. This limitation does not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts, from purchasing securities of companies that deal in commodities or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities.

Underwriting

The Fund will not underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief.

Lending

The Fund will not lend any security or make any other loan except as permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief. This limitation does not apply to purchases of debt obligations or securities, to the lending of assets to broker-dealers or institutional investors, to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations, assignments of loans or participations, or other forms of debt instruments permissible under the Fund’s investment policies.

Concentration

The Fund will not concentrate its investments (i.e., hold more than 25% of its total assets) in any industry or group of related industries. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), investment companies, repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, bank instruments, and tax-exempt (or municipal) securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry. The Fund will not borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief.

Investing in Real Estate

The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate, except to the extent acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments or enforcement of rights thereunder or permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief. This limitation does not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments secured or backed by real estate or interests therein, real estate investment trusts or securities of companies engaged in transactions in real estate, or interests therein, or the real estate business.

The above limitations cannot be changed unless authorized by the Board and by the “vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities,” as defined by the 1940 Act. The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change in these limitations becomes effective.

Additional Information

The Fund considers certificates of deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank or savings association having capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be “cash items.” Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such limitation.

In applying the Fund’s concentration restriction: (a) utility companies will be divided according to their services, for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry; (b) financial service companies will be classified according to the end users of their services, for example, automobile finance, bank finance and diversified finance will each be considered a separate industry; and (c) asset-backed securities will be classified according to the underlying assets securing such securities. To conform to the current view of the SEC staff that only domestic bank instruments may be excluded from industry concentration limitations, as a matter of non-fundamental policy, the Fund will not exclude foreign bank instruments from industry concentration limitation tests as long as the policy of the SEC remains in effect. In addition, investments in bank instruments, and investments in certain industrial development bonds funded by activities in a single industry, will be deemed to constitute investment in an industry, except when held for temporary defensive purposes. The investment of more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets in any one industry will constitute “concentration.”

Investing in Securities of Other Investment Companies

The Fund is prohibited from investing in other registered investment companies in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) of the 1940 Act.

Non-Fundamental Names Rule Policy

The Fund will invest its assets so that at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested as described in its Prospectus. The Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change to this policy.

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 a Fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. 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.

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 Fund’s Distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares, and sells such 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 categorization 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, generally are 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 1940Act.

What Do Shares Cost?

Because the Fund is an exchange-traded fund, individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer and may not be purchased or redeemed directly with the Fund. When buying on or through the exchange, the price of Fund Shares is based on a market price, which may be more or less than the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund only sells and redeems Shares at net asset value with Authorized Participants (defined below) in Creation Units (defined below).

Determining Net Asset Value

A Share’s net asset value (NAV) is determined as of the end of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open. The Fund calculates the NAV of the Fund by valuing the Fund’s assets, subtracting the Fund’s liabilities and dividing the balance by the number of Fund Shares outstanding. The NAV is calculated to the nearest whole cent per Share.In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values investments as follows:

■ Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange or traded through the U.S. national market system are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market. If a price is not readily available, such equity securities are valued based upon the mean of closing bid and asked quotations from one or more dealers.

■ Other equity securities traded primarily in the United States are valued based upon the mean of closing bid-and-asked quotations from one or more dealers.

■ Equity securities traded primarily through securities exchanges and regulated market systems outside the United States are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market. These prices may be adjusted for significant events occurring after the closing of such exchanges or market systems as described below. If a price is not readily available, such equity securities are valued based upon the mean of closing bid and asked quotations from one or more dealers.

■ Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. The methods used by pricing services to determine such price evaluations are described below.

■ Futures contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement price. Option contracts listed on exchanges are valued based upon the mean of closing bid and asked quotations reported by the exchange or from one or more futures commission merchants.

■ OTC derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Board. The methods used by pricing services to determine such price evaluations are described below. If a price evaluation from a pricing service is not readily available, such derivative contracts may be fair valued based upon price evaluations from one or more dealers or using a recognized pricing model for the contract.

■ Shares of other mutual funds or non-exchange-traded investment companies are valued based upon their reported NAVs. The prospectuses for these mutual funds explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Fund’s valuation policies and procedures, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the Valuation Committee, is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund will use the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could purchase or sell an investment at the price used to calculate the Fund’s NAV. The Fund will not use a pricing service or dealer who is an affiliated person of the Adviser to value investments.Noninvestment assets and liabilities are valued in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The NAV calculation includes expenses, dividend income, interest income, other income and realized and unrealized investment gains and losses through the date of the calculation. Changes in holdings of investments and in the number of outstanding Shares are included in the calculation not later than the first business day following such change. Any assets or liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using an exchange rate obtained from one or more currency dealers.The Fund follows procedures that are common in the mutual fund industry regarding errors made in the calculation of its NAV. This means that, generally, the Fund will not correct errors of less than one cent per Share or errors that did not result in net dilution to the Fund.

Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures

Pricing Service Valuations. Based on the recommendations of the Valuation Committee, the Board has authorized the Fund, subject to Board oversight, to use pricing services that provide daily fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments, primarily fixed-income securities and OTC derivatives contracts. Different pricing services may provide different price evaluations for the same security because of differences in their methods of evaluating market values. Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. A pricing service may find it more difficult to apply these and other factors to relatively illiquid or volatile investments, which may result in less frequent or more significant changes in the price evaluations of these investments. If a pricing service determines that it does not have sufficient information to use its standard methodology, it may evaluate an investment based on the present value of what investors can reasonably expect to receive from the issuer’s operations or liquidation.

Special valuation considerations may apply with respect to the Fund’s “odd-lot” positions, if any, as the Fund may receive lower prices when it sells such positions than it would receive for sales of institutional round lot positions. Typically, these securities are valued assuming orderly transactions of institutional round lot sizes, but the Fund may hold or, from time to time, transact in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes.

The Valuation Committee engages in oversight activities with respect to the Fund’s pricing services, which includes, among other things, monitoring significant or unusual price fluctuations above predetermined tolerance levels from the prior day, back-testing of pricing services’ prices against actual sale transactions, conducting periodic due diligence meetings and reviews, and periodically reviewing the inputs, assumptions and methodologies used by these pricing services. If information furnished by a pricing service is not readily available or, in the opinion of the Valuation Committee, is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the security will be fair valued by the Valuation Committee in accordance with procedures established by the Trustees as discussed below in “Fair Valuation Procedures.”

Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a “bid” evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations indicative of a price between the prices bid and asked for the investment (a “mid” evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for all fixed-income securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for OTC derivative contracts.

Fair Valuation Procedures. The Board has established procedures for determining the fair value of investments for which price evaluations from pricing services or dealers and market quotations are not readily available. The procedures define an investment’s “fair value” as the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon its current sale. The procedures assume that any sale would be made to a willing buyer in the ordinary course of trading. The procedures require consideration of factors that vary based on the type of investment and the information available. Factors that may be considered in determining an investment’s fair value include: (1) the last reported price at which the investment was traded; (2) information provided by dealers or investment analysts regarding the investment or the issuer; (3) changes in financial conditions and business prospects disclosed in the issuer’s financial statements and other reports; (4) publicly announced transactions (such as tender offers and mergers) involving the issuer; (5) comparisons to other investments or to financial indices that are correlated to the investment; (6) with respect to fixed-income investments, changes in market yields and spreads; (7) with respect to investments that have been suspended from trading, the circumstances leading to the suspension; and (8) other factors that might affect the investment’s value.

The Valuation Committee is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of these procedures subject to Board oversight. The Valuation Committee may also authorize the use of a financial valuation model to determine the fair value of a specific type of investment. The Board periodically reviews and approves the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee and any changes made to the procedures.

Using fair value to price investments may result in a value that is different from an investment’s most recent closing price and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their NAVs. The application of the fair value procedures to an investment represent a good faith determination of an investment’s fair value. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share, and the actual value could be materially different.

Significant Events. The Board has adopted procedures requiring an investment to be priced at its fair value whenever the Adviser determines that a significant event affecting the value of the investment has occurred between the time as of which the price of the investment would otherwise be determined and the time as of which the NAV is computed. An event is considered significant if there is both an affirmative expectation that the investment’s value will change in response to the event and a reasonable basis for quantifying the resulting change in value. Examples of significant events that may occur after the close of the principal market on which a security is traded, or the time of a price evaluation provided by a pricing service or a dealer, include:

■ Political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded; and

■ Announcements concerning matters such as acquisitions, recapitalizations or litigation developments, or a natural disaster affecting the issuer’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry.

For other significant events, the Fund may seek to obtain more current quotations or price evaluations from alternative pricing sources. If a reliable alternative pricing source is not available, the fair value of the investment is determined using the methods discussed above in “Fair Valuation Procedures.” The Board has ultimate responsibility for any fair valuations made in response to a significant event.

How is the Fund Bought and Sold?

Under the Distributor’s Contract with the Fund, the Distributor (“Federated Securities Corp.”) offers Shares on a continuous, best-efforts basis.

Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

The Trust issues and redeems Shares of the Fund only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load but subject to the transaction fees described below, at the NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order in proper form. A “Business Day”, as used herein, is any day on which the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE 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.

Currently, the number of Shares that constitutes a Creation Unit is [ ] Shares. The Board, or the Adviser pursuant to delegated authority from the Board, may change the number of Shares constituting a Creation Unit. In addition, the Board reserves the right to declare a split or a consolidation in the number of Shares outstanding of the Fund, including in the event that the per share price in the secondary market rises (or declines) to an amount that falls outside the range deemed desirable by the Board.

Creation Units may be purchased and redeemed only by or through a clearing agency that has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Distributor (an “Authorized Participant”). Such Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of such Authorized Participant Agreement and on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, to certain conditions. Investors who are not Authorized Participants must make appropriate arrangements with an Authorized Participant to purchase or redeem Creation Units. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not be an Authorized Participant and that Creation Unit orders may have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant, which may result in additional charges to such investor. A list of current Authorized Participants may be obtained from the Distributor.

Investors who are not Authorized Participants may purchase and sell Shares of the Fund in any amount on the secondary market.

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 transact in Shares of the Fund on days when the NAV of the Fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant non-U.S. markets.

Purchases of Creation Units

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of the Fund consists of an in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (or cash for all or any portion of such securities (“Deposit Cash”)) (collectively, the “Deposit Securities”) and the Cash Component, which is an amount equal to the difference between the aggregate NAV of a Creation Unit and the Deposit Securities. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit.”

The Custodian or the Administrator expects to make available through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) on each Business Day, prior to the opening of regular trading on the Exchange, the list of names and the required number of Shares of each Deposit Security and Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the estimated amount of the Cash Component to be included in the current Fund Deposit for that Business Day. The identity and number of Shares of the Deposit Securities may change pursuant to, among other matters, changes in the composition of the Fund’s portfolio and as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time and when Custom Baskets (defined below) are used. Cash purchases of Creation Units will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases. The Authorized Participant will pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities as Deposit Cash plus or minus the same Cash Component.

The means by which the Deposit Securities and Cash Component are to be delivered by the Authorized Participant to the Fund are set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement, except to the extent the Distributor and the Authorized Participant otherwise agree. Fund Shares will be settled through the DTC system.

Placement of Purchase Orders

To initiate an order for a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit to the Distributor an irrevocable order in proper form to purchase Shares of the Fund on a Business Day generally before the time as of which that day’s NAV is calculated. For a purchase order to be processed based on the NAV calculated on a particular Business Day, the purchase order must be received in proper form and accepted by the Trust prior to the time as of which the applicable NAV is calculated and the order window, as established for the Fund, is closed (“Cutoff Time”). Investors who are not Authorized Participants and seek to place a purchase order for a Creation Unit through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the purchase order to the Distributor by the Cutoff Time on such Business Day. Custom Orders must be received in proper form and accepted by the Trust at least two hours prior to Cutoff Time.

The Authorized Participant Agreement sets forth the different methods whereby Authorized Participants can submit purchase orders. A purchase order is considered to be in “proper form” if a request in a form satisfactory to the Fund is (1) received by the Distributor from an Authorized Participant on behalf of itself or another person within the time period set above, and (2) all the procedures and other requirements applicable to the method used by the Authorized Participant to submit the purchase order, such as, in the case of purchase orders submitted through the applicable order portal, the completion of all required fields, and otherwise set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement are properly followed.

Creation Unit orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant through the applicable order portal, by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede transmissions between the Distributor and an Authorized Participant. Orders to create Shares of the Fund that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or a day (other than a weekend) when the securities markets in a foreign market in which the Fund may invest are closed may not be accepted or may be charged the maximum transaction fee. A Purchase order, if accepted by the Trust, will be processed based on the NAV as of the next Cutoff Time.

Acceptance of Orders for and Issuance of Creation Units

All questions as to whether an order has been submitted in proper form and 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 and the Fund’s determination shall be final and binding.

The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke acceptance of a creation order, including if (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Fund; (iii) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the identity and number of Shares specified; (iv) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (v) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (vi) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the discretion of the Fund or Federated Hermes, have an adverse effect on the Fund or the rights of Beneficial Owners; or (vii) circumstances outside the control of the Fund, the Distributor and Federated Hermes make it impracticable to process purchase orders. The Distributor shall notify a prospective purchaser of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such purchaser of the rejection or revocation of acceptance of such order. The Fund, the Custodian, the subcustodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.

Except as provided in the following paragraph, a Creation Unit will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Fund of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component, Deposit Cash and creation transaction fees have been completed. In this regard, the Custodian will require, prior to the issuance of a Creation Unit, that any sub-custodian confirm to the Custodian that the Deposit Securities have been delivered to the account of the Fund at the sub-custodian(s). If the Fund does not receive the foregoing by the time specified the Creation Unit may not be delivered or the purchase order may ultimately be rejected.

The Fund may issue Creation Units to an Authorized Participant, notwithstanding the fact that all Deposit Securities have not been received, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value of up to 105% of the value of the missing Deposit Securities. The only collateral that is acceptable is cash in U.S. dollars. Such cash collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time on the contractual settlement date of the Creation Unit(s). The Fund may buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time, and the Authorized Participant will be liable for any shortfall between the cost to the Fund of purchasing such securities and the cash collateral. In addition, the cash collateral may be invested at the risk of the Authorized Participant, and any income on invested cash collateral will be paid to that Authorized Participant. Information concerning the Fund’s current procedures for collateralization of missing Deposit Securities is available from the Distributor.

In certain cases, an Authorized Participant may create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Fund reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis or require a representation from the Authorized Participant that the creation and redemption transactions are for separate Beneficial Owners.

Once the Fund has accepted a purchase order, upon the next determination of the NAV of the Shares, the Fund may confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Distributor will then transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order. Creation Units typically are settled on a “T+2 basis” (i.e., two Business Days after trade date), subject to certain exceptions. However, the Fund reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2, including in order to accommodate non-U.S. market holiday schedules, closures and settlement cycles, and to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates.

Creation Transaction Fees

A standard creation transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant creates a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by the Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day.

The Authorized Participant may also be required to pay a variable transaction fee (up to the maximum amount shown in the table below) to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses. Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities, including any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary may be charged a fee for such services.

The standard creation transaction fee and maximum variable transaction fee for a Creation Unit are set forth below:

FUND	STANDARD TRANSACTION FEE	MAXIMUM VARIABLE TRANSACTION FEE*
Federated Hermes Short-Term Corporate ETF	$[TBD]	[TBD]%

* As a percentage of the Creation Unit(s) purchased.

The Adviser may adjust the transactions fees from time to time based on actual experience.

To the extent that the Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, may need to convert subscriptions that are made in whole or in part in cash into a foreign currency prior to purchasing investments denominated in foreign currencies at the applicable exchange rate and subject to the applicable spread, Creation Unit purchasers bear the risk associated with changes in the currency exchange rate and security value between the time they place their order and the time that the Fund converts any cash received into foreign investments.

Redemptions of Creation Units

The consideration paid by the Fund for the redemption of Creation Units consists of an in-kind basket of a designated portfolio of securities (or cash for all or any portion of such securities (“Redemption Cash”)) (collectively, the “Fund Securities”) and the Cash Component, which is an amount equal to the difference between the aggregate NAV of a Creation Unit and the Fund Securities. Together, the Fund Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Redemption.” Redemptions of Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Fund cannot lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or cannot do so without first registering the Fund Security under such laws.

The composition of the Fund Securities may not be the same as the Deposit Securities. In addition, the identity and number of Shares of the Fund Securities may change pursuant to, among other matters, changes in the composition of the Fund’s portfolio and as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time and when Custom Baskets (defined below) are used. Cash redemptions of Creation Units will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind redemptions. The Authorized Participant will receive the cash equivalent of the Fund Securities as Redemption Cash plus or minus the same Cash Component.

The means by which the Fund Securities and Cash Component are to be delivered to the Authorized Participant by the Fund are set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement, except to the extent the Distributor and the Authorized Participant otherwise agree. The delivery of Fund Shares will be settled through the DTC system.

Placement of Redemption Orders

To initiate a redemption order for a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit to the Distributor an irrevocable order in proper form to redeem Shares of the Fund on a Business Day generally before the time as of which that day’s NAV is calculated. For a redemption order to be processed based on the NAV calculated on a particular Business Day, the order must be received in proper form and accepted by the Trust prior to the Cutoff Time. Investors who are not Authorized Participants and seek to place a redemption order for a Creation Unit through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the redemption order to the Distributor by the Cutoff Time on such Business Day. Custom Orders must be received in proper form and accepted by the Trust at least two hours prior to Cutoff Time.

The Authorized Participant Agreement sets forth the different methods whereby Authorized Participants can submit redemption orders. A redemption request is considered to be in “proper form” if a request in a form satisfactory to the Fund is (1) received by the Distributor from an Authorized Participant on behalf of itself or another person within the time period set above, and (2) all the procedures and other requirements applicable to the method used by the Authorized Participant to submit the redemption order, such as, in the case of redemption orders submitted through the applicable order portal, the completion of all required fields, and otherwise set forth in the Authorized Participant Agreement are properly followed.

Creation Unit orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant through the applicable order portal, by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede transmissions between the Distributor and an Authorized Participant. Orders to redeem Shares of the Fund that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or a day (other than a weekend) when the securities markets in a foreign market in which the Fund may invest are closed may be charged the maximum transaction fee. A redemption request, if accepted by the Trust, will be processed based on the NAV as of the next Cutoff Time.

Acceptance of Orders for and Redemption of Creation Units

All questions as to whether an order has been submitted in proper form and the requisite number of Fund Shares and transaction fees have been delivered shall be determined by the Fund and the Fund’s determination shall be final and binding.

The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject a redemption order if the order is not in proper form. In addition, the right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund (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 of the Fund’s portfolio securities or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC. The Fund or Distributor will normally notify the Authorized Participant of such rejection, but neither shall be liable for any failure to give such notification.

Except as provided in the following paragraph, the payment by the Fund of the Fund Securities, including Redemption Cash, and Cash Component will not be issued until the transfer of the Creation Unit(s) and the applicable redemption transaction fees have been completed. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the redeeming investor’s Shares through DTC’s facilities and the applicable redemption transaction fees by the required time, the redemption request may be rejected. Further, a redeeming Beneficial Owner or Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such Beneficial Owner must maintain appropriate security arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each jurisdiction where Fund Securities are customarily traded and will be delivered. If neither the redeeming Beneficial Owner nor the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such redeeming Beneficial Owner has appropriate arrangements to take delivery of Fund Securities in the applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction, and it is not possible to make such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of Fund Securities in such jurisdiction, the Trust in its sole discretion may determine to redeem Shares in Redemption Cash, and the redeeming Beneficial Owner will be required to receive its redemption proceeds as Redemption Cash.

To the extent contemplated by the Participant Agreement, in the event the Authorized Participant has submitted a redemption request in proper form but is unable to transfer all or part of the Creation Unit to be redeemed to the Fund’s Transfer Agent, the Transfer Agent will nonetheless accept the redemption request in reliance on the undertaking by the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Shares as soon as possible. Such undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash having a value (marked to market daily) of up to 105%, which the Trust may change from time to time, of the value of the missing Shares. The current procedures for collateralization of missing Shares require, among other things, that any cash collateral shall be in the form of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds and shall be held by the Custodian and marked to market daily, and that the fees of the Custodian and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The Participant Agreement will permit the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, to purchase the missing Shares and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such Shares and the value of the collateral.

Once the Fund has accepted a redemption order, upon the next determination of the NAV of the Shares, the Fund may confirm the redemption of a Creation Unit, against receipt of Shares, at such NAV. The Distributor will then transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order. Deliveries of redemption proceeds by the Fund typically are settled on a “T+2”basis” (i.e., two Business Days after trade date), but may be made up to seven days later, particularly in stressed market conditions. Further, the Fund reserves the right to settle redemption transactions on another basis to accommodate non-U.S. market holiday schedules (see below for further information), closures and settlement cycles, to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and dividend ex-dates (i.e., the last date the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security sold), and in certain other circumstances.

Redemption Transaction Fees

A standard redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other costs associated with the redemption of Creation Units. The standard redemption transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant redeems a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day.

The Authorized Participant may also be required to pay a variable transaction fee (up to the maximum amount shown in the table below) to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses. Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities, including any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary may be charged a fee for such services.

The standard redemption transaction fee and maximum variable transaction fee for a Creation Unit are set forth below:

FUND	STANDARD TRANSACTION FEE	MAXIMUM VARIABLE TRANSACTION FEE*
Federated Hermes Short-Term Corporate ETF	$[TBD]	[TBD]%

* As a percentage of the Creation Unit(s) redeemed.

The Adviser may adjust the transactions fees from time to time based on actual experience.

To the extent that the Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, may need to sell investments denominated in foreign currencies prior to converting such proceeds into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate and subject to the applicable spread for redemptions that are made in whole or in part for cash, those redeeming Creation Units will bear the risk associated with changes in the currency exchange rate and securities value between the time they place their redemption order and the time that the Fund converts any foreign currency-denominated investments into U.S. Dollars.

Custom Baskets

The baskets of securities comprising a Fund Deposit and a Fund Redemption may be representative of the Fund’s portfolio holdings; or the Fund may utilize Custom Baskets provided that certain conditions are met. A “Custom Basket” is (i) a basket that is composed of a non-representative selection of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, or (ii) a representative basket that is different from the initial basket used in transactions on the same business day, and (iii) a basket that contains bespoke cash and/or security substitutions, including for a single Authorized Participant. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the construction and acceptance of baskets, including heightened requirements for Custom Baskets. Such policies and procedures provide detailed parameters for the construction and acceptance of Custom Baskets, establish processes for revisions to, or deviations from, such parameters, and specify the titles and roles of the employees of the Adviser who are required to review each Custom Basket for compliance with those parameters. In connection with the construction and acceptance of Custom Baskets, the Adviser may consider various factors, including, but not limited to: (1) whether the securities, assets and other positions comprising a basket are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and disclosure; (2) whether the securities, assets and other positions can legally and readily be acquired, transferred and held by the Fund and/or Authorized Participant(s), as applicable; (3) whether to utilize cash, either in lieu of securities or other instruments or as a cash balancing amount; (4) whether the use of Custom Baskets may reduce costs, increase (tax) efficiency and improve trading; and (5) with respect to index-based strategies, whether the securities, assets and other positions aid the Fund to track its underlying index. Although the policies and procedures are designed to mitigate against potential overreaching by an Authorized Participant, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be effective.

Regular Holidays

For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable non-U.S. market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle will be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a non-U.S. market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within normal settlement period. The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with non-U.S. market holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar days, in certain circumstances, but in no event longer than fifteen calendar days.

RULE 12b-1 PLAN

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan applicable to the Fund’s Shares. Under the Distribution Plan, the Distributor, or designated service providers, may receive up to 0.25% of the Fund’s assets attributable to Shares as compensation for distribution services pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Distribution services may include: (i) services in connection with distribution assistance, or (ii) payments to financial institutions and other financial intermediaries, such as broker-dealers, fund “supermarkets” and the Distributor’s affiliates and subsidiaries, as compensation for services or reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with distribution assistance. The Distributor may, at its discretion, retain a portion of such payments to compensate itself for distribution services and distribution related expenses such as the costs of preparation, printing, mailing or otherwise disseminating sales literature, advertising, and prospectuses (other than those furnished to current shareholders of the Fund), promotional and incentive programs, and such other marketing expenses that the Distributor may incur. The plan is a compensation plan, which means that the Distributor is compensated regardless of its expenses, as opposed to a reimbursement plan which reimburses only for expenses incurred.

No distribution fees are currently charged to the Fund and there are currently no plans to impose these fees. The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Fund’s method of distribution. In the event that 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, because the Fund pays these fees out of assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees may cost you more than other types of sales charges and will increase the cost of your investment in the Fund.

The Plan will remain in effect for a period of one year and is renewable from year to year with respect to the Fund, so long as its continuance is approved at least annually (1) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees and (2) by a vote of the majority of those Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”). The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees that may be paid by the Fund under the Plan unless such amendment is approved by a 1940 Act majority vote of the outstanding Shares and by the Fund’s Trustees in the manner described above. The Plan is terminable with respect to the Fund at any time by a vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by a 1940 Act majority vote of the outstanding Shares.

Payments To Financial Intermediaries

The Distributor may pay out of its own resources amounts to certain financial intermediaries, including broker-dealers, banks, registered investment advisers, independent financial planners and retirement plan administrators. In some cases, such payments may be made by, or funded from the resources of, companies affiliated with the Distributor (including the Adviser). While Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) regulations limit the sales charges that you may bear, there are no limits with regard to the amounts that the Distributor may pay out of its own resources. In addition to the payments which are generally described herein and in the Prospectus, the financial intermediary also may receive payments under the Rule 12b-1 Plan. In connection with these payments, the financial intermediary may elevate the prominence or profile of the Fund and/or other Federated Hermes funds within the financial intermediary’s organization by, for example, placement on a list of preferred or recommended funds and/or granting the Distributor preferential or enhanced opportunities to promote the funds in various ways within the financial intermediary’s organization. The same financial intermediaries may receive payments under more than one or all categories. These payments assist in the Distributor’s efforts to support the sale of Shares. These payments are negotiated and may be based on such factors as: the number or value of Shares that the financial intermediary sells or may sell; the value of client assets invested; the level and types of services or support furnished by the financial intermediary; or the Fund’s and/or other Federated Hermes funds’ relationship with the financial intermediary. Not all financial intermediaries receive such payments and the amount of compensation may vary by intermediary. You should ask your financial intermediary for information about any payments it receives from the Distributor or the Federated Hermes funds and any services it provides, as well as the fees and/or commissions it charges.

The categories of payments are described below.

Marketing Support Payments

From time to time, the Distributor, at its expense, may provide additional compensation to financial intermediaries that sell or arrange for the sale of Shares. Such compensation, provided by the Distributor, may include financial assistance to financial intermediaries that enable the Distributor to participate in or present at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other employees, client entertainment, client and investor events and other financial intermediary-sponsored events. The Distributor may also provide additional compensation to financial intermediaries for services rendered in connection with technology and programming set-up, platform development and maintenance or similar services and for the provision of sales-related data to the Adviser and/or its affiliates.

The Distributor also may hold or sponsor, at its expense, sales events, conferences and programs for employees or associated persons of financial intermediaries and may pay the travel and lodging expenses of attendees. The Distributor also may provide, at its expense, meals and entertainment in conjunction with meetings with financial intermediaries. Other compensation may be offered to the extent not prohibited by applicable federal or state law or regulations, or the rules of any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA. These payments may vary depending on the nature of the event or the relationship.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the following is a list of FINRA member firms that received additional payments from the Distributor or an affiliate. Additional payments may also be made to certain other financial intermediaries that are not FINRA member firms that sell Federated Hermes fund shares or provide services to the Federated Hermes funds and shareholders. These firms are not included in this list. Any additions, modifications or deletions to the member firms identified in this list that have occurred since December 31, 2020, are not reflected. You should ask your financial intermediary for information about any additional payments it receives from the Distributor.

Book Entry Only System

The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) acts as securities depository for the Fund’s shares. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of the DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, the DTC.

The DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (“DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities’ certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own the DTC. More specifically, the DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the Exchange, and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).

Beneficial ownership of shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by the DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of shares. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability of certain investors to acquire beneficial interests in shares.

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and the DTC, the DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the shares of the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Share distributions shall be made to the DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all shares. The DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in shares of the Fund as shown on the records of the DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between the DTC and DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.

The DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for the DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.

Delaware Statutory Trust Law

The Fund is an organization of the type commonly known as a “Delaware statutory trust.” The Fund’s Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees and officers of the Fund, in their capacity as such, will not be personally liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law; but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to the Fund or its shareholders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office. Voting rights are not cumulative, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the Shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees.

In the unlikely event a shareholder is held personally liable for the Trust’s obligations, the Trust is required by the Declaration of Trust to use its property to protect or compensate the shareholder. On request, the Trust will defend any claim made and pay any judgment against a shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust. Therefore, financial loss resulting from liability as a shareholder will occur only if the Trust itself cannot meet its obligations to indemnify shareholders and pay judgments against them.

Account and Share Information

Voting Rights

The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and does not intend to hold such meetings. In the event that a meeting of shareholders is held, each Share of the Trust will be entitled to one vote on all matters presented to shareholders including the election of Trustees. However, to the extent required by the Act or otherwise determined by the Trustees, series and classes of the Trust will vote separately from each other. Meetings of shareholders of the Trust, or any series, may be called by the Trustees, certain officers or upon the written request of holders of 25% or more of the shares entitled to vote at such meetings. The Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees, if, at any time, less than a majority of Trustees holding office at the time were elected by shareholders. The shareholders of the Trust will have voting rights only with respect to the limited number of matters specified in the Declaration of Trust and such other matters as the Trustees may determine or may be required by law.

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

The Fund has not yet commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, and, therefore, there were no public shareholders of the Fund as of the date of this SAI. The Adviser will own the initial shares issued by the Fund and can thus approve any matter requiring shareholder approval.

Tax Information

Federal Income Tax

The Fund intends to meet requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) applicable to regulated investment companies. If these requirements are not met, it will not receive special tax treatment and will be subject to federal corporate income tax.

The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax purposes so that income earned and capital gains and losses realized by the Trust’s other portfolios will be separate from those realized by the Fund.

Tax Basis Information

The Fund’s Transfer Agent is required to provide you with the cost basis information on the sale of any of your Shares in the Fund, subject to certain exceptions.

Foreign Investments

If the Fund purchases foreign securities, its investment income may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes that could reduce the return on these securities. Tax treaties between the United States and foreign countries, however, may reduce or eliminate the amount of foreign taxes to which the Fund would be subject. The effective rate of foreign tax cannot be predicted since the amount of Fund assets to be invested within various countries is uncertain. However, the Fund intends to operate so as to qualify for treaty-reduced tax rates when applicable.

Distributions from the Fund may be based on estimates of book income for the year. Book income generally consists solely of the income generated by the securities in the portfolio, whereas tax-basis income includes, in addition, gains or losses attributable to currency fluctuation. Due to differences in the book and tax treatment of fixed-income securities denominated in foreign currencies, it is difficult to project currency effects on an interim basis. Therefore, to the extent that currency fluctuations cannot be anticipated, a portion of distributions to shareholders could later be designated as a return of capital, rather than income, for income tax purposes, which may be of particular concern to certain trusts.

Certain foreign corporations may qualify as Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFIC). There are special rules prescribing the tax treatment of such an investment by the Fund, which could subject the Fund to federal income tax.

If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets at the end of the tax year is represented by stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will qualify for certain Code provisions that allow its shareholders to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their U.S. income tax returns. The Code may limit a shareholder’s ability to claim a foreign tax credit. Shareholders who elect to deduct their portion of the Fund’s foreign taxes rather than take the foreign tax credit must itemize deductions on their income tax returns.

Taxation on Creation and Redemptions of Creation Units

An Authorized Participant generally will recognize either gain or loss upon the exchange of Deposit Securities for Creation Units. This gain or loss will generally equal the difference between (i) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and any net amount of cash received by the Authorized Participant in the exchange and (ii) the sum of the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the Deposit Securities exchanged therefor and any net amount of cash paid for the Creation Units. However, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service may apply the wash sales rules to determine that any loss realized upon the exchange of Deposit Securities for Creation Units is not currently deductible. Authorized Participants should consult their own tax advisers.

Current U.S. federal tax laws dictate that capital gain or loss realized from the redemption of Creation Units will generally create long-term capital gain or loss if the Authorized Participant holds the Creation Units for more than one year, or short-term capital gain or loss if the Creation Units were held for one year or less, if the Creation Units are held as capital assets.

Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund?

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is responsible for managing the Trust’s business affairs and for exercising all the Trust’s powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The following tables give information about each Trustee and the senior officers of the Fund. Where required, the tables separately list Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Fund (i.e., “Interested” Trustees) and those who are not (i.e., “Independent” Trustees). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779. The address of all Independent Trustees listed is 4000 Ericsson Drive, Warrendale, PA 15086-7561; Attention: Federated Hermes ETF Trust Board. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Trust comprised two portfolios, and the Federated Hermes Complex consisted of 41 investment companies (comprising 163 portfolios). Unless otherwise noted, each Officer is elected annually. Unless otherwise noted, each Trustee oversees all portfolios in the Federated Hermes Complex and serves for an indefinite term.

qualifications of Independent Trustees

Individual Trustee qualifications are noted in the “Independent Trustees Background and Compensation” chart. In addition, the following characteristics are among those that were considered for each existing Trustee and will be considered for any Nominee Trustee.

■ Outstanding skills in disciplines deemed by the Independent Trustees to be particularly relevant to the role of Independent Trustee and to the Federated Hermes funds, including legal, accounting, business management, the financial industry generally and the investment industry particularly.

■ Desire and availability to serve for a substantial period of time, taking into account the Board’s current mandatory retirement age of 75 years.

■ No conflicts which would interfere with qualifying as independent.

■ Appropriate interpersonal skills to work effectively with other Independent Trustees.

■ Understanding and appreciation of the important role occupied by Independent Trustees in the regulatory structure governing regulated investment companies.

■ Diversity of background.

interested Trustees Background and Compensation

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s)	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Fund and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
J. Christopher Donahue* Birth Date: April 11, 1949 President and Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Principal Executive Officer and President of certain of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Director or Trustee of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company; Trustee, Federated Investment Counseling; Chairman and Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company. Previous Positions: President, Federated Investment Counseling; President and Chief Executive Officer, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.; Chairman, Passport Research, Ltd.	$0	$0
Thomas R. Donahue* Birth Date: October 20, 1958 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of certain funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Administrative Services; Chairman and Director, Federated Administrative Services, Inc.; Trustee and Treasurer, Federated Advisory Services Company; Director or Trustee and Treasurer, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, and Federated Investment Management Company; Director, MDTA LLC; Director, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Federated Securities Corp.; Director or Trustee and Chairman, Federated Services Company and Federated Shareholder Services Company; and Director and President, FII Holdings, Inc. Previous Positions: Director, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Assistant Secretary, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Company and Passport Research, LTD; Treasurer, Passport Research, LTD; Executive Vice President, Federated Securities Corp.; and Treasurer, FII Holdings, Inc.	$0	$0

Family relationships and reasons for “interested” status: J. Christopher Donahue and Thomas R. Donahue are brothers. Both are “interested” due to their beneficial ownership of shares of Federated Hermes, Inc. and the positions they hold with Federated Hermes, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Independent Trustees Background, Qualifications and Compensation

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships Held for Past Five Years, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Trust and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
John T. Collins Birth Date: January 24, 1947 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee and Chair of the Board of Directors or Trustees, of the Federated Hermes Complex; formerly, Chairman and CEO, The Collins Group, Inc. (a private equity firm) (Retired). Other Directorships Held: Chairman of the Board of Directors, Director, KLX Energy Services Holdings, Inc. (oilfield services); former Director of KLX Corp (aerospace). Qualifications: Mr. Collins has served in several business and financial management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Collins previously served as Chairman and CEO of The Collins Group, Inc. (a private equity firm) and as a Director of KLX Corp. Mr. Collins serves as Chairman Emeriti, Bentley University. Mr. Collins previously served as Director and Audit Committee Member, Bank of America Corp.; Director, FleetBoston Financial Corp.; and Director, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Harvard University Affiliate Hospital).	$0.00	$286,000

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships Held for Past Five Years, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Trust and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
G. Thomas Hough Birth Date: February 28, 1955 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee, Chair of the Audit Committee of the Federated Hermes Complex; formerly, Vice Chair, Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm) (Retired). Other Directorships Held: Director, Chair of the Audit Committee, Equifax, Inc.; Director, Member of the Audit Committee, Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.; formerly, Director, Member of Governance and Compensation Committees, Publix Super Markets, Inc. Qualifications: Mr. Hough has served in accounting, business management and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Hough most recently held the position of Americas Vice Chair of Assurance with Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm). Mr. Hough serves on the President’s Cabinet and Business School Board of Visitors for the University of Alabama. Mr. Hough previously served on the Business School Board of Visitors for Wake Forest University, and he previously served as an Executive Committee member of the United States Golf Association.	$0.00	$321,000
Maureen Lally-Green Birth Date: July 5, 1949 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Adjunct Professor Emerita of Law, Duquesne University School of Law; formerly, Dean of the Duquesne University School of Law and Professor of Law and Interim Dean of the Duquesne University School of Law; formerly, Associate General Secretary and Director, Office of Church Relations, Diocese of Pittsburgh. Other Directorships Held: Director, CNX Resources Corporation (formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc.). Qualifications: Judge Lally-Green has served in various legal and business roles and directorship positions throughout her career. Judge Lally-Green previously held the position of Dean of the School of Law of Duquesne University (as well as Interim Dean). Judge Lally-Green previously served as a member of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and as a Professor of Law, Duquesne University School of Law. Judge Lally-Green was appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to serve on the Supreme Court’s Board of Continuing Judicial Education and the Supreme Court’s Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee. Judge Lally-Green also currently holds the positions on not for profit or for profit boards of directors as follows: Director and Chair, UPMC Mercy Hospital; Regent, Saint Vincent Seminary; Member, Pennsylvania State Board of Education (public); Director, Catholic Charities, Pittsburgh; and Director, CNX Resources Corporation (formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc.). Judge Lally-Green has held the positions of: Director, Auberle; Director, Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central Pennsylvania; Director, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh; Director, Saint Thomas More Society; Director and Chair, Catholic High Schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Inc.; Director, Pennsylvania Bar Institute; Director, Saint Vincent College; Director and Chair, North Catholic High School, Inc.; and Director and Vice Chair, Our Campaign for the Church Alive!, Inc.	$0.00	$286,000
Thomas M. O’Neill Birth Date: June 14, 1951 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Sole Proprietor, Navigator Management Company (investment and strategic consulting). Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. O’Neill has served in several business, mutual fund and financial management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. O’Neill serves as Director, Medicines for Humanity and Director, The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, Florida. Mr. O’Neill previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Fleet Investment Advisors; President and Chief Executive Officer, Aeltus Investment Management, Inc.; General Partner, Hellman, Jordan Management Co., Boston, MA; Chief Investment Officer, The Putnam Companies, Boston, MA; Credit Analyst and Lending Officer, Fleet Bank; Director and Consultant, EZE Castle Software (investment order management software); and Director, Midway Pacific (lumber).	$0.00	$286,000

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships Held for Past Five Years, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Trust and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
Madelyn A. Reilly Birth Date: February 2, 1956 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Duquesne University. Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Ms. Reilly has served in various business and legal management roles throughout her career. Ms. Reilly previously served as Director of Risk Management and Associate General Counsel, Duquesne University. Prior to her work at Duquesne University, Ms. Reilly served as Assistant General Counsel of Compliance and Enterprise Risk as well as Senior Counsel of Environment, Health and Safety, PPG Industries.	$0.00	$49,668.48
P. Jerome Richey Birth Date: February 23, 1949 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Management Consultant; Retired; formerly, Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh and Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, CONSOL Energy Inc. (split into two separate publicly traded companies known as CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Resources Corp.). Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Richey has served in several business and legal management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Richey most recently held the positions of Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously served as Chairman of the Board, Epilepsy Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Chairman of the Board, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously served as Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President, CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Gas Company; and Board Member, Ethics Counsel and Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC (a law firm).	$0.00	$260,000
John S. Walsh Birth Date: November 28, 1957 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; President and Director, Heat Wagon, Inc. (manufacturer of construction temporary heaters); President and Director, Manufacturers Products, Inc. (distributor of portable construction heaters); President, Portable Heater Parts, a division of Manufacturers Products, Inc. Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Walsh has served in several business management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Walsh previously served as Vice President, Walsh & Kelly, Inc. (paving contractors).	$0.00	$345,000

OFFICERS*

Name

Birth Date

Address

Positions Held with Trust

Date Service Began

Principal Occupation(s) and Previous Position(s)

Lori A. Hensler

Birth Date: January 6, 1967

Treasurer

Officer since: February 2021

Principal Occupations: Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Federated Hermes Complex; Senior Vice President,

Federated Administrative Services; Financial and Operations Principal for Federated Securities Corp.; and Assistant Treasurer,

Federated Investors Trust Company. Ms. Hensler has received the Certified Public Accountant designation.

Previous Positions: Controller of Federated Hermes, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, Federated Investors

Management Company; Treasurer, Federated Investors Trust Company; Assistant Treasurer, Federated Administrative Services,

Federated Administrative Services, Inc., Federated Securities Corp., Edgewood Services, Inc., Federated Advisory Services

Company, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp.,

Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Investment Management Company, Passport Research, Ltd. and Federated MDTA,

LLC; Financial and Operations Principal for Federated Securities Corp., Edgewood Services, Inc. and Southpointe Distribution

Services, Inc.

Name Birth Date Address Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Previous Position(s)
Peter J. Germain Birth Date: September 3, 1959 CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER, SECRETARY and EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Officer since: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Mr. Germain is Chief Legal Officer, Secretary and Executive Vice President of the Federated Hermes Complex. He is General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, Secretary and Executive Vice President, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Trustee and Senior Vice President, Federated Investors Management Company; Trustee and President, Federated Administrative Services; Director and President, Federated Administrative Services, Inc.; Director and Vice President, Federated Securities Corp.; Director and Secretary, Federated Private Asset Management, Inc.; Secretary, Federated Shareholder Services Company; and Secretary, Retirement Plan Service Company of America. Mr. Germain joined Federated Hermes, Inc. in 1984 and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Previous Positions: Deputy General Counsel, Special Counsel, Managing Director of Mutual Fund Services, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Federated Services Company; and Senior Corporate Counsel, Federated Hermes, Inc.
Stephen Van Meter Birth Date: June 5, 1975 CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Officer since: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Federated Hermes Complex; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Federated Hermes, Inc. and Chief Compliance Officer of certain of its subsidiaries. Mr. Van Meter joined Federated Hermes, Inc. in October 2011. He holds FINRA licenses under Series 3, 7, 24 and 66. Previous Positions: Mr. Van Meter previously held the position of Compliance Operating Officer, Federated Hermes, Inc. Prior to joining Federated Hermes, Inc., Mr. Van Meter served at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in the positions of Senior Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Division of Investment Management and Senior Counsel, Division of Enforcement.
Robert J. Ostrowski Birth Date: April 26, 1963 Chief Investment Officer Officer since: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Robert J. Ostrowski joined Federated Hermes, Inc. in 1987 as an Investment Analyst and became a Portfolio Manager in 1990. He was named Chief Investment Officer of Federated Hermes, Inc. taxable fixed-income products in 2004 and also serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Ostrowski became an Executive Vice President of the Fund’s Adviser in 2009 and served as a Senior Vice President of the Fund’s Adviser from 1997 to 2009. Mr. Ostrowski has received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He received his M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
Brandon L. Clark Birth Date: November 28, 1974 VICE PRESIDENT Officer since: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Brandon L. Clark is a Vice President of the Trust. Mr. Clark joined Federated Hermes in July 2020 as a Senior Vice President and Director, ETF Business, Federated Advisory Services Company. Prior to joining Federated Hermes, Mr. Clark served as Managing Director of Legg Mason’s ETF products and Head of ETF Capital Markets with the Vanguard Group. Mr. Clark received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh.

Officers do not receive any compensation from the Fund.

In addition, the Fund has appointed an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.

DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE EMERITUS PROGRAM

The Board has created a position of Director/Trustee Emeritus, whereby an incumbent Director/Trustee who has attained the age of 75 and completed a minimum of five years of service as a director/trustee, may, in the sole discretion of the Committee of Independent Directors/Trustees (“Committee”), be recommended to the full Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund to serve as Director/Trustee Emeritus.

A Director/Trustee Emeritus that has been approved as such receives an annual fee in an amount equal to a percent of the annual base compensation paid to a Director/Trustee. In the case of a Director/Trustee Emeritus who had previously served at least five years but less than 10 years as a Director/Trustee, the percent will be 10%. In the case of a Director/Trustee Emeritus who had previously served at least 10 years as a Director/Trustee, the percent will be 20%. The Director/Trustee Emeritus will be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in connection with their service, including expenses of travel and lodging incurred in attendance at Board meetings. Director/Trustee Emeritus will continue to receive relevant materials concerning the Funds, will be expected to attend at least one regularly scheduled quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors/Trustees each year and will be available to consult with the Committees or its representatives at reasonable times as requested by the Chairman; however, a Director/Trustee Emeritus does not have any voting rights at Board meetings and is not subject to election by shareholders of the Funds.

The Director/Trustee Emeritus will be permitted to serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee, but the annual fee will cease to be paid at the end of the calendar year during which he or she has attained the age of 80 years, thereafter the position will be honorary.

The following table shows the fees paid to each Director/Trustee Emeritus for the Fund’s most recently ended fiscal year and the portion of that fee paid by the Fund or Trust.1

EMERITUS Trustees and Compensation

Director/Trustee Emeritus	Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation Paid to Director/Trustee Emeritus1
Peter E. Madden	$0.00	$52,000.00
Charles F. Mansfield, Jr.2	$0.00	$0.00

The fees paid to a Director/Trustee are allocated among the funds that were in existence at the time the Director/Trustee elected Emeritus status, based on each fund’s net assets at that time.

Charles F. Mansfield, Jr. retired from the Federated Hermes Fund Board of Directors/Trustees on December 31, 2020. Until December 31, 2020, Mr. Mansfield was compensated as a Director/Trustee of the Fund.

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

As required under the terms of certain regulatory settlements, the Chairman of the Board is not an interested person of the Fund and neither the Chairman, nor any firm with which the Chairman is affiliated, has a prior relationship with Federated Hermes or its affiliates or (other than his position as a Trustee) with the Fund.

Committees of the Board

Board Committee	Committee Members	Committee Functions	Meetings Held During Last Fiscal Year
Executive	J. Christopher Donahue John T. Collins John S. Walsh	In between meetings of the full Board, the Executive Committee generally may exercise all the powers of the full Board in the management and direction of the business and conduct of the affairs of the Trust in such manner as the Executive Committee shall deem to be in the best interests of the Trust. However, the Executive Committee cannot elect or remove Board members, increase or decrease the number of Trustees, elect or remove any Officer, declare dividends, issue shares or recommend to shareholders any action requiring shareholder approval.	[INSERT]
Audit	G. Thomas Hough Maureen Lally-Green Thomas M. O’Neill P. Jerome Richey	The purposes of the Audit Committee are to oversee the accounting and financial reporting process of the Fund, the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting and the quality, integrity and independent audit of the Fund’s financial statements. The Committee also oversees or assists the Board with the oversight of compliance with legal requirements relating to those matters, approves the engagement and reviews the qualifications, independence and performance of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, acts as a liaison between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Board and reviews the Fund’s internal audit function.	[INSERT]
Nominating	John T. Collins G. Thomas Hough Maureen Lally-Green Thomas M. O’Neill Madelyn A. Reilly P. Jerome Richey John S. Walsh	The Nominating Committee, whose members consist of all Independent Trustees, selects and nominates persons for election to the Fund’s Board when vacancies occur. The Committee will consider candidates recommended by shareholders, Independent Trustees, officers or employees of any of the Fund’s agents or service providers and counsel to the Fund. Any shareholder who desires to have an individual considered for nomination by the Committee must submit a recommendation in writing to the Secretary of the Fund, at the Fund’s address appearing on the back cover of this SAI. The recommendation should include the name and address of both the shareholder and the candidate and detailed information concerning the candidate’s qualifications and experience. In identifying and evaluating candidates for consideration, the Committee shall consider such factors as it deems appropriate. Those factors will ordinarily include: integrity, intelligence, collegiality, judgment, diversity, skill, business and other experience, qualification as an “Independent Trustee,” the existence of material relationships which may create the appearance of a lack of independence, financial or accounting knowledge and experience and dedication and willingness to devote the time and attention necessary to fulfill Board responsibilities.	[INSERT]

BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT

The Board’s role in overseeing the Fund’s general risks includes receiving performance reports for the Fund and risk management reports from Federated Hermes’ Chief Risk Officer at each regular Board meeting. The Chief Risk Officer is responsible for enterprise risk management at Federated Hermes, which includes risk management committees for investment management and for investor services. The Board also receives regular reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding significant compliance risks.

On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee plays a key role overseeing the Fund’s financial reporting and valuation risks. The Audit Committee meets regularly with the Fund’s Principal Financial Officer and outside auditors, as well as with Federated Hermes’ Chief Audit Executive to discuss financial reporting and audit issues, including risks relating to financial controls.

Board Ownership Of Shares In The Fund And In The Federated Hermes Family Of Investment Companies As Of December 31, 2020

Interested Board Member Name	Dollar Range of Shares Owned in Federated Hermes Short- Term Corporate ETF	Aggregate Dollar Range of Shares Owned in Federated Hermes Family of Investment Companies
J. Christopher Donahue	None	Over $100,000
Thomas R. Donahue	None	Over $100,000
Independent Board Member Name
John T. Collins	None	Over $100,000
G. Thomas Hough	None	Over $100,000
Maureen Lally-Green	None	Over $100,000
Thomas M. O’Neill	None	Over $100,000
Madelyn A. Reilly	None	None
P. Jerome Richey	None	Over $100,000
John S. Walsh	None	Over $100,000

Investment Adviser

The Adviser conducts investment research and makes investment decisions for the Fund.

The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Federated Hermes.

The Adviser shall not be liable to the Trust or any Fund shareholder for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security or for anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties imposed upon it by its contract with the Trust.

In December 2017, Federated Investors, Inc., now Federated Hermes, Inc., (“Federated Hermes”) became a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The PRI is an investor initiative in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative and the United Nations Global Compact. Commitments made as a signatory to the PRI are not legally binding, but are voluntary and aspirational. They include efforts, where consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities, to incorporate environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues into investment analysis and investment decision making, to be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices, to seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest, to promote acceptance and implementation of the PRI within the investment industry, to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the PRI, and to report on our activities and progress towards implementing the PRI. Being a signatory to the PRI does not obligate Federated Hermes to take, or not take, any particular action as it relates to investment decisions or other activities.

In July 2018, Federated Investors, Inc., now Federated Hermes, Inc., acquired a 60% interest in Hermes Fund Managers Limited (Hermes), which operates as Hermes Investment Management, a pioneer of integrated ESG investing. Hermes’ experience with ESG issues contributes to Federated Hermes’ understanding of material risks and opportunities these issues may present.

EOS at Federated Hermes, which was established as Hermes Equity Ownership Services Limited (EOS) in 2004 as an affiliate of Hermes Investment Management Limited, is our in-house engagement and stewardship team. The 50+ member team conducts long-term, objectives-driven dialogue with board and senior executive level representatives of more than 1,200 unique issuers annually. It seeks to address the most material ESG risks and opportunities through constructive and continuous discussions with the goal of improving long-term results for investors. Engagers’ deep understanding across sectors, themes and regional markets,

along with language and cultural expertise, allows EOS to provide insights to companies on the merits of addressing ESG risks and the positive benefits of capturing opportunities. Federated Hermes investment management teams have access to the insights gained from understanding a company’s approach to these long-term strategic matters as an additional input to improve portfolio risk/return characteristics.

Portfolio Manager Information

As a general matter, certain conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio manager’s management of a fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of other funds/pooled investment vehicles or accounts (collectively, including the Fund, as applicable, “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 can include, for example, conflicts created by specific portfolio manager compensation arrangements (including, for example, the allocation or weighting given to the performance of the Fund or other accounts or activities for which the portfolio manager is responsible in calculating the portfolio manager’s compensation), and conflicts relating to selection of brokers or dealers to execute Fund portfolio trades and/or specific uses of commissions from Fund portfolio trades (for example, research or “soft dollars”). The Adviser has 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.

The following information about the Fund’s Portfolio Managers is provided as of the end of the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year unless otherwise indicated.

The following information about the Fund’s Portfolio Managers is provided as of June 30, 2021.

John Gentry, Portfolio Manager

Types of Accounts Managed by John Gentry	Total Number of Additional Accounts Managed/Total Assets*
Registered Investment Companies	1/$2.1 billion
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	3/$874.4 million
Other Accounts	16/$19.3 billion

None of the Accounts has an advisory fee that is based on the performance of the account.

Dollar value range of shares owned in the Fund: None.

John Gentry is paid a fixed base salary and a variable annual incentive. Base salary is determined within a market competitive, position-specific salary range, based on the portfolio manager’s experience and performance. The annual incentive amount is determined based primarily on Investment Product Performance (IPP) and may also include a discretionary component based on a variety of factors deemed relevant, such as financial measures and performance, and may be paid entirely in cash, or in a combination of cash and restricted stock of Federated Hermes, Inc. (“Federated Hermes”). The total combined annual incentive opportunity is intended to be competitive in the market for this portfolio manager role.

IPP is calculated based on other accounts managed by the portfolio manager. IPP is measured on a rolling one, three and five calendar year pre-tax gross return basis versus the other accounts’ designated peer groups. Performance periods are adjusted if a portfolio manager has been managing an account for less than five years; accounts with less than one year of performance history under a portfolio manager may be excluded.

As noted above, Mr. Gentry is also the portfolio manager for other accounts. Such other accounts may have different benchmarks and performance measures. The allocation or weighting given to the performance of the other accounts for which Mr. Gentry is responsible when his compensation is calculated may be equal or can vary.

For purposes of calculating the annual incentive amount, each account managed by the portfolio manager currently is categorized into three IPP groups (which may be adjusted periodically). Within each performance measurement period and IPP group, IPP currently is calculated on the basis of an assigned weighting to each account managed by the portfolio manager and included in the IPP groups (but can be adjusted periodically). A portion of the bonus tied to the IPP score may be adjusted based on management’s assessment of overall contributions to account performance and any other factors as deemed relevant.

Any individual allocations from the discretionary pool may be determined, by executive management on a discretionary basis using various factors, such as, for example, on a product, strategy or asset class basis, and considering overall contributions and any other factors deemed relevant (and may be adjusted periodically).

Robert Matthews, Portfolio Manager

Types of Accounts Managed by Robert Matthews	Total Number of Additional Accounts Managed/Total Assets*
Registered Investment Companies	0/$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	2/$55.1 million
Other Accounts	0/$0

None of the Accounts has an advisory fee that is based on the performance of the account.

Dollar value range of shares owned in the Fund: None.

Robert Matthews is paid a fixed base salary and a variable annual incentive. Base salary is determined within a market competitive, position-specific salary range, based on the portfolio manager’s experience and performance. The annual incentive amount is determined based primarily on Investment Product Performance (IPP) and may also include a discretionary component based on a variety of factors deemed relevant, such as financial measures and performance, and may be paid entirely in cash, or in a combination of cash and restricted stock of Federated Hermes, Inc. (“Federated Hermes”). The total combined annual incentive opportunity is intended to be competitive in the market for this portfolio manager role.

As noted above, Mr. Matthews is also the portfolio manager for other accounts. Such other accounts may have different benchmarks and performance measures. The allocation or weighting given to the performance of the other accounts for which Mr. Matthews is responsible when his compensation is calculated may be equal or can vary.

In addition, Mr. Matthews was awarded a grant of restricted Federated Hermes stock. Awards of restricted stock are discretionary and are made in variable amounts based on the subjective judgment of Federated Hermes’ senior management.

Services Agreement

Federated Advisory Services Company, an affiliate of the Adviser, provides certain support services to the Adviser. The fee for these services is paid by the Adviser and not by the Fund.

Other Related Services

Affiliates of the Adviser may, from time to time, provide certain electronic equipment and software to institutional customers in order to facilitate the purchase of Fund Shares offered by the Distributor.

Code Of Ethics Restrictions On Personal Trading

As required by Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act (as applicable), the Fund, its Adviser and its Distributor have adopted codes of ethics. These codes govern securities trading activities of investment personnel, Fund Trustees and certain other employees. Although they do permit these people to trade in securities, including those that the Fund could buy, as well as Shares of the Fund, they also contain significant safeguards designed to protect the Fund and its shareholders from abuses in this area, such as requirements to obtain prior approval for, and to report, particular transactions.

Voting Proxies On Fund Portfolio Securities

The Board has delegated to the Adviser authority to vote proxies on the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio. The Board has also approved the Adviser’s policies and procedures for voting the proxies, which are described below.

Proxy Voting Policies

As an investment adviser with a fiduciary duty to the Fund and its shareholders, the Adviser’s general policy is to cast proxy votes in favor of management proposals and shareholder proposals that the Adviser anticipates will enhance the long-term value of the securities being voted in a manner that is consistent with the investment objectives of the Fund. Generally, this will mean voting for proposals that the Adviser believes will improve the management of a company, increase the rights or preferences of the voted securities, or increase the chance that a premium offer would be made for the company or for the voted securities. This approach to voting proxy proposals will be referred to hereafter as the “General Policy.”

The Adviser generally votes consistently on the same matter when securities of an issuer are held by multiple client portfolios. However, the Adviser may vote differently if a client’s investment objectives differ from those of other clients or if a client explicitly instructs the Adviser to vote differently.

The following examples illustrate how the General Policy may apply to the most common management proposals and shareholder proposals. However, whether the Adviser supports or opposes a proposal will always depend on a thorough understanding of the Fund’s investment objectives and the specific circumstances described in the proxy statement and other available information.

On matters related to the board of directors, generally the Adviser will vote to elect nominees to the board in uncontested elections except in certain circumstances, such as where the director: (1) had not attended at least 75% of the board meetings during the previous year; (2) serves as the company’s chief financial officer, unless the company is headquartered in the UK where this is market practice; (3) has become overboarded (more than five boards for retired executives and more than two boards for CEOs); (4) is the chair of the nominating or governance committee when the roles of chairman of the board and CEO are combined and there is no lead independent director; (5) served on the compensation committee during a period in which compensation appears excessive relative to performance and peers; or (6) served on a board that did not implement a shareholder proposal that the Adviser supported and received more than 50% shareholder support the previous year. In addition, the Adviser will generally vote in favor of; (7) a full slate of directors, where the directors are elected as a group and not individually, unless more than half of the nominees are not independent; (8) shareholder proposals to declassify the board of directors; (9) shareholder proposals to require a majority voting standard in the election of directors; (10) shareholder proposals to separate the roles of chairman of the board and CEO; (11) a proposal to require a company’s audit committee to be comprised entirely of independent directors; and (12) shareholder proposals to eliminate supermajority voting requirements in company bylaws.

On other matters of corporate governance, generally the Adviser will vote in favor of: (1) proposals to grant shareholders the right to call a special meeting if owners of at least 15% of the outstanding stock agree; (2) a proposal to require independent tabulation of proxies and/or confidential voting of shareholders; (3) a proposal to ratify the board’s selection of auditors, unless: (a) compensation for non-audit services exceeded 50% of the total compensation received from the company; or (b) the previous auditor was dismissed because of a disagreement with the company; (4) a proposal to repeal a shareholder rights plan (also known as a “poison pill”) and against the adoption of such a plan, unless the plan is designed to facilitate, rather than prevent, unsolicited offers for the company; (5) shareholder proposals to eliminate supermajority requirements in company bylaws; and (6) shareholder proposals calling for “Proxy Access,” that is, a bylaw change allowing shareholders owning at least 3% of the outstanding common stock for at least three years to nominate candidates for election to the board of directors. The Adviser will generally withhold support from shareholder proposals to grant shareholders the right to act by written consent. Finally, the Adviser will vote on a case-by-case basis for proposals to adopt or amend shareholder rights plans.

On environmental and social matters, generally the Adviser will vote on a case-by-case basis. The Adviser will take into account the literal meaning of the written proposal, the financial materiality of the proposal’s objective, and the practices followed by industry peers. Above all, the Adviser will vote in a manner that would enhance the long-term value of the securities being voted within the framework of the client’s investment objectives.

On matters of capital structure, generally the Adviser will vote against a proposal to authorize or issue shares that are senior in priority or voting rights to the voted securities, and in favor of a proposal to: (1) reduce the amount of shares authorized for issuance (subject to adequate provisions for outstanding convertible securities, options, warrants, rights and other existing obligations to issue shares); and (2) grant authorities to issue shares with and without pre-emptive rights unless the size of the authorities would threaten to unreasonably dilute existing shareholders. The Adviser will decide how to vote on proposals to authorize a stock repurchase or special dividend program on a case-by-case basis.

On matters relating to management compensation, generally the Adviser will vote in favor of stock incentive plans (including plans for directors) that align the recipients of stock incentives with the interests of shareholders, without creating undue dilution, and against: (1) the advisory vote on executive compensation plans (“Say On Pay”) when the plan has failed to align executive compensation with corporate performance; (2) the advisory vote on the frequency of the Say On Pay vote when the frequency is other than annual; (3) proposals that would permit the amendment or replacement of outstanding stock incentives having more favorable terms (e.g., lower purchase prices or easier vesting requirements); and (4) executive compensation plans that do not disclose the maximum amounts of compensation that may be awarded or the criteria for determining awards.

On matters relating to corporate transactions, the Adviser will generally vote in favor of mergers, acquisitions and sales of assets if the Adviser’s analysis of the proposed business strategy and the transaction price would have a positive impact on the total return for shareholders.

If a shareholders meeting is contested, that is, shareholders are presented with a set of director candidates nominated by company management and a set of director candidates nominated by a dissident shareholder, the Adviser will study the proposed business strategies of both groups and vote in a way that maximizes expected total return for the Fund.

In addition, the Adviser will not vote any proxy if it determines that the consequences or costs of voting outweigh the potential benefit of voting. For example, if a foreign market requires shareholders voting proxies to retain the voted shares until the meeting date (thereby rendering the shares “illiquid” for some period of time), the Adviser will not vote proxies for such shares. In addition, the Adviser is not obligated to incur any expense to send a representative to a shareholder meeting or to translate proxy materials into English.

To the extent that the Adviser is permitted to loan securities, the Adviser does not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, the Adviser will take all reasonable steps to recall shares prior to the record date when the meeting raises issues that the Adviser believes materially affect shareholder value, including, but not limited to, excessive compensation, mergers and acquisitions, contested elections and weak oversight by the audit committee. However, there can be no assurance that the Adviser will have sufficient notice of such matters to be able to terminate the loan in time to vote thereon.

The Adviser will take into account feedback from issuers on the voting recommendations of the Adviser’s proxy advisory firm if the feedback is provided at least five days before the voting cut-off date. In certain circumstances, primarily those where the Adviser’s voting policy is absolute and without exception, issuer feedback will not be part of the voting decision. For example, it is the Adviser’s policy to always support a shareholder proposal to separate the roles of chairman of the board and CEO. Thus, any comments from the issuer opposing this proposal would not be considered.

If proxies are not delivered in a timely or otherwise appropriate basis, the Adviser may not be able to vote a particular proxy.

For an Adviser that employs a quantitative investment strategy for certain funds or accounts that does not make use of qualitative research (“Non-Qualitative Accounts”), the Adviser may not have the kind of research to make decisions about how to vote proxies for them. Therefore, the Adviser will vote the proxies of these Non-Qualitative Accounts as follows: (a) in accordance with the Standard Voting Instructions (defined below); (b) if the Adviser is casting votes for the same proxy on behalf of a regular qualitative account and a Non-Qualitative Account, the Non-Qualitative Account would vote in the same manner as the regular qualitative account; (c) if neither of the first two conditions apply, as the proxy advisory firm is recommending; and (d) if none of the previous conditions apply, as recommended by the Proxy Voting Committee.

Proxy Voting Procedures

The Adviser has established a Proxy Voting Committee (“Proxy Committee”), to exercise all voting discretion granted to the Adviser by the Board in accordance with the proxy voting policies. To assist it in carrying out the day-to-day operations related to proxy voting, the Proxy Committee has created the Proxy Voting Management Group (PVMG). The day-to-day operations related to proxy voting are carried out by the Proxy Voting Operations Team (PVOT) and overseen by the PVMG. Besides voting the proxies, this work includes engaging with investee companies on corporate governance matters, managing the proxy advisory firm, soliciting voting recommendations from the Adviser’s investment professionals, bringing voting recommendations to the Proxy Committee for approval, filing with regulatory agencies any required proxy voting reports, providing proxy voting reports to clients and investment companies as they are requested from time to time, and keeping the Proxy Committee informed of any issues related to corporate governance and proxy voting.

The Adviser has compiled a list of specific voting instructions based on the General Policy (the “Standard Voting Instructions”). The Standard Voting Instructions and any modifications to them are approved by the Proxy Committee. The Standard Voting Instructions sometimes call for an investment professional to review the ballot question and provide a voting recommendation to the Proxy Committee (a “case-by-case vote”). The foregoing notwithstanding, the Proxy Committee always has the authority to determine a final voting decision.

The Adviser has hired a proxy advisory firm to perform various proxy voting related administrative services such as ballot reconciliation, vote processing and recordkeeping functions. The Proxy Committee has supplied the proxy advisory firm with the Standard Voting Instructions. The Proxy Committee retains the right to modify the Standard Voting Instructions at any time or to vote contrary to them at any time in order to cast proxy votes in a manner that the Proxy Committee believes is in accordance with the General Policy. The proxy advisory firm may vote any proxy as directed in the Standard Voting Instructions without further direction from the Proxy Committee. However, if the Standard Voting Instructions require case-by-case handling for a proposal, the PVOT will work with the investment professionals and the proxy advisory firm to develop a voting recommendation for the Proxy Committee and to communicate the Proxy Committee’s final voting decision to the proxy advisory firm. Further, if the Standard Voting Instructions require the PVOT to analyze a ballot question and make the final voting decision, the PVOT will report such votes to the Proxy Committee on a quarterly basis for review.

Conflicts of Interest

The Adviser has adopted procedures to address situations where a matter on which a proxy is sought may present a potential conflict between the interests of the Fund (and its shareholders) and those of the Adviser or Distributor. This may occur where a significant business relationship exists between the Adviser (or its affiliates) and a company involved with a proxy vote.

A company that is a proponent, opponent, or the subject of a proxy vote, and which to the knowledge of the Proxy Committee has this type of significant business relationship, is referred to below as an “Interested Company.”

The Adviser has implemented the following procedures in order to avoid concerns that the conflicting interests of the Adviser or its affiliates have influenced proxy votes. Any employee of the Adviser or its affiliates who is contacted by an Interested Company regarding proxies to be voted by the Adviser must refer the Interested Company to a member of the Proxy Committee, and must inform the Interested Company that the Proxy Committee has exclusive authority to determine how the proxy will be voted. Any Proxy Committee member contacted by an Interested Company must report it to the full Proxy Committee and provide a written summary of the communication. This requirement includes engagement meetings with investee companies and does not include communications with proxy solicitation firms. Under no circumstances will the Proxy Committee or any member of the Proxy Committee make a commitment to an Interested Company regarding the voting of proxies or disclose to an Interested Company how the Proxy Committee has directed such proxies to be voted. If the Standard Voting Instructions already provide specific direction on the proposal in question, the Proxy Committee shall not alter or amend such directions. If the Standard Voting Instructions require the Proxy Committee to provide further direction, the Proxy Committee shall do so in accordance with the proxy voting policies, without regard for the interests of the Adviser with respect to the Interested Company. If the Proxy Committee provides any direction as to the voting of proxies relating to a proposal affecting an Interested Company, it must disclose annually to the Fund’s Board information regarding: the significant business relationship; any material communication with the Interested Company; the matter(s) voted on; and how, and why, the Adviser voted as it did. In certain circumstances it may be appropriate for the Adviser to vote in the same proportion as all other shareholders, so as to not affect the outcome beyond helping to establish a quorum at the shareholders’ meeting. This is referred to as “proportional voting.” If the Fund owns shares of another Federated Hermes mutual fund, generally the Adviser will proportionally vote the client’s proxies for that fund or seek direction from the Board or the client on how the proposal should be voted. If the Fund owns shares of an unaffiliated mutual fund, the Adviser may proportionally vote the Fund’s proxies for that fund depending on the size of the position. If the Fund owns shares of an unaffiliated exchange-traded fund, the Adviser will proportionally vote the Fund’s proxies for that fund.

Downstream Affiliates

If the Proxy Committee gives further direction, or seeks to vote contrary to the Standard Voting Instructions, for a proxy relating to a portfolio company in which the Fund owns more than 10% of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities at the time of the vote (“Downstream Affiliate”), the Proxy Committee must first receive guidance from counsel to the Proxy Committee as to whether any relationship between the Adviser and the portfolio company, other than such ownership of the portfolio company’s securities, gives rise to an actual conflict of interest. If counsel determines that an actual conflict exists, the Proxy Committee must address any such conflict with the executive committee of the board of directors or trustees of any investment company client prior to taking any action on the proxy at issue.

Proxy Advisers’ Conflicts of Interest

Proxy advisory firms may have significant business relationships with the subjects of their research and voting recommendations. For example, a proxy advisory firm board member also sits on the board of a public company for which the proxy advisory firm will write a research report. This and similar situations give rise to an actual or apparent conflict of interest.

In order to avoid concerns that the conflicting interests of the engaged proxy advisory firm have influenced proxy voting recommendations, the Adviser will take the following steps:

■ A due diligence team made up of employees of the Adviser and/or its affiliates will meet with the proxy advisory firm on an annual basis and determine through a review of their policies and procedures and through inquiry that the proxy advisory firm has established a system of internal controls that provide reasonable assurance that their voting recommendations are not influenced by the business relationships they have with the subjects of their research.

■ Whenever the standard voting guidelines call for voting a proposal in accordance with the proxy advisory firm recommendation and the proxy advisory firm has disclosed that they have a conflict of interest with respect to that issuer, the PVOT will take the following steps: (a) the PVOT will obtain a copy of the research report and recommendations published by another proxy advisory firm for that issuer; (b) the Director of Proxy Voting, or his designee, will review both the engaged proxy advisory firm research report and the research report of the other proxy advisory firm and determine what vote will be cast. The PVOT will report all proxies voted in this manner to the Proxy Committee on a quarterly basis. Alternatively, the PVOT may seek direction from the Committee on how the proposal shall be voted.

Proxy Voting Report

A report on “Form N-PX” of how the Fund voted any proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available via the Proxy Voting Record (Form N-PX) link associated with the Fund and share class name at FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation. Form N-PX filings are also available at the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

Portfolio Holdings Information

On each Business Day, prior to the opening of regular trading on its primary listing exchange, the Fund discloses on FederatedInvestors.com the portfolio holdings that will form the basis of the Portfolio’s next NAV per share calculation as required by Rule 6c-11. The Fund also expects to make available through the facilities of the NSCC prior to the opening of trading on each Business Day, a basket composition file, which includes the names and share quantities of the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

Summary portfolio composition information as of the close of each month is posted on FederatedInvestors.com 15 days (or the next business day) after month-end and remains posted until replaced by the information for the succeeding month. The summary portfolio composition information may include: identification of the Fund’s top 10 holdings, recent purchase and sale transactions and percentage breakdowns of the portfolio by sector and credit quality. In addition, portfolio holdings information may also be made available to certain entities, including Trust service providers and institutional market participants, as described below.

You may also access portfolio information as of the end of the Fund’s fiscal quarters via the link to the Fund at FederatedInvestors.com. The Fund’s Annual Shareholder Report and Semi-Annual Shareholder Report contain complete listings of the Fund’s portfolio holdings as of the end of the Fund’s second and fourth fiscal quarters. Fiscal quarter information is made available on the website within 70 days after the end of the fiscal quarter. This information is also available in reports filed with the SEC at the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

Each fiscal quarter, the Fund will file with the SEC a complete schedule of its monthly portfolio holdings on “Form N-PORT.” The Fund’s holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter, as reported on Form N-PORT, will be publicly available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter upon filing. You may also access this information via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedInvestors.com.

The disclosure policy of the Fund and the Adviser prohibits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information to any investor or intermediary before the same information is made available to other investors. Employees of the Adviser or its affiliates who have access to nonpublic information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings are prohibited from trading securities on the basis of this information. Such persons must report all personal securities trades and obtain pre-clearance for all personal securities trades other than mutual fund shares.

Firms that provide administrative, custody, financial, accounting, legal or other services to the Fund may receive nonpublic information about Fund portfolio holdings for purposes relating to their services. The Fund may also provide portfolio holdings information to publications that rate, rank or otherwise categorize investment companies. Traders or portfolio managers may provide “interest” lists to facilitate portfolio trading if the list reflects only that subset of the portfolio for which the trader or portfolio manager is seeking market interest. A list of service providers, publications and other third parties who may receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information appears in the Appendix to this SAI.

Except as provided below, the furnishing of nonpublic portfolio holdings information to any third party (other than authorized governmental or regulatory personnel) requires the prior approval of the President of the Adviser and of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund. The President of the Adviser and the Chief Compliance Officer will approve the furnishing of nonpublic portfolio holdings information to a third party only if they consider the furnishing of such information to be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. In that regard, and to address possible conflicts between the interests of Fund shareholders and those of the Adviser and its affiliates, the following procedures apply. No consideration may be received by the Fund, the Adviser, any affiliate of the Adviser or any of their employees in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information. Before information is furnished, the third party must sign a written agreement that it will safeguard the confidentiality of the information, will use it only for the purposes for which it is furnished and will not use it in connection with the trading of any security. Persons approved to receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information will receive it as often as necessary for the purpose for which it is provided. Such information may be furnished as frequently as daily and often with no time lag between the date of the information and the date it is furnished. The Board receives and reviews annually a list of the persons who receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information and the purposes for which it is furnished.

In addition, Authorized Participants may obtain information about the securities the Fund is willing to accept for a creation, and securities that the Fund is willing to provide on a redemption. When they do so, under the Participant Agreement, they must treat the information as material non-public information subject to their own codes of ethics.

Finally, the Adviser’s employees may also discuss portfolio holdings-related information with brokers and dealers, in connection with executing and/or settling the Fund’s transactions, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course. When they do so, they are under a regulatory obligation not to trade on it in a manner that may adversely affect the Fund.

Brokerage Transactions And Investment Allocation

When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio instruments, the Adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable price. Fixed-income securities are generally traded in an over-the-counter market on a net basis (i.e., without commission) through dealers acting as principal or in transactions directly with the issuer. Dealers derive an undisclosed amount of compensation by offering securities at a higher price than they bid for them. Some fixed-income securities may have only one primary market maker. The Adviser seeks to use dealers it believes to be actively and effectively trading the security being purchased or sold, but may not always obtain the lowest purchase price or highest sale price with respect to a security. The Adviser makes decisions on portfolio transactions and selects brokers and dealers subject to review by the Fund’s Board.

Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other accounts managed by the Adviser and accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser. When the Fund and one or more of those accounts invests in, or disposes of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated among the Fund and the account(s) in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable. While the coordination and ability to participate in volume transactions may benefit the Fund, it is possible that this procedure could adversely impact the price paid or received and/or the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. Investment decisions, and trading, for certain separately managed or wrap-fee accounts, and other accounts, of the Adviser and/or certain investment adviser affiliates of the Adviser are generally made, and conducted, independently from the Fund. It is possible that such independent trading activity could adversely impact the prices paid or received and/or positions obtained or disposed of by the Fund.

Because the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of the SAI, the Fund did not own any securities of its “regular broker-dealers.”

Administrator

Federated Administrative Services (FAS), a subsidiary of Federated Hermes, provides administrative personnel and services, including certain legal, compliance, recordkeeping and financial reporting services (“Administrative Services”), necessary for the operation of the Fund. FAS provides Administrative Services for a fee based upon the rates set forth below paid on the average daily net assets of the Fund. For purposes of determining the appropriate rate breakpoint, “Investment Complex” is defined as all of the Federated Hermes funds subject to a fee under the Administrative Services Agreement with FAS. FAS is also entitled to reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing Administrative Services to the Fund.

Administrative Services Fee Rate	Average Daily Net Assets of the Investment Complex
0.100 of 1%	on assets up to $50 billion
0.075 of 1%	on assets over $50 billion

CUSTODIAN

State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, Massachusetts, is custodian for the securities and cash of the Fund. Foreign instruments purchased by the Fund are held by foreign banks participating in a network coordinated by State Street Bank and Trust Company.

Transfer Agent And Dividend Disbursing Agent

State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Fund’s registered transfer agent, maintains all necessary shareholder records.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund, [to be filed by amendment], conducts its audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), which require it to plan and perform its audits to provide reasonable assurance about whether the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement.

Securities Lending Activities

The services provided to the Fund by Citibank, N.A. as securities lending agent may include the following: selecting securities previously identified by the Fund as available for loan to be loaned; locating borrowers identified in the securities lending agency agreement; negotiating loan terms; monitoring daily the value of the loaned securities and collateral; requiring additional collateral as necessary; marking to market non-cash collateral; instructing the Fund’s custodian with respect to the transfer of loaned securities; indemnifying the Fund in the event of a borrower default; and arranging for return of loaned securities to the Fund at loan termination.

As a new fund, the Fund has not yet completed its first fiscal year and cannot yet report on any securities lending activities for the most recently completed fiscal year.

Financial Information

The Fund became effective on [DATE] and its first fiscal year will end on April 30, 2022. Accordingly, no financial information is yet available for the Fund.

Investment Ratings

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (S&P) LONG-TERM Issue RATINGS

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P’s analysis of the following considerations: the likelihood of payment-capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; the nature of and provisions of the obligation; and the protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

AAA—An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CC—An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

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

D—An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within five business days, irrespective of any grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

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

S&P Rating Outlook

An S&P rating outlook assesses the potential direction of a long-term credit rating over the intermediate term (typically six months to two years). In determining a rating outlook, consideration is given to any changes in the economic and/or fundamental business conditions.

Positive—Positive means that a rating may be raised.

Negative—Negative means that a rating may be lowered.

Stable—Stable means that a rating is not likely to change.

Developing—Developing means a rating may be raised or lowered.

N.M.—N.M. means not meaningful.

S&P Short-Term Issue RATINGS

Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the United States, for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days–including commercial paper.

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

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

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

B—A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

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

D—A short-term obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

MOODY’S Investor Services, Inc. (MOODY’s) LONG-TERM RATINGS

Moody’s long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Aaa—Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

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

A—Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

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

Ba—Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

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

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

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

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

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

MOODY’S Short-Term RATINGS

Moody’s short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of 13 months or less and reflect the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments.

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

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

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

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

FITCH, INC. (Fitch) LONG-TERM Debt RATINGs

Fitch long-term ratings report Fitch’s opinion on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The “threshold” default risk addressed by the rating is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, Fitch long-term ratings also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts, although the agency recognizes that issuers may also make pre-emptive and therefore voluntary use of such mechanisms.

AAA: Highest Credit Quality—“AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very High Credit Quality—“AA” ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

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

BBB: Good Credit Quality—“BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

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

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

CCC: Substantial Credit Risk—Default is a real possibility.

CC: Very High Levels of Credit Risk—Default of some kind appears probable.

C: Exceptionally High Levels of Credit Risk—Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a “C” category rating for an issuer include: (a) the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation; (b) the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or (c) Fitch otherwise believes a condition of “RD” or “D” to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a distressed debt exchange.

RD: Restricted Default—“RD” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include: (a) the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt; (b) the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation; (c) the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or (d) execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

D: Default—“D” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.

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

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

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

FITCH SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGs

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

F1: Highest Short-Term Credit Quality—Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2: Good Short-Term Credit Quality—Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

F3: Fair Short-Term Credit Quality—The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

B: Speculative Short-Term Credit Quality—Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C: High Short-Term Default Risk—Default is a real possibility.

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

D: Default—Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

A.M. BEST Company, Inc. (a.m. best) LONG-TERM DEBT and Preferred Stock RATINGS

A Best’s long-term debt rating is Best’s independent opinion of an issuer/entity’s ability to meet its ongoing financial obligations to security holders when due.

aaa: Exceptional—Assigned to issues where the issuer has an exceptional ability to meet the terms of the obligation.

aa: Very Strong—Assigned to issues where the issuer has a very strong ability to meet the terms of the obligation.

a: Strong—Assigned to issues where the issuer has a strong ability to meet the terms of the obligation.

bbb: Adequate—Assigned to issues where the issuer has an adequate ability to meet the terms of the obligation; however, the issue is more susceptible to changes in economic or other conditions.

bb: Speculative—Assigned to issues where the issuer has speculative credit characteristics, generally due to a modest margin or principal and interest payment protection and vulnerability to economic changes.

b: Very Speculative—Assigned to issues where the issuer has very speculative credit characteristics, generally due to a modest margin of principal and interest payment protection and extreme vulnerability to economic changes.

ccc, cc, c: Extremely Speculative—Assigned to issues where the issuer has extremely speculative credit characteristics, generally due to a minimal margin of principal and interest payment protection and/or limited ability to withstand adverse changes in economic or other conditions.

d: In Default—Assigned to issues in default on payment of principal, interest or other terms and conditions, or when a bankruptcy petition or similar action has been filed.

Ratings from “aa” to “ccc” may be enhanced with a “+” (plus) or “-” (minus) to indicate whether credit quality is near the top or bottom of a category.

A.M. BEST SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGS

A Best’s short-term debt rating is Best’s opinion of an issuer/entity’s ability to meet its financial obligations having original maturities of generally less than one year, such as commercial paper.

AMB-1+ Strongest—Assigned to issues where the issuer has the strongest ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

AMB-1 Outstanding—Assigned to issues where the issuer has an outstanding ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

AMB-2 Satisfactory—Assigned to issues where the issuer has a satisfactory ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

AMB-3 Adequate—Assigned to issues where the issuer has an adequate ability to repay short-term debt obligations; however, adverse economic conditions likely will reduce the issuer’s capacity to meet its financial commitments.

AMB-4 Speculative—Assigned to issues where the issuer has speculative credit characteristics and is vulnerable to adverse economic or other external changes, which could have a marked impact on the company’s ability to meet its financial commitments.

d: In Default—Assigned to issues in default on payment of principal, interest or other terms and conditions, or when a bankruptcy petition or similar action has been filed.

A.M. Best Rating Modifiers

Both long- and short-term credit ratings can be assigned a modifier.

u—Indicates the rating may change in the near term, typically within six months. Generally is event-driven, with positive, negative or developing implications.

pd—Indicates ratings assigned to a company that chose not to participate in A.M. Best’s interactive rating process. (Discontinued in 2010).

i—Indicates rating assigned is indicative.

A.M. BEST RATING OUTLOOK

A.M. Best Credit Ratings are assigned a Rating Outlook that indicates the potential direction of a credit rating over an intermediate term, generally defined as the next 12 to 36 months.

Positive—Indicates possible ratings upgrade due to favorable financial/market trends relative to the current trading level.

Negative—Indicates possible ratings downgrade due to unfavorable financial/market trends relative to the current trading level.

Stable—Indicates low likelihood of rating change due to stable financial/market trends.

Not Rated

Certain nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) may designate certain issues as NR, meaning that the issue or obligation is not rated.

Addresses

Federated Hermes Short-Term Corporate ETF

Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Distributor

Federated Securities Corp.
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779

Investment Adviser

Federated Investment Management Company
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
1 Iron Street
Boston, MA 02110

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 219318
Kansas City, MO 64121-9318

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

[To be filed by Amendment]

Appendix

The following is a list of persons, other than the Adviser and its affiliates, that have been approved to receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information concerning the Federated Hermes Complex; however, certain persons below might not receive such information concerning the Fund:

CUSTODIAN(S)

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Securities Lending Agent

Citibank, N.A.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

[To be filed by Amendment]

LEGAL COUNSEL

Goodwin Procter LLP
K&L Gates LLP

Financial Printer(S)

Donnelley Financial Solutions

Proxy Voting Administrator

Glass Lewis & Co., LLC

SECURITY PRICING SERVICES

Bloomberg L.P.
IHS Markit (Markit North America)
ICE Data Pricing & Reference Data, LLC
JPMorgan PricingDirect
Refinitiv US Holdings Inc.

RATINGS AGENCIES

Fitch, Inc.
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC

Other SERVICE PROVIDERS

Other types of service providers that have been approved to receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information include service providers offering, for example, trade order management systems, portfolio analytics, or performance and accounting systems, such as:

Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Bloomberg L.P.
Citibank, N.A.
Eagle Investment Systems LLC
Electra Information Systems
FactSet Research Systems Inc.
FISGlobal
Institutional Shareholder Services
Investortools, Inc.
MSCI ESG Research LLC
Sustainalytics U.S. Inc.
The Yield Book, Inc.
Wolters Kluwer N.V.

Prospectus

[______, 2021]

Ticker | [TBD]

NYSE | [TBD]

Federated Hermes Short-Term High Yield ETF

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes ETF Trust

A fund seeking to provide high current income by investing in a diversified portfolio of below investment-grade, fixed-income instruments.

Not FDIC Insured ▪ May Lose Value ▪ No Bank Guarantee

CONTENTS

Fund Summary Information	1
What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?	5
What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?	6
What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?	12
What Do Shares Cost?	18
How Do You Buy and Sell Shares?	19
Payments to Financial Intermediaries	21
Account and Share Information	22
Who Manages the Fund?	23
Financial Information	25
Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information	26

Fund Summary Information

Federated Hermes Short-Term High Yield ETF (the “Fund”)

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income.

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: FEES AND EXPENSES

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fee	0.60%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee1	0.00%
Other Expenses	0.00%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.60%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2	(0.10)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	0.50%
1 The Fund has adopted a Distribution (12b-1) Plan pursuant to which the Fund may incur and pay a Distribution (12b-1) Fee of up to a maximum of 0.25%. No such fee is currently incurred and paid by the Fund. The Fund will not incur and pay such a Distribution (12b-1) Fee until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”).
2 The Adviser and certain of its affiliates on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses paid by the Fund, if any) paid by the Fund (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 0.50% (the “Fee Limit”) up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) December 1, 2022; or (b) the date of the Fund’s next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Fund’s Trustees.

Example

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

Federated Hermes Short-Term High Yield ETF	1 Year	3 Years
	$61	$192

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENTS, RISKS and PERFORMANCE

What are the Fund’s Main Investment Strategies?

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of U.S. dollar-denominated high-yield fixed income instruments. Such investments may include high-yield corporate bonds (also known as “junk bonds”) and floating rate term loans, each of which may be issued by U.S. or foreign, including emerging market, businesses. The Fund expects to invest across the leveraged loan spectrum. To pursue the Fund’s investment strategy, the

Adviser can invest in instruments directly or through investing in other investment companies, including, for example, affiliated funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”) selects instruments, including securities that it believes have attractive risk-return characteristics. The Adviser’s investment selection process includes an analysis of the issuer’s financial condition, business and product strength, competitive position and management expertise. The Adviser does not limit the Fund’s investments to a particular maturity range. The Adviser may lengthen or shorten duration of the portfolio from time to time based on its interest rate outlook, but, under normal market conditions, the Fund’s dollar-weighted average effective duration is expected to be less than three years.

The Fund may invest in derivative contracts (for example, futures contracts, option contracts and swap contracts), which may result in leverage, to implement its investment strategies as more fully described in the Fund’s Prospectus. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of derivative contracts or hybrid instruments will work as intended. Derivative investments made by the Fund are included within the Fund’s 80% policy (as described below) and are calculated at market value.

The Fund will invest its assets so that at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in investments rated below investment-grade. The Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in its investment policy that would enable the Fund to invest, under normal circumstances, less than 80% of its net assets in investments rated below investment-grade.

What are the Main Risks of Investing in the Fund?

All funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund’s returns include:

■ Risk Associated with Noninvestment-Grade Securities. Securities rated below investment-grade may be subject to greater interest rate, credit and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities. These securities are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal.

■ Liquidity Risk. Liquidity of individual corporate bonds varies considerably. Low-grade corporate bonds have less liquidity than investment-grade securities, which means that it may be more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

■ Interest Rate Risk. Prices of fixed-income securities generally fall when interest rates rise. The longer the duration of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest-rate risk. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates.

■ Risk of Investing in Loans. In addition to the risks generally associated with debt instruments, such as credit, market, interest rate, liquidity and derivatives risks, bank loans are also subject to the risk that the value of the collateral securing a loan may decline, be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower or be difficult to liquidate. The Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited by bankruptcy, other insolvency laws or by the type of loan the Fund has purchased. For example, if the Fund purchases a participation instead of an assignment, it would not have direct access to collateral of the borrower. As a result, a floating rate loan may not be fully collateralized and can decline significantly in value. Additionally, collateral on loan instruments may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets will satisfy a borrower’s obligations under the instrument. Loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Loans and other forms of indebtedness may be structured such that they are not securities under securities laws. As such, it is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections, such as those against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, while there can be no assurance that fraud or misrepresentation will not occur with respect to the loans and other investments in which the Fund invests, the Fund relies on the Adviser’s research in an attempt to seek to avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund.

■ Agent Insolvency Risk. In a syndicated loan, the agent bank is the bank that undertakes the bulk of the administrative duties involved in the day-to-day administration of the loan. In the event of the insolvency of an agent bank, a loan could be subject to settlement risk as well as the risk of interruptions in the administrative duties performed in the day to day administration of the loan (such as processing interest rate calculations, processing draws, etc.).

■ Loan Prepayment Risk. During periods of declining interest rates or for other purposes, borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled which may force the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding instruments.

■ Loan Liquidity Risk. Loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. The liquidity of loans, including the volume and frequency of secondary market trading in such loans, varies significantly over time and among individual loans. For example, if the credit quality of a loan unexpectedly declines significantly, secondary market trading in that loan can also decline for a period of time. During periods of infrequent trading, valuing a loan can be more difficult and buying and selling a loan at an acceptable price can be more difficult and delayed. Difficulty in selling a loan can result in a loss. Loan instruments may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of loans may require weeks to complete. Thus, transactions in loan instruments may take longer than seven days to settle. This could pose a liquidity risk to the Fund and, if the Fund’s exposure to such investments is substantial, could impair the Fund’s ability to meet shareholder redemptions in a timely manner. A majority of the Fund’s assets are likely to be invested in assets that are considerably less liquid than debt instruments traded on national exchanges. Market quotations for such assets may be volatile and/or subject to large spreads between bid and ask prices.

■ Collateralized Loan Obligations Risk. Collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) bear many of the same risks as other forms of asset-backed securities, including interest rate risk and issuer credit risk. As they are backed solely by pools of loans, CLOs also bear similar risks to investing in loans directly.

■ Call Risk. Call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a fixed-income security before maturity (a call) at a price below its current market price. An increase in the likelihood of a call may reduce the security’s price. If a fixed-income security is called, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other fixed-income securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks or other less favorable characteristics.

■ Asset-Backed Securities (ABS) Risk. The value of asset-backed securities (ABS) may be affected by certain factors such interest rate risk, credit risk, prepayment risk and the availability of information concerning the pool of underlying assets and its structure. Under certain market conditions, ABS may be less liquid and maybe difficult to value. Movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain types of ABS. ABS can also be subject to the risk of default on the underlying assets.

■ Underlying Fund Risk. The risk that the Fund’s performance is closely related to the risks associated with the securities and other investments held by underlying funds and that the ability of a Fund to achieve its investment objective will depend upon the ability of underlying funds to achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund bears Underlying Fund fees and expenses indirectly.

■ ETF Risk. As an ETF, the Fund is subject to the following risks:

■ European Union and Eurozone Related Risk. A number of countries in the European Union (EU), including certain countries within the EU that have adopted the euro (Eurozone), have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties. Additional countries within the EU may also fall subject to such difficulties. These events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments in euro-denominated securities and derivatives contracts, securities of issuers located in the EU or with significant exposure to EU issuers or countries.

■ Risk of Investing in Emerging Market Countries. Securities issued or traded in emerging markets generally entail greater risks than securities issued or traded in developed markets.

■ Technology Risk. The Adviser uses various technologies in managing the Fund, consistent with its investment objective and strategy described in this Prospectus. For example, proprietary and third party data and systems are utilized to support decision making for the Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect Fund performance.

Performance: Bar Chart and Table

FUND MANAGEMENT

The Fund’s Investment Adviser is Federated Investment Management Company.

Steven J. Wagner, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in [____of 2021].

Anthony A. Venturino, CFA, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in [____of 2021].

Mark E. Durbiano, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in [____of 2021].

purchase and sale of fund shares

attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of a Fund (“bid”) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (“ask”) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Recent information, including information about the Fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is included on the Fund’s website at FederatedInvestors.com.

Tax Information

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the strategies and policies described in this Prospectus.

The Fund provides exposure to U.S. dollar-denominated high-yield fixed income instruments. Such investments may include high-yield corporate bonds (also known as “junk bonds”) and floating rate term loans, each of which may be issued by U.S. or foreign, including emerging market, businesses. The Fund expects to invest across the leveraged loan spectrum. To pursue the Fund’s investment strategy, the Adviser can invest in instruments directly or through investing in other investment companies, including, for example, affiliated funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”) actively manages the Fund’s portfolio seeking to realize the potentially higher returns of high-yield instruments, compared to returns of high-grade securities by seeking to minimize default risk and other risks through careful investment selection and diversification. The Fund primarily invests in domestic high-yield instruments but may invest a portion of its portfolio in securities of issuers based outside of the United States (including emerging markets). A description of the various types of securities in which the Fund invests, and their risks, immediately follows the strategy discussion.

The Adviser selects instruments, including securities that it believes have attractive risk-return characteristics. The securities in which the Fund invests have high yields primarily because of the market’s greater uncertainty about the issuer’s ability to make all required interest and principal payments, and therefore about the returns that will in fact be realized by the Fund.

The Adviser attempts to select instruments, including securities for investment by the Fund which offer high potential returns for the default risks being assumed. The Adviser’s investment selection process consists of a credit-intensive, fundamental analysis of the issuing firm. The Adviser’s analysis focuses on the financial condition of the issuing firm together with the issuer’s business and product strength, competitive position and management expertise. Further, the Adviser considers current economic, financial market and industry factors, which may affect the issuer. The Fund may invest in fixed income investments that pay interest at a fixed rate (so-called “fixed-rate investments”) that the Adviser believes have low interest rate sensitivity. In addition, the Fund expects that it will hold fixed-income investments that pay interest at rates that increase or decrease in response to changes in market interest rates (so-called “floating-rate investments”). The Fund will select investments based on the relative yield of available fixed-rate and floating-rate investments with comparable risks and other characteristics and the Adviser’s interest rate outlook. Significant characteristics of floating-rate investments include the frequency of interest rate adjustments and any limitations on the amount of adjustments.

The Adviser attempts to minimize the Fund’s portfolio credit risk through diversification. The Adviser selects instruments, including securities to maintain broad portfolio diversification both by company and industry. The Adviser does not target an average maturity for the Fund’s portfolio.

The Fund may use derivative contracts and/or hybrid instruments, which may result in leverage, to implement elements of its investment strategy. For example, the Fund may use derivative contracts or hybrid instruments to increase or decrease the portfolio’s exposure to the investment(s) underlying the derivative or hybrid instrument in an attempt to benefit from changes in the value of the underlying investment(s). Additionally, by way of example, the Fund may use derivative contracts in an attempt to:

■ increase or decrease the effective duration of the Fund portfolio;

■ obtain premiums from the sale of derivative contracts;

■ realize gains from trading a derivative contract; or

■ hedge against potential losses.

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS

What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?

Fixed-Income Securities

The following describes the fixed-income securities in which the Fund principally invests:

Corporate Debt Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Lower-Rated, Fixed-Income Securities

Loan Instruments

The Fund may invest in loan (and loan-related) instruments, which are interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental or other borrower to lenders or groups of lenders known as lending syndicates (loans and loan participations). Investments in certain loans have additional risks that result from the use of agents and other interposed financial institutions. Such loans are structured and administered by a financial institution (e.g., a commercial bank) that acts as the agent of the lending syndicate. The agent bank, which may or may not also be a lender, typically administers and enforces the loan on behalf of the lenders in the lending syndicate. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the agent bank, holds the collateral, if any, on behalf of the lenders. A financial institution’s employment as an agent bank might be terminated for a number of reasons, for example, in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor agent bank would generally be appointed to replace the terminated agent bank, and assets held by the agent bank under the loan agreement likely would remain available to holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the agent bank for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent bank’s general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other interposed financial institutions (e.g., an insurance company or government agency) similar risks may arise.

Loan instruments may be secured or unsecured. If secured, then the lenders have been granted rights to specific property (such as receivables, tangible goods, real property or commodities), which is commonly referred to as collateral. The purpose of securing a loan is to allow the lenders to exercise their rights over the collateral if the loan is not repaid as required by the terms of lending agreement. Unsecured loans expose the lenders to increased credit risk.

The loan instruments in which the Fund may invest may involve borrowers, agent banks, co-lenders and collateral located both in the United States and outside of the United States (in both developed and emerging markets).

The Fund treats loan instruments as a type of fixed-income security. Investments in loan instruments may expose the Fund to interest rate risk, risk of investing in foreign securities, credit risk, liquidity risk, risk of noninvestment-grade securities, risk of emerging markets and leverage risk. (For purposes of the descriptions in this Prospectus of these various risks, references to “issuer” include borrowers in loan instruments.) Many loan instruments incorporate risk mitigation and insurance products into their structures, in order to manage these risks. There is no guarantee that these risk management techniques will work as intended.

Collateralized Loan Obligations

A collateralized loan obligation (CLO) is an asset-backed security whose underlying collateral is a pool of loans. Such loans may include domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans and subordinate corporate loans, some of which may be below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. Investments in CLOs carry the same risks as investments in loans directly, such as interest rate risk, issuer credit and liquidity risks. These investments are also subject to the risks associated with a decrease of market value due to collateral defaults and disappearance of subordinate tranches, market anticipation of defaults and investor aversion to these types of securities as a class. CLOs issue classes or “tranches” that vary in risk and yield. Losses caused by defaults on underlying assets are borne first by the holders of subordinate tranches. A CLO may experience substantial losses attributable to loan defaults. A Fund’s investment in a CLO may decrease in market value because of: (i) loan defaults or credit impairment; (ii) the disappearance of subordinate tranches; (iii) market anticipation of defaults; and (iv) investor aversion to CLO securities as a class. These risks may be magnified depending on the tranche of CLO securities in which a Fund invests. For example, investments in a junior tranche of CLO securities will likely be more sensitive to loan defaults or credit impairment than investments in more senior tranches.

Floating Rate Loans

Floating rate loans are debt instruments issued by companies or other entities with floating interest rates that reset periodically. Most floating rate loans are secured by specific collateral of the borrower and are senior to most other instruments of the borrower (e.g., common stock or debt instruments) in the event of bankruptcy. Floating rate loans are often issued in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and refinancing. Floating rate loans are typically structured and administered by a financial institution that acts as the agent of the lenders participating in the floating rate loan. Floating rate loans may be acquired directly through the agent, as an assignment from another lender who holds a direct interest in the floating rate loan, or as a participation interest in another lender’s portion of the floating rate loan.

Asset-Backed Securities (A Fixed-Income Investment)

Callable Securities (A Fixed-Income Investment)

Certain fixed-income securities in which the Fund invests are callable at the option of the issuer. Certain callable securities invested in by the Fund also may be callable by parties other than the issuer. Callable securities are subject to call risks.

Preferred Stocks

Zero-Coupon Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

There are many forms of zero-coupon securities. Some are issued at a discount and are referred to as zero coupon or capital appreciation bonds. Others are created from interest-bearing bonds by separating the right to receive the bond’s coupon payments from the right to receive the bond’s principal due at maturity, a process known as coupon stripping. In addition, some securities give the issuer the option to deliver additional securities in place of cash interest payments, thereby increasing the amount payable at maturity. These are referred to as pay-in-kind, PIK securities or toggle securities.

Demand Instruments (A Type of Corporate Debt Security)

Demand instruments are corporate debt securities that require the issuer or a third party, such as a dealer or bank (the “Demand Provider”), to repurchase the security for its face value upon demand. Some demand instruments are “conditional,” so that the occurrence of certain conditions relieves the Demand Provider of its obligation to repurchase the security. Other demand instruments are “unconditional,” so that there are no conditions under which the Demand Provider’s obligation to repurchase the security can terminate. The Fund treats demand instruments as short-term securities, even though their stated maturity may extend beyond one year.

Convertible Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Convertible securities are fixed-income securities or preferred stock that the Fund has the option to exchange for equity securities at a specified conversion price. The option allows the Fund to realize additional returns if the market price of the equity securities exceeds the conversion price. For example, the Fund may hold fixed-income securities that are convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $10 per share. If the market value of the shares of common stock reached $12, the Fund could realize an additional $2 per share by converting its fixed-income securities.

Convertible securities have lower yields than comparable fixed-income securities. In addition, at the time a convertible security is issued, the conversion price exceeds the market value of the underlying equity securities. Thus, convertible securities may provide lower returns than non-convertible, fixed-income securities or equity securities depending upon changes in the price of the underlying equity securities. However, convertible securities permit the Fund to realize some of the potential appreciation of the underlying equity securities with less risk of losing its initial investment.

To the extent the Fund invests in convertible securities, it typically invests in securities that can be exchanged for instruments that are publically traded or listed on a centralized market or stock exchange. The Fund may receive securities not publically traded or listed on a centralized market or stock exchange in connection with bankruptcies, restructurings, or other unusual circumstances.

The Fund treats convertible securities as fixed-income securities for purposes of its investment policies and limitations, because of their unique characteristics.

FOREIGN SECURITIES

■ it is organized under the laws of, or has its principal office located in, another country;

■ the principal trading market for its securities is in another country;

■ it is classified by an applicable index as based outside the United States.

While the Fund typically invests in U.S. dollar denominated foreign securities, the Fund may also invest in foreign securities that are denominated in foreign currencies. Along with the risks normally associated with domestic securities of the same type, foreign securities are subject to currency risks and risks of foreign investing. Trading in certain foreign markets is also subject to liquidity risks.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

In order to convert U.S. dollars into the currency needed to buy a foreign security, or to convert foreign currency received from the sale of a foreign security into U.S. dollars, or to decrease or eliminate the Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies in which a portfolio security is denominated, the Fund may enter into spot currency trades. In a spot trade, the Fund agrees to exchange one currency for another at the current exchange rate. The Fund may also enter into derivative contracts in which a foreign currency is an underlying asset. The exchange rate for currency derivative contracts may be higher or lower than the spot exchange rate. Use of these derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to currency risks.

Derivative Contracts

Until the mandated rulemaking and regulations are implemented completely, it will not be possible to determine the complete impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations on the Fund.

Payment obligations arising in connection with derivative contracts are frequently required to be secured with margin (which is commonly called “collateral”).

Futures Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Option Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Swap Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

OTHER INVESTMENTS, TRANSACTIONS, TECHNIQUES

Hybrid Instruments

instruments can take on many forms including, but not limited to, the following forms. First, a common form of a hybrid instrument combines elements of a derivative contract with those of another security (typically a fixed-income security). In this case all or a portion of the interest or principal payable on a hybrid security is determined by reference to changes in the price of a Reference Instrument. Second, hybrid instruments may include convertible securities with conversion terms related to a Reference Instrument.

Asset Segregation

Investment Ratings for Investment-Grade Securities

Investment Ratings for Noninvestment-Grade Securities

Noninvestment-grade securities are rated below BBB- by an NRSRO. These bonds have greater economic, credit and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities.

Investing in Securities of Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies, including the securities of affiliated money market funds, as an efficient means of implementing its investment strategies, managing its uninvested cash and/or other investment reasons consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and investment strategies. The Fund may also invest in high yield and loan instruments, primarily by investing in another investment company (which is not available for general investment by the public) that owns those securities and that is advised by an affiliate of the Adviser. The Fund may also invest in such securities directly. These other investment companies are managed independently of the Fund and incur additional fees and/or expenses which would, therefore, be borne indirectly by the Fund in connection with any such investment. These investments also can create conflicts of interests for the Adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to the acquired fund. For example, a conflict of interest can arise due to the possibility that the Adviser to the Fund could make a decision to redeem the Fund’s investment in the acquired fund. In the case of an investment in an affiliated fund, a conflict of interest can arise if, because of the Fund’s investment in the acquired fund, the acquired fund is able to garner more assets, thereby growing the Fund and increasing the management fees received by the investment adviser to the acquired fund, which would either be the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. However, the Adviser believes that the benefits and efficiencies of making investments in other investment companies should outweigh the potential additional fees and/or expenses and resulting conflicts of interest.

Additional Information Regarding the Security Selection Process

What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?

Risk Associated with Noninvestment-Grade Securities

ISSUER Credit Risk

Counterparty Credit Risk

RISK RELATED TO THE ECONOMY

Epidemic and Pandemic Risk

The United States has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic distress with fiscal and monetary stimulus packages. In late March 2020, the government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), a stimulus package providing for over $2.2 trillion in resources to small businesses, state and local governments, and individuals that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, in mid-March 2020 the U.S. Federal Reserve (“Fed”) cut interest rates to historically low levels and announced a new round of quantitative easing, including purchases of corporate and municipal government bonds. The Fed also enacted various programs to support liquidity operations and funding in the financial markets, including expanding its reverse repurchase agreement operations, adding $1.5 trillion of liquidity to the banking system; establishing swap lines with other major central banks to provide dollar funding; establishing a program to support money market funds; easing various bank capital buffers; providing funding backstops for businesses to provide bridging loans for up to four years; and providing funding to help credit flow in asset-backed securities markets. The Fed also plans to extend credit to small- and medium-sized businesses.

LIQUIDITY RISK

Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed-income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received any credit ratings below investment grade or are not widely held. These features may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility.

Interest Rate Risk

Risk of Investing in Loans

In addition to the risks generally associated with debt instruments, such as credit, market, interest rate, liquidity and derivatives risks, bank loans are also subject to the risk that the value of the collateral securing a loan may decline, be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower or be difficult to liquidate. The Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited by bankruptcy, other insolvency laws or by the type of loan the Fund has purchased. For example, if the Fund purchases a participation instead of an assignment, it would not have direct access to collateral of the borrower. As a result, a floating rate loan may not be fully collateralized and can decline significantly in value. Additionally, collateral on loan instruments may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets will satisfy a borrower’s obligations under the instrument. Loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

Loans and other forms of indebtedness may be structured such that they are not securities under securities laws. As such, it is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections, such as those against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, while there can be no assurance that fraud or misrepresentation will not occur with respect to the loans and other investments in which the Fund invests, the Fund relies on the Adviser’s research in an attempt to seek to avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund.

Agent Insolvency Risk

In a syndicated loan, the agent bank is the bank that undertakes the bulk of the administrative duties involved in the day-to-day administration of the loan. In the event of the insolvency of an agent bank, a loan could be subject to settlement risk as well as the risk of interruptions in the administrative duties performed in the day-to-day administration of the loan (such as processing LIBOR calculations, processing draws, etc.).

Loan Prepayment Risk

During periods of declining interest rates or for other purposes, borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled which may force the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding debt instruments.

Loan Liquidity Risk

Loan instruments generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. The liquidity of loans, including the volume and frequency of secondary market trading in such loans, varies significantly over time and among individual loans. For example, if the credit quality of a loan unexpectedly declines significantly, secondary market trading in that loan can also decline for a period of time. During periods of infrequent trading, valuing a loan can be more difficult and buying and selling a loan at an acceptable price can be more difficult and delayed. Difficulty in selling a loan can result in a loss.

Loans may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of loans may require weeks to complete. Thus, transactions in loan instruments may take longer than seven days to settle. This could pose a liquidity risk to the Fund and, if the Fund’s exposure to such investments is substantial, could impair the Fund’s ability to meet shareholder redemptions in a timely manner.

Collateralized Loan Obligations Risk

Collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) bear many of the same risks as other forms of asset-backed securities, including interest rate risk and issuer credit risk. As they are backed solely by pools of loans, CLOs also bear similar risks to investing in loans directly. CLOs issue classes or “tranches” that vary in risk and yield. The risks of an investment in a CLO depend largely on the type of collateral securities and the class of the CLO in which the Fund invests. CLOs may experience substantial losses attributable to loan defaults. Losses caused by defaults on underlying assets are borne first by the holders of subordinate tranches. The Fund’s investment in CLOs may decrease in market value if the CLO experiences loan defaults or credit impairment, the disappearance of a subordinate tranche, or due to market anticipation of defaults and investor aversion to CLO securities as a class.

Call Risk

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (ABS) Risk

The value of asset-backed securities (ABS) may be affected by certain factors such as interest rate risk, the availability of information concerning the pool of underlying assets and its structure, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool or the originator of the underlying assets and the ability of the servicing agent to service the underlying collateral. Under certain market conditions, ABS may be less liquid and may be difficult to value. Movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain types of ABS. Unscheduled prepayments of ABS may result in a loss of income if the proceeds are invested in lower-yielding securities. Conversely, in a rising interest rate environment, a declining prepayment rate will extend the average life of many ABS, which increases the risk of depreciation due to future increases in market interest rates. ABS can also be subject to the risk of default on the underlying assets.

Risk of Foreign Investing

Since many loan instruments involve parties (for example, lenders, borrowers and agent banks) located in multiple jurisdictions outside of the United States, there is a risk that a security interest in any related collateral may be unenforceable and obligations under the related loan agreements may not be binding.

NEW FUND RISK

UNDERLYING FUND RISK

The risk that the Fund’s performance is closely related to the risks associated with the securities and other investments held by underlying funds and that the ability of a Fund to achieve its investment objective will depend upon the ability of underlying funds to achieve their respective investment objectives. The Fund bears Underlying Fund fees and expenses indirectly.

ETF Risk

As an ETF, the Fund is subject to the following risks:

Authorized Participants Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Authorized Participants. To the extent they cannot or are otherwise unwilling to engage in creation and redemption transactions with the Fund and no other Authorized Participant steps in, Shares of the Fund may trade like closed-end fund Shares at a significant discount to net asset value and may face delisting from the Exchange.

volatility or periods of steep market declines. In such market conditions, market or stop-loss orders to sell the ETF Shares may be executed at market prices that are significantly below NAV. The market prices of Fund Shares may deviate significantly from the NAV of the Shares during periods of market volatility or if the Fund’s holdings are or become more illiquid. Disruptions to creations and redemptions may result in trading prices that differ significantly from the Fund’s NAV. In addition, market prices of Fund Shares may deviate significantly from the NAV if the number of Fund Shares outstanding is smaller or if there is less active trading in Fund Shares. Investors purchasing and selling Fund Shares in the secondary market may not experience investment results consistent with those experienced by those creating and redeeming directly with the Fund.

Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling Shares in the secondary market will normally pay brokerage commissions, which are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors buying or selling relatively small amounts of Shares. In addition, secondary market investors will incur the cost of the difference between the price that an investor is willing to pay for Shares (the bid price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell Shares (the ask price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for Shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the Fund’s Shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if the Fund’s Shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads.

European Union and eurozone Related risk

consequences for holders of euro-denominated obligations and derivative contracts would be determined by laws in effect at such time. Such investments may continue to be held, or purchased, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective(s) and permitted under applicable law. These potential developments, or market perceptions concerning these and related issues, could adversely affect the value of the Shares.

Certain countries in the EU have had to accept assistance from supra-governmental agencies such as the International Monetary Fund, the European Stability Mechanism (the “ESM”) or other supra-governmental agencies. The European Central Bank has also been intervening to purchase Eurozone debt in an attempt to stabilize markets and reduce borrowing costs. There can be no assurance that these agencies will continue to intervene or provide further assistance and markets may react adversely to any expected reduction in the financial support provided by these agencies. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences.

In addition, one or more countries may withdraw from the EU, and one or more countries within the Eurozone may abandon the euro. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, could be significant and far-reaching. On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) left the EU, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” and there commenced a transition period during which the EU and UK negotiated and agreed on the nature of their future relationship, with such agreements becoming effective on December 31, 2020. There is significant market uncertainty regarding Brexit’s ramifications, and the range and potential implications of possible political, regulatory, economic and market outcomes are difficult to predict. This long-term uncertainty may affect other countries in the EU and elsewhere and may cause volatility within the EU, triggering prolonged economic downturns in certain countries within the EU. In addition, Brexit may create additional and substantial economic stresses for the UK, including a contraction of the UK economy and price volatility in UK stocks, decreased trade, capital outflows, devaluation of the British pound, wider corporate bond spreads due to uncertainty and declines in business and consumer spending as well as foreign direct investment. Brexit may also adversely affect UK-based financial firms, including certain subadvisers to the Federated Hermes Funds, that have counterparties in the EU or participate in market infrastructure (trading venues, clearing houses, settlement facilities) based in the EU. These events and the resulting market volatility may have an adverse effect on the performance of the Fund.

Leverage Risk

Risk of Investing in Emerging Market Countries

Securities issued or traded in emerging markets generally entail greater risks than securities issued or traded in developed countries. For example, their prices may be significantly more volatile than prices in developed countries. Emerging market economies may also experience more severe down-turns (with corresponding currency devaluations) than developed economies.

Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risk of nationalization of businesses, expropriation, confiscatory taxation or, in certain instances, reversion to closed market, centrally planned economies.

Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments

income related to those contracts and instruments; and/or (b) reclassify, as a return of capital, some or all of the distributions previously made to shareholders during the fiscal year as dividend income. Fifth, a common provision in OTC derivative contracts permits the counterparty to terminate any such contract between it and the Fund, if the value of the Fund’s total net assets declines below a specified level over a given time period. Factors that may contribute to such a decline (which usually must be substantial) include significant shareholder redemptions and/or a marked decrease in the market value of the Fund’s investments. Any such termination of the Fund’s OTC derivative contracts may adversely affect the Fund (for example, by increasing losses and/or costs, and/or preventing the Fund from fully implementing its investment strategies). Sixth, the Fund may use a derivative contract to benefit from a decline in the value of a Reference Instrument. If the value of the Reference Instrument declines during the term of the contract, the Fund makes a profit on the difference (less any payments the Fund is required to pay under the terms of the contract). Any such strategy involves risk. There is no assurance that the Reference Instrument will decline in value during the term of the contract and make a profit for the Fund. The Reference Instrument may instead appreciate in value creating a loss for the Fund. Seventh, a default or failure by a CCP or an FCM (also sometimes called a “futures broker”), or the failure of a contract to be transferred from an Executing Dealer to the FCM for clearing, may expose the Fund to losses, increase its costs, or prevent the Fund from entering or exiting derivative positions, accessing margin, or fully implementing its investment strategies. The central clearing of a derivative and trading of a contract over a SEF could reduce the liquidity in, or increase costs of entering into or holding, any contracts. Finally, derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described in this Prospectus, such as interest rate, credit, liquidity and leverage risks.

technology Risk

What Do Shares Cost?

CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values investments as follows:

■ Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees (“Board”).

■ Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and asked quotations.

■ Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Board.

Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures

How Do You Buy and Sell Shares?

individual shares

Creations and Redemptions

Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units will take place in-kind and/or for cash at the discretion of the Fund. The determination of whether purchases and redemptions of Creation Units will be for cash or in-kind depends primarily on the regulatory requirements and settlement mechanisms relevant to the Fund’s portfolio holdings and the Fund is not limited to engaging in in-kind transactions to any particular market circumstances. As further described in the SAI, Creation Units typically are issued on a two Business Days (“T+2”) basis after a purchase order has been received in good order and the transfer of good title to the Fund of any in-kind securities and/or cash required to purchase a Creation Unit have been completed (subject to certain exceptions). Similarly, and also as further described in the SAI, deliveries of redemption proceeds by the Fund generally will be made on a T+2 basis after a redemption order has been received in good order and the requisite number of Fund Shares have been delivered (subject to certain exceptions). The Fund reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 in order to, among other matters, accommodate non-U.S. market holiday schedules, closures and settlement cycles, to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates (i.e., 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. The Fund may delay settlement for up to 15 days from the date an order has been submitted in good order and the requisite cash and/or assets delivered to the relevant Fund to accommodate foreign holidays, as further described in the SAI, and otherwise may delay redemptions up to seven days or longer as permitted by applicable law, regulations and interpretations, such as where unusual market conditions affect the NYSE or an emergency exists which makes it impracticable for the Fund to dispose of or value securities it owns or the Fund has received an SEC exemptive order.

For more information on how to buy and sell Shares of the Fund, call 1-800-341-7400 or visit FederatedInvestors.com.

Share Trading Prices

Book Entry

Premium/Discount Information

Investments by Registered Investment Companies

Continuous Offering

Payments to Financial Intermediaries

RULE 12b-1 FEES

ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

The Distributor may pay out of its own resources amounts to certain financial intermediaries, including broker-dealers, banks, registered investment advisers, independent financial planners and retirement plan administrators, that support the sale of Shares or provide services to Fund shareholders. The amounts of these payments could be significant, and may create an incentive for the financial intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell Shares of the

Fund to you. Not all financial intermediaries receive such payments, and the amount of compensation may vary by intermediary. In some cases, such payments may be made by or funded from the resources of companies affiliated with the Distributor (including the Adviser). These payments are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fee table section of the Fund’s Prospectus and described above because they are not paid by the Fund.

Account and Share Information

Fund Distributions

TAX INFORMATION

Fund distributions are expected to be primarily dividends. Redemptions and exchanges are taxable sales. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your federal, state and local tax liability.

Taxes on Creations and Redemptions of Creation Units

FREQUENT TRADING POLICIES

Portfolio Holdings Information

Who Manages the Fund?

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

Steven J. Wagner

Steven J. Wagner, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in [____of 2021].

Mr. Wagner, a Senior Portfolio Manager, is responsible for day-to-day management of the Fund focusing on asset allocation and security selection. He has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 1997; has worked in investment management since 1997; has managed investment portfolios since 2011. Education; B.S., Boston College; M.B.A., University of Pittsburgh.

Anthony A. Venturino

Anthony A. Venturino, CFA, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in [____of 2021].

Mr. Venturino is responsible for providing research and advice on sector allocation and security selection. He has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 2005; has worked in investment management since 1998; and has managed investment portfolios since 2019. Education; B.S., University of Dayton; M.B.A., Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University.

Mark E. Durbiano

Mark E. Durbiano, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in [____of 2021].

Mr. Durbiano is a Senior Portfolio Manager, Head of the Domestic High Yield Group and Chairman of the Bond Sector Committee. He is responsible for overseeing the macro strategy of the Fund and general team oversight. He has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 1982; has worked in investment management since 1982; has managed investment portfolios since 1984. Education: B.A., Dickinson College; M.B.A., University of Pittsburgh.

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, management of other accounts and ownership of securities in the Fund.

ADVISORY FEES

The Fund’s investment advisory contract provides for payment to the Adviser of an annual investment advisory fee of 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may contractually or voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The Adviser and its affiliates have also agreed to certain “Fee Limits” as described in the footnote to the “Risk/Return Summary: Fees and Expenses” table found in the “Fund Summary” section of the Prospectus.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser, the Adviser is responsible for reviewing, supervising and administering the Fund’s investment program and the general management and administration of the Trust. In this regard, among other things, the Adviser arranges for transfer agency, custody, fund administration and accounting, and other non-distribution related services necessary for the Fund to operate. The Adviser may engage a subadviser to assist it in managing the Fund’s investments, but will be responsible for overseeing any subadvisers. The Adviser manages the Fund’s business affairs, provides office facilities and equipment and certain clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services, and permits its officers and employees to serve as officers or Trustees of the Trust. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser bears all of its own costs associated with providing advisory services to the Fund. In addition, the Adviser has contractually agreed to pay all operating expenses of the Fund, except (i) interest and taxes (including, but not limited to, income, excise, transaction, transfer and withholding taxes); (ii) expenses of the Fund incurred with respect to the acquisition and disposition of portfolio securities and the execution of portfolio transactions, including brokerage commissions and short sale dividend or interest expense; (iii) expenses incurred in connection with any distribution plan adopted by the Trust in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, including distribution fees; (iv) Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses; (v) litigation expenses; (vi) proxy-related expenses; (vii) tax reclaim recovery expenses; and (viii) any expenses determined to be extraordinary expenses. Nevertheless, there exists a risk that a Trust service provider will seek recourse against the Trust if is not timely paid by the Adviser for the fees and expenses for which it is responsible, which could materially adversely affect the Fund.

A discussion of the Board’s review of the Fund’s investment advisory contract is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports for the periods ended February 28 and August 31, respectively.

Financial Information

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Fund’s fiscal year end is February 28. As the Fund’s first fiscal year will end February 28, 2022, the Fund’s audited financial information is not yet available as of the date of this Prospectus.

Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information

FEDERATED HERMES SHORT-TERM HIGH YIELD ETF
ANNUAL EXPENSE RATIO: 0.60%
MAXIMUM FRONT-END SALES CHARGE: NONE
Year	Hypothetical Beginning Investment	Hypothetical Performance Earnings	Investment After Returns	Hypothetical Expenses	Hypothetical Ending Investment
1	$10,000.00	$500.00	$10,500.00	$61.32	$10,440.00
2	$10,440.00	$522.00	$10,962.00	$64.02	$10,899.36
3	$10,899.36	$544.97	$11,444.33	$66.83	$11,378.93
4	$11,378.93	$568.95	$11,947.88	$69.78	$11,879.60
5	$11,879.60	$593.98	$12,473.58	$72.85	$12,402.30
6	$12,402.30	$620.12	$13,022.42	$76.05	$12,948.00
7	$12,948.00	$647.40	$13,595.40	$79.40	$13,517.71
8	$13,517.71	$675.89	$14,193.60	$82.89	$14,112.49
9	$14,112.49	$705.62	$14,818.11	$86.54	$14,733.44
10	$14,733.44	$736.67	$15,470.11	$90.35	$15,381.71
Cumulative		$6,115.60		$750.03

These documents, as well as additional information about the Fund (including portfolio holdings, performance and distributions), are also available on FederatedInvestors.com.

Federated Hermes Short-Term High Yield ETF
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

Investment Company Act File No. 811-XXXX

CUSIP TBD

Q455466 (X/21)

Statement of Additional Information

[______, 2021]

Ticker | [TBD]

NYSE | [TBD]

Federated Hermes Short-Term High Yield ETF

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes ETF Trust

This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a Prospectus. Read this SAI in conjunction with the Prospectus for Federated Hermes Short-Term High Yield ETF (the “Fund”), dated [_____, 2021].

Obtain the Prospectus without charge by calling 1-800-341-7400.

	Contents
1	How is the Fund Organized?
1	Securities in Which the Fund Invests
11	Investment Risks
15	Investment Objective (and Policies) and Investment Limitations
17	What Do Shares Cost?
19	How is the Fund Bought and Sold?
27	Delaware Statutory Trust Law
27	Account and Share Information
27	Tax Information
28	Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund?
43	Financial Information
43	Investment Ratings
48	Addresses
49	Appendix

Federated Hermes Short-Term High Yield ETF
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

Q455465 (X/21)

How is the Fund Organized?

The Fund’s investment adviser is Federated Investment Management Company (the “Adviser”).

Exchange Listing and Trading

Trading prices of Shares on the Exchange may differ from the Fund’s daily NAV. Market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors may affect the trading prices of Shares.

Securities in Which the Fund Invests

Securities Descriptions and Techniques

Fixed-Income Securities

The following describes the types of fixed-income securities in which the Fund invests.

Commercial Paper (A Type of Corporate-Debt Security)

Demand Instruments (A Type of Corporate-Debt Security)

Demand instruments are corporate securities that require the issuer or a third party, such as a dealer or bank (the Demand Provider), to repurchase the security for its face value upon demand. Some demand instruments are “conditional,” so that the occurrence of certain conditions relieves the Demand Provider of its obligation to repurchase the security. Other demand instruments are “unconditional,” so that there are no conditions under which the Demand Provider’s obligation to repurchase the security can terminate. The fund treats demand instruments as short-term securities, even though their stated maturity may extend beyond one year.

Treasury Securities (A Fixed-Income Security)

Treasury securities are direct obligations of the federal government of the United States. Treasury securities are generally regarded as having minimal credit risks.

Government Securities (A Fixed-Income Security)

Government securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality acting under federal authority. Some government securities, including those issued by Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States and are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal.

Other government securities receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. For example, the U.S. Treasury is authorized to purchase specified amounts of securities issued by (or otherwise make funds available to) the Federal Home Loan Bank System, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) in support of such obligations.

Investors generally regard government securities as having minimal credit risks, but not as low as Treasury securities.

Additional Information Related To Freddie Mac And Fannie Mae. The extreme and unprecedented volatility and disruption that impacted the capital and credit markets beginning in 2008 led to market concerns regarding the ability of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to withstand future credit losses associated with securities held in their investment portfolios, and on which they provide guarantees, without the direct support of the federal government. On September 7, 2008, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Under the plan of conservatorship, the FHFA assumed control of, and generally has the power to direct, the operations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and is empowered to exercise all powers collectively held by their respective shareholders, directors and officers, including the power to: (1) take over the assets of and operate Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae with all the powers of the shareholders, the directors and the officers of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and conduct all business of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (2) collect all obligations and money due to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (3) perform all functions of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which are consistent with the conservator’s appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator.

IOs and POs (Types of Asset Backed-Securities)

CMOs may allocate interest payments to one class (Interest Only or IOs) and principal payments to another class (Principal Only or POs). POs increase in value when prepayment rates increase. In contrast, IOs decrease in value when prepayments increase, because the underlying mortgages generate less interest payments. However, IOs tend to increase in value when interest rates rise (and prepayments decrease), making IOs a useful hedge against interest rate risks.

Floaters and Inverse Floaters (Types of Asset-Backed Securities)

Another variant allocates interest payments between two classes of CMOs. One class (Floaters) receives a share of interest payments based upon a market index such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The other class (Inverse Floaters) receives any remaining interest payments from the underlying mortgages. Floater classes receive more interest (and Inverse Floater classes receive correspondingly less interest) as interest rates rise. This shifts prepayment and interest rate risks from the Floater to the Inverse Floater class, reducing the price volatility of the Floater class and increasing the price volatility of the Inverse Floater class.

Bank Instruments (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Credit Enhancement

Equity Securities

The following describes the types of equity securities in which the Fund may invest.

Common Stocks

Interests in Other Limited Liability Companies

Entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability companies, business trusts and companies organized outside the United States may issue securities comparable to common or preferred stock.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

REITs are real estate investment trusts that lease, operate and finance commercial real estate. REITs are exempt from federal corporate income tax if they limit their operations and distribute most of their income. Such tax requirements limit a REIT’s ability to respond to changes in the commercial real estate market.

Warrants

Warrants give the Fund the option to buy the issuer’s equity securities at a specified price (the “exercise price”) at a specified future date (the “expiration date”). The Fund may buy the designated securities by paying the exercise price before the expiration date. Warrants may become worthless if the price of the stock does not rise above the exercise price by the expiration date. This increases the market risks of warrants as compared to the underlying security. Rights are the same as warrants, except companies typically issue rights to existing stockholders.

Foreign Government Securities (A Type of Foreign Fixed-Income Security)

Depositary Receipts (A Type of Foreign Equity Security)

Depositary receipts represent interests in underlying securities issued by a foreign company. Depositary receipts are not traded in the same market as the underlying security. The foreign securities underlying American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are traded outside the United States. ADRs provide a way to buy shares of foreign-based companies in the United States rather than in overseas markets. ADRs are also traded in U.S. dollars, eliminating the need for foreign exchange transactions. The foreign securities underlying European Depositary Receipts (EDRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and International Depositary Receipts (IDRs), are traded globally or outside the United States. Depositary receipts involve many of the same risks of investing directly in foreign securities, including currency risks and risks of foreign investing.

Derivative Contracts

The Fund may also trade derivative contracts over-the-counter (OTC) in transactions negotiated directly between the Fund and a financial institution. OTC contracts do not necessarily have standard terms, so they may be less liquid and more difficult to close-out than exchange-traded contracts. In addition, OTC contracts with more specialized terms may be more difficult to value than exchange-traded contracts, especially in times of financial stress.

The market for swaps and other OTC derivatives was largely unregulated prior to the enactment of federal legislation known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). Regulations enacted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) under the Dodd-Frank Act require the Fund to clear certain swap contracts through a clearing house or central counterparty (a CCP).

To clear a swap through the CCP, the Fund will submit the contract to, and post margin with, a futures commission merchant (FCM) that is a clearing house member. The Fund may enter into the swap with a financial institution other than the FCM and arrange for the contract to be transferred to the FCM for clearing, or enter into the contract with the FCM itself. If the Fund must centrally clear a transaction, the CFTC’s regulations also generally require that the swap be executed on a registered exchange or through a market facility that is known as a swap execution facility or SEF. Central clearing is presently required only for certain swaps, and the CFTC is expected to impose a mandatory central clearing requirement for additional derivative instruments over time.

Until the mandated rulemaking and regulations are implemented completely, it will not be possible to determine the complete impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations on the Fund.

Futures Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Interest Rate Futures

An interest-rate futures contract is an exchange-traded contract for which the Reference Instrument is an interest-bearing fixed income security or an inter-bank deposit. Two examples of common interest rate futures contracts are U.S. Treasury futures contracts and Eurodollar futures contracts. The Reference Instrument for a U.S. Treasury futures contract is a U.S. Treasury security. The Reference Instrument for a Eurodollar futures contract is the London Interbank Offered Rate (commonly referred to as LIBOR); Eurodollar futures contracts enable the purchaser to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds over a stated period of time and the seller to obtain a fixed rate for a borrowing of funds over that same period.

Index Futures

Security Futures

Currency Futures and Currency Forward Contracts (Types of Futures Contracts)

Option Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Option contracts (also called “options”) are rights to buy or sell a Reference Instrument for a specified price (the “exercise price”) during, or at the end of, a specified period. The seller (or “writer”) of the option receives a payment, or premium, from the buyer, which the writer keeps regardless of whether the buyer uses (or exercises) the option. Options may be bought or sold on a wide variety of Reference Instruments. Options that are written on futures contracts will be subject to margin requirements similar to those applied to futures contracts.

The Fund may buy and/or sell the following types of options:

Call Options

A call option gives the holder (“buyer”) the right to buy the Reference Instrument from the seller (“writer”) of the option. The Fund may use call options in the following ways:

■ Buy call options on a Reference Instrument in anticipation of an increase in the value of the Reference Instrument; and

Put Options

A put option gives the holder the right to sell the Reference Instrument to the writer of the option. The Fund may use put options in the following ways:

■ Buy put options on a Reference Instrument in anticipation of a decrease in the value of the Reference Instrument; and

The Fund may also buy or write options, as needed, to close out existing option positions.

Swap Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Interest Rate Swaps

Caps and Floors (A Type of Swap Contract)

Caps and Floors are contracts in which one party agrees to make payments only if an interest rate or index goes above (Cap) or below (Floor) a certain level in return for a fee from the other party.

Total Return Swaps

Credit Default Swaps

A credit default swap (CDS) is an agreement between two parties whereby one party (the “Protection Buyer”) agrees to make payments over the term of the CDS to the other party (the “Protection Seller”), provided that no designated event of default, restructuring or other credit related event (each a “Credit Event”) occurs with respect to Reference Instrument that is usually a particular bond, loan or the unsecured credit of an issuer, in general (the “Reference Obligation”). Many CDS are physically settled, which means that if a Credit Event occurs, the Protection Seller must pay the Protection Buyer the full notional value, or “par value,” of the Reference Obligation in exchange for delivery by the Protection Buyer of the Reference Obligation or another similar obligation issued by the issuer of the Reference Obligation (the “Deliverable Obligation”). The Counterparties agree to the characteristics of the Deliverable Obligation at the time that they enter into the CDS. Alternately, a CDS can be “cash settled,” which means that upon the occurrence of a Credit Event, the Protection Buyer will receive a payment from the Protection Seller equal to the difference between the par amount of the Reference Obligation and its market value at the time of the Credit Event. The Fund may be either the Protection Buyer or the Protection Seller in a CDS. If the Fund is a Protection Buyer and no Credit Event occurs, the Fund will lose its entire investment in the CDS (i.e., an amount equal to the payments made to the Protection Seller over the term of the CDS). However, if a Credit Event occurs, the Fund (as Protection Buyer) will deliver the Deliverable Obligation and receive a payment equal to the full notional value of the Reference Obligation, even though the Reference Obligation may have little or no value. If the Fund is the Protection Seller and no Credit Event occurs, the Fund will receive a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the CDS. However, if a Credit Event occurs, the Fund (as Protection Seller) will pay the Protection Buyer the full notional value of the Reference Obligation and receive the Deliverable Obligation from the Protection Buyer. A CDS may involve greater risks than if the Fund invested directly in the Reference Obligation. For example, a CDS may increase credit risk since the Fund has exposure to both the issuer of the Reference Obligation and the Counterparty to the CDS.

Currency Swaps

Other Investments, Transactions, Techniques

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund’s custodian or sub-custodian will take possession of the securities subject to repurchase agreements. The Adviser or sub-custodian will monitor the value of the underlying security each day to ensure that the value of the security always equals or exceeds the repurchase price.

Repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Reverse repurchase agreements (which are considered a type of special transaction for asset segregation or asset coverage purposes) are repurchase agreements in which the Fund is the seller (rather than the buyer) of the securities, and agrees to repurchase them at an agreed upon time and price. A reverse repurchase agreement may be viewed as a type of borrowing by the Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements create leverage risks because the Fund must repurchase the underlying security at a higher price, regardless of the market value of the security at the time of repurchase.

Delayed Delivery Transactions

Delayed delivery transactions, including when issued transactions, are arrangements in which the Fund buys securities for a set price, with payment and delivery of the securities scheduled for a future time. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund. The Fund records the transaction when it agrees to buy the securities and reflects their value in determining the price of its shares. Settlement dates may be a month or more after entering into these transactions so that the market values of the securities bought may vary from the purchase prices. Therefore, delayed delivery transactions create interest rate risks for the Fund. Delayed delivery transactions also involve credit risks in the event of a counterparty default.

Securities Lending

Securities lending activities are subject to interest rate risks and credit risks.

Hedging

limited protection, including transactions that: (1) hedge only a portion of its portfolio; (2) use derivative contracts that cover a narrow range of circumstances or; (3) involve the sale of derivative contracts with different terms. Consequently, hedging transactions will not eliminate risk even if they work as intended. In addition, hedging strategies are not always successful, and could result in increased expenses and losses to the Fund.

Hybrid Instruments

Hybrid instruments combine elements of two different kinds of securities or financial instruments (such as a derivative contract). Frequently, the value of a hybrid instrument is determined by reference to changes in the value of a Reference Instrument (that is a designated security, commodity, currency, index or other asset or instrument including a derivative contract). Hybrid instruments can take on many forms including, but not limited to, the following forms. First, a common form of a hybrid instrument combines elements of a derivative contract with those of another security (typically a fixed-income security). In this case all or a portion of the interest or principal payable on a hybrid security is determined by reference to changes in the price of a Reference Instrument. Second, a hybrid instrument may also combine elements of a fixed-income security and an equity security. Third, hybrid instruments may include convertible securities with conversion terms related to a Reference Instrument.

Depending on the type and terms of the hybrid instrument, its risks may reflect a combination of the risks of investing in the Reference Instrument with the risks of investing in other securities, currencies and derivative contracts. Thus, an investment in a hybrid instrument may entail significant risks in addition to those associated with traditional securities or the Reference Instrument. Hybrid instruments are also potentially more volatile than traditional securities or the Reference Instrument. Moreover, depending on the structure of the particular hybrid, it may expose the Fund to leverage risks or carry liquidity risks.

Credit Linked Note (A Type of Hybrid Instrument)

A credit linked note (CLN) is a type of hybrid instrument in which a special purpose entity issues a structured note (the “Note Issuer”) with respect to which the Reference Instrument is a single bond, a portfolio of bonds, or the unsecured credit of an issuer, in general (each a “Reference Credit”). The purchaser of the CLN (the “Note Purchaser”) invests a par amount and receives a payment during the term of the CLN that equals a fixed or floating rate of interest equivalent to a high rated funded asset (such as a bank certificate of deposit) plus an additional premium that relates to taking on the credit risk of the Reference Credit. Upon maturity of the CLN, the Note Purchaser will receive a payment equal to: (i) the original par amount paid to the Note Issuer, if there is no occurrence of a designated event of default, restructuring or other credit event (each, a “Credit Event”) with respect to the issuer of the Reference Credit or; (ii) the market value of the Reference Credit, if a Credit Event has occurred. Depending upon the terms of the CLN, it is also possible that the Note Purchaser may be required to take physical delivery of the Reference Credit in the event of a Credit Event. Most credit linked notes use a corporate bond (or a portfolio of corporate bonds) as the Reference Credit. However, almost any type of fixed-income security (including foreign government securities), index or derivative contract (such as a credit default swap) can be used as the Reference Credit.

Equity Linked Note (A Type of Hybrid Instrument)

An equity linked note (ELN) is a type of hybrid instrument that provides the noteholder with exposure to a single equity security, a basket of equity securities, or an equity index (the “Reference Equity Instrument”). Typically, an ELN pays interest at agreed rates over a specified time period and, at maturity, either converts into shares of a Reference Equity Instrument or returns a payment to the noteholder based on the change in value of a Reference Equity Instrument.

Asset Segregation

Investing in Exchange-Traded Funds

The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as an efficient means of carrying out its investment strategies. As with traditional mutual funds, ETFs charge asset-based fees, although these fees tend to be relatively low. ETFs are traded on stock exchanges or on the over-the-counter market. ETFs do not charge initial sales charges or redemption fees and investors pay only customary brokerage fees to buy and sell ETF shares.

INTER-FUND BORROWING AND THIRD-PARTY LENDING ARRANGEMENTS

Inter-Fund Borrowing

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has granted an exemption that permits the Fund and all other funds (“Federated Hermes funds”) advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc. (“Federated Hermes,” formerly, Federated Investors, Inc.) to lend and borrow money for certain temporary purposes directly to and from other Federated Hermes funds. Participation in this inter-fund lending program is voluntary for both borrowing and lending Federated Hermes funds, and an inter-fund loan is only made if it benefits each participating Federated Hermes fund. Federated Hermes administers the program according to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board, and the Board monitors the operation of the program. Any inter-fund loan must comply with certain conditions set out in the exemption, which are designed to assure fairness and protect all participating Federated Hermes funds.

Third-Party Line of Credit

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Investment Risks

Credit Enhancement Risk

The securities in which the Fund invests may be subject to credit enhancement (for example, guarantees, letters of credit or bond insurance). Credit enhancement is designed to help assure timely payment of the security; it does not protect the Fund against losses caused by declines in a security’s value due to changes in market conditions. Securities subject to credit enhancement generally would be assigned a lower credit rating if the rating were based primarily on the credit quality of the issuer without regard to the credit enhancement. If the credit quality of the credit enhancement provider (for example, a bank or bond insurer) is downgraded, the rating on a security credit enhanced by such credit enhancement provider also may be downgraded.

A single enhancement provider may provide credit enhancement to more than one of the Fund’s investments. Having multiple securities credit enhanced by the same enhancement provider will increase the adverse effects on the Fund that are likely to result from a downgrading of, or a default by, such an enhancement provider. Adverse developments in the banking or bond insurance industries also may negatively affect the Fund, as the Fund may invest in securities credit enhanced by banks or by bond insurers without limit. Bond insurers that provide credit enhancement for large segments of the fixed income markets, including the municipal bond market, may be more susceptible to being downgraded or defaulting during recessions or similar periods of economic stress.

Stock Market Risk

widespread or prolonged declines in the stock market. Information publicly available about a company, whether from the company’s financial statements or other disclosures or from third parties, or information available to some but not all market participants, can affect the price of a company’s shares in the market. The price of a company’s shares depends significantly on the information publicly available about the company. The reporting of poor results by a company, the restatement of a company’s financial statements or corrections to other information regarding a company or its business may adversely affect the price of its shares, as would allegations of fraud or other misconduct by the company’s management. The Fund may also be disadvantaged if some market participants have access to material information not readily available to other market participants, including the Fund.

Currency Risk

Investing in currencies or securities denominated in a foreign currency entails risk of being exposed to a currency that may not fully reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the economy of the country or region utilizing the currency. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which the Fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which the Fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. In addition, it is possible that a currency (such as, for example, the euro) could be abandoned in the future by countries that have already adopted its use, and the effects of such an abandonment on the applicable country and the rest of the countries utilizing the currency are uncertain but could negatively affect the Fund’s investments denominated in the currency. If a currency used by a country or countries is replaced by another currency, the Fund’s Adviser would evaluate whether to continue to hold any investments denominated in such currency, or whether to purchase investments denominated in the currency that replaces such currency, at the time. Such investments may continue to be held, or purchased, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective(s) and permitted under applicable law.

Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments

the Reference Instrument will decline in value during the term of the contract and make a profit for the Fund. The Reference Instrument may instead appreciate in value creating a loss for the Fund. Seventh, a default or failure by a CCP or an FCM (also sometimes called a “futures broker”), or the failure of a contract to be transferred from an Executing Dealer to the FCM for clearing, may expose the Fund to losses, increase its costs, or prevent the Fund from entering or exiting derivative positions, accessing margin or fully implementing its investment strategies. The central clearing of a derivative and trading of a contract over a SEF could reduce the liquidity in, or increase costs of entering into or holding, any contracts. Finally, derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described herein or in the Fund’s prospectus, such as stock market, interest rate, credit, currency, liquidity and leverage risks.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) including foreign REITs and REIT-like entities, are subject to risks associated with the ownership of real estate. Some REITs experience market risk due to investment in a limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type, which increases the risk that such REIT could be unfavorably affected by the poor performance of a single investment or investment type. These companies are also sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, supply and demand and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Borrowers could default on or sell investments that a REIT holds, which could reduce the cash flow needed to make distributions to investors. In addition, REITs may also be affected by tax and regulatory requirements impacting the REITs’ ability to qualify for preferential tax treatments or exemptions. REITs require specialized management and pay management expenses. REITs also are subject to physical risks to real property, including weather, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, or other events that destroy real property. Foreign REITs and REIT-like entities can also be subject to currency risk, emerging market risk, limited public information, illiquid trading and the impact of local laws.

REITs include equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidations. In addition, equity and mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under applicable tax laws or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition, even many of the larger REITs in the industry tend to be small to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole.

Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act generally allows individuals and certain non-corporate entities, such as partnerships, a deduction for 20% of qualified REIT dividends. Recently issued proposed regulations allow a RIC to pass the character of its qualified REIT dividends through to its shareholders provided certain holding period requirements are met.

Risk Associated with the Investment Activities of Other Accounts

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS RISK

An investment in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional fund (i.e., one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same investment objectives, strategies and policies. The price of an ETF can fluctuate up or down, and the Fund could lose money investing in an ETF if the prices of the securities owned by the ETF go down. In addition, ETFs may be subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (i) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade above or below its net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (iii) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.

LIBOR Risk

Certain derivatives or debt securities, or other financial instruments in which the Fund may invest, as well as the Fund’s committed, revolving line of credit agreement, utilize or may utilize in the future the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR’’) as the reference or benchmark rate for interest rate calculations. LIBOR is a measure of the average interest rate at which major global banks can borrow from one another. It is quoted in multiple currencies and tenors using data reported by a panel of private-sector banks. Following allegations of rate manipulation in 2012 and concerns regarding its thin liquidity, the use of LIBOR came under increasing pressure, and in July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will stop encouraging banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. This may cause LIBOR to cease to be published. LIBOR panel banks have agreed to submit quotations to LIBOR through the end of 2021. Before then, it is expected that market participants will transition to the use of different reference or benchmark rates. However, there is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any particular replacement rate. Regulators have suggested alternative reference rates, but global consensus is lacking and the process for amending existing contracts or instruments to transition away from LIBOR remains unclear.

CYBERSECURITY RISK

operations), and/or fail to comply with applicable privacy and other laws. Among other potentially harmful effects, cyber-events also may result in theft, unauthorized monitoring and failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Fund and its service providers. In addition, cyber-events affecting issuers in which the Fund invests could cause the Fund’s investments to lose value.

The Fund’s Adviser and its relevant affiliates have established risk management systems reasonably designed to seek to reduce the risks associated with cyber-events. The Fund’s Adviser employs various measures aimed at mitigating cybersecurity risk, including, among others, use of firewalls, system segmentation, system monitoring, virus scanning, periodic penetration testing, employee phishing training and an employee cybersecurity awareness campaign. Among other vendor management efforts, Federated Hermes also conducts due diligence on key service providers (or vendors) relating to cybersecurity. Federated Hermes has established a committee to oversee Federated Hermes’ information security and data governance efforts, and updates on cyber-events and risks are reviewed with relevant committees, as well as Federated Hermes’ and the Fund’s Boards of Directors or Trustees (or a committee thereof), on a periodic (generally quarterly) basis (and more frequently when circumstances warrant) as part of risk management oversight responsibilities. However, there is no guarantee that the efforts of Federated Hermes, the Fund’s Adviser or its affiliates, or other service providers, will succeed, either entirely or partially as there are limits on Federated Hermes’ and the Fund’s ability to prevent, detect or mitigate cyber-events. Among other reasons, the cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, the nature of malicious cyber-events is becoming increasingly sophisticated and the Fund’s Adviser, and its relevant affiliates, cannot control the cyber systems and cybersecurity systems of issuers or third-party service providers.

Investment Objective (and Policies) and Investment Limitations

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income. The investment objective may be changed by the Fund’s Board without shareholder approval.

Investment Limitations

Borrowing Money and Issuing Senior Securities

The Fund will not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief.

Diversification

Investing in Commodities

Underwriting

Lending

Concentration

Investing in Real Estate

Additional Information

Investing in Securities of Other Investment Companies

The Fund is prohibited from investing in other registered investment companies in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) of the 1940 Act.

Non-Fundamental Names Rule Policy

Continuous Offering

What Do Shares Cost?

Determining Net Asset Value

■ Other equity securities traded primarily in the United States are valued based upon the mean of closing bid-and-asked quotations from one or more dealers.

Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures

■ Political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded; and

For other significant events, the Fund may seek to obtain more current quotations or price evaluations from alternative pricing sources. If a reliable alternative pricing source is not available, the fair value of the investment is determined using the methods discussed above in “Fair Valuation Procedures.” The Board has ultimate responsibility for any fair valuations made in response to a significant event.

How is the Fund Bought and Sold?

Under the Distributor’s Contract with the Fund, the Distributor (“Federated Securities Corp.”) offers Shares on a continuous, best-efforts basis.

Creation and Redemption of Creation Units

Investors who are not Authorized Participants may purchase and sell Shares of the Fund in any amount on the secondary market.

Purchases of Creation Units

change pursuant to, among other matters, changes in the composition of the Fund’s portfolio and as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time and when Custom Baskets (defined below) are used. Cash purchases of Creation Units will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases. The Authorized Participant will pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities as Deposit Cash plus or minus the same Cash Component.

Placement of Purchase Orders

Acceptance of Orders for and Issuance of Creation Units

Creation Transaction Fees

The standard creation transaction fee and maximum variable transaction fee for a Creation Unit are set forth below:

FUND	STANDARD TRANSACTION FEE	MAXIMUM VARIABLE TRANSACTION FEE*
Federated Hermes Short-Term High Yield ETF	$[TBD]	[TBD]%

* As a percentage of the Creation Unit(s) purchased.

The Adviser may adjust the transactions fees from time to time based on actual experience.

Redemptions of Creation Units

Placement of Redemption Orders

Creation Unit orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant through the applicable order portal, by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede transmissions between the Distributor and an Authorized Participant. Orders to redeem Shares of the Fund that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or a day (other than a weekend) when the securities markets in a foreign market in which the Fund may invest are closed may be charged the maximum transaction fee. A redemption request, if accepted by the Trust, will be processed based on the NAV as of the next Cutoff Time.

Acceptance of Orders for and Redemption of Creation Units

Redemption Transaction Fees

The Authorized Participant may also be required to pay a variable transaction fee (up to the maximum amount shown in the table below) to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses. Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities, including any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary may be charged a fee for such services.

The standard redemption transaction fee and maximum variable transaction fee for a Creation Unit are set forth below:

FUND	STANDARD TRANSACTION FEE	MAXIMUM VARIABLE TRANSACTION FEE*
Federated Hermes Short-Term High Yield ETF	$[TBD]	[TBD]%

* As a percentage of the Creation Unit(s) redeemed.

The Adviser may adjust the transactions fees from time to time based on actual experience.

Custom Baskets

each Custom Basket for compliance with those parameters. In connection with the construction and acceptance of Custom Baskets, the Adviser may consider various factors, including, but not limited to: (1) whether the securities, assets and other positions comprising a basket are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and disclosure; (2) whether the securities, assets and other positions can legally and readily be acquired, transferred and held by the Fund and/or Authorized Participant(s), as applicable; (3) whether to utilize cash, either in lieu of securities or other instruments or as a cash balancing amount; (4) whether the use of Custom Baskets may reduce costs, increase (tax) efficiency and improve trading; and (5) with respect to index-based strategies, whether the securities, assets and other positions aid the Fund to track its underlying index. Although the policies and procedures are designed to mitigate against potential overreaching by an Authorized Participant, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be effective.

Regular Holidays

RULE 12b-1 PLAN

Payments To Financial Intermediaries

The Distributor may pay out of its own resources amounts to certain financial intermediaries, including broker-dealers, banks, registered investment advisers, independent financial planners and retirement plan administrators. In some cases, such payments may be made by, or funded from the resources of, companies affiliated with the Distributor (including the Adviser). While Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) regulations limit the sales charges that you may bear, there are no limits with regard to the amounts that the Distributor may pay out of its own resources. In addition to the payments which are generally described herein and in the Prospectus, the financial intermediary also may receive payments under the Rule 12b-1 Plan. In connection with these payments, the financial intermediary may elevate the prominence or profile of the Fund and/or other Federated Hermes funds within the financial intermediary’s organization by, for example, placement on a list of preferred or recommended funds and/or granting the Distributor preferential or enhanced opportunities to promote the funds in various ways within the financial intermediary’s organization. The same financial intermediaries may receive payments under more than one or all categories. These payments assist in the Distributor’s efforts to support the sale of Shares. These payments are negotiated and may be based on such factors as: the number or value of Shares that the financial intermediary sells or may sell; the value of

client assets invested; the level and types of services or support furnished by the financial intermediary; or the Fund’s and/or other Federated Hermes funds’ relationship with the financial intermediary. Not all financial intermediaries receive such payments and the amount of compensation may vary by intermediary. You should ask your financial intermediary for information about any payments it receives from the Distributor or the Federated Hermes funds and any services it provides, as well as the fees and/or commissions it charges.

The categories of payments are described below.

Marketing Support Payments

Book Entry Only System

number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Delaware Statutory Trust Law

Account and Share Information

Voting Rights

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

Tax Information

Federal Income Tax

Tax Basis Information

The Fund’s Transfer Agent is required to provide you with the cost basis information on the sale of any of your Shares in the Fund, subject to certain exceptions.

Foreign Investments

Taxation on Creation and Redemptions of Creation Units

Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund?

Board of Trustees

qualifications of Independent Trustees

■ Desire and availability to serve for a substantial period of time, taking into account the Board’s current mandatory retirement age of 75 years.

■ No conflicts which would interfere with qualifying as independent.

■ Appropriate interpersonal skills to work effectively with other Independent Trustees.

■ Understanding and appreciation of the important role occupied by Independent Trustees in the regulatory structure governing regulated investment companies.

■ Diversity of background.

interested Trustees Background and Compensation

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s)	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Fund and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
J. Christopher Donahue* Birth Date: April 11, 1949 President and Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Principal Executive Officer and President of certain of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Director or Trustee of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company; Trustee, Federated Investment Counseling; Chairman and Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company. Previous Positions: President, Federated Investment Counseling; President and Chief Executive Officer, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.; Chairman, Passport Research, Ltd.	$0	$0
Thomas R. Donahue* Birth Date: October 20, 1958 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of certain funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Administrative Services; Chairman and Director, Federated Administrative Services, Inc.; Trustee and Treasurer, Federated Advisory Services Company; Director or Trustee and Treasurer, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, and Federated Investment Management Company; Director, MDTA LLC; Director, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Federated Securities Corp.; Director or Trustee and Chairman, Federated Services Company and Federated Shareholder Services Company; and Director and President, FII Holdings, Inc. Previous Positions: Director, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Assistant Secretary, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Company and Passport Research, LTD; Treasurer, Passport Research, LTD; Executive Vice President, Federated Securities Corp.; and Treasurer, FII Holdings, Inc.	$0	$0

Independent Trustees Background, Qualifications and Compensation

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships Held for Past Five Years, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Trust and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
John T. Collins Birth Date: January 24, 1947 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee and Chair of the Board of Directors or Trustees, of the Federated Hermes Complex; formerly, Chairman and CEO, The Collins Group, Inc. (a private equity firm) (Retired). Other Directorships Held: Chairman of the Board of Directors, Director, KLX Energy Services Holdings, Inc. (oilfield services); former Director of KLX Corp (aerospace). Qualifications: Mr. Collins has served in several business and financial management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Collins previously served as Chairman and CEO of The Collins Group, Inc. (a private equity firm) and as a Director of KLX Corp. Mr. Collins serves as Chairman Emeriti, Bentley University. Mr. Collins previously served as Director and Audit Committee Member, Bank of America Corp.; Director, FleetBoston Financial Corp.; and Director, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Harvard University Affiliate Hospital).	$0.00	$286,000

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships Held for Past Five Years, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Trust and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
G. Thomas Hough Birth Date: February 28, 1955 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee, Chair of the Audit Committee of the Federated Hermes Complex; formerly, Vice Chair, Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm) (Retired). Other Directorships Held: Director, Chair of the Audit Committee, Equifax, Inc.; Director, Member of the Audit Committee, Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.; formerly, Director, Member of Governance and Compensation Committees, Publix Super Markets, Inc. Qualifications: Mr. Hough has served in accounting, business management and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Hough most recently held the position of Americas Vice Chair of Assurance with Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm). Mr. Hough serves on the President’s Cabinet and Business School Board of Visitors for the University of Alabama. Mr. Hough previously served on the Business School Board of Visitors for Wake Forest University, and he previously served as an Executive Committee member of the United States Golf Association.	$0.00	$321,000
Maureen Lally-Green Birth Date: July 5, 1949 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Adjunct Professor Emerita of Law, Duquesne University School of Law; formerly, Dean of the Duquesne University School of Law and Professor of Law and Interim Dean of the Duquesne University School of Law; formerly, Associate General Secretary and Director, Office of Church Relations, Diocese of Pittsburgh. Other Directorships Held: Director, CNX Resources Corporation (formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc.). Qualifications: Judge Lally-Green has served in various legal and business roles and directorship positions throughout her career. Judge Lally-Green previously held the position of Dean of the School of Law of Duquesne University (as well as Interim Dean). Judge Lally-Green previously served as a member of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and as a Professor of Law, Duquesne University School of Law. Judge Lally-Green was appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to serve on the Supreme Court’s Board of Continuing Judicial Education and the Supreme Court’s Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee. Judge Lally-Green also currently holds the positions on not for profit or for profit boards of directors as follows: Director and Chair, UPMC Mercy Hospital; Regent, Saint Vincent Seminary; Member, Pennsylvania State Board of Education (public); Director, Catholic Charities, Pittsburgh; and Director, CNX Resources Corporation (formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc.). Judge Lally-Green has held the positions of: Director, Auberle; Director, Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central Pennsylvania; Director, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh; Director, Saint Thomas More Society; Director and Chair, Catholic High Schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Inc.; Director, Pennsylvania Bar Institute; Director, Saint Vincent College; Director and Chair, North Catholic High School, Inc.; and Director and Vice Chair, Our Campaign for the Church Alive!, Inc.	$0.00	$286,000
Thomas M. O’Neill Birth Date: June 14, 1951 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Sole Proprietor, Navigator Management Company (investment and strategic consulting). Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. O’Neill has served in several business, mutual fund and financial management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. O’Neill serves as Director, Medicines for Humanity and Director, The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, Florida. Mr. O’Neill previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Fleet Investment Advisors; President and Chief Executive Officer, Aeltus Investment Management, Inc.; General Partner, Hellman, Jordan Management Co., Boston, MA; Chief Investment Officer, The Putnam Companies, Boston, MA; Credit Analyst and Lending Officer, Fleet Bank; Director and Consultant, EZE Castle Software (investment order management software); and Director, Midway Pacific (lumber).	$0.00	$286,000

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships Held for Past Five Years, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Trust and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
Madelyn A. Reilly Birth Date: February 2, 1956 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Duquesne University. Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Ms. Reilly has served in various business and legal management roles throughout her career. Ms. Reilly previously served as Director of Risk Management and Associate General Counsel, Duquesne University. Prior to her work at Duquesne University, Ms. Reilly served as Assistant General Counsel of Compliance and Enterprise Risk as well as Senior Counsel of Environment, Health and Safety, PPG Industries.	$0.00	$49,668.48
P. Jerome Richey Birth Date: February 23, 1949 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Management Consultant; Retired; formerly, Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh and Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, CONSOL Energy Inc. (split into two separate publicly traded companies known as CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Resources Corp.). Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Richey has served in several business and legal management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Richey most recently held the positions of Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously served as Chairman of the Board, Epilepsy Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Chairman of the Board, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously served as Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President, CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Gas Company; and Board Member, Ethics Counsel and Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC (a law firm).	$0.00	$260,000
John S. Walsh Birth Date: November 28, 1957 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: February 2021	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; President and Director, Heat Wagon, Inc. (manufacturer of construction temporary heaters); President and Director, Manufacturers Products, Inc. (distributor of portable construction heaters); President, Portable Heater Parts, a division of Manufacturers Products, Inc. Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Walsh has served in several business management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Walsh previously served as Vice President, Walsh & Kelly, Inc. (paving contractors).	$0.00	$345,000