EX-99.28.P.2 43 d521377dex9928p2.htm CODE OF ETHICS FOR NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL ADVISORS Code of Ethics for Nationwide Financial Advisors

EX-28.p.2

CODE OF ETHICS

Nationwide Fund Advisors (the “Adviser” or the “Firm”) has adopted this Code of Ethics (the “Code”), in accordance with Rule 17j-1 (the “Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Act”) with respect to mutual fund Clients, and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), with respect to all other Clients. Rule 17j-1 and Rule 204A-1 are, collectively, referred to herein as the “Rules.”

The Rules makes it unlawful for certain employees in connection with the purchase or sale by such persons of securities held or to be acquired by any Client (defined below) within the Rules scope:

 

  1. to employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud such Client;

 

  2. to make to the Client any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to a Client a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;

 

  3. to engage in any act, practice or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon such Client; or

 

  4. to engage in a manipulative practice with respect to such Client.

While affirming its confidence in the integrity and good faith of all of its employees, officers, directors and Advisory Persons (as defined below) of the Adviser, the Firm recognizes that certain personnel have or may have knowledge of present or future portfolio transactions and, in certain instances, the power to influence portfolio transactions made by Clients. Furthermore, if such individuals engage in personal Covered Securities transactions, these individuals could be in a position where their personal interests may conflict with the interests of Clients. Accordingly, this Code is designed to prevent conduct that could create an actual or potential conflict of interest with any Client.

 

A. DEFINITIONS

 

  1) “Access Person” means any director, officer, Advisory Person or employee of the Adviser as well as any other person that the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) determines to be an Access Person. An Access Person shall not include any person who the CCO determines to be an Exempt-Access Person. The CCO maintains records of the status of all relevant persons under the Code, and will inform each such person about that person’s status as necessary.

 

  2) “Advisory Person” means:

 

  (a) any employee of the Adviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, has access to or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of a Covered Security by a Client, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; or


  (b) any natural person in a control relationship to the Adviser who obtains information concerning recommendations made to a Client with regard to the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Client.

 

  3) “Beneficial ownership” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be in determining whether a person is considered a “beneficial owner” as defined in Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which generally speaking, encompasses those situations where the beneficial owner has or shares the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in Covered Securities.

A person is normally regarded as the beneficial owner of Covered Securities with respect to:

 

  (a) Covered securities that are held by the individual or by members of the individual’s immediate family sharing the same household (including, but not limited to a husband, wife, domestic partner, minor child or relative);

 

  (b) The person’s interest in Covered Securities held in a discretionary or trust account; or

 

  (c) The person’s right to acquire equity Covered Securities through the exercise or conversion of stock options, warrants or convertible debt, whether or not presently exercisable; or

 

  (d) All other Covered Securities held in any other account for which the person has investment discretion or authority.

 

  4) “Chief Compliance Officer” or “CCO” means the Chief Compliance Officer for the Adviser or the CCO’s designee, as applicable.

 

  5) “Client” means

 

  (a) any investment company registered under the Act or any series of a registered investment company for whom the Adviser acts as investment adviser or sub-adviser or

 

  (b) any separately managed investment account, commingled/collective investment trust fund, hedge fund and other similar investment arrangement, which is advised by the Adviser.

 

  6) “Control” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the Act.

 

  7) “Covered Person” means any Access Person or Exempt-Access Person.

 

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  8) “Covered Security” means a security as defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the Act, except that it shall not include direct obligations of the United States government, bankers acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt instruments (including repurchase agreements), shares of money market funds, shares of registered open-end investment companies, (other than Reportable Funds as defined in A(15)) and shares of unit investment trusts that are exclusively invested in one or more open-end Funds that are not Reportable Funds. “Fund” means an investment company registered under the Act.

 

  9) “Exempt-Access Persons.” The Firm’s officers, directors, employees and other related persons, are presumed to be Access Persons for purposes of the Rules. However, certain persons, such as certain officers, directors of the Adviser, or other persons, such as temporary employees, often do not have actual access to investment or portfolio information or participate in the recommendation process.

Where the CCO has determined that the relevant director, officer, employee or temporary employee: (1) does not meet the definition of “Advisory Person;” (2) does not otherwise have access to non-public information with respect to Client holdings, transactions or securities recommendations; and (3) is not involved in the recommendation process, the CCO may determine to treat such person as an “Exempt-Access Person” for purposes of this Code.

Exempt-Access Persons must, prior to being so designated and at least annually thereafter, certify to the CCO, in the form attached as Exhibit H, as to the relevant facts and circumstances that formed the basis of the CCO’s above-described determination.

 

  10) “Market Timing” shall mean the purchasing and selling of Fund shares on a short-term basis and in a manner that is contrary to the policy of the Fund as disclosed in its then-current prospectus.

 

  11) “Portfolio Managers” means those individuals who, in connection with their regular duties, are entrusted with the direct responsibility and authority to make investment decisions affecting any Client.

 

  12) “Principal Underwriter” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(2) of the Act.

 

  13) “Purchase or sale of a Covered Security” includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Covered Security.

 

  14) “Reportable Fund” means

 

  (a) any series of Nationwide Mutual Funds or Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust (collectively, the Trusts);

 

  (b) any Fund for which the Firm serves as an investment adviser, or

 

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  (c) any Fund whose investment adviser (including sub-advisers) or Principal Underwriter controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Adviser.

 

  15) “Reporting Person” means any Access Person and any Exempt-Access Person.

 

  16) “Security held or to be acquired” by a Client means any Covered Security which, within the most recent 15 calendar days

 

  (a) is or has been held by a Client; or

 

  (b) is being or has been considered for purchase by a Client; or

 

  (c) any option to purchase or sell any Covered Security that is convertible into or exchangeable for a Covered Security described in subparts (a) and (b) of this definition.

 

B. STATEMENT OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND STANDARD OF CONDUCT

It is the duty of all Covered Persons to place the interests of our Clients first at all times. Consistent with that duty, all Covered Persons must (1) conduct all personal Covered Securities transactions in a manner that is consistent with this Code of Ethics; (2) avoid any actual or potential conflict of personal interest with the interests of our Clients; (3) adhere to the fundamental standard that they should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions of trust and responsibility; (4) safeguard material non-public information about Client transactions including disclosure of portfolio holdings; and (5) comply with all federal securities laws.

This Code of Ethics applies to transactions in Covered Securities for the accounts of all Covered Persons and any other accounts in which they have any beneficial ownership. It imposes certain investment restrictions and prohibitions and requires the reports set forth below. If Covered Persons become aware of material non-public information or if a Client is active in a given Covered Security, some personnel may find themselves “frozen” in a position. The Firm will not bear any losses in personal accounts resulting from the implementation of any portion of the Code of Ethics.

 

C. GENERAL PROHIBITIONS

 

  1) All Covered Persons shall keep all information pertaining to Clients’ portfolio transactions and holdings confidential. No person with access to Covered Securities holdings, recommendations or pending securities transactions and holdings should disclose this information to any person, unless such disclosure is made in connection with his or her regular functions or duties. Special care should be taken to avoid discussing confidential information in circumstances, which would disclose this information to anyone who would not have access to such information in the normal course of events.

 

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  2) No Covered Person shall utilize information concerning prospective or actual portfolio transactions in any manner that might prove detrimental to the interests of a Client.

 

  3) No Covered Person shall purchase, sell, or exchange shares of any series of a Fund while in possession of material non-public information concerning the portfolio holdings of any series of the Fund.

 

  4) No Covered Person shall use his or her position for his or her personal benefit or attempt to cause a Client to purchase, sell or hold a particular Covered Security when that action may reasonably be expected to create a personal benefit for the Covered Person.

 

  5) No Covered Person shall selectively disclose “non-public” information concerning the portfolio holdings of any Client to anyone who does not have a legitimate business need for such information that is consistent with the interests of our mutual fund and other Client accounts, and the Firm’s Portfolio Holding Disclosure Policy.

 

  6) No Covered Person shall engage in any act, practice or course of conduct, which would violate applicable provisions of the Rules.

 

  7) No Covered Person shall engage in, or help others engage in, Market Timing in the series of the Nationwide Mutual Funds and or Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust (collectively, “the Trusts”), or any other shares of Funds that have a policy against Market Timing. This prohibition does not apply to short-term transactions in money market funds, unless these transactions are part of a Market Timing strategy of other Funds, nor does it apply to contributions to a 401(k) program or an automatic reinvestment program. However, this program does apply to internal transfers within a 401(k) program to the extent such transactions violate a Fund’s policy against market timing. Any profits derived by a Covered Person as a result of such impermissible Market Timing may be subject to disgorgement at the discretion of the CCO.

 

  8) No Covered Person shall engage in, or help others engage in, late trading of Funds for any purpose. Late trading is defined as entering or canceling any buy, sell, transfer, or change order after the close of the regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) or such other time designated in a Fund’s prospectus as the timing of calculation of the Fund’s net asset value.

 

D. PERSONAL TRADING RESTRICTIONS

 

  1) Short Selling and Margin Accounts

Access Persons are not permitted to enter into short sales or trade on margin.

 

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  2) Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”)

Access Persons are generally prohibited from acquiring any Covered Securities in an IPO. Access Persons may, however, request and receive approval to participate in an IPO in certain limited circumstances. In approving any such request, the onus for substantiating and documenting compliance with the Code of Ethics rests on the individual seeking approval. Notwithstanding submission of substantiating documentation, approval may be withheld if reviewing Compliance personnel believe that an actual or potential conflict of interest exists with respect to any Client. Approval to invest in an IPO shall be valid for the period of time stated in the approval, but may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Access Person’s purchase in an IPO. Requests for participation in IPO’s must be submitted online via the Firm’s Compliance tool, StarCompliance.

 

  3) Private Placements

Access Persons investing in private placements of any kind must obtain written prior approval from the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and the Chief Compliance Officer. In determining whether to grant such prior approval, both the CIO and the CCO shall determine (among other factors) whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for a Client(s), and whether the opportunity is being offered to the individual by virtue of his or her position with the Adviser. Access Persons, who have been authorized to acquire Covered Securities in a private placement must disclose such investment when they are involved in, or have knowledge of, any subsequent consideration of an investment by a Client in that issuer. In such circumstances, the CIO or his designee with no personal interest in the particular issuer shall independently review the Client’s decision to purchase that issuer’s Covered Securities.

All Access Persons requesting private placement approval shall submit a request via the Firm’s online Compliance tool, StarCompliance (see Exhibit E of this Code) with provision of supporting documentation to the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee. Approval to invest in a private placement shall be valid for the period of time stated in the approval, but may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Access Person’s purchase in the private placement.

New Access Persons must disclose pre-existing private placement securities by requesting approval via the Firm’s online Compliance tool, StarCompliance (see Exhibit E of this Code). New Access Persons may be required to liquidate/terminate their investment in a private placement if deemed by the CIO and CCO to be a conflict of interest.

 

  4) Covered Securities Subject to an Embargo

Access Persons are not permitted to deal in any Covered Security upon which the Firm has placed, for any reason, an embargo.

 

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  5) Client with Pending Announcement of Results

Access Persons should not deal in the Covered Securities of a Client in the two-month period prior to the announcement of interim figures or the preliminary announcement of annual figures.

 

  6) Pre-clearance

All Access Persons are required to pre-clear transactions in all Covered Securities, including certain transactions in Reportable Funds, (excluding those securities exempted under Section D(9), money market funds, and Reportable Funds if purchased through an automatic contribution or reinvestment program (such as a 401(k) contribution) provided that the initial position is disclosed on the Initial Holdings Report or the initial acquisition of such security is pre-cleared).

Requests for pre-clearance should be submitted online via the Firm’s online Compliance tool, StarCompliance.
Pre-clearance requests must include the type of transaction (e.g., buy or sell), the security name, security symbol / CUSIP, the number of shares (or investment amount), the brokerage account name and account number.

Transactions should not be placed for execution until pre-clearance approval has been received. Pre-clearance approval is good only for the day received; therefore, orders should be placed as market or day limit orders.

If for any reason the trade is not executed on the day on which pre-clearance approval is received, the Access Person must submit a new request and receive approval prior to placing any subsequent order.

 

  7) 30 Day Holding Period

All Access Persons must maintain any position in a Reportable Fund, with the exception of money market funds, for at least 30 calendar days before they can be sold or exchanged. Exceptions to this policy will be considered in hardship situations, but must be approved in writing, in advance by the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee.

Additionally, Portfolio Managers shall not profit from the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same (or equivalent) Covered Securities within thirty (30) calendar days. Trades made in violation of this policy should be unwound, if possible. Portfolio Managers are responsible for monitoring their own trading activities to comply with the
30-Day Holding Period requirement. Any violation of the foregoing restriction may result in disgorgement of all profits from the transactions, as well as other possible sanctions. For purposes of this section, calculation of profits will be based on a “last-in, first-out” (LIFO) basis.

 

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  8) Blackout Period

 

  (a) Three Day (T+3)

Advisory Persons are prohibited from executing any personal Covered Securities transactions, excluding transactions in Reportable Funds, within three (3) calendar days after the Firm has executed buy or sell orders in that same Covered Security in Client accounts.

 

  (b) Seven Day (T+7)

All Portfolio Managers are prohibited from executing any personal Covered Securities transactions, excluding transactions in Reportable Funds, within seven (7) calendar days after the day the Firm has executed buy or sell orders in that same Covered Security in Client accounts.

 

  (c) Trades made in violation of these blackout periods should be unwound, if possible. Any violation of the foregoing restrictions may result in disgorgement of all profits from the transactions, as well as other possible sanctions.

 

  9) Exempted Transactions

The prohibitions of Section (D)(6) Pre-Clearance, (D)(7) 30 Day Holding Period, and (D)(8) Blackout Period, of this Code of Ethics shall not apply to:

 

  (a) Purchases or sales effected in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence, control or investment discretion or authority;

 

  (b) purchases or sales which are non-volitional1 on the part of the Access Person;

 

  (c) subsequent purchases which are made through an automatic dividend reinvestment or automatic direct purchase plan;

 

  (d) purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro-rata to all holders of a class of its Covered Securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired;

 

 

1  Non-volitional purchases or sales include those transactions, which do not involve a willing act or conscious decision on the part of the director, officer or employee. For example, shares received or disposed of by Access Persons in a merger, recapitalization or similar transaction are considered non-volitional.

 

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  (e) purchases or sales effected by the Adviser on behalf of Client accounts managed by such Adviser; or

 

  (f) purchases or sales of the securities listed on Exhibit D of the Code.

 

  10) Gifts

No Covered Person shall seek or accept anything of more than de minimis value, either directly or indirectly, from broker-dealers or other persons, which to the actual knowledge of the Access Persons, do business or might do business with a Client or the Firm. For purposes of this provision, the following gifts will not be considered to be in violation of this section: (a) an occasional meal; (b) an occasional ticket to a sporting event, the theater or comparable entertainment; and (c) other gifts of nominal cost. Covered Persons should review the Firm’s Gift & Entertainment Policy with regard to permissible gifts and entertainment.

 

  11) Board of Directors

Portfolio Managers are prohibited from serving on the boards of directors of publicly traded companies, absent receiving prior authorization from the Chief Compliance Officer. Such authorization should be based upon a determination that the board service would be consistent with the interests of Clients advised by the employee. Where service on a board of directors is authorized, Portfolio Managers serving as directors should be isolated from those making investment decisions regarding the company through “Chinese Wall” procedures.

 

E. MARKET TIMING

All Covered Persons are expected to read and understand the definition of “Market Timing” (Section A(11)) and adhere to the Code’s specific requirements in this regard. Market Timing is prohibited in any Fund; if it is determined that personal trading activities violate these restrictions, the Firm reserves the right to impose such sanctions as deemed appropriate.

To ensure that the Code’s requirements are met and to comply with the SEC’s objective for enhanced disclosure, all Access Persons must report on a quarterly basis to the Chief Compliance Officer certain transactions in Reportable Funds (excluding money market funds) in all accounts for which an Access Person has Beneficial Ownership. On-going purchases made through an automatic contribution or reinvestment program (such as a 401k contribution) are not required to be reported provided that the initial position has been disclosed or reported on the Initial Holdings Report, Quarterly Transaction Report and / or the Annual Holdings Report.

All sales, all exchanges and all new purchases in Reportable Funds must be disclosed on a quarterly basis by all Access Persons.

 

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All Access Persons shall submit via the Firm’s online Compliance tool, StarCompliance, Exhibit F of the Code which acknowledges enrollment in the Nationwide Savings Plan and permits the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee to monitor activity in any Nationwide benefit plan, including 401(k) activities and other Nationwide non-qualified deferred compensation benefit plans.

 

F. REPORTING, DISCLOSURE INFORMATION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

 

  1) Initial Holdings Reports

All Access Persons shall disclose all personal Covered Securities holdings to the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee. The Initial Holdings Report shall be submitted via the Firm’s online Compliance tool, StarCompliance (see Exhibit A of this Code) and shall contain the following information:

 

  (a) the name of the security, security symbol or CUSIP, type of security, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security and type of interest (direct or indirect) in which the Access Person had beneficial ownership when the person became an Access Person;

 

  (b) the name of any broker, dealer, bank, plan administrator or other institution with whom the Access Person maintained an account and the account number in which any Covered Securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person as of the date the person became an Access Person;

 

  (c) the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person and the date as of which the information is current; and

 

  (d) a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Covered Security to which the report relates.

New Access Persons are required to submit an Initial Holdings Reports no later than 10-days after the person becomes an Access Person. All Initial Holdings Reports shall provide information that is current as of a date no more than 45 days before the Initial Holding Report is submitted.

 

  2) Quarterly Reports

 

  (a) All Access Persons shall report to the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee, the information described in Sub-paragraph (2)(b) of this Section with respect to transactions in any Covered Security in which such person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the Covered Security. As discussed below in Section F(8), Exempt-Access Persons may be required to make Quarterly Reports under certain circumstances.

 

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  (b) Reports required to be made under this Paragraph (2) shall be made not later than 10-days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the transaction to which the report relates was effected. All Access Persons shall be required to submit a report for all periods, including those periods in which no Covered Securities transactions were effected. Quarterly reports shall be submitted via the Firm’s online Compliance tool, StarCompliance (see Exhibit B of this Code) and shall contain the following information:

 

  (i) the date of the transaction, the name of the Covered Security, security symbol or CUSIP, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares, and the principal amount of each Covered Security involved;

 

  (ii) the nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

  (iii) the price at which the transaction was effected;

 

  (iv) the name of the broker, dealer, bank, plan administrator or other institution with or through whom the transaction was effected and the account number where security is held; and

 

  (v) the date the report is submitted.

 

  (c) Any such report may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Covered Security to which the report relates.

 

  (d) All Access Persons shall direct their brokers to supply duplicate copies of all monthly brokerage statements (excluding confirmations) for all Covered Securities held in any accounts in which the Access Person is a Beneficial Owner to the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee on a timely basis. Duplicate copies of the Nationwide 401(k) Savings Plan or other Nationwide deferred compensation program statements do not need to be sent; however the Compliance Department reserves the right to modify this exception or request such information on an ad-hoc basis.

 

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  (e) With respect to any new account established (see Section F(5)) by the Access Person in which any Covered Securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person, the Access Person shall report the following information:

 

  (i) the name of the broker, dealer, bank, plan administrator or other institution with whom the Access Person established the account;

 

  (ii) the date the account was established; and

 

  (iii) the date the report is submitted.

 

  3) Annual Holdings Reports

 

  (a) All Access Persons shall disclose all personal Covered Securities holdings on an annual basis on the Form attached as Exhibit C within 30-days after the end of the calendar year. All Annual Holdings Reports shall provide information on personal Covered Securities holdings that is current as of a date no more than 30 days before the Annual Report is submitted. Such Annual Reports shall be submitted via the Firm’s online Compliance tool, StarCompliance and shall contain the following information:

 

  (i) the name of the security, security symbol or CUSIP, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security and type of interest (direct or indirect) in which the Access Person beneficial ownership;

 

  (ii) the name of any broker, dealer, bank, plan administrator or other institution with whom the Access Person maintains an account and the account number in which any Covered Securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person;

 

  (iii) the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person and the date as of which the information is current; and

 

  (iv) a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Covered Security to which the report relates.

 

  4) Certification of Compliance with the Code of Ethics

All Covered Persons shall be provided with a copy of this Code of Ethics and any amendments, hereto, and all Covered Persons shall certify annually that:

 

  (a) they have received, read and understand the Code of Ethics and recognize that they are subject to its provisions;

 

  (b) they have complied with the requirements of the Code of Ethics; and

 

  (c) to the extent applicable, they have reported all personal Covered Securities transactions required to be reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code of Ethics.

 

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Access Persons shall make such acknowledgement on their Initial Holdings Reports.

 

  5) Personal Brokerage Accounts

No Access Person shall open a personal brokerage account directly or indirectly without obtaining prior authorization from the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee. Approval for new accounts shall be submitted via the Firm’s online Compliance tool, StarCompliance (see Exhibit G of this Code) and should be submitted for approval in advance of opening a new account.

All Access Persons shall provide Compliance personnel with a listing of all brokerage accounts in which the Access Person has a direct or indirect interest upon commencing employment and on an annual basis thereafter. These reports shall be submitted via the Firm’s online Compliance tool, StarCompliance utilizing Exhibits A or C, as applicable.

No Access Persons shall request or receive financial benefit or special dealing benefits for any personal brokerage account, which are not made available to the general public on the same terms and conditions.

 

  6) Review of Reports and Notification

The Firm will appoint Compliance personnel to review all brokerage account statements and, Initial, Quarterly and Annual Reports to detect conflicts of interest and abusive practices. In addition, the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee shall notify each Covered Person as to the extent to which he or she is subject to the reporting requirements provided under this Code of Ethics and shall deliver a copy of this Code of Ethics to each Covered Person upon request.

 

  7) Responsibility to Report

The responsibility for reporting is imposed on each Reporting Person required to make a report to ensure that Compliance is in receipt of timely and complete reports. Efforts on behalf of the Reporting Person by other services (e.g., brokerage firms) do not change or alter the Reporting Person’s responsibility. Late reporting is regarded as a direct violation of this Code and will be treated accordingly. Individuals who neglect their responsibility for appropriate reporting as defined in Sections F(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of this Code will be subject to sanctions including suspension of pre-clearance privileges, fines, and, in appropriate cases, termination, and will be given written notice of the violation, which will be submitted to the Board of Trustees of Nationwide Mutual Funds and Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust (collectively the “Board”) for review and possible further disciplinary action.

 

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  8) Requirements for Exempt-Access Persons

 

  (a) In addition to the Certification of Compliance with the Code of Ethics, described above in Section F.4, Exempt-Access Covered Persons must, prior to being designated as such and not less frequently than once per calendar year thereafter, provide to the CCO, a certification, in the form attached as Exhibit H.

 

  (b) Once designated by the CCO as an Exempt-Access Person, the individual is exempt from the initial and annual holdings reports. Exempt-Access Persons must submit to the CCO a quarterly transaction report in the form attached as Exhibit B not later than ten (10) days after the end of each calendar quarter with respect to any Covered Securities transaction occurring in such quarter only if such person knew at the time of the transaction or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties, should have known that, during the 15-day period immediately before or after the date of the Covered Securities transaction, a Client account purchased or sold the Covered Security, or the Adviser considered purchasing or selling the Covered Security for a Client account. Any such report must be accompanied by an explanation of the circumstances which necessitated its filing.

 

  (c) Any Exempt-Access Person who obtains or seeks to obtain information which, under the relevant Rules, would suggest that the individual should be treated as an Access Person must promptly inform the CCO of the relevant circumstances and, unless notified to the contrary by the CCO, must comply with all relevant Code requirements applicable to Access Persons until such time as the CCO determines that reversion to Exempt-Access Person status is appropriate.

 

G. REPORTING OF VIOLATIONS TO THE BOARD

All Covered Persons shall promptly report any possible violations of this Code to the Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer shall timely report all material violations of this Code of Ethics and the reporting requirements there under to Firm management and the Boards of Fund Clients, as appropriate.

 

H. BOARD APPROVAL

 

  1) The Chief Compliance Officer submitted an initial copy of the Code of Ethics to the Board on or about September 1, 2000. The Chief Compliance Officer shall submit any material amendments to the Code of Ethics no later than six months after adoption of such amendments.

 

  2) The Adviser is further required to obtain approval from each investment company Client for any material changes to this Code of Ethics within six (6) months of any such change.

 

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I. ANNUAL REPORTING TO INVESTMENT COMPANY CLIENTS

The Adviser shall prepare a written annual report relating to its Code of Ethics to the Board of each investment company Client for which it acts as investment adviser or sub-adviser. Such annual report shall:

 

  1) summarize existing procedures concerning personal investing and any material changes in the procedures made during the past year;

 

  2) identify any material violations requiring significant remedial action during the past year;

 

  3) identify any recommended changes in the existing restrictions or procedures based upon experience under its Code of Ethics, evolving industry practices or developments in applicable laws or regulations; and

 

  4) certify that the Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating its Code of Ethics.

 

J. SANCTIONS

Covered Persons are expected to observe the highest standards of professional conduct when conducting their business. Upon determining that there has been a violation of the Code, the President of the Firm (“President”), Chief Compliance Officer and/or the Boards, in their sole discretion, may impose such sanctions or disciplinary or remedial actions as they deem appropriate under the circumstances.

These sanctions and disciplinary or remedial actions that may be taken with respect to violations of the Code are outlined in specific detail in Exhibit I. By way of example only, these sanctions and disciplinary or remedial actions range from warnings and remedial training, to unwinding of trades and disgorgement of profits, to suspension or termination of employment. Under the appropriate circumstances, the President, Chief Compliance Officer and/or the Board also may report the violation(s) to the appropriate regulatory or governmental agencies or authorities. You also may be held personally liable for any improper, inappropriate or illegal acts committed during your employment.

In addition, the Firm considers adherence to overall compliance standards as an integral component of your employee performance evaluation. Any Code violations, including but not limited to unauthorized or improper trading or other potential conflicts of interest issues, shall be considered by each Covered Person’s manager when assessing the Covered Person’s overall performance review.

Any situation that may create, or even appear to create, a conflict between personal interests and the interest of the Firm or our Clients must be avoided. It is essential to disclose any questionable situations to Compliance as soon as such situation arises.

The Firm’s commitment to integrity and ethical behavior remains constant. Every one of us, every day, must reflect the highest standards of professional conduct and personal integrity. Good judgment and the desire to do what is right are the foundation of our reputation.

 

Code of Ethics

June 30, 2011

Page 15


K. GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION FROM EMPLOYMENT

In addition to actions that may result in termination of employment as described above in Section J, pursuant to the terms of Section 9 of the 1940 Act, no person may become or continue to be an officer, director, Advisory Person or employee of the Firm without an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, if such person:

 

  1) within the past ten years has been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor involving the purchase or sale of any security; or arising out of his or her conduct as an affiliated person, salesman or employee of any investment company, bank, insurance company or entity or person required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act; or as an affiliate person, salesman, or employee of any investment company, bank, insurance company, or entity or person required to be registered under the Commodities Exchange Act, or

 

  2) is or becomes permanently or temporarily enjoined by any courts from: (i) acting as an underwriter, broker, dealer, investment adviser, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker, government securities dealer, bank, transfer agent, or entity or a person required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, or as an affiliated person, salesman or employees of any investment company, bank, insurance company or entity or a person required to be registered under the Commodity Exchange Act; or (ii) engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with any such activity or in connection with the purchase or sale of any security.

It is your obligation to immediately report any conviction or injunction falling within the foregoing provisions to the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

L. RETENTION OF RECORDS

The Adviser must, at its principal place of business, maintain records in the manner and to the extent set out below and must make these records available to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or any representative of the SEC at any time and from time to time for reasonable periodic, special or other examination:

 

  1) A copy of this Code of Ethics, or any Code of Ethics which within the past five (5) years has been in effect, shall be preserved in an easily accessible place;

 

  2) A record of any violation of this Code of Ethics, and of any action taken as a result of such violation, shall be preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five (5) years following the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs;

 

Code of Ethics

June 30, 2011

Page 16


  3) A copy of each report, certification or acknowledgement made by an Access Person pursuant to this Code of Ethics shall be preserved for a period of not less than five (5) years from the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two years in an easily accessible place;

 

  4) A list of all persons who are, or within the past five (5) years have been, required to make reports pursuant to this Code of Ethics shall be maintained in an easily accessible place;

 

  5) A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition by Access Persons of Covered Securities in a private placement, as described in Section D(3) of this Code of Ethics, for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted; and

 

  6) A copy of each annual report required under Section F for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which it is made, the first two in an accessible place.

All such records shall be maintained for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place as deemed appropriate by the Adviser.

Initially Adopted August 8, 2000 and Amended Effective July 1, 2001; November 29, 2001; December 31, 2001; February 1, 2005; November 27, 2006; May 18, 2007, and March 31, 2011.

 

Code of Ethics

June 30, 2011

Page 17


EXHIBIT A

Initial Holdings Report

To the Chief Compliance Officer:

 

   

I hereby acknowledge receipt of the Code of Ethics.

 

   

I have read and understand the Code and recognize that I am subject thereto in the capacity of an “Access Person”.

 

   

I have no knowledge of the existence of a personal conflict of interest which may have involved any Client, such as an economic relationship between my personal securities holdings and securities held or to be acquired by any such Client.

 

   

As of this filing I have a beneficial ownership in the following securities:

 

*Charles Schwab & Co. San Francisco - 123456 - Account Name: test user account

Security Description

   Symbol    CUSIP    SEDOL    ISIN    Holdings      Holding type

BIOCUREX INC COM

   BOCX    09060V109    2024699    US09060V1098      250.0000       Regular

PROSHARES TR PSHS ULT S&P 500

   SSO          US74347R1077      10.0000       Regular

ABB LTD SPONSORED ADR

   ABB    000375204       US0003752047      500.0000       Regular

*Merrill Lynch Boston - 555555555 - Account Name: test user account

Security Description

   Symbol    CUSIP    SEDOL    ISIN    Holdings      Holding Type

GOOGLE INC CL A

   GOOG    38259P508    B020QX2    US38259P5089      100.0000       Regular

FIDELITY SECS FD DIVID GROWTH

   FDGFX    316389402    2354998    US3163894021      650.0000       Regular

ISHARES TR INDEX S&P SMLCAP 600

   IJR          US4642878049      300.0000       Regular

*UBS Financial Services White Plains - 123456 - Account Name: test

 

No Holdings

                 

T Rowe Price Baltimore - 77777777 - Account Name: test user account

  

  

Security Description

   Symbol    CUSIP    SEDOL    ISIN    Holdings      Holding Type

SUPREME INDS INC CL A

   STS    868607102    2325819    US8686071023      225.0000       Regular

BARRICK GOLD CORP COM

   ABX    067901108    2024677    CA0679011084      1400.0000       Regular

GOOGLE INC CL A

   GOOG    38259P508    B020QX2    US38259P5089      10.0000       Regular

BNP PARIBAS SPONSORED ADR

   BNPQY    05565A202       US05565A2024      250.0000       Regular

Notes:

The requested information should be provided for all Covered Securities. Covered Securities are all securities except direct obligations of the United States government, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt instruments (including repurchase agreements), shares of money market funds, shares of registered open-end investment companies, other than Reportable Funds, and shares of unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open end funds that are not Reportable Funds. Reportable Fund means (a) any series of Nationwide Mutual Funds or Nationwide Variable Insurance Trusts; (b) any Fund for which the Advisers serve as Investment Adviser; or (c) any Fund whose investment adviser (including sub-adviser) or Principal Underwriter controls, is controlled by, or is under common control of any Adviser.

Further, the above information is requested for all accounts/transactions over which you have any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership. (See Section A(3) “Beneficial Ownership” in this Code of Ethics.)

Please consult the Compliance Department if you have any questions as to the reporting requirements.

Exhibit A

June 30, 2011

Page 18

# 1220822 v. 1


_EXHIBIT B

Nationwide Funds Group

Quarterly Transactions Report

For 1st Quarter of Year 2010

Access Person Name:

 

Test   

 

Broker Office

  Broker Account Number   Execution Date Local  

Transaction Type

 

Security Description

  Symbol   Cusip  

Price Amount

  Quantity  

*Charles Schwab & Co. San Francisco

  123456   2/12/2010 3:49:10PM   Buy   PROSHARES TR PSHS ULT S&P 500   SSO     2.00000     10.0000   

*Merril Lynch Boston

  555555555   1/12/2010 1:55:17PM   Buy   GOOGLE INC CL A   GOOG   38259P508   50.66600     100.0000   

T Rowe Price Baltimore

  77777777   2/12/2010 4:07:14 PM   Buy   BNP PARIBAS SPONSORED ADR   BNPQY   05565A202   2.00000     250.0000   

By submitting this form, I hereby agree and acknowledge that:

 

   

During the quarter referred to above, the above transactions were effected in Covered Securities of which I had, or by reason of such transaction acquired, direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership, and which are required to be reported pursuant to the Code of Ethics.

 

   

This report (i) excludes transactions with respect to which I had no direct or indirect influence or control, (ii) other transactions not required to be reported, and (iii) is not an admission that I have or had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the Covered Securities listed above.

 

   

I have reported all brokerage accounts in which Covered Securities were held during the quarter referenced above for my indirect or direct benefit. I further understand that in compliance with the Code I must have copies of my monthly brokerage statements sent to the Chief Compliance Officer and that I must get approval to open any new account that can hold Covered Securities.

 

   

Except as noted in this report, I hereby certify that I have no knowledge of the existence of any personal conflicts of interest involving any Client, such as the existence of any economic relationship between my transactions and Covered Securities held or to be acquired by any Client.

Notes:

The requested information should be provided for all Covered Securities. Covered Securities are all securities except direct obligations of the United States Government, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt instruments (including repurchase agreements), shares of money market funds, shares of registered open-end investment companies other than Reportable Funds, and shares of unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end Funds that are not Reportable Funds. Reportable Fund means (a) any series of Nationwide Mutual Funds or Nationwide Variable Insurance Trusts; (b) any Fund for which the Advisers serve as Investment Adviser; or (c) any Fund whose investment adviser (including sub-adviser) or Principal Underwriter controls, is controlled by, or is under common control of any Adviser.

Further, the above information is requested for all accounts/transactions over which you have any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership. Please refer to Section A(3) “Beneficial Ownership” for a complete definition of a person who is regarded as the beneficial owner of Covered Securities.

Please consult the Compliance Department if you have any questions as to the reporting requirements.

Exhibit B

June 30, 2011

Page 19

# 1220822 v. 1


EXHIBIT C

Nationwide Funds Group

Annual Holdings Report

Year 2009

To the Chief Compliance Officer:

 

   

I have read and understand the Code and recognize that I am subject thereto in the capacity of an “Access Person.”

 

   

I hereby certify that, during the year ended December 31, 2009, I have complied with the requirements of the Code and I have reported all Covered Securities transactions, including Reportable Funds, required to be reported pursuant to the Code.

 

   

I hereby certify that, I have no knowledge of the existence of any personal conflict of interest that may involve a Client, such as any economic relationship between my personal securities transactions and Covered Securities held or to be acquired by a Client.

 

   

As of December 31, 2009, I had a direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the following Covered Securities:

 

   

I hereby represent that I maintain the account(s) listed below in which Covered Securities are held for my direct or indirect benefit with the brokers, dealers or banks listed below.

 

*Charles Schwab & Co. San Francisco - 123456 - Account Name: test user account

Security Description

   Symbol    CUSIP    SEDOL    ISIN    Holdings      Holding Type

ABB LTD SPONSORED ADR

   ABB    000375204       US0003752047      500.0000       Regular

BIOCUREX INC COM

   BOCX    09060V109    2024699    US09060V1098      250.0000       Regular

*Merrill Lynch Boston - 555555555 - Account Name: test user account

Security Description

   Symbol    CUSIP    SEDOL    ISIN    Holdings      Holding Type

FIDELITY SECS FD DIVID GROWTH

   FDGFX    316389402    2354998    US3163894021      650.0000       Regular

ISHARES TR INDEX S&P SMLCP 600

   IJR          US4642878049      300.0000       Regular

T Rowe Price Baltimore - 77777777 - Account Name: test user account

  

  

Security Description

   Symbol    CUSIP    SEDOL    ISIN    Holdings      Holding Type

SUPREME INDS INC CL A

   STS    868607102    2325819    US8686071023      225.0000       Regular

BARRICK GOLD CORP COM

   ABX    067901108    2024677    CA0679011084      1400.0000       Regular

GOOGLE INC CL A

   GOOG    38259P508    B020QX2    US38259P5089      10.0000       Regular

Notes:

The requested information should be provided for all Covered Securities. Covered Securities are all securities except direct obligations of the United States government, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt instruments (including repurchase agreements), shares of money market funds, shares of registered open-end investment companies other than Reportable Funds, shares of unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end Funds that are not Reportable Funds. Reportable Fund means (a) any series of Gartmore Mutual Funds or Gartmore Variable Insurance Trusts; (b) any Fund for which the Advisers serve as Investment Adviser; or (c) any Fund whose investment adviser (including sub-adviser) or Principal Underwriter controls, is controlled by, or is under common control of any Adviser.

Further, the above information is requested for all accounts/transactions over which you have any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership. Please refer to Section A(3) “Beneficial Ownership” for a complete definition of a person who is regarded as the beneficial owner of Covered Securities.

Please consult the Compliance Department if you have any questions as to the reporting requirements.

 

Printed Name Electronic Signature

   IT User   

 

 

LOGO

Exhibit C

June 30, 2011

Page 20

# 1220822 v. 1


Access Persons will not be subject to the Pre-clearance requirements under Section D(6), the Holding requirements under Section D(7), or the Blackout Period under Section D(8) with respect to the following securities:

 

  1.

securities traded on a national exchange whose values are based upon the value or changes in value of broad based market indices(2);

 

  2.

options contracts traded on a national exchange on (a) securities described in item 1 or (b) broad based market indices(2); and

 

  3. the following specifically enumerated securities traded on a national securities exchange:

 

NAME

   SYMBOL

AMEX Airline Index

   XAL

AMEX Biotechnology Index

   BTK

AMEX Biotech-Pharmaceutical Index

   BPI 1

AMEX China Index

   CZH

AMEX Computer Hardware Index

   HWI

AMEX Consumer Discretionary Select Sct I

   IXY

AMEX Defense Index

   DFI

AMEX Deutschebank Energy Index

   DXE

AMEX Disk Drive Index

   DDX

AMEX Energy Industry Cpn Bskt Val Index

   MEB

AMEX Equal Weighted Pharmaceutical Index

   DGE

AMEX Financial Select Sector Index

   IXM

AMEX Gold BUGS Index

   HUI

AMEX Gold Miners Index

   GDM

AMEX Gold Mining Cmps PLUS Bskt Val Indx

   DJG

AMEX Health Care Select Sector Index

   IXV

AMEX Industrial 15 Index

   IXD

AMEX Industry Standard 100 Internet

   XIS

AMEX Institutional Holdings Index

   IXH

AMEX Institutional Index

   XII

AMEX International Market Index

   ADR

AMEX Japan Index

   JPN

AMEX Major Market Index

   XMI

AMEX Materials Select Sector Index

   IXB

AMEX Morgan Stanley Commodities Index

   CRX

AMEX Morgan Stanley Consumer Index

   CMR

AMEX Morgan Stanley Cyclical Index

   CYC

AMEX N American Telecommunications Index

   XTC

AMEX Natural Gas Index

   XNG

AMEX Networking Index

   NWX

AMEX Oil and Natural Gas Index

   OGX

 

Exhibit D

June 30, 2011

Page 21


AMEX Oil Index

   XOI

AMEX Pharma. Index

   DRG

AMEX Securities Broker/Dealer Index

   XBD

AMEX Select Ten Index

   XST

AMEX Select Utility Index

   UUO

AMEX Semiconductor Index

   SIS

AMEX Semiconductor Industry PLUS

   IIB

AMEX Smcndctr Indtry PLUS Bskt Val Idx

   SDD

AMEX Spade Defense Index

   DXS

AMEX StockCar Stocks Index

   RCE

AMEX Tobacco Index

   TOB

AMEX Utilities Select Sector Index

   IXU

CBOE 10-Year Treasury Note

   TNX

CBOE 13-Week Treasury Bill

   IRX

CBOE 30-Year Treasury Bond

   TYX

CBOE 5-Year Treasury Note

   FVX

CBOE Asia 25 Index Options

   EYR

CBOE China Index Options

   CYX

CBOE Euro 25 Index Options

   EOR

CBOE Gold Index Options

   GOX

CBOE Internet Index Options

   INX

CBOE Mexico Index Options

   MEX

CBOE Oil Index Options

   OIX

CBOE Technology Index

   TXX

Cohen & Steers REIT Index

   RMP

CSFB Technology Index

   CTN

Dow Jones Equity REIT Index

   DJR

Dow Jones Industrial Average

   DJX

Dow Jones Internet Commerce Index

   ECM

Dow Jones Transportation Average

   DTX

Dow Jones Utility Average

   DUX

Dynamic Large Cap Growth Intellidex

   ILH

Dynamic Large Cap Value Intellidex

   ILW

Dynamic Mid Cap Growth Intellidex

   ILJ

Dynamic Mid Cap Value Intellidex

   ILP

Dynamic Small Cap Growth Intellidex

   ILK

Dynamic Small Cap Value Intellidex

   ILZ

America’s Fastest Growing Companies LargeCap 50 Index

   FGL

FORTUNE E-50 Index

   FEX

GSTI™ Composite Index Options

   GTC

GSTI™ Hardware Index Options

   GHA

GSTI™ Internet Index Options

   GIN

 

Exhibit D

June 30, 2011

Page 22


GSTI™ Multimedia Networking Index Options

   GIP

GSTI™ Semiconductor Index Options

   GSM

GSTI™ Services Index Options

   GSV

GSTI™ Software Index Options

   GSO

Halter USX China Index

   HXC

iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors

   ICF

Shares Dow Jones Transportation Average Index Fund

   IYT

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Goods Sector Index Fund

   IYK

iShares Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Services Sector Index Fund

   IYC

iShares Dow Jones US Basic Materials

   IYM

iShares Dow Jones US Financial Sector

   IYF

iShares Dow Jones US Financial Services

   IYG

iShares Dow Jones US Healthcare

   IYH

iShares Dow Jones US Real Estate

   IYR

iShares Dow Jones US Technology

   IYW

iShares Dow Jones US Total Market

   IYY

iShares Dow Jones US Utilities

   IDU

iShares FTSE/Xinhua Index Fund

   FXI

iShares Goldman Sachs Natural Resources

   IGE

iShares Goldman Sachs Networking

   IGN

iShares Goldman Sachs Semiconductor

   IGW

iShares Goldman Sachs Software

   IGV

iShares Goldman Sachs Technology

   IGM

iShares GS $ InvesTopTM Corporate Bond Fund

   LQD

iShares Lehman 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund

   TLT

iShares Lehman Aggregate Bond Fund

   AGG

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets

   EEM

iShares MSCI-Australia

   EWA

iShares MSCI-Brazil

   EWZ

iShares MSCI-Canada

   EWC

iShares MSCI-EAFE

   EFA

iShares MSCI-EMU

   EZU

iShares MSCI-France

   EWQ

iShares MSCI-Germany

   EWG

iShares MSCI-Hong Kong

   EWH

iShares MSCI-Japan

   EWJ

iShares MSCI-Malaysia

   EWM

iShares MSCI-Pacific Ex-Japan

   EPP

iShares MSCI-Singapore

   EWS

iShares MSCI-Taiwan

   EWT

iShares MSCI-U.K.

   EWU

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology

   IBB

 

Exhibit D

June 30, 2011

Page 23


iShares Russell Midcap Growth Index Fund

   IWP

iShares Russell Midcap Index Fund

   IWR

iShares Russell Midcap Value Index Fund

   IWS

iShares S&P Global Financial Sector

   IXG

iShares S&P Global Healthcare Sector

   IXJ

iShares S&P Global Information Technology Sector

   IXN

iShares S&P Global Telecommunications Sector

   IXP

iShares S&P Latin America 40

   ILF

KBW Capital Markets Index

   KSX

KBW Insurance Index

   KIX

Lehman Bros 10 Uncmmn Val Idx 2003

   UVO

Lehman Brothers 10 Uncommon (1999)

   UVL

Lehman Brothers 10 Uncommon (2000)

   UVI

Lehman Brothers 10 Uncommon (2001)

   UVT

Lehman Brothers Financial Index

   UFX

Mergent Dividend Achiever 50 Index

   DAY

Mergent Dividend Achievers Index

   DAA

Merrill Lynch Global Market Index

   GLI

Merrill Lynch Slct Sctr SPDR Grwth

   GWI

Merrill Lynch Stable Growth Index

   XS

Merrill Lynch Technology 100 Index

   MLO

Merrill Lynch Top Ten Yield Index

   XMT

MidCap SPDRS

   MDY

Morgan Stanley Biotech Index Options

   MVB

Morgan Stanley Commodity Related

   CRX

Morgan Stanley Health Care Payors

   HMO

Morgan Stanley Health Care Products

   RXP

Morgan Stanley Health Care Provider

   RXH

Morgan Stanley Internet Index

   MOX

Morgan Stanley Multinational Company Index

   NFT

Morgan Stanley Oil Services Options

   MGO

Morgan Stanley REIT Index

   RMS

Morgan Stanley Retail Index Options

   MVR

Morgan Stanley Technology Index

   MSH

PHLX Defense SectorSM

   DFX

PHLX Drug SectorSM

   RXS

PHLX Europe SectorSM

   XEX

PHLX Housing SectorSM

   HGX

PHLX Oil Service SectorSM

   OSX

PHLX Semiconductor SectorSM

   SOX

PHLX TheStreet.com Internet Sector

   DOT

PHLX Utility SectorSM

   UTY

PHLX/KBW Bank Index

   BKX

 

Exhibit D

June 30, 2011

Page 24


Select Sector SPDR-Consumer Discretionary

   XLY

Select Sector SPDR-Financial

   XLF

Select Sector SPDR-Health Care

   XLV

Select Sector SPDR-Materials

   XLB

Select Sector SPDR-Technology

   XLK

Select Sector SPDR-Utilities

   XLU

SIG Cable, Media & Entertainment IndexTM

   SCQ

SIG Casino Gaming IndexTM

   SGV

SIG Education IndexTM

   ESU

SIG Footwear & Athletic IndexTM

   FSQ

SIG Investment Managers IndexTM

   SMQ

SIG Restaurant IndexTM

   DSQ

SIG Semiconductor Capital Equipment IndexTM

   SEZ

SIG Semiconductor Device IndexTM

   SDL

SIG Specialty Retail IndexTM

   RSQ

SIG Steel Producers Index

   STQ

Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts (SPDR)

   SPY

streetTRACKS Dow Jones Global Titans 50 Index

   DGT

streetTRACKS Dow Jones US LargeCap Growth

   ELG

streetTRACKS Dow Jones US LargeCap Value

   ELV

streetTRACKS Dow Jones US SmallCap Growth

   DSG

streetTRACKS Dow Jones US SmallCap Value

   DSV

streetTRACKS Morgan Stanley Technology

   MTK

streetTRACKS Wilshire REIT

   RWR

The Dow Industrials DIAMONDS

   DIA

The WilderHill Clean Energy Index

   ECO

 

(1) Subject to change at the discretion of the Firm
(2)` For the purposes of this Code, a broad based market index is one that tracks 200 or more underlying securities.

 

Exhibit D

June 30, 2011

Page 25


EXHIBIT E

 

LOGO

 

 

Exhibit E

June 30, 2011

Page 26


 

LOGO

 

Exhibit E

June 30, 2011

Page 27


EXHIBIT F

 

LOGO

 

 

Exhibit F

June 30, 2011

Page 28


EXHIBIT G

 

LOGO

Duplicate Statements should be sent to:

NATIONWIDE FUNDS GROUP

C/O: COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT

P.O. BOX 796

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA 19399

 

Exhibit G

June 30, 2011

Page 29


EXHIBIT H

CERTIFICATION OF REBUTTAL OF ACCESS PRESUMPTION

I,                                  , do hereby certify and affirm that:

 

1)   I serve as      and am also   
     (insert position with Adviser)
     (insert position with Affiliate

 

2) During the immediate prior calendar year:

 

  a) I have not, with respect to any Client2 account, obtained or sought to obtain information regarding the Client’s purchase or sale of securities;

 

  b) I have not, with respect to any Reportable Fund, made, participated in, obtained or sought to obtain information about, the purchase or sale of a Covered Security or related recommendations;

 

  c) My regular functions and duties have not, with respect to Reportable Funds, related to such recommendations, purchase or sales;

 

  d) I have not been involved in making securities recommendations to Firm Clients nor have I obtained, or sought to obtain information about any such recommendations which are non-public;

 

  e) I am aware of and have complied with all provisions of the Code that are relevant to me and with any policies and procedures of the Firm and its affiliates relevant to the control of sensitive information about Client accounts or Adviser recommendations to which I may be subject. I further agree to continue to comply with all such policies and procedures, as they may be amended from time to time.

 

3) If any of the representations set forth in 2(a) through (e) above ceases to be true, I will inform the Firm’s CCO promptly, and unless otherwise notified by the CCO, will comply with the relevant Code requirements applicable to Access Persons.

 

4) I recognize that I am providing this certification in order to allow the CCO to consider my designation as an Exempt-Access person. I have read, understand and agree to abide by the Firm’s Code of Ethics, and in particular, those provisions of the Code relevant to Exempt-Access Persons.

 

 

       
Signature      Date   
Printed Name        

 

 

2  Capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to them by the Firm’s Code of Ethics. For convenience, relevant definitions appear in the attached Glossary.

 

Exhibit H

June 30, 2011

Page 30


“Access Person” means any director, officer, Advisory Person or employee of the Adviser as well as any other person that the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) determines to be an Access Person. An Access Person shall not include any person who the CCO determines to be an Exempt-Access Person. The CCO maintains records of the status of all relevant persons under the Code, and will inform each such person about that person’s status as necessary.

 

  1) The “Adviser” is Nationwide Fund Advisors

 

  2) “Chief Compliance Officer” or “CCO” means the Chief Compliance Officer for the Adviser (as designated on the Adviser’s Form ADV) or the CCO’s designee, as applicable.

 

  3) “Client” means

 

  (a) any investment company registered under the Act or any series of a registered investment company for whom the Adviser acts as investment adviser or sub-adviser or

 

  (b) any separately managed investment account, commingled/collective investment trust fund, hedge fund and other similar investment arrangement, which is advised by the Adviser.

 

  4) “Covered Person” means all Access and Exempt-Access Person.

 

  5) “Covered Security” means a security as defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the Act, except that it shall not include direct obligations of the United States government, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt instruments (including repurchase agreements), shares of money market funds, shares of registered open-end investment companies, (other than Reportable Funds as defined in A(14)) and shares of unit investment trusts that are exclusively invested in one or more open-end Funds that are not Reportable Funds.

 

  6) “Fund” means an investment company registered under the Act.

 

  7) “Exempt-Access Persons.” The Firm’s officers, directors, employees and other related persons, are presumed to be Access Persons for purposes of the Rules However, certain persons, such as certain officers, directors of the Advisers, or other persons, such as temporary employees, often do not have actual access to investment or portfolio information or participate in the recommendation process. Where the CCO has determined that the relevant director, officer, employee or temporary employee: (1) does not meet the definition of “Advisory Person;” (2) does not otherwise have access to nonpublic information with respect to Client holdings, transactions or securities recommendations; and (3) is not involved in the recommendation process, the CCO may determine to treat such person as an “Exempt-Access Person” for purposes of this Code. Exempt-Access Persons must, prior to being so designated and at least annually thereafter certify to the CCO, in the form attached as Exhibit H as to the relevant facts and circumstances that formed the basis of the CCO’s above-described determination.

 

Exhibit H

June 30, 2011

Page 31


  8) “Purchase or sale of a Covered Security” includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Covered Security.

 

  9) “Reportable Fund” means

 

  (a) any series of Nationwide Mutual Funds or Nationwide Variable Insurance Trust;

 

  (b) any Fund for which the Firm serves as an investment adviser, or

 

  (c) any Fund whose investment adviser (including sub-advisers) or Principal Underwriter controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Adviser.

 

Exhibit H

June 30, 2011

Page 32


EXHIBIT I

Nationwide Fund Advisors:

Sanctions, Disciplinary or Remedial Actions for Violations of the Code of Ethics

As set forth in the attached Code of Ethics, the Firm expects all Covered Persons3 to observe the highest standards of professional conduct when conducting their business. If it is determined that there has been a violation of the Code of Ethics, appropriate sanctions or disciplinary or remedial actions will be imposed.

In determining what sanctions or disciplinary or remedial actions are appropriate in response to any violations of the Code of Ethics, the President of the Firm (“President”), the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and/or the Boards of Nationwide Mutual Funds and Nationwide Variable Insurance Trusts (collectively, the “Board”), generally consider the following, among other factors: (i) the type, gravity and frequency of the violation(s); (ii) whether the violation(s) caused harm or the potential of harm to the shareholders of the Nationwide Mutual Funds and Nationwide Variable Insurance Trusts; (iii) the Covered Person’s position in the Firm; and (iv) the Covered Person’s specific actions in connection with the violation(s).

The sanctions or disciplinary or remedial actions that may be imposed for any violations of the Code of Ethics include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

 

   

Verbal and Written Warnings,

 

   

Violation Memoranda,

 

   

Unwinding or Reversing of Trades,

 

   

Disgorgement of Profits,

 

   

Suspension of Trading Privileges,

 

   

Remedial Code of Ethics Training,

 

   

Reporting of Violation(s) to Firm Management,

 

   

Reporting of Violation(s) to the Board,

 

   

Suspension of Employment,

 

   

Termination of Employment.

The Firm, in its sole discretion, may direct the Covered Person to cancel or unwind any trade at the Covered Person’s expense. From time to time, the Covered Person also may have his or her positions frozen due to potential conflicts of interest or the appearance of impropriety. The Firm may, in its sole discretion, suspend or revoke the Covered Person’s trading privileges at any time.

In addition to these sanctions and disciplinary and remedial actions, the Firm may refer any violation of the Code of Ethics to the appropriate regulatory or governmental agencies or authorities.

 

 

3  Capitalized terms have the meaning assigned to them by the Firm’s Code of Ethics.

 

Exhibit I

June 30, 2011

Page 33


The Firm also shall consider adherence to overall compliance standards as an integral component of the performance evaluation process. Violations of the Code of Ethics shall be considered by each Covered Person’s manager when assessing the Covered Person’s overall performance review.

Examples of certain activities that are covered by specific provisions in the Code of Ethics are set forth below. The President, CCO and/or the Board, in their sole discretion, may impose sanctions or disciplinary or remedial actions for violations of any of these provisions as well as for violations of any other provisions in the Code of Ethics.

 

Type

  

Code of Ethics Provision

Short Selling / Margin Activity

   Section D.l

Pre-Clearance

   Section D.6

30-Day Holding

   Section D.7

Black-Out Periods

   Section D.8

Late Reporting

   Section F

Failure to Provide Documentation

   Section F.2(d)

The following is a list of certain violations of the Code of Ethics along with a description of the sanctions or disciplinary or remedial actions that may be imposed. This list is non-exhaustive and the President, CCO and/or the Board also may impose sanctions or disciplinary or remedial actions for any other violations of the Code of Ethics. Additionally, the President, CCO and/or the Board, in their sole discretion, may impose sanctions or disciplinary or remedial actions different from or in addition to the ones listed below depending upon specific facts and circumstances.

 

Types of Violations

  

Description of Violation

Late Reporting

  

•     Initial Holdings Report or upon hire, disclosure of Covered Accounts

 

•     Failure to disclose Covered Securities and/or Covered Accounts

 

•     Code of Ethics or Compliance Policies and Procedures Acknowledgment

 

•     Quarterly Transaction Report

 

•     Annual Holdings Report

Summary of Potential Sanctions or Disciplinary or Remedial Actions    Verbal warning; Written warning and remedial COE training; Written violation memorandum; Meeting with Compliance department and/or Supervisor.
Other Reporting Violations of the Code of Ethics   

•     Failure to request pre-clearance for a trade in a Covered Security, and trading in such Covered Security, where the trade would have been approved

 

•     Covered Associate fails to request approval to open a new Covered Account - and no conflicting trades occurred in the account

 

Exhibit I

June 30, 2011

Page 34


Summary of Potential Sanctions or Disciplinary or Remedial Actions    Written warning and remedial COE training; Written violation memorandum (with copies to Supervisor or to Supervisor and HR file); Meeting with Compliance department; Reporting to the Board; Meeting with CCO and President; Disgorgement of profits to a charity.
Specific Actions in Violation of the Code of Ethics   

•     Placing a trade in violation of a black-out period

 

•     Failure to request pre-clearance for a trade in a Covered Security and trading in such Covered Security, where the trade would not have been approved

 

•     Failure to request pre-clearance for a trade of an IPO or a Private Placement and trading in such IPO or Private Placement

 

•     Covered Associate fails to request approval to open a new Covered Account - and conflicting trades occurred in the account

 

•     Placing a trade in isolation of 30-day holding period for Covered Security (sale at a profit within 30 days of purchase)

 

•     Placing a trade in violation of 30-day holding period for a Reportable Fund

Summary of Potential Sanctions or Disciplinary or Remedial Actions    Unwinding or reversing of trade and disgorgement of any profits to a charity; Written violation memorandum (with copies to Supervisor or Supervisor and HR file); Reporting to the Board; Remedial COE training; 60-day suspension of trading privileges; Meeting with CCO and President; Suspension of employment; Termination of employment.

The Firm is committed to integrity, ethical behavior and the highest standards of professional conduct. Any questions about the information contained in this Exhibit I should be directed to the CCO.

 

Exhibit I

June 30, 2011

Page 35